jitterbug127

Tube/ned/senko whatever i've got tied on my spinning reel.

YES! This is the same thing I do (except 10 lb). Straight braid is fantastic and you're exactly right braid does straighten hooks out often. I can get most of them out of logs, but the ones that get stuck get stuck good! Ned is lure #1 for me on the river these days, so I will continue to go dig my rig out of the logs since it keeps catching fish. I don't think I've ever used a leader except on a Carolina rig catfishing.

I start my day off with a moving bait trying to match what I think the fish are eating. Ill crank about 20-30 minutes and if I don't get a bite I'm moving to the Ned or a tube. I spend 80% of my time on the river dragging the bottom. My single complaint with the NED is how often it gets caught up. I know they've made some weedless hooks for the ned over the last few years, but i am still sticking with my mushroom heads. I have confidence in them, and I'm not ready to change.

BB1 pro is built like a tank too with lots of drag. You take care of it, and it should last many, many years!

I still don't understand how the line is "heavy". 40 LB braid on a spinning rod should work just fine. It would be the equal to 10 lb mono diameter. I like 10 lb-15 lb braid on my spinning gear, but I think the OP has his braid installed wrong or something isn't working mechanically with his reel.

It might be slightly bigger, but nothing that I'd be overly concerned about. The BB1 pro was the first "nice" baitcaster I ever bought, so I probably compare everything to the BB1 without knowing it. My shimano reels have always felt a little "small" to me, but that's coming off BB1 pro reels.

I am a shimano guy through and through, but I'd get a bb1 pro. They are phenomenal reels and immediately came to my mind reading this description.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm gonna pair them up and experiment. I'll make changes as the fishing season comes and goes.

My collection seems to grow more and more every month, and like a good redneck I can't pass up a deal. That being said I think I could have 1 3600 size box fill it and never buy anything different ever again (except replacements).

I have been buying/selling/trading gear quite a bit this fall. I think I finally have a decent collection of rods and reels. I am a little confused on which reel to put with each rod. How would you pair these up? Reels Shimano Curado K 6.2:1 Shimano Curado K 8.5:1 Shimano Curado 7.2:1 Abu Garcia Silvermax 6.4:1 Lews Carbonfire 7.1:1 Rods Fenwick HMG 7'2" Medium/Moderate Fenwick Eagle 7' Medium/Fast Abu Garcia Veritas 6'9" Medium Heavy/fast Lews Xfinity Pro 7'4" Heavy/Extra Fast Field and Stream 7" Medium Heavy/Moderate

Personally I’d get a baitcaster for cranking. You can use spinning gear for crankbaits, but I think you’ll find the bc to be superior in almost every way for crankbaits. Longer rod also is super helpful to pin fish and make long casts. More leverage

I started another thread about this recently. I have been deciding on which/how many set ups to take with me in my small kayak. I have a perception sound 10.5, so I don't have tons of extra room. I am 100% sure i will be taking my m/f spinning rod. I use it for so much stuff its hard to think of not having it. The other 1-2 set ups are still up in the air. Honestly I could just take the spinning rod and be fine.

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.