roadwarrior

21" by 17.5" = 7.57 lbs 19" by 15" = 5.31 lbs However, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has published a chart that I find reonably accurate and far more conservative. Fat bass in FL, GA, TX & CA may weigh more, but "most" northern bass fit the estimates from the NY chart. 21" = 5 lb 7 oz 19" = 3 lb 15 oz.

Well, that just about sums it up. 8-) Fishing deeper water is actually easier and more productive, it's just different.

I suggest losing the split ring and tying direct or use a swivel.

Well, although LBH might have the right answer, I like flechero's better! : It's much easier to catch "about 5 lbs" using the eyeball method.

Just another reminder, "There is no shortage of STUPID!"

Trolling will eliminate 100% of the twist regarless of how the line was spooled or how it became twisted. Let out all but about 10 yards or so and troll for a minute or two. Reel in about half way and troll for another minute. Finally, retrieve all but the last 20-30 yards and continue trolling for just another minute or so. ALL residual twist will be completely eliminated if you can take five minutes to use this procedure.

The Gremlins have taken all mine hostage, but dgquail and electrikal seem to know how to find them this time of year. The easy fishing right now is striper and that's all I fish for on the river. Most of my "bass fishing' is confined to local ponds. Summertime is definitely NOT smallmouth season for me.

Pretty simple... Thanks George!

Welcome aboard! The main difference in the Mid South is that we don't catch many smallmouth in the summer and the one's we do are by accident! The best part of our season is fall and winter. This may carryover to some extent into the spring, but the spawn on the Tennessee River is February through mid-March. The summer months are VERY challenging. The best results are reported to be at night, but the numbers are still low. Maybe dgquail will have a different take, he has had some recent success: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1184933376

Welcome aboard! For me this is usually a great month for bigger bass. Soft plastics on and around structure in deeper water is what I would suggest. If you can stand the heat, the best time of day is from about 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

DUDE! What a story! Congratulations! 8-) p.s. Great fish, fantastic pics.

I think I already said WELCOME, But, WELCOME ABOARD!

Bobbymegastrike, That is a very generous gesture, I hope all the members receiving gifts follow-up with a product order in good time. Thanks again for supporting the Forum. 8-)

For baitcasting gear I suggest #12 (19.5 lb test) Yo-Zuri Hybrid. Green blends well in clear water, smoke is nearly invisible in stained water. On spinnning tackle I recommend #6 (11.9 lb test) Hybrid Ultra Soft. In use, this line has virtually no memory. Both original formula Hybrid and Hybrid Ultra Soft are highly abrasion resistant, do not absorb water, are not effected by UV light and do not require a speciial knot.

There are many "creature" baits, but the Kreature is made by GYCB. Tentacles forward (skirt up). The Kreature has a VERY slow fall rate and when fished weightless will ALWAYS be in the upper portion of the water column. It glides over and through weeds when rigged weedless. To fish it deeper requires weight. http://***/cgi-bin/order/5-07

Bluegill: crickets Crappie: small minnnows on a split shot rig & small plastic crappie jigs on a 1/16 oz jig jead

Have you read every article, thread, post and referenced thread in this section: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1121527643 Fishing a Senko is our #1 topic, there has been quite a bit of discussion on vertially every aspect of fishing this bait, but here's my answer to you question, in a nutshell: I fish Senkos and Fat Ika weightless & weedless in water <12' deep.

GLX MBR844C...If I only had one rod, this would be the one. GLX PR844S...Although this rod could be used for a number of things, this is my main rod for smallmouth fishing, live bait on a split shot rig. The casting twin (PR844C) will probably be my next purchase.

It's all you, buddy... You da MAN! 8-)

I like to fish different lures and rotate the mix, but if my ONLY goal was to catch a few bass, I would stick with soft plastics.

I think your technique is applicable to all topwater lures. A rod with a soft tip allows the rod to load up before setting the hook. That's the secret as far as I'm concerned.

I have been having a great time with the GYCB Kreature fished with a steady retrieve and an occasional twitch. I rig it tentacles forward, weedless and weightless. Cast alonfg weedlines and over or near structure. Hold on! the strike is devastating. For a deeper presentation I use a small bullet weight and a bead, unpegged. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180909581/0

Yes, Yo-Zuri lists all of their line as "pound test," but I think that marketing is dishonest. If it's "6 lb test" it should break at 6 pounds...duh? So, I refer to the line as #4, #6, #12, etc.

I didn't post on the other thread because I think all Classes of lures work at the right time, but I'm NOT saying all lures will work ever! I might not completely agree with badhabit, I think there are a couple of "Magic Lures" :. Overall however, I certainly agree that in order to work ANY lure successfully, it has to be fished the right way and at the right time. Most importantly, a lure has to be fished extensively to have any real feel for its potential.

;D ;D ;D Another outstanding day!