roadwarrior

McFarland is just below the Wilson Dam, you won't need to change motels! 8-)

Ridiculous, but funny!

It's still the "wrong action". Although the tip is usually rated Fast, it's soft. Soft plastics, weighted or weightless, should be fished on rods with a firm tip. 8-)

Let's move on... Goodnight Irene. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Definitely Wilson tailwaters for both numbers and size. However: HUGE Disappointment David Hayes caught the World Record smallmouth bass in 1955 on Dale Hollow Lake. Some believe the next World Record will be found on the Tennessee River: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html Almost exactly four years ago, November 2004, my fishing partner and best friend, Speedy Madewell, boated a 10 lb beauty. I netted the fish and weighed it, he released the monster! Since that time we have had some luck with other big bass, including the bronzebacks in my avatar (January, 2005). Last Saturday Speedy and I fished the river with limited success: an assortment of species including largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky bass, striper, cats and drum. We may have caught forty fish or so, but no size and most importantly, no browns of note. Around 11:00 things changed. With poor results off either bank and limited water release by the TVA, we moved to the "middle of the river". Actually, we decided to fish along the river channel, defined by navigational buoys. The drop is well defined, but relatively small, only 3-5' in 15-25' water. Still,this represents significant structure for fish in open water. After landing a few nondescript fish, I got a nice strike drifting along the ridge. I set the hook hard and didn't budge the fish. However, there was very little fight and I saw another drum in my future. After 10-15 yards of retrieve, the drum dove and turned into a big catfish, just digging to the bottom, but no run. As I brought the fish closer to the boat, Speedy asked, "Gonna need the net?" Without any emotion I replied, "Yeah, it's big and ugly." Speedy runs the trolling motor on the forward platform of a BayRanger 2180, center console. So, with the net on the floor opposite me, it takes a minute to get set up. With little current, we let the boat drift. This time of year the water clarity on the Tennessee is about 3, maybe 4 feet. As my partner came over to my side he asked, "What's ya got?" I replied, in a steady voice and without inflection, "The biggest f***ing smallmouth I have ever seen." The fish appeared to be a Trident submarine as it rose toward the surface so both of us could get a good look at her, but then she bolted. She initially ran about 15 yards forward, then after a 90 degree turn, another 20 yards toward the middle of the river. My situation was precarious. I'm in the middle of the boat and have to hustle to get to the front, around and over the trolling motor while at the same time maintaining rod position with a sizzling drag. I was starting to have some fun! The pig came up, but did not jump. I got her turned around, but she had already decided she didn't like the Ranger. When she was halfway back, she bolted again, but this time dove deep. It took a few minutes to get her a little closer. Most smallmouth, especially biggun's, tend to fight the best on the first run after a close encounter with the boat, but even later, they never give up. This fine lady staged at rod length, tugged mightily and would not come up. I asked my buddy what he thought I should do? He responded, "Doesn't matter. That fish ain't ready and she's going to do anything she wants!" Well, I've caught a few big fish and I was in no hurry. My rod appeared parabolic with the line straight down into the river. I said to my friend, "This is when you have to believe in your equipment." And then.......the line snapped. stupid, Stupid, STUPID! We weren't catching anything interesting, so although I noticed a burr on my line before the last cast, I didn't do what I always preach: "If it ain't perfect, it ain't good enough." When there is any doubt, retie your line, leader or hook. So, could that smallmouth have been the New World Record? I don't know, but it wasn't boated, so it doesn't count. You might ask, "Really now, how much do you think she weighed?" I don't know the answer to that either, but what I can tell you is, she was... HUGE!

Hey Brent! Those pics should be worth a "Rewards Package". ;D ;D ;D

What's he know?

Okay, a couple of questions: Pickwick is really two different lakes. "Pickwick" out of Florence is river fishing with both cover and structure, including lots of shallow water, islands and ridges. "Pickwick" near the dam (State Park) is a big lake with some cover, but mostly structure. So, where are you putting in and weighing in? Wilson is a small reservoir, relatively shallow, stable water levels and usually some current. Grass flats are common and the fishing is (generally) easy. Noted more for numbers than size. The Alabama State Record smallmouth was caught below Wheeler Dam, technically, Wilson Reservoir. http://www.fishpickwick.com/ http://www.louwilliams.com/ http://www.fishingtennessee.com/Ducktrail/default.htm 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

The Pointer does not float or sink. Although I have never had a defective Lucky Craft, yours may be. Check it out in clear, shallow water or your bathtub. Return the lure for exchange if it does not suspend. 8-)

I have some guides, too. Let me know if you want some names and numbers. 8-)

As the poll indicates, the correct answer is both!

Beautiful! ;D ;D

As John Dayley says, "Beer doesn't count." 8-)

Well, the shimmy, horizontal fall and slow speed combine to create the magic of the Senko. If I'm using a weight, I'm using something else. A T-rigged Kut Tail is the proxy. 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

What type of jigheads do you use with these? I'm just getting into river smallie fishing and am having a hard time finding something that I like for this type of fishing. 1/8 oz Gamakatsu jig heads, round 26. 8-)

The Lucky Craft suspend perfectly and continue to vibrate even when they appear still. To fish the lure reel down quickly to get the Pointer to depth. Let it sit for ten seconds or so before starting your retrieve. A common cadence is jerk-jerk-pause...jerk-jerk-jerk-pause... jerk- long pause. Use your imagination. The retrieve is sometimes fast, sometimes slow, you just have to experiment. 8-)

I have recently purchased three G. Loomis GLX rods from different members at about 40% off retail, delivered. 8-)

She man O hype and total BS, left out a few ABU round reels and a Pfluger , not to mention some of the REVO line upand the Diawa Advantage, which frequently can be found right around the 150 mark C'mon.... We've had this same thread a few times every week ever since we both became members! No point in getting worked up or beating up on anyone. To the original poster: There is no "best", just "favorite". I'm a Shimano guy and I would recommend the Citica, too. 8-)

Definitely both! "Just one" would have to pick the jig because it is much more versatile. I only fish the Senko and other weightless baits is water <12' deep. A jig can be fished both shallow and deep. 8-)

Well, I don't know. Not very helpful, but just responding to let you know I am aware of your post. -Kent

Not on this one. I have not been following this thread, but will be editing it shortly. If your comment or post has been removed, this is your notice. Comments referencing deleted posts will also be removed. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

As a general statement, it seems that whenever someone takes me to their "secret spot", there are already three boats there, two leaving and another on it's way! On the river, the fish may be found anywhere, but everyone's "secret spots" are pretty obvious. I'm sure some guys have places that tend to be better than others, but for the most part it's a moving target. Perhaps the opposite approach is more important: On big lakes there is a lot that looks good. Eliminating non productive areas is key and that can only be know through experience on the water. 8-)