alarcher

This sounds like a question for Road Warrior, he seems to catch nothing but monster smallies.

I agree never trust a gas gauge, I've seen this mistake happen several times (even to myself) Just fill up and learn your hours between tanks, this way you won't have to be towed again because your out of gas, nothings worse then asking for a tow due to running out of gas.

You should turn his dumb a@# in, I hate people like that! > Anyway to your questions (I'm a trout guy). The fish are eating worms anywhere you go because that is a main staple of the fish's diet after a rain storm. Helgimites and numerous other emerging nymphs are all over the bottom of the water column. Trout eat 80% of their diet under the surface. So in the end your "friend" doesn't know how to fish for trout, especially if he thinks there is no trout in a "trophy trout fly fish area only."

Congrats on the new PB. Best thing is you get to go and try to break it again!!! Keep fishing!

"more fair"? So your saying it's better to have them choke on your fist than to be hooked in the lip? J/K ;D noodling looks like a lot of fun and I would like to try it some time.

WOW!!! Fantastic info. Thanks so much, I know what I want for my pictures and I'm really liking the Pelican Case. Amazing fish man! I'm new to this site but love every second I spend on it! You and Road Warrior are my new fishing idols! Keep the fish pics coming!

I'm not sure what the laws are in Nebraska but most states it's illegal to go put a bunch of fish in your live well and plant them in your private pond. To be safe you really should get hold of the local fisheries biologist and have the pond evaluated, this way you won't get in trouble and you'll get better advice from them than anyone else.

Must feel good to get out at least! I would have liked to see that dark smallie myself, cameras are key to prove you had a good day. ;D Keep on fishing!

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. sounds like I'll seriously throw the football jig. Swim baits sound like it's still up in the air and will try little at a time. Thanks again.

These are two techniques that are of interest to me and yet I've heard nothing about how smallmouth are reacting/catching on them. Anyone use these for smallies or will I be wasting my time throwing them? I'm confident in what I throw now but want to "broaden my horizons" and see what others are saying about these two baits. Thanks guys and let me know.

Nice! You have to start somewhere, and that's a decent start!

"Wrong Kind?" Man be great full to have strippers on the menu, I would love to hook into some of them! Idahoans don't get to have the pleasure to fish for them. Awesome fish and looked like a great time! I like the pics they turned out great!

Awesome fish! my PB is still 3.5lbs but I'm going to break it this year, I just feel it! Congrats again bud!

Hey Redwood, I fish a lot of the same water types in S.W. Idaho and these guys that have posted so far have it right, slow and easy. Patience is key but don't be afraid to use fast moving crank for an impulse bite. Our bass fishing now is a couple of weeks from getting good but I expect it will be good in 2-3 weeks! have fun dude and be patient. Good Luck!

Awesome!!! I just got back from my first trip of the year and caught a total of 2 bass all day. Both were 15" decent but not big by any means. Congrats and keep it up!!!

Crank baits Drop shots Husky Jerks 3.5 Tubes Football head jigs Robo worms, robo worms, robo worms! especially Aarons Magic

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. That fish would be the state record here in Idaho. I've only seen largemouth that size!

I am a Senior Fisheries Technician for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. I deal with fish in every possible way (from surgery to electro fishing) and nets aren't any worse than handling the fishes body with your hands. The key to the safety of the fish is the less touching the better, oils that are in our hands are actually worse on the "protective slime" than a net. So again just handle the fish (net or hands) as less as possible.

"Also, should I name her? If so what? Thanks again guys." Awesome boat and beautiful work man! but I think you should name her Rippin Lips because you'll be doing that a lot this season!

New to the site but a smallie lover and this thread has helped me already with awesome info. Thanks guys and keep up the fantastic advice!

I'm brand new to the site but man what a forum to get me excited for the season! congrats on the monster and keep it up!

Jealous, jealous jealous. I've never seen an 8 pounder up here in Idaho! Great fish.

I agree with baitball, this is the same set up that I've evolved to over the years. Weedless and all around simple to use.