Fontana Finesse Man

X2 on the spooks, also the bone color as well. Seems to be a good color no matter where you fish. I would maybe look into a jerkbait or two for the fall and spring like a smithwick rogue or rapala husky jerk (inexpensive and catch fish), if you don't want a hardbait look at some soft plastic jerkbaits like a zoom super fluke, I like pearl, but another color may work better in your area. Also, I would get a couple packs of straight tail worms like a zoom finesse worm or trick worm. Some days shaky head or T Rig is the ticket and hard to beat a finesse worm, also double them up as a floating worm. Green pumpkin, watermelon, junebug seem to work universally.

Finally got my dream boat: 2012 Triton TR 21 HP Elite with a 250 Pro XS. White with black sand inlays, padded front deck, pro air system. Got an unreal deal on it or else would still be a dream! LOL Will post pics later!

Agree with both, but will offer this up. If you can access a dam area with rip rap corners, rip rap around bridges or where fresh water runs into the main lake, small stream or creek. These can all be good areas at different times from the bank.

Largemouth, spots, smallmouth, white bass? I agree with fluke first choice, my favorite is a pearl. Also a sammy 65 if bait is small, larger sammy if you can get away with it. Third thing I throw is a minnow type bait or grub on a small leadhead, especially if bait is small.

I do use some 8 lb test, I also backreel in most cases with spinning gear and it it hard to beat. I agree with most here, unless there is heavy cover, 6 lb test will get the job done if played properly. I worry more about breaking on a hook set than I do playing the fish.

Well, it finally arrived! My custom cranking stick courtesy of Stan at Shakedown Custom Rods. MHX CB 805, custom fuji reel seats, fuji guides, custom grips and inlay. Absolutely what I wanted and love the craftsmanship and design. Wound up buying the Revo Toro Winch to pair with it.

Not a cranker, but want to order a cranking reel. Is a slower gear ratio that important? Why? With a 4.6-1 or 5.3-1 do you have trouble catching up to fish when they bite? I am having a crankbait rod built and want a quality cranking reel to put on it for deep cranking 15-25 ft. What do you guys recommend? Which gear ratio? All I care is right hand retrieve. Thanks guys

Might want to take a look at Columbia Drainmakers. They are what I have begun to wear, dry really quickly and I wear them with no socks. I really like them. Very comfortable.

I have one and I like it. Do I think it helps me catch more fish? Don't think that to be the case, but there is a noticeable difference in the duration shad will stay if you have it on in my observations. I have found that you don't want to run it on a continuous loop, shad will push right up against your boat. If you run it in 30 second intervals, shad seem to keep some distance. Does it increase my catch, not really, but I do think when fish are schooling it helps my odds to catch fish. Shad stay up against the surface and schoolers chase them longer giving me more chances to cast to them. I have had one for about 6 months and do not regret the purchase.

My guess would be the skeet reese combo

I have always liked quantums and own way too many too list, have a couple td zillions and a couple abu revos, but I was given 2 brand new shimano calais DC the other day and I have never had anything that even comes close to comparing to those. Just a different feel than any other reel I have ever used, once you get past the whirring sound that will freak you out for at least one trip, nothing compares to me! I would love to be able to afford an arsenal of calais dc's.

1/2 oz blue glimmer spinnerbait.

Mike has done some work for me and I was extremely satisfied with the job he did and the price he did it for. Won't use anyone else. Super nice guy and does a great job!

Pockets are long and flat and shallow. Has main lake deep water. Structure includes laydowns, rivers, rip rap and bridge pilings. Has alot of spots and BIG largemouth. Prespawn thru spawn can catch some toad largemouths, but after that, better bring in 15 lbs of spots. Shoot me a pm and I will give you some more specific info. As much as I know that may help you.

Bought one about 2 weeks ago. Have used it two times out for texas rigs to try out. Got it for nieces and nephews when they go on boat with me. I really like feel of it. Caught a few lb or slightly bigger on texas rig and reel performed well and rod had a good feel to it. Reel spooled up well with 8 lb flourocarbon and cast it pretty well. Overall I am very satisfied with it in limited use. Quality seems to exceed the price.

That is might kind of you sir! Kudos to you! Senco lover, you might look into some chartreuse tube baits/gitzits, usually we have some off brand here that is cheap and work great for spawning smallmouth.

Make sure you order some trebles for it as the Brian's Bee Prop doesn't come with hooks.

What exactly is rod taper and what effect does it have? I have fished along time and honestly, anytime I ever purchased a rod, never looked at taper. Medium, fast, extra fast. I know taper is how the rod slims, but what is better in what situations? Sorry for such a novice question, but was looking at various new flipping sticks and some were fast taper, some were extra fast. Always used a old Team Daiwa LT (gray, purple and black one) but it is on it's last leg and was looking to upgrade to a new one and wondered what taper would be best.

I always listen to the same music on the way to the lake. Have a cd that I burned years ago called my "get 'em" cd. Ride Wit Me by Nellie, Music by Erick Sermon and Let's Get Married by Jagged Edge must be played loud on the way to the lake and on the ramp! It wakes me up and gets the blood flowing.

My son is a senior in college and loves his so much he wears them to class. They are really comfortable and light and pretty dang cool looking. And Raider, I like your attitude!

Don't know about the Tennessee lakes much, but I am just across the mountain in NC. 45 miles and takes about 1 hour and a half, but you would be welcome to join me one day fishing Fontana Lake. Won't have to bring a thing, got all the rods and reels and baits we will need already on the boat.

Best piece of advice: Don't listen to dock talk! Worst piece of advice: Sure we can make it back there, just don't let out of it!

10 years ago I was all about tournament fishing. Couldn't even go out on my home lake and "enjoy" fishing, traveled all over the southeast for the thrill of making a check. I wanted everything to be a competition. Kids were growing up and into different things so I sold my boat to enjoy that. My son plays baseball in college and for 3 years that included summer ball in different states. This summer he chose not to play summer ball and stayed home. Wanted me to buy a boat again so I did. We literally spent every day on the water after work! I had the best time I have ever had on the water with him and my daughter. We caught so many fish, so many different ways just fishing. I guess with age, I now love to fish! For all the right reasons! Catch them or not, it is still a great day. Son is back at school and baseball has started so my partner (daughter hates cold weather fishing) will be gone for about 4 months. Gives me time to chase a check!

Donkey rig or double fluke set up. I used to fish a top water bait with a twister dropper off the rear. I guess a spook or sammy with a front runner would be against rules now.

Can't say I disgree with any of the above choices, but I would add one that I would think would work very well from looking at your videos. Split shot a 4 inch lizard on a spinning outfit and some 8 lb test. I would probably use a green pumpkin with about a 1/3 of the tail dyed chartruese.