jitterbug127

I went though my tackle box, and made a little box for the river. I think I could pretty much fish it all the time and rarely need anything else. Senkos, Tubes, Grubs, neds Inline spinners, white spinnerbait, square bills, spook, whopper plopper, jerkbaits This is what I put in there off the top of my head. I'm sure there is a few more things, but that's pretty much it. This will grow overtime, but reading these threads this is where I started.

My insight on this topic is minimal, so take that with a cinder block of salt. I fish straight braid on everything because all the water I fish is basically chocolate milk.

I have been fishing the river this fall for the first time in a long time, and I'm surprised by how many things I have leaned to far. Most of this will be obvious to the seasoned Fisherman, but experimentation and paying attention to what works has helped. The ned rig just catches fish. It gets caught up more on everything that i'd ever have expected, but it is a great lure to catch multispecies of fish. Smallies love tubes. I hadn't used tubes much before this fall, but I've had some nice bites with tubes. I really enjoy fishing them. I like really fast action rods. I have several spinning rods, and the one i like the most has the fastest tip. I am looking at a medium light/extra fast tipped rod today. I haven't found a use for moderate action spinning rods yet. If im cranking im using my BC. They are also difficult to cast because they have so much bend that I feel like i have to chuck a 1/16 oz lure a mile. Fish are in current. I pretty much have been spot fishing and just going for the moving water. The fish seem to be there.

My biggest smallie was about 3 lbs caught on a pig and jig in the white river years ago.

I just use straight braid for everything. I like it and it keeps it simple.

I like the ned rig. I fished it when the Z-man stuff first came out 7 or 8 years ago and had some success with it. I have got back into fishing this fall, and it seems to be a logically bait especially for my river. Finesse is the name of the game here, so ned is bait 1 or 2 off the boat for me.

I think I'd only be willing to take 2 maybe 3 rods out on the water at any given time. I took my 6'6" M/F spinning rod for out to the river Tuesday, and it fished it most of the day. I also used my 6'9" Mh/F baitcaster for crank baits. I think i will want to get a ML/XF rod for the river in the future. It seems like such a great rod to catch rock bass and smallies.

Thank you for response. Sounds like you’ve got a heck of a set up for kayak fishing! I’d have to doctor something up to get that many rods in my boat for sure.

I have fallen in love with river smallies. I have a perception 10.5 foot kayak which is great for short trips. I am wondering guys that fish the river from a kayak how many combos do you take? And what are they? I took a 6 6 medium fast with 10 lb braid and a 6 9 medium heavy with 40 lb braid out other day. Probably needed my cranking combo as well, but didn’t know how much I’d use it. my river is shallow 4-5 feet at the deepest most places.

I have an Abu veritas 69 mh rod that I absolutely love. I’ve let a few buddies try it out and they have no idea it is a 2 piece rod. I am super impressed with the quality fishing gear that is made today especially in the 2 piece market. The balance and weight is fantastic. I’d argue better than some medium end 1 piece rods I’ve had. what is your favorites 2 piece rod?

Oh yeah. I think I’ve had these set ups going on 7-8 years now? They’re sturdy, cast a mile and economical. C3 6500 is as tough as nails and will be given to my kids one day. Just basic maintenance and good to go. I’m 100% settled into my catfish gear, bass gear on the other hand? Haha

How do most of you guys fish for smallies? I have a 10.5 foot kayak that I take downriver to fish most of the time. It is pretty comfortable, and I can cover lots of water.

Absolutely! A $500 flight to save a few bucks seems completely reasonable.

I have 3 of the 8 foot ugly stik catfish rods. I have abu garcia c3 6501s on the two casting rods and a Shimano Stratic 4000 on my spinning rod.

My local rural king had all of their lures on sale for $1 for all crappie gear and $2 for all bass lures from Strike King. Check it out

I use straight braid for everything. The water here is all stained or dirty. I just tie everything on and call it a day

I like shimano baitcasters, pflueger spinning reels and fenwick rods for my bass gear. I like Abu Garcia baitcasters and ugly stik for my catfish rods. I like specific products companies make more than actual brand loyalty. I buy pretty much the same lures and soft plastics all the time too.

Thanks for all the help folks! I’ll get my parts ordered tonight. now to solve the mystery of my grinding president

I bought new in 2017. ?. I literally have used it like 2 times

This is my spool tension knob

I saw that Picture on ebay, and I was thinking i might be short a part. If i flip my spool tension knob over it just shows the gold inside of the spool tension knob (what I'm calling metal, It maybe carbon fiber. I know its a really lightweight material like aluminum but different. Probably carbon fiber now that you say it). I dont see either of those two parts in the Picture (middle or right) in my spool tension knob.

knob is going on straight. It felt "too tight" before i oiled it, but it seems to be just fine now. I was wondering this as well. It seems to be the most logical place to go next. Does anyone have a Curado K that they could post a picture of the inside of the spool tension knob? Mine just looks to be metal to metal. I think there may be a thin piece of plastic/rubber/silicone whatever it is that may help grab the spool more than straight metal. Pictures online arn't helpful from dr google.

Internal brakes are all on. I turned them on in hopes to help solve the issue.

It is completely closed and latched. I took the spool out and put it back. It’s doing the same thing. Weird for a basically new reel. The line is also bunching up on one side

Yes multiple times. I’ve also oiled everything. I can tighten it down to a painful amount and minimal movement. It doesn’t slow the fall rate of the bait however