roadwarrior

avid, You can blame David Green, I have never opened the reel. If there were any "extra parts" ReelMech must have put them in there when he serviced the reel!

I think we all have our favorite brands. I fish Gamakatsu or X-Point 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks for most soft plastic applications.

You can use either type of equipment, but I prefer spinning tackle for all soft plastics.

The smallmouth fishin' in 2007 has been a bust: no water on the weekends and when my partner has been guiding during the week, low numbers and small fish. Some years are like this, but we're done until fall. During the summer I target stripers on the river, green bass on my ponds. However, I am going over to Bull Shoals in a couple of weeks, so I might have an opportunity to do some good on a different lake. We'll see.

Welcome aboard! That's a fine smallie you have there.

Welcome aboard! I fish both lakes. Kentucky Lake and Pickwick are most productive in the upper part of both lakes below the upstream dams: Kentucky Lake just below the Pickwick Dam and Pickwick just below the Wilson Dam. Prime time is October through mid March, the rest of the year, Kentucky Lake (proper) is probably more productive. If we are just talking about the "Tennessee River" portions below each dam, the water below Wilson Dam is fair year around; the water below Pickwick Dam is NOT productive during the summer. I fish for striper this time of year.

I don't know who Mr. Ratley is. I'm sure he is a well intentioned Gentleman. But I would like him to explain the meaning of the above quoted sentence. I think the article is poorly written, contains erroneous information, and demonstrates no real knowledge of fishing, let alone bass fishing and it's equipment. I would NOT recommend it to anyone. PS> I think it's the "dollar a word" guy getting even with us Well now, That's why I brought it up. I had a few things to say myself, but between you (avid), Fish Tank and Keith (flechero), it's enough. ...going to take my Mom's advice here... : Classic.

Hmm... Yep, Mike is here in Germantown, too. I've been trying to get that "slug" to go fishing with me for a few years now. I even hound him at the BPS seminars he hosts and I bring all my big smallmouth pics to boot! I'll send you a PM Monday. I'm off to my #1 son's college graduation and out-of-pocket for a few days. If you get Mike out fishing, I'll sneak up behind you guys down on the Tennessee River. I hope it things works out that I get to meet you. My fishing partner and I fish almost every Saturday for striper this time of year. I have a trip to Bull Shoals 6/7-10, but if you are going to be here any other weekend in June, you and your husband are welcome to fish with me.

Hmm... With the exception of a few very limited applications, Ugly Sticks are not bass rods. The TOTAL lack of sensitivity places them in the category of a "pole." Yes, you can catch fish on them, but people have been catching fish on a tree branch for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. If you intend to be a serious bass fisherman, you'll need another stick, at least for finesse fishing.

Wow! Conniek, it's nice yo see you back. Don't be such a stranger! 8-)

I do NOT have that particular rod, but ANY rod that you like for jerkbaits will perform comparably with all treble hook lures. My "all around" rod is used for jerkbaits, topwater, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Because it has a soft tip, it is not appropriate for jigs or soft plastics.

Captain Cali, Oops! I was confusing the "sissy finesse worms on the dropshot." You da MAN!

There he goes again... Nice day.

This is one of our featured articles on the Home Page: http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/fishing_equipment.html I just finished reading the piece for the second time (I didn't want to overlook anything). I was just wondering what everyone else thought. Anytime an author writing about rod characteristics blends "power" and "action" my eyes glaze over. Let's see what you guys have to say and maybe I'll add a few more comments later.

Micro Munch Tackle jigs. Made by our very own earthworm77.

Bass are on a big bite throughout the region, heck, throughout the country this time of year. They don't know what the temperature is, all they kow is it's time to eat!

KU_Bassmaster, That's a keeper! 8-)

Well, my set up is a 7' Medium Power/ Fast Action spinning rig. The line is Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6. The hook is either Gamakatsu or X-Point 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hook. I rig the Fat Ika Tex-posed and skin-hooked. This is the ONLY way I fish them. If we are just counting the bites I detect, my hook-up ratio is north of 95%. Once hooked-up, estimated landing ratio approaches 100%.

;D ;D ;D Dude! ;D ;D ;D That was great. 8-)

#1 Send it to ReelMech or another professional servicer. #2 Buy a new reel.

Shoot, jumpin' bass is half the fun. But if you don't want them to jump, forcefully PULL (NOT jerk) them towards as they are about to break the surface. This will (usually) cause a bass to roll. With single hooks I rarely lose a fish once it's hooked.; treble hooks are another story, sometimes it "just happens!" One more suggestion: Make sure your hooks are sharp and NEVER double-set your hook. You are far more likely to dislodge the hook rather than improving the set.

I rig a #6 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook with a split shot 18-24" above the hook. If you are fishing from a boat, cast about 5 yards out from the bank, slightly upstream. Control the boat speed so that your bait and the boat are drifting at the same speed allowing the minnow to look as natural as possible. Ideally, you want the split shot occasionally ticking the bottom. NEVER fish downstream, you will almost always hang-up. If you are fishing from the bank, cast upstream and retrieve your line as the bait movers towards you. You may find that a bobber is required to keep from hanging up.

Welcome aboard! Cloudy skies and rainy days just INCREASE your options. Good luck.

Well, those reels were rated a dead solid 10. Check the "Flea Market" from time to time and you might find one for sale at a better price. If you want one NOW, I think that's a GREAT deal.

Great day! Nice fish, nice pics. Congratulations! 8-)