roadwarrior

Best method and the only one I use: buy new hooks. Today's ultra sharp hooks, most high-end hooks, are chemically sharpened. Some have a "broadhead" design which cannot be sharpened. More generally, sharpening modern hooks compromises their physical integrity. The hook(s) is the most important piece of equipment we use to fish. Save money elswhere, don't skimp on hooks. 8-)

Hawgonaline, Great post. Welcome aboard! 8-)

Welcome aboard! Bookmark this site: http://www.bullshoals.com/fishingreport/ I'll be there the first weekend in June, so stay tuned.

Welcome back! 8-)

Great story and a fine fish! 8-)

One of the biggest smallmouth I didn't catch was fooled by a full-size Zara Spook! Don't let "size" scare you away. Big fish like big meals. :

Glamour shots are NOT allowed on the Forum. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Wow! Wayne P., I have never heard that one before. Man, unless we switch to braid, that would just about rule out spinning tackle for some of us. I don't think that formula will work for me.

Welcome aboard! 8-)

My multi-purpose rod is a St. Croix Avid AC66MF with a soft tip. This would fit your requirements and really shines with topwater and jerkbaits where control is an issue. Although this rod can handle the DD22, if you plan to fish heavy lures and deep divers for extended periods of time, a rod with more backbone is better. I suggest a Lamiglas SR705R which is currently on sale at Cabela's: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037314120919a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=sr705r&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=sr705r&noImage=0 A third rod I have and you might consider is an Avid AC70MM. This is an outstanding rod for lighter lures, especially Rat-L-Traps and shallow running crankbaits. The Moderate Action allows the rod to load up and cast these lures into another zipcode! 8-)

If you just buy one, chartreuse & white. If you buy another, pearl white. The third color combination I have had some luck with is "firetiger". 8-)

Ledgebuster: http://www.strikezonelure.com/ledgebuster.htm

WOW! Great story. I have had some luck with the Pointer 128, which is a big lure, too. As a suggestion, the 3/4 oz Ledgedbuster Single Willow Blade spinnerbait might be the ticket for the ledges you were fishing. If you get a bite, it won't be subtle and the fish won't be small! The Ledgebuster can be slow rolled or hopped, but the "secret" technique is letting it sink to the bottom on slack line. You then raise your rod from water level to 11 or 12 o'clock and again, let the lure fall on slack line. You might get surprised. 8-)

Try finding where they live not which lure to use Hmm... That might be some pretty good advice. : Regarding worms: Several by GYCB, Roboworms and recently, 7 1/2" Larew Salty Ring Worm. 8-)

Unless you are exclusively a California Hawg Hunter, soft plastics and jigs are a must. 8-)

Me, too! 8-)

Well Matt, We have nearly 15,000 members and new people everyday. You know we do some editing, but we want to minimize the "censorship" that we are sometimes ctiticized for. My point is, you da MAN and are VERY HIGHLY regarded on this site, so maybe you should let those kind of comments pass. If it's "over-the-top" send me a PM and I will deal with it...Promise! -Kent >

Yep. There is quite a bit of difference in the "perfect" jig & worm rod verses a crankin' stick. If you're looking for an "all-around" baitcaster, the G.Loomis GLX MBR844C is an outstanding rod, but for me it's my dedicated jig rig. 8-)

Outstanding! 8-)

Hmm... Checking your drag is akin to tying a hook, we generally do that before we go out and maybe a time or two when we're on the water. Regarding the hook-set, use a "snap-set" for all soft plastics. When you detect a bite, lower your rod tip as you reel down QUICKLY. Snap your wrists to raise the rod tip FORCEFULLY without moving the position of your hands relative to your body. With sharp hooks, this will drive the point home. 8-)

That is a Great day! Nice smallies and pics. 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

3/8 oz Cavitron buzzbait, black on black: http://www.cavitronlures.com/ If you decided to buy one, click on through the website, they are BassResource.com sponsors. 8-)

Those are some beauties! 8-)

In shallow water, a Slug-Go, weightless, worked to look like a feeding minnow. Basically, twitching the bait. 8-)