cbass12

The new white BPS bionic blade is a pretty nice rod. I used a buddy's a couple times this fall and liked it well enough. I wasn't a fan of the way the reel seat felt in my hand so I didn't buy one myself, but for an economy rod it would be a good option.

Another bag to look at is the XPS Stalker http://www.basspro.com/XPS-Stalker-Front-Loader-Tackle-Bag-or-System/product/10208746/ A buddy of mine has this one and he loves it http://www.basspro.com/XPS-Stalker-Tackle-Bag-or-System/product/10221672/ I have the standup model and I've been very pleased with it, holds 5 boxes and has lots of extra pockets.

Texoma is another option for you. There are some big smallmouth in there and the stripers are a blast. A buddy and I went there back in march of '07 and got a guide, weather was unseasonably cold but we still caught a ton of fish and I caught my at that time PB smallmouth.

Shakyhead with finesse worm and 4 inch swim shad on a darter head. I'll usually have a football jig rigged up also.

I use a 6'6" M/F Carbonlite for jerkbaits and it works well for me.

Thanks bro!!

That would be a blast, considering some of the toad trout they stock in that lake...... Personally though, I would like to do a weight "tourney" at melvern. Would have been interesting last year to see who had the biggest total weight.

If we did switch at the last minute it would have to be La Cygne, Wolf Creek plant is going to be shut down. Apparently they pushed the shutdown back to March instead of February.

Maybe a wittle bit...

What day is everyone thinking for the single day trip? Is it a little risky planning something for the end of march, considering we have no way to predict how warm the lake will be at that time??

I just purchased two of the rage spinning rods this week. A 6'10" ML/XF and a 7'1" M/F. I am in love with the reel seat, for some reason that knob at the front feels wonderful in my hands. The 6'10" has a great feel to it, light fast tip but has plenty of backbone. The 7'1" is a little stiff so not sure it's going to be as suitable for shakyheads as I thought it would be, but of course I can always exchange it for the 6'10" M/XF. Now if we could just get some soft water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But seriously I vote for either The Rock or Grand Lake. And like Chris said I'm not too fond of the idea of going the weekend of memorial day, would prefer the week before or after.

Edgerton City Lake

YES!!!!!

If we pick melvern we can reserve campsights in the Outlet Park below the dam. It's very well taken care of, and they rent out per campsite and allow either two or three tents per site which saves a little money. I think it's $17 per site. They also have bathrooms and showers.

I'm good for any of those. Just need enough notice so I can put in for vacation.

If the weather is a concern for doing an overnight thing, there's always the option of renting out the cabins in the state parks.

Too ealrly to call DIBBS on a spot in the vactaion home?? :eyebrows: Of course I would probably be able to swing melvern or milford much easier than the Rock. But how much fun would the Rock be?!!!!

Back in 2006 we had a very memorable day on Lake of the Woods. My dad, best friend and I caught probably 150-200 smallmouth in one day, with countless pike, several walleye, a few muskies, several jumbo perch, a few crappie, and a chunky largemouth mixed in. Caught most of them on a tiny risto rapala, small shad raps, spinnerbaits, and a couple on a jerkbait. There weren't many times throughout the day that there was not a fish in the boat. The only thing wrong with the day was that I lost my little risto rap (my last one) to a pike that cut my line right as my dad was putting the net underneath him. We had a day this spring where we probably went over 100 smallmouth on the day, but it doesn't really compare to that day at LOTW.

The county parks and rec here accepts them and puts them in their lakes. When I used to fish SMP lake we would catch a good amount of fish out of them.

I'm a smallie addict, but to me spots are right up there with them. I wish we had a lake where we could consistently catch them around here, closest is Table rock 4 hours away.

I didn't get anything fishing related, which was aright with me THIS YEAR...... My wife and I got over $300 in Home Depot gift cards to help us in fixing up our garage. Going to build a workbench and some shelves for all of my tools and fishing equipment .

This ^^^^ This is my duck hunting ritual/habit also, every time we pull up to the boat ramp it always seems to hit me no matter if we're going fishing or hunting.

Sounds about right. The 18 1/2'' fish at melvern may have weighed more, was a really stocky fish.

Broke my PB smallie twice. First in April an 18 1/2" tank that I didn't get a chance to weigh, then in July caught a 19" fish that weighed just shy of 4 pounds. Nothing compared to the fish you guys catch up north but for around here a couple of really nice fish.