Manigotapee

I throw the spinnerbait 90% of the time. I feel like it gets bigger bites. If the water is "too clear/calm" for the spinnerbait and I have been catching on it, I will run the same areas with a bladed jig.

The Mondo Tackle tournament once again was very well ran. Hats off to Raymond and his team for making everything run smooth. There isn't a better shop in town for buying your bass stuff than Mondo Tackle. I look forward to fishing it again next year.

Leave the drop shot, jerkbaits, and warts 1/2oz jig on points (with or without brush) trig brush hog or 10" worm dd22 topwater on same point from the jig up shallow early I the morning. (Walking bait) I did catch one about 3lbs skipping a jig under a deep dock the other day, but I'd imagine that bite isn't consistent at the moment.

I have some material. I was a fly tier in my other life.... here he are a few I made including a "magnum" one for the big girls.... edit; can't get pics to load from my phone. File size is too large for even 1 photo

Hello all, i am am trying to find some teardrop jig heads. I would like to make my own preacher jigs so I am looking for something with a long shank and a big hook. I would like some in 1/2, 3/4, and 1oz. I have looked online without much luck. If some knows of a source it would be much appreciated. I have too many hobbies, so I'm not really looking to pour my own heads, but if the source was what I wanted I would be interested in making a large purchase! I would want a minimum of a 4/0 hook but would prefer a 5/0 or 6/0 even looking at up to an 8/0 on the heavier versions. Let me know if you guys know of anyone! Thank you!

I would fish from 3 or 4 am till about 10am and then go find a watering hole or a protected cove with deep brush(crappie) on it. If you're not familiar with that lake it could get you good when the lake gets wild. As far as fishing, that time of year can be different. I have caught them deep on ledges and also caught them on shallow brush around docks. I would expect given the area that you are staying in that the bite will be a mid depth deep bite. Also, the fish that time of year LOVE to suspend, so watch your line on every cast. Good luck!

Yes, but... its all about listening to the fish. If they are biting at a two count, there is no reason to pause a 10 count between jerks, count to 3 and triple your casts

Here are a few areas I would look. I have never seen this lake and like others stated, there are several other factors at play when looking for pre spawn fish such as bottom composition, brush piles, baitfish, bank angle (steepness), etc. I would pay attention to all factors in these areas. If I was starting I would look at the spot shown with the north cove and what appears to be steep banks on both sides leading into a good protected spawning cove. Again, I have never seen the lake, just trying to help you figure it out. Good luck!

I'll touch more on what Catt said.... If you're ain't first, you're last. Points are for arrows. The biggest change I had to make i tournament fishing was learning to fish for the WIN. To do that, you have to fish for quality bites. Once you can wrap your head around that, you will see success. Why "waste" time in the beginning of the derby catching fish that you know you will need to cull to be competitive? Know what it takes to win on your lake and build your game plan ( I assume you practice?) around getting those bites, even if it is just 5 bites all day. Also, be prepared to be humbled. It doesn't work out all the time. If it was easy everyone would do it!

Dave's Custom Baits. Black Market Balsa. I like the Large size, but fish the mediums in crystal clear water. These are the best baits I've found, not just because of their "hunting" action, but they come over/under/through/around wood better than anything else I've seen.

8lb maxima mono

Agreed, I don't even throw them in ponds. It doesn't fit my style and I feel like there are better baits for targeting the fish I want to catch.

Daves Custom Baits....Black Market Balsa! www.davescustombaits.com

I'm heading to Gatlinburg a week from sunday for 10 days. I would love to get out and fish during this trip, unfortunately I am flying, so no rods or boat. Thinking of hiring a guide to take me and maybe my wife out. Any suggestions? Thanks guys! Thomas

"Never leave fish to find fish" I don't know if I can totally expalin this to you, but this is something I started saying while tournament fishing. If you are in an area and catching fish, why leave. I developed a bad habit of thinking I could fish the entire lake if I moved around enough and eventually I would find the honey hole..... Not true, all I did was fish over what I was looking for. In a way this is similar to "Slow down" but in my opinion, this defines it a little more. If you are catching fish in a particular area or a particular way, don't abandon what you have in hopes of finding the "jackpot", fine tune what you have discovered already! I hope that helps, I have had a long weekend and I feel like I am having trouble getting the words from my brain to the keyboard

-Never leave fish to find fish -Fish your strengths -It's hard to catch someone else's fish -Don't over anyalize things Just a few of the things I tell myself on a daily basis

Just curious....... I have broke my fair share and then some. I feel like I take pretty good care of my equipment and shouldn't break as many. I have a "real" hookset, but nothing out of the ordinary.... discuss please ;D

Here is a question about the deep fishing. One of the local lakes that I enjoy fishing has some decent river ledges on it. Through hours and hours of map study, I have located some "ledges" that I would love to explore in more detail. The only issue I have with this is that these ledges are located on a body of water that doesnt have good water color. The lake is usually stained or even muddy. What is everyones thoughts on fishing deep/and fishing ledges in stained to dirty water? Thanks guys

I'm confused on why this is viewed so negatively? So someone invests their time in sinking brush to improve fishing...what's the big deal. It's not like the fish jump in your livewell when you go to your brushpile. YOU STILL HAVE TO CATCH THEM ~Thomas

I've caught alot of fish in water right around 40 degrees using wiggle warts. Those are a wider wobble bait. I do think if you pay attention, the fish will tell you what they want that day. Structure, bottom composition, cover, and clarity (water) all will dictate what to use. ~Thomas

im at work, but can't figure out if its my computer or ESPN, but I can't get the leaderboard to work? keep me updated!! What's BB so far?

Well done Craig!! Keep rolling man -Thomas

Hello everyone; I have decided that this years technique for me to learn is going to be swimming a jig. Not just on docks, but through the thick stuff, especially post spawn flooded shrubs! - When swimming a jig you can do alot, do you prefer to "swim" or "stroke" the jig, or do you just kinda reel it back in? - How important is color when swimming a jig? - What trailers do you find to be the most productive? - When will bass prefer to chase a jig rather than have it fall infront of them (pitched/flipped)? - Who makes the best swim jig? and what characteristics to you like to look for in a good swim jig? - I know if can change, but what is a pretty universal weight for swimming a jig? (1/4, 3/8, 1/2 oz) last question, i promise..... - What would be your ideal conditions for swimming a jig....(be detailed!!) Thanks guys, hopefully these answers will get me headed in the right direction and I can figure the rest out on the water! Take care, and tight lines! ~TW

My question is how heavy of a football jig are you going to throw? I throw "small" football jigs (3/8 - 1/2 oz) just fine on my LTX MH Kister. If you are going to be consitantly throwing bigger football jigs in water deeper than 15' I would recommend that you opt for a heavy action rod. Depending on price/size/quality this is what I would recommend.. MgADFPSH78T - Telescopic 7'8" Rod that is also good for C-Riggin http://www.kistlerrods.com/p/KR/c-mt-worm-fishing-jig-rods/MgADFPSH78T.html or He76HC - One piece 7'6" LTA that would be perfect for draggin big jigs http://www.kistlerrods.com/p/KR/c-h1-worm-fishing-jig-rods/He76HC.html Good Fishing, TW

Couldn't have said it better myself.....