Fishin' Fool

I agree with what others have said. Fish your strengths. Learn from each tournament and add to your arsenal as you can afford it. Sometimes the more your learn, the more confusing it gets.

You want to use snaps and not snap swivels.

I tried it but I didn't like it. Maybe because I didn't use line conditioner it seemed to have a lot of memory.

Look into the swinging jigheads too. Those are supposed excel in rocky lakes.

A-Jay the enabler

I feel your pain. I've switched over to ordering the majority of my rods online without touching in advance. It's a risky proposition but has worked out for the most part. These days 90% of my lure shopping is through TW or Ebay purchases. No 45 minute commute to find out they don't have what I was looking for. The challenge like Glenn said is you need a week or so to receive your order. Tight lines.

I use the Palomar knot and have very few issues with it. My buddy didn't like and learned the knot that Aaron Martens switched too for drop shots. I don't remember what it's called but he likes it. http://www.bassmaster.com/video/aaron-martens-drop-shot-rig

That's the key they are t-rigging and you are nose rigging. Just trust me and go with the smaller hooks. Keep your bigger ones for if you t-tig your lures.

Give the 1/0 or 1 a try. Somebody said above they use the size 2 and it keeps the fish buttoned. The problem with the 2/0 is you're losing action in your lures too. When you see it you will be amazed such a small hook will work but I fish a lot for smallies with those tough jaws and it works well.

I've drop shot alot over the past decade. I've been through quite a few hooks but settled on the Gamakatsu splitshot/drop shot hook in size 1. 2/0 seems like a big hook, how big are the lures you are drop shotting? You might want to back that off to a 1/0.

I think you would get a great set-up purchasing the new St Croix mojo SCIII blank 7' medium power fast action rod with a Pflueger President spinning reel ( I don't know my Pflueger reel sizes but I'm gonna guess a size 2500 reel). For that price range you could almost afford 2 rods/reels.

Check out those Reins bubbling shakers on a Neko rig. They look amazing.

Check out ExtremeAnglerTV. That guy mainly throws Rage Tail beaver bait. I've watched him enough this winter I'm confident that I can be a pro when I try this summer.

He never gave a price range. I'm thinking a G. Loomis NRX 872s paired with a Shimano Stradic 2500 would be the best Great Lakes smallmouth combo

I agree. Moderate action more for crankbaits and jerkbaits.

Get a longer rod. @1BADAIR would know because he fishes out there. I like a 7'3" rod personally but those can be hard to find depending on manufacturer. My longest rod is a 7'7". I like the longer rod for those last minute surges smallmouth make at the boat. The Stradic 2500FK is a perfect reel for out there. I have 4 FH/FJ's.

I'd go with a fluorocarbon leader between 6 and 10 lbs if this is a truly a finesse rig. I use 7 lb Sunline Sniper.

Do some research on 12-15 pound PLine. I forget what version I have there are so many but it's good stuff and cheaper than FC. I have done alot of research that states Seagur Red Label FC is a good value for the $. Edit- I think it was PLine CX.

I really don't know anything about that trolling motor I just did a brief search on what you wanted. However, I can often find deals equal to or better than TW sales with free shipping also. Make sure the seller has high ratings.

Check Ebay too. Often times you can do better than the TW discount. http://www.ebay.com/p/Minn-Kota-Freshwater-Ulterra-80-LB-60-Us2-I-pilot/1437747375

Standard 3/0 and 4/0 Gama EWG hooks for 5". I did acquire some centering pin screws that attached to the eyelet of the hook this year to try. I've also heard add a drop of super glue before pulling the worm up to the eyelet but you would think once you catch a fish it's gonna slip.

Yes.

Personally I would call Dobyns talk to the manager tell them how many rods you are looking to buy and what you are looking to get and find out if they would give you a bulk discount. I wouldn't doubt that you could get a bunch of Champion rods for around $200. You might want to consider doing the same with St Croix. Their Avid line is around $200/rod.

I'm not going to say it doesn't happen but if the boater is not competing against the co-angler I would think he's more apt to work with his co.

Thank you for this information. Is there ever a situation where a boater fishes the tournament as a co-angler (boat broke down, small boat on big water) and how is that handled regarding points? Or do they just not fish the event?