FryDog62

??? very nice!!

I like rigging them backwards... the only problem I have with that after they hit bottom, they don’t retrieve well/naturally. You have to get that quick reaction bite, after that they “corkscrew” back to the boat.

???

I find the next best/closest thing to Tatsu IMO is Sniper... 90% as good as Tatsu at 50-60% of the cost. But if you just want the absolute best fluorocarbon regardless of price - Tatsu.

Good idea, get every day in you can... My family had a cabin near Hayward for 27 years and I know the lakes over there... but not knowledgeable about anything closer than that. If any lakes other than Balsam come to mind within 1 maybe 2 hours I’m open to suggestions or PM. Thx

Not out of the question... any good Wisconsin bass lakes within an hour or so of the Twin Cities?

...And the days start getting shorter in 7 weeks.. !!

X2

My friend who has a Yamaha, will pee on my Mercury whenever he goes off the back of my boat... ?

I was just out 2 days ago in 46 degree water for smallies. Couldn’t get a sniff on the usual best early season lure - jerkbait. Went to the big Colorado blade as Catt mentioned above and got two right away.

Thanks, wondering if you have used Yo-Zuri Hybrid at all and if so how it might compare. Thx

Please report your findings back, I’ve thought of picking some up too - but curious what others think...

So... any reports if it is actually “lower stretch?”

It’s a bear every year trying to time the weather in the spring in SD. Wind is 90% of the issue. Coming back to the ramp Thurs afternoon to pull out, had 40 mph gusts and 3 foot whitecaps coming up my back while trying to get on the trailer...

Go for a “Booty Call:” https://www.fleetfarm.com/store/detail/northland-booty-call-spinnerbait-black-sucker/0000000278504/2500?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkM_dvafw4QIVycDACh2vNg6OEAQYASABEgIs3vD_BwE

Usually this time of year a jerk bait, but the ice only went out 5 days ago and temps were 46. Couldn’t get a sniff on jerkbaits so went to slow rolling a Colorado blade spinnerbait. For the Whities, I threw a small squarebill... man they get big on Waubay!

Bass of all kinds are biting in SoDak... must be the hat

I threw in a couple $ as well, I’m in the Minnesota Fishing Challenge in early June or I’d try to fish St. Jude’s as well... great cause and good luck!

I experiment with and enjoy using about every color except green pumpkin.. ?

Daiwa has several rods in the $200-300 range. Even the Tatula at $150 will outshine many in the $200+ range. I’d also recommend ALX Zolo (10 year warranty), or as mentioned above the Orochi/Levante.

Awesome info, sounds like there is a lot of good water nearby. Job-wise I’d probably need to be in/near a larger city like Nashville. Is it a reasonable drive to Chickmauga from there? When we visited Nashville, I saw the Cumberland River and wondered if it’s good for Smallmouth, and if I could get my Pro-V Bass w/jack plate launched there. Pickwick and Guntersville have always intrigued me too. The summer humidity might be rough for a northerner like me (not my wife), but coming from one of the highest taxed states, the cost structure in Tennessee would be a definite plus...

I always got a lot of out of the Lindner DVD’s. All different species but a lot of Smallmouth. They have a deal running on their site - 5 DVD’s for $25. https://shop.anglingedge.com/

Was a Good Friday on the ‘Sip

I have found to wait until the water level peaks, wait 2-3 days for the fish to re-position and try again. Until that happens I think they are scattered in more isolated spots.

I had a Lew’s Spinning reel once that came with like a very thick rubber band made to the width of the spool. You put that on instead of backing. Takes up room, never slips... perfect. Wish those were more common..