Hot Rod Johnson

I like to use 4 1/2" and 6 " Roboworm - Straight Tail Worms in Prizm Shad, SXE Shad and Purple Punisher.

Enigma Phenom Titanium 7'2" Med Lt Spinning Rod, Shimano Stradic CI4+ Spinning Reels Model STCI43000FA, Berkley Nanofil Line Low-Vis Green Berkley Nanofil Line Low-Vis Green 17lb 150yd NanoFil Diameter (in) Diameter (mm) 17lb .010 .254 This set up will cast small crankbaits and small finesse jigs great. Plus use a two handed cast with your hands over your head when you cast. Your lure casting distance will increase by 20% or more.

"Yes" "that" "was" "the" "only" "reason" "." ""

So "YOU" would ask...

Craw patterns, Bluegill and Sexy Shad in Strike King Pro-Model 5XD or 6XD Series Crankbaits. Up grade the hooks and all split rings. Need more depth then go to the 7, 8 and 10XD sizes.

168My choice for the color/type of waters in North East Texas would be the New Bluegill S-Waver 168. This color has some "Chartruse" on it for the water conditions that you are fishing.S-Waver 168

"No" these companies aren't paying me or giving me any products. I don't work for or am I sponsored by any company. The "Partial Quotes" that I use are for clarity and not for sponsor purpose. I use them so some of the information is as close to accurate as possible. LOL

The Megabass - Ito Vision One Ten is my number #1 Smallmouth Bass Jerkbait in clear waters that I fish. The internal structure of Megabass lures is different than anything else on the market today. The external walls are thinner, but completely supported by internal supports, and each class of bait utilizes unique Moving Balancers that create the erratic action bass can't resist. The finishes on Megabass lures are unique as well. To give them the most life-like look, Megabass gives each bait numerous coats of paint that blend to make the color perfect, and they don't exhibit a sharp line from one color to the next, but blend and fade into each other like in real life. All these features makes Megabass the leader in lure development and one of the "secrets" that win some big money all over the US. Item ID: MBGIV11097 Color: Spawn Killer-JP

For the most part I change out the treble hooks to the KVD Elite Treble Hooks for my "Bomber 5A and 6A Crankbaits". They have an extra-short shank, wide gap and “Triple Grip” design. The shorter shanks allow me to “upsize” the hook for a bigger bite. Mustad's 1X wire delivers an optimal balance of power and flex, and the shorter length of the Short Shank design also allows anglers to use larger hooks, further increasing hooking potential (i.e. you can replace a stock Size 4 hook with the KVD (Size 2). These hooks are a easy upgrade to any stock treble. They are sharp, strong and really improve your hook-ups. The fish stay hooked just make sure you have your drag set up correctly and having a rod for Crankbaits doesn't hurt either.

If you were limited to only one crankbait, you’d do well making it a "Bomber Model A"... A staple with avid fishermen for decades, the Model A’s timeless design, proven durability and true-running dependability define the meaning of “go-to” lure. It's also a excellent multi-species lure. The term “legendary” tends to get thrown around rather loosely in the fishing industry, but in regards to the "Bomber Model A Crankbait" legendary seems only fitting. The "Bomber Model A Crankbait" has been a staple among avid anglers for years, and continues to get the job done with its tight wiggle and quick-floating action. A workhorse in the field, the "Bomber Model A Crankbait" can withstand severe punishment from big bass and keep producing. The "Bomber Model A Crankbait" is known for its true running dependability, and comes straight out of the package ready for tournament action. The definition of a go-to lure, the "Bomber Model A Crankbait" on that stays tied up for years to come. The "Bomber Model 5A and 6A" has probably caught more fish that can be counted. Just a dependable crank that works in all seasons. check out the three best colors - Shad, Firetiger & Crawdad are some of the best choices. Bomber Length Weight Depth Hook 5A 1 7/8in 1/5oz 4-6 feet #6 Tx3 6A 2 1/8in 3/8oz 6-8 feet #6 Tx3 Length Count Cranking Depth Hooks 1 7/8 in 1 4 – 6 Feet # 6 Tx3 2 1/8 in 1 2 – 4 Feet # 6 Tx3 2 1/8 in 1 6 – 8 Feet # 6 Tx3 2 5/8 in 1 3 – 6 Feet # 6 Tx3 2 5/8 in 1 8 – 10 Feet # 6 Tx3 3 in 1 10 -13 Feet # 6 Tx3

I use owner ST-36 for smaller baits, the owner ST-41 for larger baits, and for short/really small baits the mustad KVD Elites are good.

“Jig Head Wacky Rig” and "Drop Shot Rig" on Sunline Shooter "Finesse Special" Fluoro 7lb,... Reins TG Drop Shot Slim Weights 3/16 oz,... Jackall Flick Shake Worm,... 4.8" Green Pumpkin Pepper, Jackall Crosstail Shad Purple Smoke,...3"Jackall Super Cross Tail Shad Threadfin Shad...Jackall Weedless Wacky Jig Head 1/16 oz,...

