Bass-Addict

Interesting, thanks. Should honestly be a regulation everywhere, judging by the incredibly healthy smallmouth population in the Susky watershed I’d say that’s a conservation effort that works!

A lot of people seem to think when they’re nested is the easiest time or do you not fish beds?

So you’re saying fall is the only time you see mature fish schooled up or does that apply to prespawn as well?

I’m still sort of new to spawn fishing. For those fishing smaller rivers in areas where the fish have begun spawning, are you focusing on the beds exclusively; casting along the bank and if so are you throwing finesse exclusively? I have heard any fish you catch on a bed is simply picking your lure up and moving it off the nest and not actively feeding. Was curious if this was true or if they would attack anything that came near it. For those continuing to target normal feeding areas; ie current seams and eddies, do you find that the mature fish (presumably females) go directly into this pattern after dropping eggs and aggressively hitting moving presentations like swimbaits and topwater?

Better how?

Because of spool capacity, action of the bait or line shy fish?

Yeah, I think mine is 19 lb. Heaviest bait I’m throwing is 2.5 oz, think I should bump it up to 25#?

Yeah stupid right??

Does that Armilo Defier have good resistance against snapping on backlash or not as good as big game?

Are there any domestic panfish/trout rods that do?

What gear ratio?

Gotcha. Should I change brands/models too or just a slower Curado?

I have an 8.5:1 Curado K that I am used to and plenty happy with. I need to get a 3rd casting reel as I took this from another setup to use w my SB rod and am wondering if that isn’t the setup I should be modifying?

So I just recently got this rod: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/13-fishing-omen-panfish-spinning-rod and it seems ok but does not have a hook keep! How insane is this? That is a dealbreaker for me, is this standard for the rods or should I exchange it?

Your rivers have boat slips?

She was tucked up against some rocks in a 3-5 ft hole feeding on the seam of some mild to moderate current. Ate a Fire Craw TRD, great new color that has been producing well for me especially this time of year with the mudbugs beginning to emerge. Feels good to knock the dust off!

Yeah I think spring may be easier from the bank but if you get out there on the water they are almost always going to be exactly where you’d expect in the warmer months.

Yeah just gotta find em. If anything it’s probably easier locating them in the summer.

Yeah and getting it down

That’s my thinking, downsizing always produces

I picked up some of Z-Man’s new micro finesse TRDs for my creek setup and started wondering if they wouldn’t also be effective for finicky river fish as well? They always say downsize or use translucent in low, clear conditions, you think these might be effective? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0084EF3UG/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A27MUGWTRGNXAM&psc=1

In small rivers?

Where do the females go, hide/suspend and rest?

Or do they stay and guard? Seems to be multiple schools of thought on this. I’ve even heard they inhale a bunch of their own fry and go on a binge. Which does science and observation support? I guess what I’m wondering is where should I be looking right now if I want to catch a 20? Everyone says this is the best time of year to achieve this, did I miss my window?

Is it the rattle that helps in stain or wobble covering water?