BigKev77

When life gives you lemons, turn it into a mess of catfish. That sounds good to me.

Let us know how it went and how they were biting.

1/2 oz flipping jig with a good sharp hook at a good price. I am not brand loyal.

Funny story! I fish cause there's nothing better to do. Literally there is nothing better.

Some pretty serious "lakes" on this river. Hartwell, Russell, Thurmond. Yeah i'd call them lakes, lol. I am guessing you mean the lower river south of Augusta? I posted in the other big river thread but you could also look at the back water which is what I guess you are talking about when you say lakes. We call the lakes here too. Might look there for some early spawners and those thinking about it. Muddy water and current both lead me to fish shallow so you don't need a pricey finder there. Hit a lot of spots and keep moving. The other guys gave good info too. A lipless crank is a good bait too, cast and pump and reel it back to the boat. They like that little fall when you dip your rod tip and good sound for that muddy water. That lower Savanna River reminds me of our lower White river. If you are talking about one of those big reservoirs I would be lost with you.

That is how it is fishing on the Arkansas River. Run and gun hitting numerous spots. I rarely find more than a couple in one spot unless its a bunch of small spotted bass on wing dams. Wing dams, creek mouths, laydowns and vegitation, good rip rap, anything that is going to give the fish a chance move out of current. Those can be pretty subtle changes along the bank or big obvious changes like those wing dams I mentioned. Some times you can go back to those spots, that produced, later in the day and pick off another that has moved in to take that good spot. If you aren't catching keep moving. I am far from an expert but that is how I fish the river here in Arkansas.

Floral wire and wrap it twice. Twist the ends tight and cut off the excess. I do that with most everything with a skirt that isn't hand tied already. I can't remember what size wire I have 20 gauge maybe.

Great idea. Never heard of that before. Does it work any better than o-rings?

Well, I guess I choose my lure depending on where, when, and what I'm fishing. My favorite lure is a jig but it isn't going to be great for everything. You have to make the choice for the situation. You aren't going to pitch a zara spook deep into a bush and I can't walk the dog with a jig. If you want to really learn a technique the only way is to ride it out.

DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE!!! If I have to. Group one: I HATE crankbaits but because of that I have been forcing myself to use them. So, reluctantly, I have to chose a squarebill crankbait. Group two: If there is a jig in my tacklebox it WILL be tied on before I hit the water. If they aren't getting the job done you change. Where I fish I think those two are the best bet to get started.

I wouldn't put braid on your first baitcaster. You are going to have backlashes you will have to cut out. Just put a cheap line on there until you get the hang of a baitcaster.

Been using a telescopic retriever and it is a little hard to handle but I always get my lure back.

Check out the Senko sticky. Lots of info there and a section just for line and hook size

Lol, Good question. Never really thought about that.

Speed depends on what the fish want. Just experiment with it. When I fish it I start out pointing at the bait and sweep my rod to the side about 90 degrees, reel in the slack and start again. I can't say I ever go REAL slow but like I said before I do want to feel what it is dragging over. Just try different stuff. I enjoy trying new stuff so have fun with it and let us know how you do. Don't go too big on the plastic you choose. Not that they won't hit a big bait back there but it just seems like the stuff on the smaller side gets the most bites. A stick bait (senko, yum dinger) is a dang good c-rig bait.