roadwarrior

Bait too big? I've had some luck fishing a Double-Wide Beaver on a 1/2 oz Micro Munch Tackle jig. We're talkin' size! I generally fish big baits.

LBH has a great article on the Home Page, be sure to check it out!

Burrr!! :

I'm pretty sure I've never bought an expensive crankbait to boost my ego - but it's alright if you want to generalize. JMHO.... Fishing is an art. Luremaking is an art. Reel making is an art. Rodmaking.... Boat building..... etc.etc.etc. Some people would like to elevate one art form over the another, or dismiss one, or devalue any form of the sport that doesn't interest them. So you don't think that expensive crankbait is worth $20? Well, for you, it isn't.......but I know that behind that crankbait is an artisan who has likely spent years developing his skills, thousands of hours testing, and takes his passion for design seriously (visit tackleunderground.com some time). I appreciate the art - - and I don't mind supporting it. It's just another part of fishing that I get a kick out of. You do not NEED to have expensive gear. Here's a news flash - NEED HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. You don't even NEED to fish - - but the sport, and the gear involved (for many) are all just part of the enjoyment of the activity. There's no need to put down somebody because they like high-end equipment, or vice versa. I'm glad there are enough people who are interested in the high-end market to keep it going.......because even though I may not be able to afford, or even want it - I'm glad that artists are given an opportunity to push the level of design and precision forward. Excellent! Dan +1 8-)

That rig will work just fine for the "catchin' part," but it won't be much fun to use during the "fishin' part."

They might not catch twice as many when "the bite is on," but they might fool the one you're really looking for. The real "magic" that Lucky Craft has is in consistant performance. The balancing designed into the lures, especially Pointers, results in fewer fouled hooks on the cast, greater distance and dependable action. The Pointer actually vibrates when it appears motionless. BTW, I fish the Rapala X-Rap and Husky Jerk. They are great lures for aggressive fish, but for a more subtle presentation, the Pointer rules.

I really don't know what you are talking about. The reel seats lock down securely and I have never heard any "noise".

And maybe design, engineering, craftmanship and components... : 8-)

Okay... :

As long as you release MY pet fish, you can fish MY not so private pond! Neshoba Park, Germantown, just east of the intersection of Germantown Pkwy & Wolf River (behind the Chick-fil-A).

Hmm... Medium or Medium Heavy Power, Moderate Action or Fast Action with a soft tip?

Better equipment will not make a poor fisherman good, but it will help a good fisherman become better. 8-)

Nice fish, great pics! Do you fish different lakes for smallmouth vs. largemouth or are both species found in all lakes throughout the region?

The baitshops sell three sizes of minnows: small for crappie, medium for sauger and large for bass. I like a 4+ inch minnow or yellowtail as big as they get, but we fish all sizes of wild bait.

Yeah, that happens, but what about a buffalo? Man, those are everything about a smallmouth except the jump. I've caught a couple of World Record brown fish that got "transformed." :

Good Luck, buddy!

Okay, Take a deep breath and step away. Save your money and hire a guide now or next spring. There is ABSOLUTELY no way a fellow from NC can't catch a few bass. Maybe the situation just hasn't been right. Take a break.

Well, that isn't the point. Dodgeguy has been Mr. Braid for a number of years. Independently (not as a challenge), he decided to test fluorocarbon line. He has kept METICULOUS records for a number of years. Maybe you can say that this is not a "very broadly tested experiment", but it is one man's very well documented trial. The basic conclusion of this test would suggest that LINE VISIBILITY is an important factor in bass fishing.

Ole' Bannana Breath is a sly one. After He hooks you up, then he leads you towards new and mysterious ways. What you thought was an expensive $5.95 bait is now "cheap" compared to your $49 swimbait. VERY expensive Lucky Craft now seem like a good "value". Ain't it something? :

I don't know, is a reel suppose to be this smooth? BTW, Thank you, again! 8-)

Darren, Just about everyone on here has a "favorite." Check out Daiwa, Pflueger, Abu Garcia, Quantum, Okuma, Penn, BPS & Cabela house brands and any other reels that come to mind... Then buy a Shimano Curado! : 8-)

;D ;D ;D Okay ;D ;D ;D Great looking rigs! 8-)

Man, the rods are B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L, but what happen to the reels? The handles are on the wrong side! :

Well, unless you can find this reel used, it probably won't fit your price parameters, but it's THE BOMB! Shimano CTE200GT (5.0:1).

Thanks for the post. So, comparing the logs of your last few years fishing braid verses this year fishing fluorocarbon or Cajun Red, the braid resulted in fewer fish? If so, are the numbers significant? Did you feel like you lost fish or missed bites using something other than braid? What do plan to fish (mostly) next year?