Steveo-1969

I just want to thank A-Jay and Preytorian for their in-depth reviews of this line. I saw this line mentioned on another forum (I know - SACRILEGE!!) but it was barely mentioned. Immediately came here and wouldn't you know it, lots of great information!! I've been using 10# Sufix 832 for the past several years and I've been happy with it except for casting distance. My son can easily outcast me with 8# mono using same rod specs and bait weight. This thread has me itching to try the 24# on my spinning rod!!

Thanks tcbass. My gf and my son's gf usually get t-rigged stickbaits for the same reason. They don't know how to fish well and it's not uncommon for them to outfish us!

I've used the "thick mono line through the bait and hook eye" trick from Glenn's video and it works, BUT I had a hard time getting the line through the hook eye. I miss the eye most of the time. Lately I've been using Owner Twistlock hooks and I'm impressed. The bait stays on the twistlock and I'm getting great hooksets, no bait balled up on the hook, and the plastics are lasting way longer. I've always been a Gamakatsu guy, but those Owner hooks are sharp and stay sharp! No plans right now to go away from these Owner Twistlocks.

I balanced my jig/worm casting rod with a black chair leg cap and some nickels. I actually find it aesthetically pleasing and the tip feels light as a feather.

I fish a river and last year I picked a couple days where I wasn't fishing anything except a fluke. Within 2 hours on both days and no bites I had something else tied on and was catching fish. I have a buddy who fishes the same river and his number 1 confidence bait is a fluke. I've fished with him in his boat, same fluke tied on, fishing (I thought) with the same presentation and he gets bit and I don't. I no longer have flukes in my tackle bag. They catch just as many fish (for me) sitting in my bait drawer at home. ha-ha

I agree with Mr. Sandwich, lots of river smallmouth threads to read. If you can see the fish they can probably see you too. Try to stay as far away from them as possible and make long casts. If you can, stay downriver from the fish and throw your bait upriver well past them letting the current bring your bait to the fish. In my experience smaller smallmouth in a river are actually pretty easy to catch while the bigger ones are tougher. Last weekend I had a giant follow my bait out of a laydown along shore, she saw me move my rod, turned on a dime and swam back into the laydown. I worked on her for 20 minutes with 4 different baits and didn't see her again. What times of day are you fishing? You could try before sunup or after sundown as well, this time of year those bigger fish may be feeding in low light or no light conditions. Keep at it! The hunt is part of the fun.......

Wading a river for smallmouths is absolutely my favorite way to fish! First question (might be a silly one but I have to ask…) Are you sure there are smallmouth in the creeks and streams you are fishing? OK, that’s out of the way. For depth I’ve been catching fish in a foot of water while wading up to 20 feet deep when fishing from the shore. Areas I would generally concentrate on are fast moving water, the deeper pool that forms below the fast moving water, anything that breaks the current (big rocks, logs, rock ledges), shaded water along the bank. Try every type of water until you find some fish. I personally don’t fish topwater or treble-hook baits so take the following bait advice with a grain of salt, for me it’s soft plastics. Tubes, curly-tail grubs, stickbaits (“Senko-type” baits), finesse worms, small jigs w/ trailer, small craw imitators (like the Baby Rage Craw), small paddle-tail swimbaits. If I could only use one bait it’s hard to beat a 4” YUM Dinger in watermelon red flake. Good luck!

I know these baits are effective, but I really struggle to catch fish with a fluke.

I have an NRX 893C and with a 1/2 ounce swing head plus plastic it doesn't feel overloaded to me, but it IS at the high end of the recommended lure weight (3/16-5/8). But because you are using 3/8 most of the time I think the 3 power would be perfect. (I've never fished a 4 power however...).

Wow. Our 7 year old grandson lives with us and this sounds like my life. I also like Teen Titans Go!, but Clarence and Uncle Grandpa? Who comes up with this crap?? ha-ha And if I had nickel for every minute I've spent watching him play his Wii U, I could retire!!

Except maybe shooting the cats with the Bug-A-Salt gun? I joke! I joke! I keed! I keed!

As a child of the '80s it was hair metal for me. Although when my sister put her "Thriller" album on the turntable I didn't leave the room....... I want to love you (P.Y.T.) Pretty young thing You need some lovin' (T.L.C.) Tender lovin' care And I'll take you there, girl, hoo!

Too many for me to pick as well. Besides all the fishing shows I record: Big Brother Gotham The Voice The Walking Dead Ink Master Game of Thrones Impractical Jokers

I wade a river for smallies every weekend, but have never fished a bait under a float. One more thing to add to the possibilities...

Will do, thanks!

And now they have a newer version, the Bug-A-Salt 2.0. More power, less salt. I don't want one. I NEED one...

I have. Unfortunately they are all in the SW part of the state, hours away from me. Thank you for the suggestion though!

Does anyone know of any bass clubs in the Eastern Panhandle of WV? This would be Martinsburg WV, Charles Town WV, Harper's Ferry WV, Hagerstown MD area. My searches on the interwebs have come up with exactly nada.

Maybe you could hook up with Mike D from Lunkerville and fish Central Park together!!

I only wade in a river (no lakes or ponds) and use water temperature as my guide. When the water is warm I wear shorts and sneakers. As it gets colder I will switch to jeans/sneakers. Then finally insulated chest waders. And as another member mentioned, a wading belt is a must with chest waders! When you inevitably fall you don't want your waders to fill up with water.

Good for you! People ask me all the time when I'm going to shave my beard. My response: "It's not ready yet." My two favorite "bearded" expressions: "Women should date men with beards... because growing a beard takes patience - the kind of patience it takes to deal with their sh!t." "It's good to have beardless friends. People will think you're their leader, and they'll be right."

Wishing you a quick recovery sir, uh, Snookalot.

Do it!! I trim my mustache about once a week, other than that I don't touch a thing (including my neck). Uncle Si is my hero!! Ha-ha

I'm channeling my inner Dave Mercer: "G-G-G-Giant Bass!!!!!"

I prefer to fish alone unless it's with my son.