roadwarrior

Wow! GREAT post. 8-)

I'm sure the new Stradic will be SWEET, but unless the 2500 series is being renumbered, you DO NOT want a bigger reel for bass fishing. The St. Croix Premier is pretty well regarded, but the Avid series is where St. Croix really begins to shine. I like 7' rods better than 6 1/2', but I have both. It's really a matter of personal preference.

Be careful now...tug on a Big Dog's tail and it might bite. : ReelMech has just a bit more than a "casual interest" in reel maintenance and repair. 8-)

The rod: http://www.reedssports.com/Product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=670 (Hit "add to cart" to see the actual price with discount) The reel: http://www.reedssports.com/Product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=11227 Total cost: $272.99 No sales tax and free shipping!

I ALWAYS have better luck on steeply sloped points surrounded by much deeper water.

;D ;D ;D WOO-HOO! ;D ;D ;D 8-)

GYCB Kreature, weightless and weedless. Fish it with a steady retrieve and occasional twitch. The bait will stay in the upper portion of the water column without collecting too many weeds. Be careful, you might get your arm broken: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180909581

You left out the MOST IMPORTANT items: TP Cigaretts I would also recommend a snake bite kit.

ReelMech has a few beauties for sale. You better check them out right away, before they are gone! http://www.rod-crafting.com/for-sale.html

ReelMech has a few beauties for sale: http://www.rod-crafting.com/for-sale.html

Silence speaks volumes!

Welcome aboard! I think you can fish soft platics deep: 3 1/2" tube, grubs and GYCB Single Tail Gula Grubs.

I think this will answer most of your questions: http://community-2.webtv.net/fishing-folks/Graphiteaprimeron/

Yes, they are new. I have been very pleased with the company. In store discount and no sales tax, but most importantly NO SHIPPING CHARGES!

You're comparing apples and oranges. If you want to spend the money, the G.Loomis is the better rod and you will fish it the rest of your life. Otherwise, I'm sure you will like the Fenwick, but one day you'll still buy a Loomis. If you buy the G.Loomis, your Fenwick days are over.

Good news Russ! Check again. There's one left FOR YOU!

Nice fish!

You don't need to change the hooks on a Rapala. The problem, most likely, was simply pulling the lure away from the fish. With crankbaits in general, you don't need to "set the hook." Allow the fish to hook itself by sweeping your rod and CONSTANTLY maintaining pressure. ANY slack is a no-no!

Man, it is THE STATE RECORD! That fish wasn't going to get any bigger and it would NEVER come close to a World Record. This smallmouth is a beauty, no doubt, but it doesn't even weigh 10 lbs. Before a new record is caught in any region of the country, a few really big bass will show up. Until a few 10s are reported in California and the states associated with the Great Lakes, the claim to the World Record will remain at Dale Hollow. The next WR may or may not come from the same lake, but you can bet it will come from the same region.

As you fish the river you will learn a lot about its structure. Don't concern yourself with it initially, fish all of the river that is accessible to you. I am sure there will be areas that are more interesting than others. It takes time to know any body of water.

Great fish, great pic! 8-)

Welcome aboard! I would fish with more traditional smallmouth baits: 3 1/2" tube, grub and GYCB Single Tail Hula Grub. If you are using heavy line, try a thinner diameter (.009" or .010").

I own the Avid AS66MLF. It is a fine rod for certain applications, but fishing soft plastics is NOT one of them. Whatever brand you buy, look for a FIRM tip. I consider this feature MANDATORY for soft plastics. Hook-sets need to be "quick" in order to penetrate the fish's mouth. The G.Loomis GL3 SJR783S ($185) is what I would consider the best rod around your pricing point for this particular application. Personally, I would choose the SJR843S (7') and wait until I saved a little more money for the IMX series ($235). This is one technique (fishing soft plastics) where rod sensitivity really comes into play. This is a rod you will NEVER grow out of.

Nah... I like the stripers, too. We have been having a big bite on the Tennessee River, but no size. 8-12lbs is the range with an occasional 15 or 16, but no 20+. My last big striper (28 lbs) was the first fish of the season two years ago. I really don't know what the deal is or why we haven't caught bigger fish. Maybe it's just part of the cycle.

That's a great fish. Congratulations! 8-)