BigShew2

I guess a lot of it depends on what you plan on doin. I saw that the Abu Veritas rods are on sale at TW for 80. I would recommend either a 7' M/f or MH/F. They seem fairly stout to me but i can still throw a weightless senko on the 6'9" mh/f. I was just tryin this out the other day and was getting pretty decent distance with it - ~30 yards on average. My reel was the Lews Tournament SK from GM and 17# Red Label. The Berkley lightening rod is a lil cheaper and supposed to be pretty good as well. Good luck.

My go to is a Bomber 6 or 7A in Firetiger or TN shad. also if you come across some Rebel deep Wee R's snag 'em up (they are discontinued now i believe), they have done good for me in the past as well. Like others said the shad rap is a staple with most bass fishermen. Good luck!!

Do you hafta be a member of BASS to join?

Like you I only started using a baitcaster a couple years ago. I found it easier to learn using 17# or higher mono-big game is great due to the price. A thicker line makes casting easier, along with heavier weights to start out with. It helps train the thumb. Then with the right set up you can throw 1/4 less fairly easily. Good luck.

Abu Garcia vendetta 7'3" mhf fits the bill, and only $80. They fill pretty good in the hand as well.

Guess I'll be one to throw another knot at ya. I've been using the uni-knot - for about the past 20 plus years now. I don't remember it ever failing. its easy, fast and can be used to connect line to lures, line to line, and the like.

Been a while since I fished that area but, i remember my uncles always talking about the frog migration at South Holston in the fall. They said that you needed to through on the bank and work them back down in the water - caught some nice smallies with this. As for this time of year i had success using soft jerk baits - slug-o style baits - near creek mouths for smallies. rattling jigs in pumpkin and watermelon worked quite well too.

Thanks, hey buzzed - i'm from TN so i prefer Orange, never got into the baby blue....but they are fun to watch in the winter.

Hi ya'll, I've been lurking and reading several topics here for the past few weeks and figured I would introduce myself. Livin outside WS now, grew up in TN. Fished a lot more when I was younger and am getting back into it now because I need a hobby. Right now just hittin a few small lakes and ponds, don't own a boat yet, but its in the plans. I would love to get together with people around the area and wet a line or two. Hope to learn a lot more from the experienced ones here.