Banor

This definately depends where you are fishing. I'm going to have a long boring day up here in Michigan if I'm using 15-17 lb test line in anything other than heavy vegetation and in that case I'll be using Power Pro braid. Otherwise... I'm using 6, 8 and 10 lb fluoro clear line. So.. before you throw jokes, consider the situation. Now, if he's throwing 3/4 oz jigs he's either in heavy vegetation or throwing pretty deep. In either case I'd be throwing braid and if it's not heavy vegetation I'd be using a 10 lb fluoro leader... 12lb at the very thickest. B

Power Pro braid 50/65 lb. Dont go less than 50 lb. B

Welcome to the boards!! I think there is a reason it's on sale and the only one left. Put it that way. I dont think it suits most of your applications. It most definately is not suited for an all purpose rod and it sounds like that's what you need. I wouldnt go any less than a medium power if it were me and even that is too light for me but useful for some applications. I also do not like rods less than 7 ft for all purpose stuff but again, that's personal opinion and you may like the 6'6". To sum it up. Based on what you stated I would not buy that rod. B

Who says you have to be good at fishing to have a sponsor? Who sas you have to fish 100 tournaments to "deserve" a sponsorship? There are companies out there that will pay you to show off their logo everywhere you go. It's called advertising. I was out practicing for a BFL last week and ran into quite a few FLW pro's on Lake Erie and St. Clair. I ran into a Tylenol wrapped boat on nearly half of my spots I went to check. The entire weekend all I could think about was Tylenol. I dont even know who the pro's were that had them (I dont follow who's sponsored by who, it's not an obsession for me like it is alot of people around here) and didnt even meet them, didnt check online to see if they were good before I bought tylenol. I'll be darned though if I didnt buy a bottle of Tylenol the night before the BFL just incase. Tylenol sold a bottle of their product because of a wrapped boat that for me had no need for a high profile name association to sell the product. Just one example. B

Do you mean kinks or it's spiralled (i.e. memory from the spool)? If it's holding the shape of the reel it can't be kinked since the reel is round. If it's a memory problem I would suggest some line conditioner. I have not had problems at all with Yozuri Hybrid. I've used it quite a bit. I do use line conditioner alot though out of habit. Backlashes can cause kinks big time. If it's actual kinks that you have I would say you have a problem other than the line. What do you mean by braid then mono? Spool up braid and use mono as a leader? I personally only use braid for specific situations and would not recommend it as a way to fix your kink problem. I'd find the root of the problem and correct that. B

One thing I forgot to mention... it's been my experience that smallies love to chase. What has really worked for me in the past is just to kill it. Whatever you are doing just stop it dead in the water. That has made them commit and smack my lure a majority of the time. If you kill it and they stop and start to turn away, burn it back toward you. This can also produce a reaction strike from them. The way I see it, bass hate to lose. B

If they are following you are doing something right. You just need to alter it in some way. Maybe pause a bit longer or jerk it in a slightly different cadence. Might need to just change up the color or size. If they are following, they want it. You just need to help them want it more! B

Definately a drop shot! As with any other plastic, if you find hungry fish the sky is the limit on how you present the bait. Gobies work, no doubt about it. B

Good call Flue and Georgia. I would add that for me I use 4/0 and 5/0 hooks. They seem to just fit with the flukes and they help get the fluke down in the water, not to mention casting distance. Big circles arent a bad thing. Have you seen a dying blue gill or minnow? They swim around in circles and sometimes dive in circles. The action and power of your rod can play a big part. That is to say, I get very different action on the fluke when I use a slower action rod than a faster action rod. Line weight and type plays a big role as well. Also, if you are using a leader or swivel, get rid of it. Tie directly to the hook. B

Let me quantify my answer. I retie often, even my quick snaps. I do not, however need to retie every time I change out lures. I check my line often atleast after every fish and before changing lures - nearly every cast that I've come in contact with structure. If the line has any nicks at all it gets retied. I think it's pointless and a waste of time though to retie every time I change out treble lures if my line isnt nicked or frayed. Examples would be baby 1 minus type lures that I run over the tops of weed beds. 8 foot divers that I've run a couple times and find out I'm not getting the desired depth of coming in contact with the bottom. Top waters.. if I'm coming in contact with bottom structure with a pop-r or wake bait then I'm seriously doing something wrong. Etc. etc. Waste of time to rety IMO. As always, one man's humble opinion. Just to reiterate, I strongly agree with retying when I feel a nick or even suspect a nick or even after landing a fish. B

