roadwarrior

Man, I am going to definitely give stichin a try, I just never fish that fast.

Senko's suck. You catch too many bass. Sometimes the bass are too big. It's just too easy, we need more challenge. Can't fish them wrong. Shallow or deep, they always work. Cost way too much. After you catch 5 or 10 lbs of bass they always seem to fall apart. Too heavy or too light; sink too slow or too fast; wiggle too much or not enough and the texture makes the bass hold on...It just isn't fair. Man, I just wish Senko's weren't referred to as the "Greatest Bass Bait Of All time." There are a couple of other Classics: Creme Worm, Jitterbug, Lucky 13, Rat-L-Trap, Slug-Go, original Floating Rapala and maybe the Silver Buddy. In their era these baits were King. Today's lure might be the Senko, but tomorrow's bait is the Fat Ika!

Welcome aboard! I always use a bead when I'm using a weight. I always fish the weight unpegged, too.

The_Muddy_Man, The instructions on the box said "real grease", not reel grease. avid, I don't use grease. I use oil occasionally on all outside moving parts. Grease is ReelMech's responsibility.

8-)

;D ;D ;D You da MAN!

Welcome aboard! You'll get several suggestions in short order, but some of the best deals are in the "Flea Market" here at BassResource.com from time to time. Be patient and I'm sure you'll find a deal you like.

Welcome aboard! Start here: https://www.bassresource.com/beginner/beginner.html

Woo-hoo! I hope the pics come out.

Welcome aboard!

Idaho***er, Did you forget to mention grubs or are they something that has not worked well for you? Jerkbaits are my favorite class of lures, but not the most productive. I like to throw them and topwater in low light. Otherwise my suggestions are: 3 1/2" tubes, specifically Mizmo (Kent's Classic/ squash green) Fat Ika in still water GYCB 4" Single Tail Grubs on a jig jead 3/4 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade I want to dedicate some time to fishing a siver buddy, too.

There is no industry standard for the diameter of a given pound test. Yo-Zuri is about average and exactly the same as Ande Premium. I only note Ande because it is so well recognized as "the line" for World Line Records. However, .009" for #4 is one of the reasons I have gravitated to that size. It "seems" stronger than the 8.5 lb rating, is VERY abrasion resistant and slightly less visible. Once I use up all of my #6, #4 will be my choice for spinning tackle going forward. But for most fisherman, I think they would be more comfortable with the additional security offered by #6. For this reason, I will continue to recommend #6.

Well, let me clarify a couple of points: What I REALLY meant to say is Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 for spinning gear. In use, this line has virtually no memory. On your first few casts you may have some coiling from storage on the reel, but this disappears after a few casts. I have been fishing #4 Ultra Soft on one reel and #6 Ultra Soft on another for more than a year. Recently I purchased some new originial Hybrid because it was on sale at BPS, 1000 yards for $6.88 (btw, it's still on sale). The original formula has some memory, but in these diameters, very little. The #4 has a diameter of .009", #6 .010". Here are the specs: http://www.yo-zuri.com/Products/ProdLine/HybridLineChart.htm

It's my understanding that they only occur naturally and are VERY rare. I doubt they are able to reproduce.

I fish 4" & 6" Slug-Go, but the action is about the same. What I am trying to do is imitate a feeding minnow. With my ponds infested with spirogyra (snot grass), this is currently my biggest producing lure. I fish a 3/0 Gamakatsu or X-Point Offset Worm Hook on the 4" bait, 4/0 on the 6".

Here's the review: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,272634,00.html

That was a nice story, I guess I was expecting something different. I don't appreciate people fishing the ramp, but it doesn't make me mad, either. Most of the time they just don't know. As far as amusing goes, well...something like that seems to happen all of the time. The most common mistake I see over and over again is the guy that forgets to unhook the boat! Geez!

Last fall I had the opportunity to fish with Bud on Kentucky Lake and Barkley. He fishes EXACTLTY like I like to fish: Target a few areas and fish them THOROUGHLY. We anchored on a few spots and wind drifted others. If the presentation is "finesse", slow is the ticket. When I'm fishing ponds by myself, one cast can take five or even ten minutes. I fish slow and then slow down!

My PB (largemouth bass) was caught on a Norman Fat Boy, bluegill pattern. Bomber Square A is another suggestion.

The Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6 is 11.9 lb test. I recommend using this line on all of your spinning tackle. Use it for a while to see if you like it. If you do, try #12 (19.5 lb test) on your baitcasting gear.

Do you sometimes wonder why I am so often skeptical of new products? Kinda of a wet blanket, maybe? I used to buy a lot of "innovative" equipment, from lures to rods & reels and everything in-between. Kick-tail, Banjo Minnow, Vanish, Iron Silk, Cobra X-Tex, U.S. Reel... When Ray Scott first introduced his "special" light equipment package, I bought into it. This was the beginning of the push to force tournament anglers to compete with no line heavier (stronger) than 8 lb test. Well, Mr. Scott has brought his "vision" to fruitation a few times in the past, so why not again?. Who would have ever thought, nearly fifty years ago, that fishin' would be a "sport?" Anyhow, I jumped on board and ordered the first rod and U.S. Reel package directly from Ray Scott. This reel was (is) supposedly designed in cooperation with Scott and the new "American Manufacturer" in St. Louis. I recceived my rod within a few weeks, but the reel didn't show up for months. According to the people working for Scott, Ray was not happy with the first batch of reels and wouldn't sign off on them. So, my reel was either the first or second run. At the pricing point ($120) I think it's fair to compare the U.S. Reel to the Shimano Stradic. Well, there is NO comparison! Now to be fair, I have been told (but never notified) that these initial reels were recalled and replaced, but...After using mine twice for a couple of hours, I packaged it back up and gave it to my dad for Christmas. He likes it...he doesn't know any better. My next adventure into the "innovative" will be based on a recommendation from a member of BassResource.com. I don't trust the industry hype, at all. My review and experience with the U.S. Reel would not support anyone's consideration of buying this reel.

Hmm... I love smallmouth. but that one is ugly. It might have been a meanmouth. The meanmouth I have caught were small, black and ugly. Both of mine were caught below the Pickwick Dam, so technically, Kentucky Lake, too. Your fish, on the otherhand, are quite nice.

Yea, Toby just knocked it out of the park! Next up, Brooks & Dunn.

Wrong... We have NO disagreement. For those that have a high preference for baitcasters, own high quality equipment and are VERY skilled, I have the greatest admiration. For the rest of us, spinning tackle is a more reasonable (NOT BETTER) option. 8-)