Goose52

Incheon Basser - you're looking good! Are any of those reels KDM models?

Thanks guys! I am just so blown away by these recent catches. I'd like to say that I'm a master angler and that success was guaranteed.............but I'd be fibbing. I did cue on the weather pattern and on the second warm day last week I abandoned the deep water and explored the coves to see if I could find some active fish. But other than that, I just stumbled across these bass. The cove that these fish have been in are at the shallow end of the lake (opposite end from the dam) and is really just a mud-ditch - it is narrow enough that I can cast across it. There is no appreciable underwater cover in it. Deep water (>10-12ft) is about 100 yards away and there is a wide flat between deep water and the cove. I don't know what the fish are doing back in this area...but I'm not complaining! Ima Bass Ninja: Nope - nothing wrong with that last bass above. He just arched his tail as the photo was being taken. RW and Paul: Just shows how different our state is between West Tennessee and East Tennessee, then add in where I am up on the plateau. I'm only at 2000ft, but sometimes we get different weather than the folks down the hill. Well, we have a light snow falling right now and air temp is 25. I'll drive over to that cove again today and check water temp - I expect it will be about 37 or so. Still, I'll toss something across that cove and see if there are any stragglers left that haven't gone back deep...

Most of my lakes are very clear but I'm still not convinced that line color is that big of a deal (at least between green and clear). Like Raul, I use line color as a form of color coding - all my nylon mono is clear, my Yo-Zuri - both regular and ultra-soft, is green.

Not a big difference between 6.3 and 7.1 - just 3 (or so) inches per handle turn (IPT). The baits you're considering are either worked with the rod tip, or are easy to crank so there would be no problem using a 7.1. So, it comes down to which reel you like the best. Most folks would probably choose the Curado.

Mine has the basics - nothing special. I do get many of my soft plastics there.

One of the bass that I caught today had the black blotches. Beats me what it is...

I previously posted about getting 5 bass (14.81lbs total) on a spinnerbait in 42 degree water ( http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/71057-winter-spinnerbait-bass/page__hl__42+degree+water+spinnerbait__fromsearch__1 ). I've been skunked a few days since then, but today I had a repeat of the same pattern as when I got the 5 bass. Two warmer days, an increase water temps from the high-30s to the mid-40s (enough to get the fish up and active), then a cold front coming in. Today, it was sunny this morning, turning to clouds in the afternoon, with off-and-on rain. I fished the same two coves as before. Surface water temp at the bank was 40 degrees when I started fishing, 39 degrees when I quit. Water depth was 5ft or less. I got the first three bass on a spinnerbait: 22"/4.87lb, 18"/2.75lb, and 15"/1.54lb. The bite went cold and I switched to a Yo-Zuri lipless crank and got four more bass: 22"/5.31lb, 21"/3.54lb, 19"/3.04lb, and 18"/2.36lb. Total weight: 23.41lbs Best Five: 19.51lbs Just an INCREDIBLE bag for winter in my little lakes! More cold weather expected with chance of snow for the next 3 days with overnight lows in the low 20s. I expect those shallow fish will be gone by tomorrow and for the next few days. BUT - wanna bet where I'll be if that weather pattern repeats... ;D Life is good, and just a little cold, high on the Cumberland plateau in Tennessee... 8-) Photos below are, in order, the heaviest 5 fish: 5.31, 4.87, 3.54, 3.04, and 2.75lbs

Could be because most of the rest of the world pays MUCH more for gasoline than we do and don't typically drive to their fishing spots in big honkin' 4000-6000lb trucks and SUVs. Not only are they driving smaller cars, but they may even be taking trains or other public transportation to go fishing, making multi-piece rods a necessity. On 1-piece vs. 2-piece - I have both. About half of my rods are 1-piece and those are used the most at home. But for travel convenience, I have quite a few 2-piece rods (and a 5-, and 6-piece rod). As is always said on these 1- vs 2-piece threads.....the 2-piece rod that you have WITH YOU fishes MUCH better than the 1-piece rod that you left at home... ;D

X3 - that's what I do before leaving TN to visit family in Florida - very convenient.

