roadwarrior

In addition to Long Mike's post, the morning news also commented on Tulsa having the cheapest gas in the country. We seem to be stuck at $1.94 - $1.98, but we have a discount program at a local grocery store (Schnucks) with up to 85 cents off. Sweet! 8-)

;D ;D ;D SALUTE! ;D ;D ;D

We won't be getting anymore expert advice from plastic ninja. You don't get to be enlightened by his last post, but let's just say, he forfeited his membership privileges. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Welcome aboard! I hope you will plan join us in April for the BassResource.com 4th Annual Roadtrip on Kentucky Lake. 8-)

fourbizz, Those are great pictures of some beautiful fish. Congratulations man, those are nice. 8-)

With 4lb? I would guess shiners. Correct. I also fished a Silver Buddy and GYCB Single Tail Grubs on a different rig. On this particular day, artificials worked as well or better than shiners, but neither produced a "keeper" smallmouth except for the one that got away. Although we will definitely buy some minnows, I think a jig is going to my main weapon on this particular structure. Another lure I want to throw here is a 3/4 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade. We will fish the exact spot of course, but I'm really jazzed about opening up "new" structure. The channel is maintained by the Corps of Engineers and/or TVA and extends through the entire river system. That's something for all the other guys in this region to think about. And by the way, technically I'm fishing Kentucky Lake which is our destination for next year's BR Roadtrip! So get ready. 8-)

Yep. I'll have to eat a little crow, but no one should ever be broken off by a fish in open water. If I fished more grass or timber, braid or higher test copolymer would be mandatory. However, unless you are wrapped in a tree, cut on a rock or on someone else's line, breaking off is totally inexcusable. :

Welcome aboard! 8-)

This should help: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546 8-)

I had some luck with the Silver Buddy Saturday, but quit after loosing three lures. The first lasted awhile, but I didn't have a snap swival on the other two. WARNING: Sharp Metal Cuts Line When A Lure Gets Hung-Up! 8-)

Nope, the drag was fine. Parabolic might be a bit of a stretch. Let's just say it was "loaded". The drag was releasing smoothly, but firmly when the line broke. I usually fish Yo-Zuri #6 (11.9 lb test), but Saturday I was fishing #4 (8.5 lb test) and as I admitted, I fished it with a burr. All me, not the gear. However, I will NOT be fishing #4 again on the Tennessee River. >

.ghoti is letting work get in the way, so I'm posting this on his behalf: Greetings again. A couple of random views, news and blues. When we got this rod building project off the ground, I had envisioned that this would be the start of something. A pilot project, as it were. The response I received from the members I contacted was overwhelmingly positive. This gave me hope that this could be the first of many. I know we have more Bass Resource family members currently serving, or who have served. What I don't know is who they all are. I have a couple of names in mind, but I would like to be corrected. Doesn't matter if they are active or not. Past, present, whatever. They are all deserving of our attention. Please PM me with names of any of our soldiers, whatever their status. I'd like to keep this going. For all of you men and women who have served our country; you all deserve our deepest thanks. This can not be overstated. I sincerely hope that none of you were offended by this project, or feel as if you've been left out, or passed over. This was not my intention. We had to start somewhere, and it was my thought that we would have to start small. I now believe we can build on this. I am open to any thoughts, and can certainly use some fresh ideas. I know there are a bunch of creative people here. Now one of my major concerns; one I had right at the beginning. Who do I ask for donations? I thought it was possible, maybe even likely, that I would offend someone by omission. Again, this was not my intention. One thing I discovered was I'm way outside of my comfort zone asking people for money, particularly people whom I do not know. So, starting small, I asked the folks I do know. It was that simple. There's nothing exclusionary here, just me being a wuss. If I didn't ask you for a donation for this project, it's because you're a friend I have yet to meet. If you would like to participate in the next round, please PM me. If you're a rod builder who would like to participate, please, please, pretty please, PM me.

Stay with structure in deep water or immediately adjacent to the deep. Stick with it, there's a monster in there with your name on it! 8-)

Nice pics and a great day! 8-)

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 flipping 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! :

The rod I use is a St. Croix Avid AVC66MF which has a soft tip. The 6 1/2' length makes working topwater and jerkbaits a breeze. For colors, I like green and white (baby bass); blue & silver with an orange belly; black & silver and plain white. 8-)

WOW! I doubt anyone can beat that story. The posted prices around here, without discount cards, is generally $1.99. Oil is currently trading at $60.10 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Fine fish, nice pic! On average a 20" smallmouth should weigh just under 4 lbs. This fish is trim, so I'm thinking a bit lower in weight than "average". At any rate, congratulations! 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Great fish no matter what it weighed. Congratulations! 8-)

Bama played just good enough win. Having the opposing quarterback on their team certainly helped! I can't believe a bigtime team/ coach would leave a complete incompetent in charge for an entire game. Lee was pitiful.

** MODERATOR NOTE ** This thread has been edited for obnoxious comments. Other posts referencing those comments have also been removed. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Several months ago, Staff Member .ghoti came up with the idea of honoring two of our proud soldiers. Although this project is really all about MSG_AL and Brian Reeves, I want to offer a very special "THANK YOU" to Gary. "THANK YOU" numbers two and three go to our rod builders, Alpster and flechero. These men volunteered their time and talent, at no charge, to the project. Without them this could not have happened. Both MSG_AL and Brian Reeves recently received their custom built rods. I know they will enjoy their new equipment, but more importantly, we want to thank you for your service to our country. To both of you, SALUTE! The following members provided funding and support. To each and every one of you, thank you very much. Burley and variations of the name Speedbead Jimzee Maltese Falcon Risk Kid Sam Senile 1 Muddy Fishfordollars Micro CJ Skillet Fisher of Men Frog Tog Lubina Fishin Daddy Masshole Mike Mrs. Matstone Redlinerobert ghoti Glenn & Keri LBH Fivebasslimit And two members who wish to remain anonymous Again, thank you all. As for Brian Reeves and MSG_AL, ""Get to fishin'!" p.s. If I overlooked anyone, please send me a PM.