Dwight Hottle

For me jerkbait rods are in the same category as bottom contact rods. Buy the best you can afford with sensitivity in mind. Some guys like medium or medium heavy moderate action rods paired with braid and leader. The rest like mf or mhf paired with fluoro or mono line.

My guess is between 8-9 lbs.

I had Kaspersky & couldn't get rid of them fast enough. Good luck dropping them because they don't want to let you go.

Also try Japan Lure Shop https://japanlureshop.com/ Both Digitaka & Japan lure shop have free shipping. Go with whoever has the best deal & stock on hand.

I always use my boga grip & pliers when fishing with treble hooked baits.

Try a deep diving jerkbait like a pointer 100DD or a husky jerk DD. Use long casts or long line the bait & drift with the wind or use your trolling motor.

Yes it sounds like you need a bigger hook with a bigger gap.

The list of guys mentioned already is very good. I would add Larry Dahlberg to the list. It's always fun comparing some of your own species PB's with the guys on the list.

Jigs are the ultimate versatile bait.

Great day with some sweet memories.

First of all what is your definition of a trophy smallmouth? Secondly you could consider using larger bait sizes to eliminate most smaller fish. Many fisherman feel that larger live bait will produce bigger fish. Just remember that a large fish will eat a smaller bait also. As already mentioned larger fish are more readily obtainable from the best locations known to produce trophy size fish.

Right on. You you need to select a fluoro leader that is 2-4lbs heavier breaking strength than regular mono to get the same breaking strength as the mono because of the knot weakness & brittleness of fluorocarbon. If you use 8 lb mono leaders try 10 or 12lb fluoro.

I enjoy catching both species but smallies are my passion. I have been blessed with fishing Lake Erie for about 12 years before moving to FL full time & capitalized on both spring & fall smallies caught with jerkbaits. I have to agree with Roadwarrior that the frequency of 5 & 6 & the occasional 7 lb smallmouth from some of the best fisheries can be mind numbing to the average angler. I could never duplicate my big fish smallmouth numbers from PA waters with largemouth numbers in PA. Plus smallies fight longer & harder & jump more frequently than largemouth in general.

Best bank fish caught on a spinner bait in south Georgia.

If their Nikes I won't spend anything. Otherwise I try to keep it under $75.

Make sure you set the air pressure at maximum as printed on the sidewall before your trip. Max air pressure will insure the tires run at the coolest temperature. Also you will get better gas mileage on a long trip with the cover on.

Yes it would They were all such staunch supporters of Mike Long.

Congrats on your new PB.

All I can say is the fishing gods owe you a good day to balance out the bad. Keep on chucking & it will happen. It does even out in the end.

Best song for the old guys still fishing & remembering their past.

Lake trout love spoons as well as pike & musky.

Yep.

Congrats on the PB.

Multiple 6lbers isn't luck.

Good luck with your recovery.