Bluebasser86

Killer rig for river or stream smallies. Smallmouths in general really.

I catch lots of smallmouth on both types of jigs. I typically use the skirtless versions when they want a smaller bait and skirted when they want something bulkier.

Big bluegills will bite even a 10" worms tail and pull with a surprising amount of force. I'm guessing you didn't hook up because of your hook being too small though. Did you try any moving baits? Sounds like that's what they wanted.

Luck E Strike RC Stix, Mcstick, Erratic Shad.

I've gone to brush hog style baits over lizards. I like them better and the fish don't seem to mind them either.

6.5 on a black/yellow Scum Frog.

I pour my own finesse jig with a heavier wire hook and it works great in thicker cover. Also like to build a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce brush jig with a finesse cut skirt for fish in heavy cover that want a smaller profile.

This. Never had an issue with Gamakatsu hooks not being sharp enough. I have had them bend out though.

Your sinker was probably the culprit. When they wedge in a rock or get caught in a crack in a piece of wood you're going to have a tough time getting it lose regardless of the hook.

Looks like a watermelon candy brush hog, one of my favorite colors. Sounds like a good day on the water.

I watched this fish T bone a 6 3/4" S Waver swimbait.

I'd go with the 4.5" version. Even smaller smallmouths will have no problem handling a bait that size.

I used to study the fish in the aquarium often when I worked at Cabela's. I learned a lot about how bass feed and react to different stimuli from doing that.

Drag a jig or slowly twitch a suspending jerkbait. If there's bass to be caught you'll catch some on one of those two baits.

Speed Craws, Rage Craws, Pit Boss, all great finesse "buzzbaits".

Typically I use 1/4oz if I'm fishing more open water, 3/8oz if I'm needing to get through heavier cover/weeds.

I have never fished it but I have thrown a net in it and caught fingerling bass so there must be bigger ones. I know it's extremely shallow, at least around the ramp area but you should be fine in a 2 man. Make sure to post a report if you try it, I've been wondering about it myself.

I fished Louisburg once. Caught a bunch of dinks and a 5.5 pounder. Wabaunsee is closed for the year so I wouldn't go there. I'd go to a small lake with a big population like Leavenworth or Osage if you don't want to try the river at La Cygne. I used to get all the way out to the bluff wall in my 2 man and caught a lo of fish back there.

You must not have kids. No way I'd get to fish and leave my wife with our son all day.

Yeah, I'll turn it in to catch the smallies and largemouth I've been catching on purple and pink baits this year.

Academy has their micro guide series of Ethos rods on sale right now. Normally $79.99, now $49.99. These are great rods if any of you guys haven't fished one and if one breaks they'll exchange it no questions asked.

I had a guy go on and on about an 11 pound bass he caught out of the Kansas River one (state record is 11 3/4 and I fish the river often and only seen a handful of small bass from it). Finally said he had a picture in his truck, which he retrieved. The fish was clearly a DRUM, but even when shown a picture of a freshwater drum online he insisted his fish was a bass. There's a reason fishermen have a reputation as story tellers.

20 plus mph both days, 70 Monday, 38 Tuesday. Think I'd go tomorrow! South wind tomorrow so you'd be okay if you stick to the dam and southern portion of the lake.

Around here they usually move to the deepest areas in the lake because our lakes are shallow. Typically, the closer to the shoreline the deep water is, the better.

Building your own is the best way to go.