Steveo-1969

For spinning I use a 6'10" MLXF with 10# braid and 8# FC leader. Baitcasting is a 7'5" MHXF with 12# FC (would use a M power if I had one). I carry my stuff in a small over-the-shoulder tackle bag. My favorite baits to throw are SK Bitsy Bug jigs in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 ounce (Baby Rage Craw trailer). Various t-rigged plastics with 1/16 or 1/8 ounce bullet weight and 2/0 or 3/0 Gamakatsu skip gap hook. Plastics include SK Baby Rage Craw, YUM 3" Mighty Bug (not made in that size anymore), 4" YUM Dinger, SK Cut-R worm, 4" Powerbait ribbon-tail worm. Also fish 1/8 ounce jig heads with 3" and 4" Gulp grubs and Gulp minnows.

The times I've fished it I've seen more kayaks than boats (it's a "no gas motors" lake). Good luck!

Man, that's a bummer. I hate breaking off a fish on the hookset. Based on the advice that members gave you a couple days ago on a thread you started about Spiderwire Fluoro, rather than switching to a heavier line you may want to try a different brand of fluorocarbon. Spiderwire fluoro didn't get any love in the last thread. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/159536-15lb-flurocarbon-with-texas-rig/

Ha-ha. That's what I've been telling my son! "If you were GUARANTEED to catch the fish every time you set the hook it wouldn't be nearly as exciting." So far he's not buying it...

I've only fished the lake 4 times (twice last spring, twice this spring), but I would say it's possible to take your sedan with kayaks. The road is rough in spots but not impassable. I went with a buddy in his pickup towing a Bass Tracker. We never had much luck but there are big ones in there. Good luck!!

I rarely throw a plastic without some kind of scent on it for smallies (or largies). For me it's a confidence thing. I regularly use Spike-It chartreuse garlic and crawlic, and have also just started using the original Megastrike. Does it produce more strikes? Get them to hold onto the bait longer? I don't know, but my mind tells me it makes a difference and that's all that matters.

Awesome. Scott Martin Challenge is one of my favorite shows, happy to see him win AOY!

As long as it's just a guess, I'm guessing 3# 7 ounces.

Maybe you could give us a little more info? Are you fishing with a spincast, spinning or baitcast rod? What kinds of baits are you using? How heavy are your weights (if any)? BTW - Welcome to the forums!

Welcome to the forums!! I agree with WIGuide. ^^^^^^^^^^^^

As someone who has lost countless fish on jigs when the fish jumps, I agree with most of the posters above. 12# fluoro line and a MH powered rod is plenty to drive the hook past the barb. I lose fish because the hook widens the hole in the fishes mouth and when he/she jumps I don't keep tension on the line and they throw it. When you feel the fish coming up and about to jump, keep the rod tip low and to the side, keep a bow in the rod and the line tight. You'll still lose some fish, but not nearly as many.

Great fish! Musky's beard puts mine to shame, but I'm working on it... ha-ha

Is this the UK version of a yellow perch? Looks like you dipped her fins/tail in red Spike-It!!

Good luck Memphis, I hope you whack 'em!!!!!

I used PB&J color all week. Lubed up with Megastrike Original and the tips of the claws dipped in Spike-It chartreuse garlic. SK Jointed Structure head in 1/2 ounce.

X2 on the Structure Bug. I was on vacation at Kentucky Lake last week and used a Structure Bug on a SK Jointed Structure head fishing ledges, slowly crawling it along the bottom with occasional pauses. My group caught fish on various plastics (SK Rage Craw, SK Space Monkey, big worms, shaky head w/ finesse worm) but all of my fish were caught on the Structure Bug. I just couldn't put it down.

Google "Trilene knot". It's very easy to tie and very reliable knot strength.

My itch and panic start to set in as I'm at the end of my fishing day, look at my phone and realize I have time for "just one more cast". And I know I won't be able to fish again for another week........

First smallie of the year was caught on an 1/8 ounce ball head jig with a 3" Berkley Powerbait Rippleshad. About 12" long.

Yup. And a bullhead is a "mudcat" here.

Yeah, The Doors!!! I've got the logo tattooed on the inside of my right forearm. "No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn!"

I agree, rock bass are fun! But now that you live in WV Chris, you have to start calling them "goggle eyes"...

I also put all my fingers in front of the reel stem.

My biggest smallmouth so far this year is 14". (Ok, stop laughing! ha-ha) I hate to say this, but you guys are making me feel better about the smallie I lost on Sunday afternoon. Wading in a river, I threw a jig into a slack area and when I lifted up on the rod thought I was snagged on a rock. Gave it a little tug to free it and it was a fish. She raced at me and I tried to set the hook harder but then she jumped... and then jumped again... Holy crap, this fish is 3+ pounds which is big for me. I might get one shot a year at a smallie this big! I finally caught up to her and she turned and... here came my jig. I'm still a little nauseous over it.

Spike-It makes black. Just saw it on TW in Gamefish, Garlic or unscented.