RandySBreth

Actually any fast moving topwater lure (buzzbait, bulging spinnerbait, fast worked popper or walk-the-dog topwater) can get "swiped" at, and either the fish are just trying to kill it (not as likely outside of spawning) or it's just not quite the perfect lure for that day. Either the color, size, retrieve, or something is off. A "pitch back" lure is a good idea, but I find that most of the time when Bass are just swiping at your lures like buzzbaits, something is just a little off.

My favorite setup for the spinnerbaits I use the most (1/4 to 1/2 ounce compact) is a 7'Med/Fast rod with a 6.2 to 1 reel. I use a softer rod because I use braid, when I used mono I used a Med/Heavy rod like you have. Spinnerbaitin' around shallow cover is awesome!

There was a great segment on one of the In-Fisherman shows about "tail-up versus tail-down". I don't think it matters except which way you have confidence in. By the way, if you've never tried Kalin grubs, you are missing out. Soft tail that works on the slowest retrieve, and great colors.

I generally use a leader a little longer than the rod it's on, in other words on 7' rod I'll use about an 8' leader. I fish super-clear water, and I know a lot of guys use a shorter leader than that, similar to what you're using. The longer leader also gives me more to use when tying knots from switching baits or if a few inches near the lure is getting nicked.

Wow, I haven't seen any of those in about maybe 15 years. That "local tackle shop" must have some old inventory.

Not Shimano. ;D

The smaller Beast is one of my favorite finesse jig trailers. It's awesome. I like it for a light Split shot or Carolina rig bait, too.

Among us folks who often fish for river Smallmouth out of canoes or kayaks we've come to the consensus that Shimano spinners in the mid-to-high price range aren't very good for what we do. (Gasp!) Why? Because if you get them wet (like dunking them totally submerged) they start binding up on the retrieve, like they are full of maple syrup on a cold day. This is so common that several folks call them "Shimbindos". ;D If you fish from "the big boat", and/or in dry conditions, this will never effect you. But if your gonna wade or canoe or kayak, it's something to keep in mind.

One thing that's great about using a leader is you can use a Fluoro that doesn't necessarily spool well as a main line, as most really tough Fluoros don't, at least on spinning reels. I've had a lot of success with Orvis "Mirage" flyfishing tippet (leader) material. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_60832_175003000_175000000_175003000_175-3-0 There isn't a tougher or stronger pure Fluoro out there that I'm aware of. I like the 1X for general use, it's the same diameter as most 8- or 10-pound test fluoro's - but it's rated as 14.5-pound test. It's tough stuff, I've had bass drag me through flooded timber in current and barely nick the surface, and pulled fish around dock cables with the 2X diameter dozens of time without breaking off. The downside? If you clicked on that link you saw it - it's expensive , 10 bucks for the smaller 40-meter spools, and 25 bucks for a 100 meter spool. I use a lot of Vanish or Trilene 100% Fluoro for everyday stuff, but if I fish a tournament, or am really trying for a nice fish around heavy cover, I break out the Mirage.

Welcome to BR, there are some Southwest Mo. folks on here, but it's always good to have some more. Not really. But a little Purple on anything isn't a bad thing!

Yeah, I've doubled and even tripled up on "chasers" after someone hooks the first one, but I'm only relating what I've experienced in the other case. Smallmouth's are schizo sometimes, don't you think?

The reason they wouldn't hit anything (I think) is because if you were close enough to see them, they see you, too. Don't think a fish has to scoot away at high speed to be "spooked" from your presence. They probably get tons of canoe traffic, and know what you are. Maybe wait an hour or so after paddling away a good (100-yards) distance, then stealthily paddle close enough for a long cast. I fish out of a canoe a lot in the Ozark's Smallmouth rivers, and I see folks basically sitting on top of the spot they're fishing, where I try to get back a long cast away from good spots and tend to catch more (and bigger) than most others. Smallies can be very, very spooky.

Rods "exploding" on the hookset? Were these rods made by Al Queda? ;D : Breaking, perhaps, but not "exploding". I've heard that one since, well forever. Dramatic sounding, but to someone like me that's used superlines since they came out, when someone trots that one out it makes them sound ignorant.

Google "Mined lands wildlife area Kansas" for more about the areas off just to your west. An hour and a half drive would put you over here to fish the lower James River for trophy Smallmouth, just SouthWest of Springfield. That would be a an entire day trip, though, out of either Hootentown or Galena. Rentals available http://www.jamesriveroutfitters.com/

Why not take the gear needed to try several options, and figure out what works from there? I always overpack on unfamiliar waters. On another note, what if it turns out to be one of those deals where you catch most of them on a grub or tube on spinning gear, and all this worry was for nothing? Hey, I like planning a trip almost as much as actually doing it, but you can over think things.

Orvis "Mirage" fly fishing leader material. In 1X it's about the same diameter as most 8-10 lb test mono or fluoro, but it's 14.5 lb test. That's what I often use as a leader here on Table Rock or Beaver, both of which are crystal clear most of the year. Yes, it's expensive. It's worth it.

Even a light crank will not be sunk by say 10 -lb. fluoro line. Go try it. I use little baby Bombers on 10 and 12-lb fluoro and they pop right back to the surface. It's not lead core trolling line, it's just fluoro. Again, diving depth is a function of line diameter.

;D Of course, you need a good 8-weight fly rod to cast it...

No. Diving depth is a function of line diameter, not how "dense" the line is. I'll use a fluoro leader on thin superline to get deeper, but that's a different story.

Nope, I use Orvis "Mirage" fluoro as a leader, with 2/10 Spiderwire.

As long as it's safe to do so, I'll fish in anything from calm to almost hurricane strength. It is a pain to hold position in the wind though...

Any of the smaller "beaver baits" are great finesse jig trailers. Very overlooked.

The same as regular Fireline, just different color. It does need a little "break in", but then it works just fine.

I've used the 40 lb. for spinnerbait line, but it was the green. It just faded like any other braid, but didn't flake off.

If it was one of those blister packs with the rod, reel, line, and a couple of dozen flies, avoid it like the Bubonic Plague. Both Cabelas and Basspro have some inexpensive starter outfits that are much better. The hardest thing to learn is casting, everything else is pretty simple for warmwater flyfishing.