Try a new technique called “INCHI WACKY” or Jig Head Wacky. Some benefits of the rig are you can get more distance on the cast, you can fish deeper areas, the bait falls quicker, you can keep in contact with the bottom easier, and most importantly it creates a wicked irregular action that looks exactly like a real worm squirming in the water. Areas such as rock piles, drop offs and other vertical structure points are perfect situations where the “Jig Head Wacky Rig” will produce. The ideal image you want to see is the ball part of the jighead going flip flopping up and down and that’s it. If the jighead is doing that, then the worm will be doing its thing. The great thing about this rig is that you can create so much action in the worm and the worm doesn’t even have to be moved in at all. Otherwise saying you can keep the bait exactly where you want it to be and stay there. In order to do this, there is a secret, and that is keeping a good amount of slack in the line. By keeping slack in the line you can shake your rod constantly to produce the wicked irregular action and still keep your bait exactly where you want it. When fishing bottom structure you will want to cast out the Jig Head Wacky and let it free fall to the bottom. While the jig falls the weight from the jighead causes the worm to roll back and forth. After it hits the bottom you will want to shake it and continue to wind up slack and then free fall it back to the bottom. Remember that this is an exposed hook so this is not a deadsticking technique. Leave that type of fishing for your regular weightless wacky rig. The fish will often attack as the bait free falls after you shake it. The Jig Head Wacky is also very effective on suspended fish in mid water. The key in working this bait is again the slack in the line. You will want to cast the line out and as you reach the area the fish are holding in you will want to slowly shake the bait and as you swim the jighead back in. The most popular used worm styles for “Jig Head Wacky” consists of Zoom’s swamp crawler, Jackall’s Flick Shake, Gary Yamamoto’s Cut Tail, Optimum Bait’s Twin Teaser, and Berkeley’s Gulp Wacky Crawler. http://www.in-fisherman.com/midwest-finesse/the-wacky-jig/

"Cold, Clear Waters" = "Suspending Jerkbaits"..The bait needs to be perfectly neutral in the water column. "Warmer Waters" = "Floating Jerkbaits"..

Please check this link; http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/45013-any-good-fishing-in-lakeland-fl/

Sounds like a great way to spend your 50th birthday. OK, how far will/can you travel to the fishing destination, how many days/nights of fishing are you going to do, are you looking to fish just catch and release or are you wanting to eat the fish, what size kayak do you have? Sorry for all these questions but it will make it much easier for someone to recommend a location for your type of fishing. http://www.theactivetimes.com/most-spectacular-kayak-fishing-destinations-us https://www.rapidmedia.com/kayakangler/categories/trips/6878-more-kayak-fishing-destinations.html

A lot of great information in this thread. Some questions that I would be interested in would be what brand of "Fluorocarbon Line" and Pound Test are you using, what Rod, Reel and Lures are you using?

Kentucky Lake vs. Barkley Lake: One must realize that these are two different lakes fed by two different river systems. There are enough variables that many times the fish can be biting on one lake and not the other, depending on water and weather conditions. An example of this would be that during the summer on any given day they are pulling water on Barkley and not on Kentucky Lake. Obviously the ledge fishing would be better on Barkley that day or during that period. A lack of current during the spring, fall and winter may affect the fishing. https://www.explorekentuckylake.com/lakesarea/fishing/101-basics-5.htm

Kentucky Lake-North (Kentucky Dam to KY/TN Line) Fishing Map SKU: L120- Price: $11.45 1 of a 2 Map Set Recognized as one of the nation's top largemouth and crappie fisheries, Kentucky Lake is the western boundary of the 270-square mile Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Featured Species: Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, White Crappie, White Bass, Bluegill, Buffalo, Carp and Catfish http://www.fishinghotspots.com/e1/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=256&idcategory=27 Kentucky Lake-Central (Blood River to Big Sandy - TN/KY) Fishing Map SKU: L121- $11.45 2 of a 2 Map Set http://www.fishinghotspots.com/e1/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=257&idcategory=27 I have used these maps for many years and in my opinion they are very good "Fishing Maps". They have marked Fishing Areas, Lake Information, Hot Tips, More Detail, and are a great value. They also sell "Fishing Maps" maps for Lake Barkley North and Lake Barkley South. Check them out, you will be impressed. Fall Patterns Like spring, early fall is a transition time for Largemouth Bass. The fish move from deep water summer patterns on the main lake to the shallow water fall patterns in the creeks and bays. This transition is predicated by the migration of the shad from the deep water areas of summer to the shallow water areas as the water cools. https://www.explorekentuckylake.com/lakesarea/fishing/101-largemouth.htm