Yup - that's what my Dad taught me more than 50 years ago... Or course, those were metal ferrules back then...

IMO, there is a significant difference between shallow/mid cranking, and deep cranking. I posted the photo below once before to illustrate a typical mid-crank (the popular Bomber 6A) and a bigger deep crank (a Mann's 30+). You have to decide how much of what type of cranking you intend to do. If you are sure that you want a dedicated deep-cranking rod - then a 7'6" MH BPS Crankin' Stick and a BPS PQ 5.4 or 4.7 ratio reel would work well. If you want a combo that's a bit more versatile, with more emphasis in shallow/mid cranking - then the 7" M Crankin' Stick and a PQ 6.4 ratio might be better for you. This would still work for occasional deep cranking - but would not be ideal for it. The rod power and lure rating would be a little light for the heaviest deep cranks, and the 6.4 ratio may not be the most comfortable for all-day use with deep divers. As always with BPS stuff, wait for the sales if you can. Crankin' Sticks get marked down to $60 on sale, PQs have been as low as $70 but the usual sale price is $80.

Good report! I'm curious on how these reels look on the inside and whether any of the design and parts may be similar, or identical to, other reels like the BPS PQ and the Abu Revo. The new owner of Lew's was a long-time BPS buyer and product developer and may have sourced these reels from the same manufacturer(s) as BPS and Abu. If so, there may be some parts interchangeability between the reels thus giving alternatives for parts sourcing in the future.

Way to go Dwight!

Congrats - good catch! Lipless cranks are one of my favorie baits, you can cover a lot of water with them for sure.

Interesting indeed. I don't know whether the fish get smarter - but it sure sounds like a more of the "caution" or "wary" instinct is passed down. Something that makes the bass take just a little better look at the bait to see if it's legitimate prey. Did the article state where the study was conducted? I wonder if some of my little lakes are the "test ponds" for that last generation of the "hard to catch" bass... ;D

Good show! A great way to start the year indeed! Hmmmm - high of 82 deg. Subtract 50 degrees and that's what I have for air temp right now and water temp as of a few hours ago was 39... ;D

I'm always looking at small watercraft alternatives to expensive bass boats or the bigger jons. I fish out of a canoe right now but eventually my back will probably get bad enough where I will need something different and I will have to trailer. I have looked at that very boat a number of times. Seems like a good solution. Stable enough to stand, enough room for stuff, but compact enough that it won't take up too much room in the driveway or garage. After you get it, let us know how it fishes and especially any solutions you might come up with on rod storage. Looks like it will be great !

This forum is moving fast - the original thread is already 2 pages back. The OP didn't title the thread very "descriptively" so it was easy to miss: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1296512830 Anyway, that is a killer deal on a fine reel. I bought 2 of the "30" size reels. As of right now, the BPS web site shows that they have already sold out of the 25, 30, and 40 sizes. All that is left is the "35" size - 8.8oz - holds 200yds of 8lb.

Just incredible - beautiful fish and scenery. You might have been cold, but I bet you had a blast - and after you got home and got warmed up - I bet you were REALLY glad that you decided to fish that day!

Tennessee has an on-line system - but they charge a couple bucks extra for the on-line license. So, I get mine at WallyWorld. The wife and I make a "town run" at least once a week and WalMart is always one of the stops so it's no trouble. New license time is coming up too...

Have you called BPS or visited their parts center? I believe they're relatively cheap iirc. As of yesterday, Outdoor World Rod & Reel Repair had NO Carbonlite handles in stock. EDIT - OWR&RR is the BPS parts center...

