NathanW

If there is current. And there usually is. I always start from the downstream side and approach it facing the current so I can cast against the current. Also, when you get a fish on you can turn off the trolling motor and drift backwards over water you have already eliminated while fighting the fish. Sometimes this puts me parallel to the point, sometimes perpendicular or in-between. I try to work deep water first unless I know the shallow bite is hot. This is kinda a general concept as often times when you mix in other factors like wind, sun position and structure I have to change things up a lot of times. I love fishing points, great place to throw a jerkbait in my neck of the woods.

I like glass for so many reasons. We all know they are heavy but a 7 footer shouldn't wear you out too bad. I still have not tried the "composite rods" but they may be a nice "in-between" Lamiglas has always made a good glass rod but their excel rod is foam grip. The Powel Diesel is foam as well, I would be pretty tempted by that price.

I would try before you buy on the Medium. I was very dissapointed with the power. Its not medium, I would argue that its not even medium light. Also the handle is extremely short. I extended mine. I still use it but it actually plays backup to a couple of much cheaper rods. The DHC5's are good rods but in my opinion the Medium Cranker is not one of them.

I was going to say the exact same thing but about action as well. Which is why rod selection is so difficult when you are new to the sport. Until you understand why a certain technique requires a certain power & action it takes a lot of trial and error and handling them in the stores. Most rods sold are advertised as fast action but so many of them more moderate, and even more so recently a lot of the "Fast" rods are coming out as extra fast/xxf. I wish there was a standard or that each rod had a bend chart you could look at for online purchases. I will also go on to say that you are probably right about your senko hook sets not landing, you need some backbone to get those T-rig and jig bites in the boat. Also, dont set the hook too early but that was already mentioned.

You need to try the product Mend-It as noted above. It is a truly a miracle product and I promise you will repair 90% of your plastics like they are brand new. It is some toxic stuff. The first time I used it it burnt a big hole on the inside of my Yum Money Minnow but after it dried I literally could not find the hole. It becomes pliable just like the existing bait and doesn't get hard like superglue. Only thing I dont use it for is to keep the head of my bait in place on T-Rigs like you do with superglue. I am afraid it would eat right through the line if it comes in contact with the knot, have not tested this yet.

Have any Reel Magic sitting around??

Yeah, we've got some really bad algea blooms on our lake and I have to do the same thing.

As kids I remember we used to catch Bullhead in rip-rap with a bare hook. Also, a few years back while fishing with my nieces we caught some bluegill on gummybears.

Saltwater guys spray their equipment down with fresh water after each trip so I cannot imagine that dunking your real on a lake is going to hurt it much. I have done it, we all have done it.

DT-4 and DT-6's are a great small profile bait. A go-to lure for shallow fishing in the spring. Bait is smaller in the spring so this profile is a good choice For the rest of the year I like Strike King Pro Model 5, 4, 3xd, 5xd's best for medium profile diving baits. The difference between the 4 and the 5 is the diving plane. The 4 doesnt dive as hard or deep and has a wider wobble. It is a good choice when the water is stained and the fish are in that 3-6' range. DT-10 and better are popular but I dont use em. They have a slightly tighter wobble and also have some wiggle which people find value in but they dont dive hard at all when compared to other lures of that profile. To me the benefits of being able to work more strike zone is top priority and if they want a more subtle bait Ill change color or give them a silent option.

I try to keep it under 12.

I think he meant 78 (or 65 I guess) but yeah totally agree with that statement. If you are throwing like LC Pointer 100SP and cannot catch em try the 78SP. Great lure to make a quick limit.

You certainly can catch a lot of small fish on a drop shot. But ill tell you right now that my largest smallmouth of the season almost always comes from a DS during mid summer behind 30'+ deep rock piles in the current. A tube drifts to much on the fall, I've tried. I would love to take that guy to one of these spots so he could net all of my fish. But I'll also say that my heaviest smallmouth of all time came on a tube before I knew what the drop shot was...

Ive got two Tesserras. Both the 6'10" jerkbait /topwater rod. I fish with a guy that also has that rod. They make it on our boat deck all the time. Just about every trip out.

Thats a bad experience. I had a 3X strong treble go through my fingernail and finger last year and did not own a large enough plier/sidecutter to get it cut. Now I basically keep a miniature bolt cutter handy that should cut through a heavy hook like butter. I know they will get used eventually, Its just part of playing the game.

Chatterbaits.

They do this for salmon fishing in WA due to certain regulations on certain bodies of water. If you are conerned for your safety wear safety glasses.

Buckey Mop Jig.

Once you tie the line slide into the slot where it is single bar and sinch it down one more time. I also use a lot of ovals but not on baits that require a large split ring. But dont worry about it cutting your line. Ive though that too. Its never happened to me.

I really like hard jerkbaits and spinnerbaits when the wind picks up. I almost always put the topwater away. I fish a couple of lakes where the wind is your friend but a couple others where it is far from it. Really just depends on how the lake sets up and how the wind hits it.

Wow, I am glad he asked that questions because I would have never known this. Always thought they were spares and never read into it further.

I dont have a favorite, I have a least favorite (hint he screams like a todler, dresses like a tween, and drives a boat like a 16 year old). Favorites, and it changes all the time because I pretty much like em all... Greg Hackney for his fishing skills/technique Brent Ehler for his ability to pattern Tommy Biffle for his shorts and ability to catch so many fish on one bait Mike McClelland for his passion towards jerkbaits Ish for his froggin skills Jeff Kriet for his squirrel like shakyhead skills Aaron Martin for his dry and sarcastic commentary Alton Jones is just a good dude and an awesome big stick Randal and Jason Christie are also awesome big stick guys that I have been following lately, both impressive. KVD makes the list too because he is just great at explaining what he is doing and why.

Good choice on a Diesel Rig. My gas F-250 is tired. Only problem is a Diesel F-250 of the same year and mileage would have been nearly twice the price.

Smallies seem to fire up before the rain clouds roll through. But they can shut down once the the clouds/rain settles in. Unless its mid summer, the rain can push the fish up shallow due to the colder water (and supposedly gets the fish up shallow in early season due to warmer water but I have no first hand knowledge of this phenomenon with smallies). I had a hot, midsummer, high skies day on the water last year where I patterned the fish by fishing locations where homeowners sprinkler systems where over spraying into the water. Worked great, plan on using that system again this summer. Any chance I get to catch them shallow Ill take.

Put off buying one because of the price...What a mistake, this tool is worth every penny just by the way it cuts braid.