Bluebasser86

I sold my 50 size Curados because they were too small. My hand would start cramping because I had to hold it so tightly. Now the new 70s seem to fit perfectly.

Little stuff like that is easy to ask for if you want them that way. Could even get crazy and get a red head to match the blood spots You're on a good part of the lake as long as the water isn't still really muddy up there. Most of the reports I've been hearing lately have been jigs, swing heads, Neds, and spinnerbaits. Fish should be starting to move into those spawning pockets so I'd start by fishing a few of them from the front to back and see where you start to run into the fish at. Once you figure out how far back you need to go you should be able to hop around from pocket to pocket and pick up fish. Swimbaits are always in style at Table Rock. You're going to get snagged a lot but anywhere off the dam and then the state park cove by dam is another area I'd focus on. If you fish the east side of that cove along where the campsite is the snags shouldn't be as bad and I've caught a ton of fish along there. The cove on the other side of the swimming beach in the state park can be really good too.

Trout will knock the snot out of a jerkbait. It's really fun if you're doing longer pauses because they pop your line tight so fast they can really catch you by surprise sometimes. I've heard there's lots of walleye in there but I haven't caught any. There was a big one, probably 6-7 pounds, dead on the dam though.

It's not true at all, but keep telling them that so they don't bother fishing it.

I saw that picture of Travis and wondered if that's where he was at. Last time I fished it was this time of year and we really found the opposite. The fish were very near the shore to about the ends of the docks (although not actually on the docks), and very aggressive. Not sure exactly how many fish we caught, but I know my ribs were bruised from setting the hook on solid jig fish by the end of the day. No monsters then either, 4.5 pounds was the biggest. I also had a really nice trout on a 1/2oz flipping jig believe it or not.

I have video but the biggest fish I managed was 17". Might have had another 15" fish in the bunch, the rest were all 10-12 inches. I didn't bother with having my token and board and everything because I knew I had zero chance with the wind forecast. I was having hard enough time not getting blown out myself.

I had that rod for a few years, makes a nice rod for pitching plastics and smaller jigs at sparse cover or around docks.

Green pumpkin, black and blue, bluegill colors, and sexy shad would get you through most days. I carry a lot of colors though and have a few that regularly outproduce those colors that everybody carries.

I've never met a fisherman that didn't enjoy going through their tackle and thinking back to all the fish each bait had (or hadn't), caught.

I was 16 when I started fishing tournaments. You can get by with just a handful of essentials and just add a bait here or there along the way. I've had a job since I was 13 though, so I did have a little more stuff when I started because I'd had expendable money (it's all expendable when you don't even have a car yet). Depending on where you fish, you can honestly get away with very few cranks in a lot of situations.

A white trick worm on a wacky rig saved the day for me a couple years ago when I was striking out hard. Ended up salvaging a respectable day out of it. Sapphire blue is one of my favorite plastic colors. It works great in stained water, or at night.

It feels really nice and you're right about it being really light. I like the big handle knob on it too. I'm guilty of being afraid to wander outside the box for reels but I have several Okuma baitfeeders I use for catfishing that have been solid reels. Now I have 2 of their reels for bass and I really enjoy them so far and they have great options in all price ranges.

Welcome!

Welcome!

If I had access to that lake, I might never fish anywhere else.

I enjoy fishing in the snow more than a cold rain. I've had some of my best winter fishing days while it was snowing It's actually pretty cool if it's nice and calm while it's snowing, very peaceful. Now if it's snowing sideways and blowing straight into your face and hitting you in the eyes like it was last time I fished in the snow, it's not as enjoyable.

You wanted direct answers, doesn't get much more direct than yes or no. I've never seen but 1 salamander outside a pet store in my entire life, and that was one that a fat spotted bass had just puked up, still alive, in the bottom of the boat. I'm not even sure if they live anywhere in Kansas, but I've caught a bunch of bass on plastic lizards here.

I have 9 of their rods, you won't be disappointed.

Only time I use a trailer hook is if I'm fishing mainly for smallmouth or spots. Even then I only do it if I'm missing more fish than I can live with.

Yes.

I'm assuming the one you'd be looking for is the new RES Tungsten 2 Tap. I fished one quite a bit this winter, they're pretty solid.

I'm all in on this learning how to drop shot thing now. My new Okuma RTX 25 showed up Wednesday. Paired with a 7' 3" ML/F Ethos Micro and spooled up with 10lb braid. Took it out Friday and caught over 20 fish with it. Honestly more drop shot fish in a single day than I normally catch in a season. Reel felt really nice.

Sure. Wind blew 30+ both my days off so I couldn't even get out except to a pond and even there I almost got blown out of the yak. Ever seen 3' rolling white caps on a farm pond??

Spend your money on something else. Lots of affordable swimbait options out there that are way better baits.