roadwarrior

Brought a tear to my eye, I sure miss fishing with my boy... I used to buy two of everything for the same reason. After years of accumulation, I now only buy new baits/ lures that are highly recommended by people I know or trust. I'm not very good at actually fishing the lures I have, so buying just one new plug is enough. 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Nope, whatever you like to use in Georgia will be just fine in Kentucky. Hopefully we will have some emerging vegetation, but for the most part, Kentucky Lake is about structure, not cover. From a practical point of view, we fish what most people would call "open water". Potential "surprises" are big cats, drum, striper and buffalo. 8-)

30,000+ cfs, 65 degrees, 5-10 SW breeze... Big brown fish in pre-spawn, spawn and post spawn... Hmm... Might have a better post Sunday or Monday. If it's over 11-15, I'll post a picture... 8-)

I only have one and it's the only one I have ever had: XCalibur Xr50 Chrome Blue/ Orange http://www.xcaliburtackle.com/photo_pop.asp?images/XCalibur_Baits_Rattle_Chrome_Blue_Full.jpg I just bought it off the shelf, on sale, at BPS. There is nothing I can describe about this particular lure that makes it special. :-?

My wife's nice, too. I bought her a big house and she gave me the tool room off the garage. Pretty cool, huh?

The tip on the AVC70MM loads to throw any trap type lure a country mile. When fighting fish, the rod is a shock absorber, but when fully loaded, this rod is stout. My biggest bass caught on this rod was last summer fishing a 3/8 oz Cavitron Buzzbait, black on black. The fish weighed in at 6 1/2 lb and fought like a wounded tiger. The rod performed exactly as expected...very well. Regarding ripping through grass, it depends on the grass. Long Mike and I found a wind blown, shallow cove on Guntersville last year. This is the only rod I used and the XCalibur Xr50 was the only lure I threw. Every cast required an extensive cleaning, the grass was thick. For awhile, the bass were, too! 8-)

To fish structure in deeper water, 3/4 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade. You fish this vertically like a spoon or when casting, lift it off the bottom and free-fall on slack line so the spinnerbait does not swim forward on the drop. 8-)

Zara Spook and Chug Bug are two consistent producers. However, when the conditions are right for topwater, jerkbaits are always a better option. 8-)

You have overlooked my favorite: 10" Anaconda Give them a try! 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

As we get closer to the trip, we will try to have two of our Big Sticks on Kentucky Lake, CJ and Bud, post some specifics. This is their home lake and you can expect some guidance on the where and the what just as we arrive. I expect good numbers and some big fish, I just hope not too many are brown! Just kidding...largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky bass are the prime targets, but you will probably catch some other species, too. Some of the surprises can be HUGE! 8-)

I'm REALLY ready to give them a workout this year. Results and impressions will be posted as soon as I have the opportunity to fish the Toad. We appreciate your support. BTW, Kentucky Lake? -Kent

When you re-spool, keep the line in middle and to the left for two series of retrieve. Reel slowly and use your opposing thumb to control the lay of the line. If you are already spooled up, just walk all the line out and follow the same procedure. Sometimes two is not enough, it's a little bit of trial and error. By having the build-up deep in the spool, you will never notice it when fishing. I too am pretty anal about having an even line level and a full+ spool. I have to do this with every baitcaster I own. It's really no big deal. 8-)

Pond fishing has really been slow around here (Memphis). I have had limited success with the GYCB Kut-Tail on an Evolution Shak-E2 jig head. Good luck! 8-)

I fish the same rod, AVC70MM, Chronarch and #12 Yo-Zuri Hybrid! 8-)

I fish the Slug-Go, but the same technique applies: Rig the fluke weightless and fish the bait to resemble a feeding minnow with very little forward movement. That means something like a subtle twitch-twitch-short pause, repeated until you feel you are "out of the zone". When you see a strike, it's usually very aggressive. This is where a lot of people mess up. DO NOT set the hook until you feel the weight of the fish! 8-)

No, there is nothing left to say. "Using" a reel will not wear it out if it is properly maintained.

Be patient and keep an eye on our Flea Market. There are always some good deals and occasionally, a great deal! 8-)

Yep...they are out of California. That's kind of a high sales tax also. Tennessee is 10%, good thing I'm here in VA where it is 5%, but I am very close to TN and most places we have to shop are in TN. Actually, the state tax is 5.5% on food and 7% on everything else. Additional local taxes vary from town to town. Sales tax is a pay-as- you-go sytem that taxes "spending". As a result, Tennessee has no state income tax! ;D ;D ;D

Catt, you ended too soon! The GYCB Senko began a revolution in bass fishing for many. I "discovered" the bait in 1997 and have heard it was introduced to selected pros in 1994. Do you know when it first became available to the general public? 8-)

The only reel I own with an extra spool is a Sustain. I have never used it and I'm not even sure where it's stored. 8-)

Better equipment makes the "fishing" more fun, but has little effect on the "catching". At times certain features such as exceptional drag systems come into play, but by and large, it's about the Fun Factor! 8-)

This totally blows me away: You don't bring a knife to a gunfight! If these guys are on such a passionate quest, why were they unprepared for success? No certified scale? Wassup with that! :

We have large numbers of members that use one brand only; many that use several brands, but only those brands; and people who don't care a thing about the brand. I fish Shimano because every reel that I have owned has lived up to the billing: Strong, smooth, silent and reliant. 8-)