WI_Angler1989

Who has experience with the FITT River Darter? I was recommended them by someone on a Smallmouth Facebook page and thought I'd see what you all think. They look really good, and sound good, but companies always SAY theirs is the best lol. They only have 2 colors too, which seemed weird. 4 counting dipped tails.

My go-to for river smallmouth is a 2.5" Cabin Creek Salty Critter Jr tubes, green pumpkin blue, rigged on a black Cadman's Custom Jigs "Smallie Crawlin" jig. I love fishing small tubes (craws and little creature baits too for that matter) for smallies. Getting to know the river bottom, finding where the fish are, and the "Thump!" Of a tube hit.... just can't be beat for me.

Siebert jigs. With the wire tie. I do a lot more of what most anglers would consider "finesse fishing" while targeting river Smallies. I can't offer advice on all sorts of different styles of heads, but I can say that the quality, durability, colors and price are all fantastic. Not to mention great customer service to boot! His Sniper jigs are a favorite morsel for the Smallmouth here in central Wisconsin ??

I have a MH, a M, and 2 ML spinning rods. I'm mainly targeting river Smallmouth but regularly catch walleye, pike, LM, perch, rock bass and the occasional musky. Over the last few years, I've transitioned from mainly using the MH rod down to the ML rods for 60% of my fishing. Then the M and MH being more presentation specific. My 610mlxf St Croix Legend Tournament Bass rod is my favorite rod by a long shot! I'll rig tubes, craws, baby bizz bugs, wacky rigs, small topwaters, finesse jigs and Ned rigs on it. I run #15 Power Pro Super Slick in Hi-Vis yellow with a #10 Sunline Sniper FC leader. Honestly, that's a bit heavier than I need to go even, but with those occasional pike and musky in the current.... I play it safe. Never had a situation where I felt the "heavier" line cost me bites. But that's MY style, for MY waters, and MY region. That won't apply to everyone.

Wish I was in that area! I'd love to meet him and visit the booth for some Case Sinkin Minnows. I'm hours away unfortunately.

Mike Mladenik, I believe

I like the "old" one as well. I've still got my dropshot model. The new ones that I've handled in stores have felt suuuper nice. The balance feels a little bit better to me, but that may just be more gripping options with a more flush handle.

Score! I need to get my hands on an LTB with the remodeled handle and reel seat.

Thanks @Munkin, whenever I make an order I'll be sure to check out those pearl whites. There's a YouTube channel of a guide in the U.P. who uses those as well. Great tips and videos too.

Fishing Complete has a bunch of brands that they sell (and own?) On their site. The Zipper grubs also look really cool! Like a ribbed craw imitating grub. I mean, I AM a Smallie guy soooo.... what colors of their Sinkin Minnows and Shad are good choices to go with? I have no experience with any sort of soft jerkbait...

Thanks for the responses everyone! And for the promo code @heavyduty. @Munkin, what sort of techniques do you use their baits for with smallies?

Who has experience with Case Plastics? I've been wanting to try their Sinkin Minnows and Shad, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I really like the look of the sink rate and the profile itself. Has anyone used them on Smallies with success?

@Joshua van Wyk, I haven't had a chance to use it. I live job in Wisconsin and even my rivers are frozen over completely. -37 without windchill will do that ? I can say that it feels awesome in hand! Very balanced and sensitive. I've thrown a couple of my go to setups (1/4 oz tube, wacky 4" yum dinger, 3/32 oz Ned rig) around in my house for fun, and it felt really nice: loads well, accurate, comfortable grip. Can't speak on backbone or power with feeling a fish. I'm afraid I won't be much help with any advice until spring at this pace. The weather has been nasty!

Variety is the spice of life! Or so they say. Personally, I have a handful of favorite companies, a few that have a variety of plastics that I like, and a bunch of companies that I only use a single plastic from. I have a passion for smaller, less mainstream companies. I actively avoid the big box brands like Zoom, Strike King Berkley, etc. I have more fun finding other, and typically better, options. To each their own! Some people go to Wal-Mart and call it good. Half the fun is the search for me: online research, review scouring, etc.

That would be INCREDIBLE!! I could definitley learn a lot about big water from you.

I'll take good care of it, Man! Hearing you talk about the awesome fishing in your area really made me want to tag along with you some day!

We made the 2 hour drive up and got the rod/reel combo that this thread was initially about. It's as awesome as I hoped it would be after hearing all your positive feedback! Thanks again guys, and also for the extra hi-jack input on the reels too hahaha.

Hi-jack away! My question has been hit on plenty. Plus, I always value getting your opinion as well @A-Jay, so that alone is a win! Thank you Sir

Thanks for the input @A-Jay!! I'm getting excited for spring haha

I'm going to be picking up a used Daiwa Tatula Elite 7 foot MLF. Anyone have one? Have any input on the series? I'm a St Croix guy and have never used a different brand other than a Pfleuger combo. Any input is appreciated! It's a good deal, so I'm just curious what I'm getting out of it! Thanks all.

It's tough to make the fish eat what you buy for them. Sure sounds like, for now at least, they're just keying in on small forage. I love a good tube bite on my Smallie rivers, but for some reason with the long cold winter and near lack of spring, the tube bite has been dead. However, I've been slamming them on Mepps Aglias. It is what it is, despite my best efforts.

My feelings exactly, It just feels right and you know when it's spinning. I've had that same issue with the lighter Aglias when going at slow speeds, but it kicks on with a pop of the rod tip.

I'm a huge fan of the Mepps Aglias. Same as a lot of other anglers on here. As for sizes, that's up for debate. I fish the #3 mainly, but have caught Smallies on literally every size from a #1 to #5. color doesn't seem too important: brown/gold, brown/silver, white/silver get the job done for me. I fish mine on a medium power 6 foot 6 St Croix Avid or a MH Avid, depending on the size of the Aglia.

If I HAD to pick just one.... 5 Inch Kalin's Lunker Grub in Green Pumpkin. I can rig that up on a Smallie Crawlin' Jig and work it on the bottom like a tube, hop it, swim it, weightless as a topwater.... almost everything. Fortunately I don't have to pick just one, I'd miss my tubes, jigs, Aglias, jerks, and spooks!