Kristie, the MI DNR will without a doubt want to know your story. What lake in Michigan was this? B

My rule of thumb is trebles get snaps. Everything else gets a pallomar knot. 2 reasons: 1) I hate tying baits with trebles on them. 2) I'm more liable to be changing out treble baits more frequently in a day than worm hooks. I have technique specific rods for different plastic type rigs so the only thing I have to replace when changing up is the actual plastics. Now someone just needs to come up with a quick way to swap out tubes and I'll be set. I stinking hate changing tube colors!! B

I noticed this a couple days ago. Man I need to look at putting a couple of these in my budget. B

Out of stock Out of stock Out of stock Out of stock > > They must sell a lot of them! B

haha!! I got two spools of 14 lb cajun for free at a tournament. I use it for backing too! I hate it!! B

Ok so I've always T-Rigged my hula grubs, twin tail grubs and smallie baits. Now that I'm targetting smallies and hitting alot of rocky stuff with some weed and carpet grass in and around the rocks I need something jigish but weedless. I need you gentlemen's opinions and suggestions on good lead head with weedguard jigs for this type presentation. I remember some time ago using a different shaped lead head with a fibered weedguard that worked amazingly well on the drop. I wish I could remember that brand name. I'm not talking jig/pig. I'm talking brush hog and hula grub type stuff. I'm not a fan of football head jigs either, FYI. Thanks guys, B

Don't count out the spawn. This year has been a weird year. June 16th we had a BFL up north by Lake Huron on Mullet and Burt Lakes. The water temps were in the mid 70's so I went into the practice thinking they had spawned out since everyone knows smallies spawn in low 60's right?? There were bedders everywhere. Food for thought. Congrats on the fish all that aside! B

We are fortunate enough to have smallies all year round. It's insane. I must admit this is my first year targetting smallies on the Great Lakes, but so far it's been a blast. You really should plan a trip up here. I'm no expert yet but we can definately get on some 20 to 30 fish days. I thought St. Clair would be my favorite lake but I'm now getting obsessed with Lake Erie. I digress, we are hijacking this thread. Jenga is your question answered? B

"ish" is a bit strong isnt it? B

Today I caught about 25 smallies using those Yamamoto little minnow thingies, forget what they are called and Reaction Innovations flirt worms. So for today those are my favorites. B

I notice blood is dripping from the tail, is the tail beat up or just a tough hookup on her? Almost looks like a post spawn female. If that's the case I can understand the skinny. Ya, the ones in your avatar are plenty healthy B

Igo, 3.5 smallie is more than enough to get the heart racing! That's all the matters! Post pics! B

23 1/2 inches? That's a nice smallie!! He looks a little on the hungry side otherwise I'd say 23 1/2 inches is even heavier!! Them smallies pack a punch eh? B

wismallie, reread that sentence please. thanks. Jenga, To properly answer the question you asked directly... it is my opinion that the most productive way to fish a senko for smallies is target the flats cruising smallies with a wacky rigged senko. (That's a senko rigged with a small hook right in the middle of the worm and no weight.) It is also my opinion that T-Rigging a senko with weight will work, however it is less productive for smallies and I suggest you try the presentations that RW and myself have offered for you. T-Rigging a senko with weight is EXTREMELY productive for largies though. I looked past your question and assumed you wanted to know how better to catch smallies. Hope you dont mind RW, In the interest of making you jealous... I just got back from a 40 smallies day, biggest being 4.5#. ;D. All on drop shot and tubes. Now if they'll just stay there for the BFL next week. B

As much as I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, that seriously is an average fish on the Great Lakes. Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. Actually the further north in Michigan you get the better the lakes get. We have inland lakes that it takes 20+ lbs a sack of 5 fish to win. Most of those are smallies. Michigan is a wonderful place to fish. Before you go getting jealous though, our fishing season is considerably shorter than the southern states so it's a trade off. B