roadwarrior

My soft plastics rod is Medium Power/ Fast Action. My jig rod is Heavy Power/ Fast Action. I don't own any MH Power rods. I think is is more a matter of personal preference and where you fish. If most of the fish you catch are around 5 lbs or less, a Medium Power rod is more fun to fish. There is plenty of backbone to land bigger fish, but smaller fish are a little more interesting. For lures 1/2 oz or less, Medium Power is great, but for heavier lures you will want a stouter stick.

Happy Birthday! Regarding spooling braid: Either tape the end to the spool or tie on and spool a few yards of monfilament backing. Braid slips when tied directly to the spool.

Coffee flavor tastes good to bronzebacks, especially mixed with a little bacon grease, toast crumbs, grape jelly and egg yolk. Once the sun comes up, or gets close to coming up, Tennessee smallmouth get a hankering for beer and tobacco flavors, too. At night they seem to prefer whisky! :

Several years ago the guy that concocked a picture of Bigfoot outed himself. Anyhow, here's a brief overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigfoot

Well, I would like to catch 4-5 lb smallmouth all day, too! As a "destination" I would definitely pick Lake Erie over the Tennessee River. The only thing that helps getting over the lack of numbers down here is knowing that there is a legitimate chance of catching the next World Record, or something close. 8-)

I see your point, but thanks for answering the original question.

My #1 suggestion is this: "I ONLY buy lures that are HIGHLY recommended by people I know or trust." Most of us have wasted a lot of money over the years on stuff that "looked interesting." We (I) have plenty of tackle and don't come close to fishing 25% of it! Pick carefully and ONLY buy what you plan to use. Yeah, right! I don't always practice what I preach, but I promise you, this will save you a ton of dough.

BTW, Did the Bait Monkey run out of Shimanos? :

Yea what question would that be..... :-? I guess, all of them? : And thank you for your response. Most of us HIGHLY respect your input, especially dealing with reel maintainance.

Welcome aboard! Regardless of the brand, length or style (spinning/ baitcasting), it is important to have Fast or Extra Fast Action and a firm tip. My "soft plastics rod" is a St. Croix ES70MF.

Here are some ideas: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1143177139

Nice fish, GREAT pics! 8-)

;D ;D ;D WOW! ;D ;D ;D Congratulations! 8-)

Com'on David... It's news for guys that haven't asked this question.

Woo-hoo! That's a beauty!

I don't disagree with your analysis and I don't have a dog in the fight, BUT... Football games are won or lost on the field and this one has the fixin's for a dandy!

Congratulations! The Red Sox are a class act. Good luck this weekend, too. You guys got it goin'.

Well DUDE! You certainly stepped-up to the plate. Congrats! 8-)

Whew! My heart stopped beating... That would be the second largest smallmouth in history. (The World Record is 11 lbs 15 oz, #2 is 10 lbs 14 oz, #3 10 lbs 8 oz).

Sounds like a great event. I hope some of our guys show up.

Congratulations! 8-)

The Triumph is an embarassment for St. Croix. The Premier does not compare to the Avid series. This is a problem you face when you begin fishing better equipment: You can't go back!

Wow! I change, or more accurately, add line "as needed." Yo-Zuri Hybrid and Hybrid Ultra Soft don't "get old."

That's a toad!

I fish the original Slug-Go, weightless and weedless. I try to work it like a feeding minnow with short twiches and slight forward movement. When you get a strike, allow the rod to load-up before setting the hook.