Steveo-1969

I fished an 1/8 ounce finesse jig for the first time this year for river smallies. I'm still learning how to fish it and can't wait to keep throwing it.

I want to keep working on fishing with flukes, and my dropshot and finesse jig presentations.

For smallies: I use 10 # braid with 8# fluoro leader on a ML spinning rod. No stretch provides great sensitivity and hooksets.

I was in the market to buy a new spinning reel this spring and was looking at a Quantum EXO or Smoke. Not having an anti-reverse switch on either of these was actually the deal breaker for me. Not because I wanted to backreel (I never do) but because I frequently have to clear weeds off my bait or check the sharpness of my hook. I use the anti-reverse switch to do that.

Santa Claus ordered me an NRX 893C, should be delivered next week. HO HO HO!!!!!!

I would say walleyes because they are very challenging for me to catch.

This is exactly what I was going to say!!!! Terrible bait for walleyes too...

For where and how I fish, I use my spinning combo every time and love it. I've had it since March and have caught everything from 6" smallmouth to a 15# muskie on it. G. Loomis WPJR 821S GLX paired with a 3000 size Shimano Stradic CI4+. 10# Sufix 832 braid with 8# fluoro leader.

A 7-foot Shimano Compre crankbait rod will run you $110.

I've heard if you don't lubricate real well before cinching your knot down you can burn the fluorocarbon and weaken it. I use a Trilene knot and LOTS of saliva.

On my spinning rod I use 10# Sufix 832 with an 8# Seaguar Abrazx leader. On my casting rod I use 30# Sufix 832 with a 15# Seaguar Abrazx leader.

Baby Rage Craws or just the head and claws off of a 3" YUM Mighty Bug. Which YUM has stopped making...

My dad wasn't a big fisherman, but he taught me how to tie a clinch knot and cast a spincast reel. After that growing up it was watching fishing shows, reading magazines and fishing with friends. Now that I've picked it back up and become completely addicted to fishing it's still watching fishing shows, reading things on the internet (like this website!) and fishing by myself and my son.

I close the bail by hand, lightly tug on the line to tighten, and let the line bounce off my finger as I start reeling. I saw Bill Dance explain this in one of his shows to help reduce a loop on the reel or loose line. And I can honestly say since I've started doing this I've never had a "bird's nest" off the reel. For me it was worth doing this and now it's automatic and very quick.

I've got a 7' MHF with a Carbonlite reel I use for jig fishing. Not as sensitive as I'd like, but no problem with durability.

I've never used Red Label (or any fluoro) as a main line, but I used Red Label as a leader (w/ braid main line) for a couple years and it worked great. I switched to Abrazx this year and feel it IS more abrasion resistant, but you won't be sorry with the Red Label. (On a side note, I ran out of Abrazx 2 weeks ago and bought a spool of Vicious. Not impressed. Not very abrasion-resistant and I can't tie a knot without burning the line. Even after wetting the line as I tighten it slowly).

My most expensive combo is spinning. Loomis 821S GLX and Shimano Stradic CI4+. About $665.

I prefer BPS for selection as well, but only get there about once a year because it's 90 minutes away. Cabela's would be second choice, but that is also 90 minutes away. I have two Gander Mountains 45 minutes away that I visit about 4 times per year. Locally I have two Dick's Sporting Goods stores that are ok, not great selection but better than Walmart. I get 50% of my stuff on-line, the other 50% from stores.

I don't listen to music when I fish, but like some other posts I always have the last song I heard on the radio on the way to my fishing spot in my head. For hours. Saturday afternoon I saw a large bird swimming in the middle of the river and was trying to figure out what it was. Then I heard it's call. A loon!! I rarely see them here, only when they are migrating. With ear buds in, I never would have heard it.

My average smallmouth is about 10". And... commence laughing...........

I'm going to hesitantly say yes for where/how I fish. I have one spinning rod I use the majority of the time and two baitcasters that I use sparingly. I'd like to upgrade my worm/jig baitcaster next year to something a little nicer though. It's currently a 7' MH BPS Carbonlite and I liked it until I used my buddy's Quantum Smoke. The Smoke was more sensitive, even with mono. So I may upgrade, I've been thinking about an ***. But otherwise I'm set for now.

Lucky hat for me, Chicago Bears camo hat. My son has a lucky hat too and he experienced the power of it last Saturday. He forgot his hat in the morning and watched me catch fish while he missed strike after strike. Then he wore his lucky hat on Saturday afternoon and caught fish. Coincidence? I think not!!!

What size jig are you using as finesse? I also fish a river for smallies and this summer started using an 1/8 ounce Bitsy Bug jig with small craw trailer (head of a YUM Mighty Bug or a Baby Rage Craw). I'm normally fishing 4' of water or less and various flows and 1/8 ounce seems to be about right for me. Until this year most of my fishing has been with t-rigged plastics. I've had pretty good luck with the jig. I like being able to feel the bottom and am getting better at bite detection, but I'm still working on my hookset.

And explain it in "Rod Sensitivity for Dummies" jargon?

If I am on "wet" foot patrol (wading) then I have my spinning rod in my hand because I'm throwing 1/8 ounce or lighter baits, and because I am absolutely IN LOVE with my spinning rod. Is that weird? ha-ha. If I'm on "dry" foot patrol (shore fishing) then I carry a spinning and baitcasting rod and frequently alternate. I don't necessarily need the baitcaster, but they are fun to use and it's great practice for me.