TriCityBassin'

There is a video on the most popular internet video site (not sure if i could post the link but you can search the interweb for Toledo Bend U-Rig - 2014 Pro Team) that Keith Combs using a titanium A-rig with weedless swimbait hooks. Have any of you ever rigged it that way? How is your hook up ratio? Will it work on the cheaper A-rigs?

Well, I had an experience a week of two ago. I was fishing for Reds and Trout in the Chesapeake Bay out of my kayak. We had a line of storms roll through which i sat out in the truck. Radar showed the line had passed, i gave it 15 minutes and the wind laid down, patchy blue sky, etc. there was some green on the radar west of my position, just rain. Myself and another guy (in a canoe with his kid) went out. Famous last words: Canoe guy: "you think we'll be alright to go out" Me: "yes, as long as we stat close to the put in" Well i paddled out ~50yds but he went ~140yds out. I was retying my jig head when a rather large wave surprised the me. I looked up to see that i could not see the shore. All i saw was best described as a "curtain" of water that i could not see through. perfectly straight line of water. Before i got out an explative... i was slammed with winds that I never experienced on the water, bass boat, jon or otherwise. No lightning, no thunder...no warning. Flat calm water went to +2' white caps in seconds. I could not lift my head to see wave direction because the rain hurt that much (exactly like a bass boat in rain!) I could not paddle or turn the boat because the wind was throwing my paddle around like a sail. I got stuck in successive wave troughs and took one over the yak. I ended up surfing into shore by back paddling on a whit cap...but was safe. the sound was deafening, I recorded some video on my phone but the audio is drowned out by my clothes smacking in the wind. The closest approximation i have is that it was remeniscent of the hurricanes that have hit C.Va. According to wind charts i found online, my wind was sustained +/- 46mph , no gusts. Why type all of this longness. Because, i have been fishing for 30yrs and i realized that we NEVER have enough experience to be complacent. This was a time where i was truly afraid and survived on instinct and adrenaline. Probably couldn't paddle that way on purpose if I tried....glad i was "close" to shore. NOT A SINGLE BITE ALL DAY! lmbo! Be careful guys!

hi all! Sorry i have been MIA for a bit....broken truck...sold bass boat. BUT that is a different thread lol. I am looking for a rod for my 7 yr old son. I am quite frustrated with what i can find....it isn't much. The cheapies i bought him when he started out and his UL are slow parabolic rods. When he goes back the tip loads for him which helps him cast. Do you all know of a rod series that is 5'6 pistol grip medium action? Have any of you bought rods for kids? I can't find any short glass rods anymore. I can't see a 4' 49lb kid using a full size bass casting rod. If nothing else, the handles on my rods are just too long for his arms. I could use spinning but for accuracy right now i really prefer to pair him with a push button reel. (or i'm getting him out of trees all day) sincerely, Frustrated Dad

Find the forage. Does the lake have any type of shad or pelagic bait? If so, use the depth finder to locate bait, then drop-shot, crank, swimbait, A-Rig, etc. You can also find this information by watching the water early in the morning. Look for fish out away from shore dimpling or popping the surface. Unfortunately, this usually means suspended fish and that sucks royally. The other approach I would try is (of course) finesse presentations that allow you to follow the contour of the bottom. Shakey head, split-shot rig and drop shot. Just start with your bait about 3' deep and drift out to deeper water. Lastly....football jigs and c-rigs. Cover a lot of water and follow the bottom very well. It seems slow to do this. You just have to realize how much real estate you are covering on each cast. Those things reach out and touch em. I didn't see if you were fishing from a boat or not. If you aren't, The C-rig would still be a great choice.

This is a staple on my deck, never take it off the line. I use 8lb flouro (I personally don't believe in leaders as it is one more knot to fail, personally). Seaguar never lets me down. 7' ML Fenwick is a KILLER rod for this. I also use Shimano Cumara's. You stated that you already ordered the jig heads. If they don't have Gamakatsu or Owner hooks....send them back. I am all about American made, but I have lost sooo many fish on heads not sporting Gami's I can't count. You are not using broomsticks and the hook needs to penetrate quick and easy. If you notice what feels like a solid hookup just come unbuttoned, use better hooks. If you are not one for the finesse side of things you can use a medium rod but definitely look to something in the Fast to X-Fast action, quick to backbone. Fenwick Elite Tech Fenwick HMX 7' ML xFast Shimano Clarus or Cumara

OMG...I don't know what to say. Definitely one of the Grandmasters. Grew up watching and reading him.