My only choice would be a Shimano Chronarch 150HG CI4+ Series Casting Reels, Retrieve Right Hand, with Gear Ratio 7.6:1, Weight 6.5 oz, Bearings 7S A-RB + 1S A-RB, Line Cap. (Test/Yd 12/110, 14/90, Price $269.99... You take care of this reel and it will take care of your fishing for a very long time. Since CI4+ does not contain any metal, it is impervious to rust, making the Chronorch CI4+ a great choice for fishing saltwater or brackish water. All of my reels have a TW Casting Reel Cover for only $2.99... This protects the reel from boat rash, dust, dirt and many other negetive materials. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-SHIMNOREEL.html?from=basres

River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait I went to Cabela's this morning and as I was walking down the main aisle of the store the "BAIT MONKEY" bit into me before I even knew it and I had bought two Real Floating Buzz's, Double Poppers. One in Power and the other in I Know It colors. They were only $16.99 each plus tax. So now I am the proud possessor of two of the latest and greatest Buzz Baits that float. Great, we now have some thing for the Buzz Bait Fisherman. See all we have to do is start talking about this stuff and the companies will oblige us. I have a tournament the 18th and 19th of October and then I will know if my choice was good. Hope to get back to you and have positive information. Buy them while their "HOT"... LOL If you like the original River2Sea Whopper Plopper, then you’re going to love the River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait. Built with two counter-rotating plopper blades to create twice the disruption, the River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait offers an incredibly weedless presentation that can be fished super-fast, incredibly-slow, or with a dead-stop – because it floats! Quite possibly one of the most versatile topwater lures on the market, the River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait can be bombed over open water, crawled over mats, or twitched and paused in the backs of pockets to incite explosive blow-ups. Backed by a super-sharp River2Sea Big Bite 2X strong hook, the River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait delivers a double-dose of disruption to give anglers twice the action and twice the excitement. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/River2Sea_Double_Plopper_Buzzbait/descpage-R2SDP.html?from=basres

WOW! Now you tell me after I have spent all of my money on the River2Sea Real Floating Buzz.. Great video, have you used this set up yet and been successful?

River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait I went to Cabela's this morning and as I was walking down the main aisle of the store the "BAIT MONKEY" bit into me before I even knew it and I had bought two Real Floating Buzz's, Double Poppers. One in Power and the other in I Know It colors. They were only $16.99 each plus tax. So now I am the proud possessor of two of the latest and greatest Buzz Baits that float. Great, we now have some thing for the Buzz Bait Fisherman. See all we have to do is start talking about this stuff and the companies will oblige us. I have a tournament the 18th and 19th of October and then I will know if my choice was good. Hope to get back to you and have positive information. Buy them while their "HOT"... LOL If you like the original River2Sea Whopper Plopper, then you’re going to love the River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait. Built with two counter-rotating plopper blades to create twice the disruption, the River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait offers an incredibly weedless presentation that can be fished super-fast, incredibly-slow, or with a dead-stop – because it floats! Quite possibly one of the most versatile topwater lures on the market, the River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait can be bombed over open water, crawled over mats, or twitched and paused in the backs of pockets to incite explosive blow-ups. Backed by a super-sharp River2Sea Big Bite 2X strong hook, the River2Sea Double Plopper Buzzbait delivers a double-dose of disruption to give anglers twice the action and twice the excitement. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/River2Sea_Double_Plopper_Buzzbait/descpage-R2SDP.html?from=basres

I know that the jury is out on if "Fish Attractant" really works. I have been using fish attractant for 20+ years. All that I have to say is that it has never hurt my fishing, in fact I feel that it has improved my catch rate. Edge Hot Sauce Fish Attractant is what I have been using starting when I was at Clear Lake in California ( April 15 2000 ) and I found out what Bryon Velvick was using when he brought in that mother load of a fish weight. I realize that he was fishing a large swimbait but still why couldn't I use the product on most of my plastics and hard baits. So guys and gals grease up you baits and start pulling them in. Byron Velvick used the Extra Edge Hot Sauce on his Jerry Rago BV 3D to win the trophy at the Bassmasters Elite Series Golden State Shootout on Clear Lake. "I put that on my bait every few casts. It created a chum trail that brought the fish to the bait, plus it acted as a lube to make the bait more slippery which helped get a better hook set." Hot Sauce fish attractant has really become an established staple item in many anglers tackle and there are some bass fishermen that won't leave the dock without it! Hot Sauce features the real essence of crawdads suspended in a thick, waxy base that will stick to your bait and stay where you want it. The generous 5 ounce bottle features a flip top cap so you can squeeze out just the amount you want and put it right where you need it. If you've used Hot Sauce you know how effective it can be and if you haven't, you'll be in for a pleasant surprise! https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Edge_Hot_Sauce_Fish_Attractant/descpage-EHSFA.html?from=basres