Bluebasser86

Only time I really fish braid in rocks much is with a shakyhead, and I always have a leader on then. My casting rods with braid are all straight braid but I mainly use them in weeds and wood.

Braid may not be as abrasion resistant, but it's no stretch and extra strength often allows you to muscle fish out of nasty areas fast enough that it's a non issue. Metal structures and heavy rocks are the worst, but I haven't found a line yet that stands up to much of either of those.

I had a couple shorter than usual trips on my days off this past week. Jon and I fished Lone Star in a cold drizzle Thursday but the fish were still plenty willing to play. Couldn't find any of the bigger fish or the wipers that Brian seems to keep catching out there but the little guys had lots of fire in them so they were a good time. Plus I got to catch some fish on the Sizzle Took about 2 cast to get my first one on it in fact. Jon caught the second smallmouth I've ever seen from out there on a Megabass 110. Giant slayers 45 degree water and catching fish on a bladed jig in 2.4' Had to try the pink one. Friday I went to Shawnee to chase trout. First cast of the morning, I caught my first smallmouth I've ever caught out there on the Deadly Nedly. I worked hard to find the trout, catching one here and one there with most running smaller than normal but I did get a couple decent ones. Caught them on a mix of Cleos, Neds, and micro jig under a bobber. I even managed to sight fish a few of them once I found a good school. Right in the last half hour I finally got a big one, 5lbs 7ozs, on the Cleo. And I even got the very brief fight on video (she rolled up in my line about a dozen times and couldn't hardly move so I basically just drug her backwards to the net). Wife and I fished Gardner for a couple hours Saturday, never had anything I'm 100% certain was a bite. Really reminded me why I never fish that lake despite living 5 minutes from it.

And it would have to be built out of a 2 liter pop bottle to float a 20/0 circle hook.

A whole nightcrawler hooked once through the middle is how I used to catch lots of big bluegills. A live hopper hooked under the collar is probably one of the most fun live baits to use for big bluegills though.

Probably the best solution to your problem, just leave them plain this time around. If you're losing them as fast as it sounds like you are, I'd probably leave them plain all the time.

I always look forward to trout fishing, because that means fishing season is upon us! Good job getting your son onto a new species of fish!

It was an awesome feeling. He's one of my favorites and I've had the good fortune of talking to him several times and he's always very polite and willing to listen to anyone that wants to ask a question or tell a story. I'm sure I could fish against him 100 more times on his lake and I'd be lucky to win again. I almost feel bad talking about it because I have so much respect for the guy.

If you haven't tried it, a 4" stickworm on a shakyhead is a killer. I catch some of my biggest smallmouth of the year every year on that setup.

It depends on the bait to me, some are better at certain things than others. Baits like the Zman Diesel MinnowZ are great as a stand alone on a jighead or as a trailer for a swimjig or bladed jig, while baits like the Zman Grass KickerZ are good on a belly weighted swimbait hook fished through grass.

Welcome!

Good to be getting on some topwater already in March!

I used to fish a Storm Deep Lightning Shad in bluegill color exclusively for flatheads. Guys around here troll Rebel Crawdads for channel cats when they follow the gar to the rocks to eat their eggs. A strike on a crank from a catfish is way harder hit than a bass. I've been disappointed by more than one channel cat while throwing jerks for smallmouth too.

No. In his defense, it was a buddy tournament and he was fishing with his son, who is a very good young fisherman. Then, I was fishing with my handicapped friend out of a 2 man so neither of us were at our full potential.

Just fish them like any other plastic on a shakyhead.

I fish it horizontal on a swim jig or swing head, vertical on a bladed jig.

I beat a currently touring Elite pro and former AOY on his home lake last fall. It wasn't my biggest money win, but my win I'm most proud of for sure.

Finally got to get out and chase some of the big trout they stock in one of the local lakes. Caught a bunch of little ones, including some I got to sight fish which was a lot of fun. About 20 minutes before I had to leave, I finally stuck a good one on a Little Cleo. She rolled and wrapped herself up in the line so many times that the fight didn't even last a minute, which was pretty disappointing but still fun to get a good one. I even managed to get it on video. Only the second time I've tried to record my fishing so it leaves alot to be desired.

BP made a hard charge in 2013 catching a lot of fish on a pre rap wart. Jason Christie and several other competitors caught fish on cranks, Christie had some on a slow rolled spinnerbait too. I'm surprised, although not disappointed, that they're coming back to Grand so soon as well. Having the Classic that early in the year is going to take away some presentation options pretty much no matter where you have it. If the weather is warmer than it was in 2013, there could be much more variety though. Grand is a big lake with a little bit of everything available. I'd like to see them move it maybe to September so it could be held almost anywhere in the country, still be at a time of year where the fishing should be pretty good, and the weather will be cooling off most places so as to not stress the fish too much.

Crappie, especially big ones, love jerkbaits!

Very scenic looking spot.

I bought a bunch of DT 6's and caught a lot of fish with them, but when they started falling apart, I quit buying them. No excuse for a nearly $10 bait to fall apart on the retrieve, while fighting fish, or during the cast?? That last one really ticked me off because not only did the body of the bait fly off when I tried to cast, but my reel blew up because all the weight was suddenly gone.

Red Label is one of the best budget priced fluoros out there. I use it a lot for main lines and leaders and will continue to do so.

I agree with the first 2 comments, you're looking at 2 different rods here.

I don't have anyone fishing the final day