Basshammer

I would use a jerk bait and work it slow this time of year.

You will need to slow way down and fish a little bit deeper water.

I have fished it before and caught a lot of fish. Banks are accessible and some good fishing there.

I have been tying my own jigs for sometime now and everytime i tie one and don't catch fish on it for a while i wonder what is wrong. Well nothing is wrong just no fish in the area, as soon as you come into some fish they will hit it oh...... wonderful feeling knowing that jig is working. I wire tye some also for skipping under docks and the skirt doesn't slide down the hook. Tight lines

Bass pro shops used to have or still do have the hump grip which is very comfortable in your hands.

I use a inline spinnerbait and they seem to hold up better than normal spinnerbaits cause they are compact and all i will get is a bent hook most of the time.

Oh yes, jig fishing for me.

I use a knot called the miller knot and hasn't done me wrong yet.

I have a pair of eye surrender which are very comfortable and lifetime warranty.

No, I can't see paying a lot for a lure.

I love a jerkbait in the summer especially when fishing for smallies they love it.

I will fish clear water with no rattle and dingy or muddy water with a rattle or two.

I keep one tied on and in the boat at all times.

I will be throwing jerkbaits and square lip cranks, along with the jig and craw.

Usually, the lures that are missing eyes and paint are the best lures in your box.

Kerr lake

I would be using Cultiva twitch bait.

Go To Lure: It has got to be home made jig with a netbait craw chunk.

I think with Bill Dance he is using his sponsors products and not specific to the lure he is using. Notice during his show he tells you what he is using that may be new to the market and he is actually selling that product through advertisement. I have seen him frogging with medium light rods which may be new to the market as he says, today i am using the new quantum smoke reel and smoke medium action rod but is throwing a jig or heavy worm which comes from another sponsor on his show.

I have seen shad about 6 inch long and being eaten by smallmouth, so i put on a Bill Norman middle n which dives 8 to 12 ft in the shad pattern and they would eat it some two at a time just dive bombing that bait. Smallmouth don't care how big it is if they are feeding they will eat it.

I would say just go with braid as it is strong and sensitive and probably won't break off. Seems your leader is what is breaking and this won't happen with braid. How are you attaching your leader with swivel or some kind of knot?

I use the 5 inch fluke and cut the front off to make it 4 inch and that is the ticket for smallies usually in the morning, and late evening all the rest of the time i user hard jerkbaits.

i always do good with something black at night for smallies. My favorite is a black lizard or black senko worm.

Yes, i always use something black when fishing for smallies at night, they seem to show up for smallies a lot better than any other color. Black lizards are very good and a black senko works nice also.

My preferred tackle is a baitcaster with braid, you get more control and feel on the bottom with braid and baitcasting will let you put the bait in that tight spot you want to get to. Also the high speed on the reel when you need to horse the fish out of heavy cover.