Tennessee: Black Bass Coosa (Redeye) 1 lb. 15 oz. Parksville Reservoir Harry E. Parker August 18, 1991 Smallmouth* 11 lbs. 15 oz. Dale Hollow Reservoir D. L. Hayes July 9, 1955 Largemouth 14 lbs. 8 oz. Sugar Creek (Lawrence County) James "Logue" Barnett October 17, 1954 Spotted 5 lbs. 14 oz. Parksville Reservoir Jack Paul Watson December 31, 2008 True Bass Striped Bass (Rockfish) 65 lbs. 6 oz Cordell Hull Reservoir Ralph H. Dallas May 1, 2000 Cherokee (Hybrid) 23 lbs. 3 oz. Stones River Ray Pelfrey April 17, 1998 White 5 lbs. 10 oz. Mississippi River Bill Nelson September 29, 2003 Yellow 2 lbs. 9 oz. Duck River (near Waverly, TN) John T. Chappell February 27, 1998 Trout Brook 3 lbs. 14 oz. Hiwassee River Jerry Wills August 15, 1973 Brown 28 lbs. 12 oz. Clinch River Greg Ensor August 30, 1988 Cutthroat 6 oz. Obey River (Dale Hollow Tailwater) Philip Neyman June 1, 1969 Rainbow 16 lbs. 15 oz. Ft. Patrick Henry Reservoir Ronnie Rowland September 6, 2002 Ohrid 14 lbs. 5 oz. Watauga Reservoir Richard Lynn Carter March 28, 1986 Lake 22 lbs. 2 oz. Watauga Reservoir Jack Forbes July 3, 2008 Crappie Black 4 lbs. 4 oz. Brown's Creek Lake Clyde Freeman March 23, 1985 White 5 lbs. 1 oz. Garner Brown's Pond (Dickson County) Bill Allen April 20, 1968 Perch Yellow 2 lb. 2 oz. Parksville Lake Jackie V. Kersey March 10, 2010 Sauger 7 lbs. 6 oz. Kentucky Reservoir (Pickwick tailwater) Rayford D. Voss February 19, 1973 Saugeye 10 lbs. 12 oz. Melton Hill Reservoir Chris Vittetoe July 18, 1998 Walleye* 25 lbs. Old Hickory Reservoir Mabry Harper August 3, 1960 Pike Northern 24 lbs. 8 oz. South Holston Reservoir Frank Childers March 28, 1995 Muskellunge 42 lbs. 8 oz. Norris Reservoir Kyle F. Edwards April 27, 1983 Chain Pickerel 7 lbs. 7 oz. Kentucky Reservoir Burke Williams February 2, 1991 Grass (Redfin) Pickerel No Entry Sunfish Bluegill 3 lbs. Farm Pond, Bledsoe Co. Brad Pendergrass December 19, 1987 Bluegill 3 lbs. Fall Creek Falls Creek Thelma Grissom June 27, 1977 Pumpkinseed 5 oz. Dogwood Lake Lynn Middleton June 14, 1998 Green 1 lb. 4 oz. North Cross Creek Dwight M. Lehman June 8, 1991 Longear 13 oz. Pond, Overton Co. Kay Forsberg May 15, 1985 Redbreast 1 lb. 5 oz. Holston River R. W. Gillespie June 22, 1974 Redear 3 lbs. 6 oz. Private Pond Annelise S. Houston September 1, 1979 Rock Bass 2 lbs. 8 oz. Stones River Bill Sanford 1958 Warmouth 1 lb. 12 oz. Nolichucky River Frank E. Garrett May 26, 1984 Flier 8 oz. Kentucky Reservoir Craig Ellis June 8, 2001 Orangespotted 5 oz. Nolichucky River Donald Daryl Fox May 30, 1982 Catfish Channel 41 lbs. Fall Creek Falls Lake Clint Walters, Jr. July 30, 1982 Blue 112 lbs. Lock C, Cumberland River Robert E. Lewis June 7, 1998 Flathead 85 lbs. 15 oz. Hiwassee River Larry Kaylor July 25, 1993 Black Bullhead 3 lbs. 6 oz. Emberton's Pond, Cannon Co. Hunter Chance Gaither February 20, 1997 Brown Bullhead 2 lbs. 14 oz. Chickamauga Reservoir John Thomas Hammond June 5, 1980 Yellow Bullhead 4 lbs. 8 oz. Chickamauga Reservoir Jessie R. Johnson April 21, 1979 Carp Bighead Carp* 90 lbs. 