Most versatile, most used. Baits from Charlie Brewer Slider Company.

ty, I am going to Kerr. Anything for that! lol. My friends fished the open last weekend. Caught 2, said water temp was 44 and muddy. Level ~303.

I am going to the first Tournament of the year Saturday. I am switching to a Non Boater this year and have to leave tackle at home (just the thougt stresses me out). The water where I am going is cold, like low-mid 40s maybe. The water is dirty and we have had sleet, snow cold rain as early as this past Monday. What would you take? I am "planning" on not bringing my Shakey heads, Drop Shots or C-Rigs. Do you think that is a mistake? Dirty/deep stained water....leave the jerkbaits at home? Gonna stick to Cranks, jigs and traps.....

My weather is GARBAGE!!!!! Tournament on 3/30 and the reports are: Lake is nearly all mud, highest water temps were 46 (Highest! Not at launch) What is going on? All winter, mild then "Spring" and we have had 4 snow events!!! What The He....ck!!!!????

I say....Buck the trend! My main wacky rig is a Haw River High floater in Pink or a d Watermelon Red Zoom Trick worm (friggin' deadly in clear water!). Put a shortened 8d nail in the nose...fish bridge pilings with it too, great action that way.

Sorry dude I love the light stuff. I can't believe it broke your Braid! I have caught Blackfish (bowfin, Grendel) out of laydown and cypress that weigh up to 8lbs on Seaguar 8lb Invisx. To me, your braid was heavy stuff....still shocked you broke off!

Laughing my Bass off @ that one!

I spin a lot. I love Fenwick but BPS doesn't carry it. Look in the Shimano Line. I believe you can get the Clarus line for your price range and if you have any play in the $$$ @all....look at the Compre's. Fantastic!!!!

That is not a bright future! lol I intend to put it on a jighead but want to be able to swin through brush. Maybe someone here has the answer for both of us A-JAy! lol

I purchased a pack of LFT swimbaits. I got a 3.5" and 4.5" LFT Boot Tail Magic Shad. I bought jigheads as I just could not find a keel weighted hook that looked like it would work. Anyone use these? Anyone have success with a weedless Keel weighted hook for these? LFT makes a hook that is specific but it looks as if they are putting the weight on themselves or something. Website does not allow you to specify weight......wierd.

not good....$370 at BPS yesterday. Beavers, tboxes, line and rod for my kid, cranks, ton of hooks, beautiful swimbaits, assorted plastics.....just the stuff that was absolutely necassary. Yes, $12 swim baits are absolutely necassary.

I am lost on the format. The new show comes on tonight and want this cleared up. Denny did his thing no doubt. But! The first round Ike crushed everyone! Then, he was totally gone from the competition. Ish won when he was "Trash Bombing" but then he had to go to sudden death elimination. I DVR'd all of them so unless my DVR missed an episode it is unexplained to me. Please explain the format to me. I am lost....am i the only one who found this confusing?

Take note of the profile pic!!!!!!!!

Middle Management for a very large financial institution.

Floating worms....that is my staple color. Never tried in a Fluke. They absolutely kill shallow on the tidal rivers in VA and anywhere I find narly shallow cover or grass. I keep one tied up as a follow up bait for topwater and spinnerbaits. Never had much luck with any other color. I fish white, yellow but they don't come close to the catch rate of the pink.

I Agree with everyone in this post. Tight wobble, catches 'em cold and warm. I would also suggest the Tiny. Made for Crappie but man! I has bailed me out of many an event.....and not little fish either! I typically stick to Sexy Shad but will have to give Khaki/green/orange and Tenn Shad a try. Those colors look sweet!

Thanks guys. I am not experiencing any of the other symptons as before (slurring, lack of awareness, etc). I was just wondering as I am somewhat chilled and others don't seem to be. I certainly feel better than i did Friday. By a long shot!!! lol I certainly appreciate the responses here! I will keep an eye on things. I just left Dr. for Sinus infection follow up and got a clean bill of health so no pneumonia or such right now. Gonna eat dinner, that typically helps as well.

My older brother tells me to do that too!!!

OMG, that was unexpected and funny.