roadwarrior

Well, if there is a problem of any kind with any Shimano reel, the company stands behind their products and will make you whole. I have never had a defective reel or any other issue fishing Shimano.

Well, I'm glad you enjoyed them, but those ain't really BBQ ribs! The meat is the cheapest cut available (referred to as "St. Louis ribs") and they are baked in an commercial oven. Corky's are worse or should I say "less consistant." I am on a Memphis In May BBQ team, The "Parrothead Porkers" of Hogaritaville. WE COOK RIBS! Slow smoked babybacks are competative ribs. The commercial ribs in Memphis just don't cut it in my book.

Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay is an outanding value and compliments a variety of dishes. I especially like this wine with seafood alfredo, chef salads or other light meals. The creamy texture and crisp finish make this an ideal wine for patio entertainment. You will like it and...Chicks dig it! Red wines are my favorite. For an everyday wine, Francis Coppola Claret is robust, combining rich and lively favors in a very smooth presentation. At the higher end, Jordan Cabernet wines have a special place in my heart. The '76 was a classic ($175), as were '81 ($195) and perhaps the best vintage year for this wine, 1982.

It's GREAT to be a part of this Forum. See you all next week! Good luck and good fishing! -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior

Trip cancelled. I'm pond fishing this weekend. :-[

Suspended bass. If they are busting the top, nearly every class of lure is an option. Most of the time, something on or near the bottom will pick up a bass or two, sometimes a biggun'. But fish in suspension are often neutral or inactive. In theory, these fish may be following baitfish schools, but for the most part they are in the fish equivalent of asleep. If you randomly place a lure close or hit them in the face, they MIGHT bite, but not always. Suspending bass are the hardest fish to catch.

Check this out, I think it will help, too: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1189609782

Actually, a slight chop is usually better for topwater fishing (spinnerbaits, too). A little disturbance blurrs the view of the lure ever so slightly from close inspection by the bass. I think you will do better under these conditions than on a perfectly calm day.

If you're taking a group, Oklahoma Joes is DEFINITELY the ticket.

Here is a simply suggestion to get you started: Zara Puppy, black & silver. You probably won't catch a monster, but this particular topwater lure is a 100% producer. Cast it out, let it sit, twitch and sit, twitch and sit...

Crestliner2007, Welcome aboard!

How, what or where? Let's start with where? Well, WRB pretty well covered that, so I'll leave others to add to his comments. What? Can't disagree with Raul, jigs are a good choice, probably most people's 1st choice. Others, particularly the leftcoasters, will point to the swimbait. That just cannot be argued, all of the "unofficial new world records" have been caught on these lures. Our own Fish Chris, fourbizzle and others have posted some MONSTERS! I would argue soft plastics. Not only an opportunity for HUGE bass, but good numbers of big bass as you go along. How? Slow, very slow with jigs and soft plastics. I only fish small swimbaits (like Baby Bass), and those I swim slow. We 'll see what other swimbait fisherman have to say about that.

My pick for #1 is Gates BBQ: http://www.gatesbbq.com/ (Schnucks carries the sauce). If you visit one of their restaurants, split a "Beef-And-A-Half" and a rack of ribs. The sandwich is the Mother of All Beef Sandwiches! Gates' sauce is unique and compliments the best BBQ in the country! #2, also from KC, is the "Granddaddy of 'Em All". Arthur Bryant's is where Kansas City BBQ was born: http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/bbqtraditions.htm Is it possible that all three of the top BBQ restaurants in the entire world are located in Kansas City? Although I rated Gates and Arthur Bryants #1 & #2, this is the restaurant VOTED #1: Oklahoma Joe's: http://www.oklahomajoesbbq.com/ Originally located at 47th Avenue & Rainbow, in a gas station, their new restaurant in Olatha, KS redefines what a BBQ joint should be. Try either location, they ROCK!

Dude! Those are some fine fish and great pics, too! 8-)

Hey Bobby! Did you see the e-mail I sent you? http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190039737

Buzzbaits are generally considered a seperate category, but they are still "topwater." http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190039737

I fish a Techna AV and many of the guys on this Forum are all googgly over the new Revos. So, based my own personal experience (with Fenwick) and the excellent reviews from members (Revo), I think you'll be one happy camper! p.s. Don't tell ANYONE I recommended a Revo, especially fivebasslimit. : 8-)

Hmm... Guess that makes me odd man out, I fish live bait extensively. "I like fishing, but I like catching better!"

Raul has answered this question many times: The structure UNDER the water is merely an extension of the structure you see coming into the water.

Although I'm a Shimano man, this looks like a great deal to me: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190159017 The combination I'm suggesting is the Fenwick Tech AV & Revo for $160.

I don't have a preference, but I will share a trick that will improve your fishing about 300%... If you can find ANY crawdad, under rocks or in the gullet of a fish, match that color combination and size with your jig and trailer. Surprisingly, crawdads have a multitude of color schemes and change with water conditions and season. Other colors will still work, but if you can match the local dad population, you have struck gold!

The basics are Heavy Power/ Fast Action. I prefer baitcasting gear for jig fishing, but spinning equipment is just fine. Of all your set-ups, this is the one where sensitivity comes into play the most. For specific advice, you need to set a price target to get useful responses.

Welcome aboard!

For whatever reason, smallmouth seem to have a preference for hair jigs as opposed to rubber or silicone. Try both and see what works best for you.

Jig, spoon (vertical jigging) and a Gitzit. I particularly like the Micro Munch Tackle El Gordo tube with it's big profile.