northern basser

I just tie straight to the lure and risk it. The only lure that worries me are crankbaits because they can be kind of spendy.

I like it. You can't be afraid to strip a few feet of line and re-tie now and then.

I've been targeting smallmouth on my local stream heavily for 3 years now. I started out using small poppers, small spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, and other small lures. Lately, I've changed my strategy. In the last 2 weeks I've caught 3 fish over 16" along w/ many others. One measured 20". I've been throwing a 3/8 oz. war eagle buzzbait, black with gold blades. The smallies are loving it and it is weeding out the dinks. Throw it over deeper water, in the current, and by structure. As far as a popper goes, I use a #7 skitter pop and make short quick pops as fast as I can. Sometimes I pause once or twice during the retrieve and other times I just keep popping it all the way in. They inhale it even when its going fast. By the look of your pic, the stream I'm fishing is about the same size, no bigger.

Pflueger president xt on a cabelas xml rod. The xml's at cabelas are excellent rods for the $ and are on sale often. The pres. xt is prob. the best bang for buck in spiinning reels, IMO.

Agreed. Normally, either one of the two would be enough to shy away.

I was just thinking about the rods and reels that I have bought for my kids(and tackle). It's a signifigant improvement over what I had. My Grandfather did a lot of fishing with a cane pole when he was alive.

Excellent advice. Emphasis on the low light periods.

I've been using my Komodo for a few weeks and love it!! I've tried a lot of different reels in the last couple years and the Komodo ranks as one of the best IMO.

I have 4 cayennes and one of the new Komodo's(the reel right below the Helios). I can't speak for the rod, but you will love the reel. The Komodo has quickly become my favorite reel and I've tried many. I like the cayennes, but the Komodo is in a different league and I'm sure the Helios is equall or better in performance.

I once considered them trash fish also till my buddy fed me some of them. They taste great!!!!

Running crankbaits in 10 to 20 ft. of water or so is a good tactic.

I haven't had a problem with mine, but I have the 25 size for trout and pan fishing. It doesn't get stressed too much.

Rapala skitter pop and prop. I like the Rapala popper the best probably because of its action and the feather on the back treble.

Just the other day I was pulling up to a house with my work van and a bird flew from the back(inside the vehicle) of the van, then landed on the dash in front of the passenger seat. It scared the crap out of me, but I think the bird was pretty freaked out too.

Master plumber. I run a plumbing business with my step-father.