0 oz. Guntersville Reservoir Jeffery J. Rorex June 2, 2005 Common Carp 53 lbs. Marrowbone Lake John R. Pepper, Jr. May 21, 1997 Goldfish 14 oz Fishery Pond Park (Unicoi Co.) Rob Lindbom March 20, 2008 Silver No Entry White Amur 70 lbs. Guntersville Reservoir (Nickajack tailwater) Chad A. Killian June 4, 2005 Buffalo Bigmouth 62 lbs. 0 oz. J. Percy Priest Reservoir Jeff Wilkins April 1, 2010 Black 55 lbs. 8 oz. Cherokee Reservoir Ed H. McLain May 3, 1984 Smallmouth 62 lbs. 7 oz. Percy Priest Reservoir Jerry W. Young April 28, 2001 Gar Longnose 38 lbs. 3 oz. Barkley Reservoir Mathew A. Norton April 19, 2002 Shortnose 6 lbs. 6 oz. Kentucky Reservoir Kay Lynn Butterfield June 15, 2001 Spotted 9 lbs. 5 oz. Cross Creeks Victor Robinson June 27, 1999 Redhorse Black Redhorse 3 lbs. 1 oz. South Holston River Roy Hawk February 16, 2009 Blacktail Redhorse No Entry Golden Redhorse 2 lbs. 15.5 oz South Holston River W. Powell Partridge, Sr. March 28, 2008 River Redhorse 11 lbs. 10 oz. Pigeon River David H. Ray May 2, 2009 Shorthead (smallmouth) Redhorse No Entry Silver Redhorse 4 lbs. 8 oz. Harpeth River Jimmy A. Filson June 21 , 2008 Other Species American Eel 5 lbs. 12 oz. Old Hickory Reservoir Kelly Rollin, Jr. July 29, 2008 Atlantic Needlefish 1.6 oz Pickwick Dam Tailwater J. Wesley Neal September 30, 2008 Striped Mullet No Entry Bowfin 15 lbs. 7 oz. Reelfoot Lake Charles Aaron June 22, 1983 Paddlefish 75 lbs. Center Hill Reservoir Shane S. Henry April 28, 1984 Shovelnose Sturgeon No Entry Creek Chub 3 oz. Roan Creek Danny Kurtilla March 13, 2000 Creek Chub 3 oz. White Oak Creek Thomas R. Gould July 23, 2003 Central Stoneroller (Hornyhead) 10 oz. Hiwassee River Roy S. King May 1, 1983 Golden Shiner 15 oz. Chickamauga Reservoir Dave Littlejohn March 26, 1999 Gizzard Shad 3 lb. 3 oz. Holston River Preston H. Taylor III December 13, 2008 Skipjack Herring* 4 lbs. Watts Bar Reservoir Chris Vittetoe February 28, 2004 Goldeye 14 oz. Cumberland River Harold A. Sanders April 17, 1993 Mooneye 1 lb. 4 oz. Hiwassee River Steve D. Moss May 5, 2005 River Carpsucker 1 lb. 9 oz Pickwick Reservoir Dr. Jim Youmans February 28, 1980 Quillback 4 lbs 2 oz. Holston River Roy Hawk February 18, 2010 Spotted Sucker* 3 lbs. 3 oz. Chickamauga Reservoir Greg M. Henry March 9, 2008 White Sucker 1 lb. 10 oz. Little War Creek (Hancock Co.) Jim Habera April 26, 2007 Northern Hogsucker 2 lb. 9 oz. South Holsten River Roy Hawk February 16, 2009 Freshwater Drum 54 lbs. 8 oz. Nickajack Reservoir Benny Hull April 20, 1972

Good luck in your decision.

Sounds like a great trip. I like the photos - brings back memories of when I fished the canals off the Trail and Alligator Alley with my Dad in his little 12' jon back in the 60s. My dad also had an airboat so in some cases, we were back fishing sinkholes way out in the boonies... The good old days...

X3 to all that Roger said. I'm hard-of-hearing to begin with and I want as much silence from man-made distractions as I can get to better hear the sounds of nature - not to mention those breaking bass!