Spankey

Early season finding them the pre-spawn thing all wrapped up in one. For me it isn't easy on the river. I have to work pretty hard at it. I struggle early. My like. Being free, total stress relief, I'm in my own world, and just try to suck in what god put on this green earth. I'm not a real religious guy but I appreciate him putting these bass down here us.

I thought about posting a similar thread. Glad you posted it. 99% of the time do an immediate release. This coming season it think I'm going to tank fish and delay the release until I move to another spot. I have a nice livewell system so supporting them has never been an issue. I just don't want to stress the fish anymore than necessary. I've always thought there was a communication level or sense that they MAY pick up from returning fish. Scale I agree. Many times on the river for smallies I've had a fish on a crankbait only to have another to slam it most time close to the boat to get a double hook up. At times they can be very aggressive by nature. Not sure if they are trying to help, hungry, just want to get in on the action. Not sure how they think. I find this mostly with smaller fish. I'll never have bass fishing figured out that why I keep doing it.

Nice buck papa. I've been doing some trout fishing the last few weeks. Been doing pretty good, They're stocked and hold over fish but I don't care. Trying to teach myself to fly fish. I'll get into some wild trouts after the holiday. My shooting buddies and I have been shooting a lot of sporting clays. We have a great time.

Real nice. Good fishing.

Smallies got to jump on them. I like that green pumpkin with brown flake in it. Nice.

I'm pretty much a St. Croix rod guy but if I can give my two cents on a garcia rod I have a Vendetta 6'9" ML x-fast rod that I love to death. If I can find the same series in a 6'3" med. fast action for a steal of a price I picking it up.

Not sure if it was touched on but last years Mojos will sell for a lot less. The models were changed up a bit (blank) for this year. These are great rods for $$$$$$. I don't think you'll be disappointed with either model. I've been fishing a couple spinning models and like them.

I don't fish with any braid.

I'm making it a point next season to go back to a few older patterns that I use to fish. It's funny how you move away from patterns that work only to go onto something else that is good and you don't pick it up again. On slow days and light bites days this past season I dug deeper into my tackle compartments and grabbed some old school stuff out and fished it. Caught a few nice fish by doing that. Get back to doing some serious tube, slider and salty spider fishing. Something new - Build a few topwater baits, build a rod kit, maybe start making some jig heads.

I would go look and see your suggested rods but hold off on anything until the right feel comes along. Go buy the reel you like the best and take it rod shopping and fit it up. On the water will be the real test. Unless you need it right now, shop around this winter. I fish a few SC premier crankbait rods. Bit softer tip. Go give a hard look to fing what is best.

I've found that the brown amber lenses are a lot better for seeing fish. Will never go back to dark grey. The amber also brightens other objects.

In the off season of a few months is when I go through my stuff. I find it easier to keep the ongoing short list of item I need or want to try. From March to November I'm not really buying anything. In my area the Wally Worlds suck, DICK'S just as bad, don't have a real tackle shop in the area. Susquehanna tackle is not in my backyard but worth the 1 hour+ drive. Good batch of people there. Great bass shop. TW is untouchable on a sale. Only dealer that seems to be a full line dealer at least on color selections. Best Rapala dealer I've come across. Not sure about BPS and Cabelas in your area but not that impressive here. Not that impressed with BPS branded tackle.

Disrespect for one of gods creatures. No, I'm not a real religious guy.

They shouldn't even have those tanks. Cabelas also. Put the fish back home where they belong. Same would be for any of us if you were taken to India or Ethiopa and retained to eat and drink what the deal with there every day. A bluegill or sunfish deserves better than that, let alone a trophy bass. I

Made out real well at TW. Went 17/18 on my ongoing list I keep for stuff I want or need to replace/duplicates. Only thing I couldn't pull off is a Bandit 200 in citrus chrome. I have all winter to look for it. There is no way I can buy for less when TW has a sale.

I've fish the warts for many years. A few of the original crawdad patterns have been great but, some of the newer patterns are a killer for smallies. Newer action seems to be fine. I'm under the impression there is a difference in plastics. They are fish catchers.

I also have a list of things to get caught up on. No problem. They seem to get done. But, I also shoot a lot of trap, skeet and sporting clays during the year. A lot of my shooting can be done at night during the week. I like to play around with some trout during the winter. Trying to self teach myself to fly fish over the last few winters. The trout are very close to home also.

Rods are a crazy thing to BS about because everyone is looking for something a bit different for it to do. You can get a real good idea in the shop for the feel and action. But, on the boat and in the water is a different situation. Rods are endless.

I have no idea about the area you're talking about but if there are fish there they can be caught. Go after them with crankbaits cover a lot of water. I see you don't talk about them much or at all. Bomber, Bandit, Cotton, SK and Storm all have basic patterns that should work anywhere. Sorry, Rapalas also. I'd have a Rapala in the water first. This is what I'd be fishing first if I were to be dumped off at your area. Than I go at them with a finesse worm or creature bait or some type of grub. Everyone fishes differently. You fish clear or stained water? I could shoot you some Crankbait pics but I have to believe you know about color patterns. I have a lot of CBs but you only need a handful to get started. d**n, I'd probably have a rattle trap tied on first. Than that Rapala. You only need (3) rattle trap patterns, chrome/ black, chrome w/ blue back and a gold w/ black back. Buy the real ones not the crap everyone has tried to copy.

We might be throwing very similar baits. The 6'6" Premier series crankbait rod med. with moderate tip is one of my favorite rods. Lure weight matches most of what I throw. Price is not too bad considering some of current rod prices. You'll have to touch a bunch of rods for yourself to get the feel you like.

You are to be commended for your time and effort on that one man.

I'd never tell anyone what to get. Get what you want. Get what you like. SC has a crap pot bunch of rods. The feel that you are looking for is not that of others. I don't like a real fast or xf action for crankbaits. Soft plastics different story. In my mind it all about the shock absorber thing. I know many guys think differently. SC certainly makes fast rods for CB's. Especially in the high end rods. I fish almost exclusively St Croix rods. My favorite crank bait rod if found for river smallies is my Premier Series 6'6" med. moderate action. 1/4 - 5/8 lure wt. the stuff I throw falls right in the middle. I like it. Wish I had a dollar for every smallie I caught with it. My suggestion is get to a shop or show where all or most of the StCroix stuff is there. See what feel best to you. On the water will be the tell tale. You'll find your rod. If you are not in a big rush look all winter until you find it. Don't underestimate the Primere Series of casting rods. Price doesn't break the bank either.

My recent purchase in September was for a 6' 6" ML Avid X fast spin. I love it. I don't have an issue with any of my St croix rods. 15 yr warranty to boot.

There are plenty of crawdad imitations out there. Almost endless. Some of my nicest have come off of the ole Guido Bug. Next to impossible to find anymore. That's a fantastic pic.

Being a river rat also. I can sense some of your frustration. Been there. Will be there again. Just the way it goes. I've been fishing a long time. I don't have the foggiest idea where they go in the winter. I do know they move location even if just slightly. My patterns fishes patterns have changed September vs. October vs. November. I have not caught a smallie on a crank bait in weeks. I'm not even throwing it at this point. Soft plastics the only thing working at this point. Fishing real slow. We have a big rain coming in tomorrow. I think my season will be over. You don't need real sophisticated electronics to fish the river. The basics for contour will be a big help.