roadwarrior

Question: The Cavitron I have been using has been bent a couple of times. I have it "almost" fixed to the configuration of a new lure, but I didn't get a strike last time out which is a first. So, should I toss this one and start fresh or keep fishing the "experienced" lure? Note: The Cavitron still appears to perform as it did right out of the package and the "chirping" is still there, I just have reservations. What would you do? 8-)

Welcome aboard! I'm sure we will have someone stop by with a suggestion. Post this in the "Western" section, too. 8-)

Late October until the middle of March for the most part. We still catch them occasionally on the lakes, but the Tennessee River is too hot. I think "my fish" move to deeper, cooler water downstream into Kentucky Lake. 8-)

Welcome aboard! http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/worm_rigs.html 8-)

Nice fish! I wish I were catching smallmouth right now. 8-)

Nice fish, congratulations! 8-)

My observation is that people who request guidance at a given pricing point get very good and specific advice. As a matter-of-fact, I don't recall ever reading a reply that stated "your low end gear won't work, you need a Loomis and a Curado". :

In many lakes and especially ponds, the problem isn't recruitment, but over population. There is no evidence that fishing beds effects the overall health of the bass population, so there is in fact no harm done. However, I choose not to fish beds. 8-)

Just because they are guarding fry doesn't mean they are on or near a bed. For example on Saturday at the CAST event around here there were fish guarding fry and there were no beds around them. They would just cruise around the shorelines. So you probably catch fish that are guarding fry and don't even realize it. If you put anything near the fish that resembled a sunfish or other fish it would go after it. We had a lot of fun sightfishing witht he Mattlures Bluegills. So I guess there is your answer. The fish you caught were not guarding fry, they were hunting them to eat! :

Because:

Nice fish...I would guess either side of 6 lbs. 8-)

I have never done well in muddy water. Been there, done that. I don't fish it anymore.

Well, some of the answer is features, components, weight and balance, but the bottomline is "subjective feel". My general estimation is a 25% improvement for twice the price, but keep this in perspective: The $200 reel is probably a fine piece of equipment, the bar is set pretty high to begin with. 8-)

Welcome aboard! It looks like you found the advice you were looking for from some guys that really know their G. Loomis rods! 8-)

No, but I do believe I get more bites on lighter line. The particular presentation is an overriding consideration. For "moving" lures, line size or visibility does not seem to matter. For deep, weighted presentations (jigs) I have noticed no advantgage to light line. However, fishing weightless soft plastics (Fat Ika, Senko, etc.) I think lighter line has an advantage. Part of this may be visibility, but the action of the bait may also come into play. Oddly, river fishing is somewhat different. This may be a result of vibrations picked up by the fish's lateral line, but I assure you, line diameter is important. We have found a significant difference when fishing live shiners using Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6 vs. #8 lines even though our water is stained and both lines are virtually invisible. 8-)

Well, as has already been mentioned, as you move up in price there is "diminishing return". A $400 or $500 reel is significantly different than a $200 reel, but it is definitely not twice the reel. 8-)

Welcome aboard! I focus on smallmouth in the fall and winter, striper spring through summer and mix in largemouth fishing at local ponds. I sounds like we have a lot in common. 8-)

I never intentionally fish beds. >

Well, most of my fishing is hugely effected by rainfall and waterflow. Here in the Mid South we have had two years of drought prior to this year. Our reserviors and ponds are now full and the rivers are running near capacity. My fishing is at least 200% better than it has ever been! May was the best largemouth fishing I have ever experienced, but most of that was the result of discovering a new "secret pond". During the month I caught fourty-three bass, only four under 5 lbs! One was caught on a Cavitron Buzzbait, another on a Smithwick Floating Rogue and the rest on Evolution, GMAN and Micro Munch Tackle jigs, Baby Paca Craw and GYCB Flappin' Hog trailers. I have had equal success with JJ's Magic and MegaStrike attractants. Oddly, my strong suit is soft plastics, but I have not fished a Fat Ika, Senko or worm all season. Oops! I did catch a couple of these bass on the Shak-E2 with a GYCB Kut-Tail and full size Paca Craw. So, I guess those count as soft plastics, but I have not fished with my normal weightless presentations. 8-)

Well, I have four of the 1/4 oz Cavitrons Buzzbaits and six of the 3/8 oz, two duplicates and four different color combinations. So far I have only fished the 3/8 oz Black on Black... It's been working pretty well. : 8-)

Hey! I resemble that remark! 8-)

Glad to see you back! Those are some fine fish, too. 8-)

;D ;D ;D That's certainly the place to start! 8-)

Pick one that you like, they all work! I prefer "dark". 8-)

Hmm... Someday you may have a wife that has 100 pairs of shoes, but still needs another! :