roadwarrior

Do you KNOW what fish do in water? Stick with wine, beer & whiskey...Don't worry...Be happy!

That's great advice.

Right! I certainly can't hurt. Plus, at least for me, outdoor clothing colors are basically olive, tan and gray.

Great! Did you catch any fish?

logger. That's pitiful! I loved the movie, but how could anyone think it "might be" appropriate for children? The movie is rate "R"... Duh?

But what I wrote is that I am NOT skeptical. Although I have never seen a smallmouth that looked like the one pictured, its body contour is VERY SIMILAR to those of the World Record. http://www.outdoorlife.com/outdoor/fishing/bass/article/0,19912,1179686,00.html

Nothing to add, the Shimano Posse has spoken!

Fish_Chris, Man, I didn't know you guys had smallmouth bass like that out there. I know why you spend so much time hunting largemouth, but I'm a little surprised other guys waste so much time fishing for "green trout!" I would always target brown fish if they are an option. BTW, we catch lots of greenish smallmouth around here, it might be the exception, but not that unusual. Tiger stripping varies, too. You might notice in my avatar, the fat fish is dramatically striped, the longer fish's coloration was lightly striped. Both fish appeared to have greenish backs.

Welcome aboard!

Great day, good fish, nice post and cool pics! You da Man!

Saw the movie last night...I rate it a solid 10. I don't necessarily need a plot or character development to enjoy an "action movie," but this production has a historical basis, a feasible plot and characters with depth. The action is fast, brutal and has some breasts...all attributes for me! There is no cursing and the adversaries are committed. The battles are surreal, but again, that is what I like. Scenery (cinematography) and costuming is superb and the special effects are awesome. The movie will make you feel like you are a part of ancient Greece.

They can deliver an inexpensive product that catches bass and costs almost nothing to make: Rat-L-Trap, Zara Spook, Smithwick Rogue (not necessarily the hooks), Jitterbug...just a few that come to mind.

Too cool!

Slump Buster(s): 5" Senko (not a knock-off), T-rigged, weightless & weedless. Fat Ika rigged skirt forward, weightless & weedless. If you want to catch some bass, that is all you need to throw. Right now a lot of other lures should be VERY productive, but if they're not working for you, these two baits will...guaranteed!

It appears to me that the line has been put on backwards. If you can troll it out, it will be fine. Based on your pictures, I don't believe the line twist has anything to do with the reel or the line brand. (Sometimes the lable goes up, sometimes down. After a few cranks, lower the rod tip and check line for twist).

The Shimano Curado has always been know as a smooth, solid reel. Last year it was upgraded to make it an even better! I think you would find the Curado a good match for your G.Loomis. With nothing more than routine, annual maintainance, you can count on a decade or more of dependable service. This is a great reel, I'm sure you will like it, a lot!

Welcome aboard! So you think bass react to the color of your shirt? If that were true I suppose it would explain why the the pros catch such little bitty bass, they scare all the good ones away! Seriously, I think the color of your shirt is just as important as remembering to wear your lucky hat. Catching fish has a lot to do with attitude: Whether you think you can or can't, you're probably right.

This is waht I said on page one of this thread:

Rapala markets the X-Rap as a "slash" bait, but I don't know whether that should be considered a new category. Most lures in any class of baits have some different action, I think that's how I would describe the distinction between the X-rap and other jerkbaits. Both the Husky Jerk and X-Rap have been very productive lures for me.

Now, that's a pig! I have been hunting smallmouth for a number of years and have NEVER seen a smallmouth with such an extended belly, but if you look at David Hayes' World Record, there is a remarkable similarity. Fish like this are uncommon, but that is EXACTLY what it takes to reach such unusual size. This fish is a beauty and I see no reason to question the authenticity of the picture or the stated weight. That is a beautiful fish.

Welcome aboard! I have not fished Cabela's rods, but I'm sure some of our members will comment on them shortly. Cabela's has always been on of my two favorite outdoor stores, BPS being the other. I think you will find most of Cabela's in-house brands to be very high quality, but I don't know the makers of their rods and reels.

VABasser, Take the line back for exchange. The original Hybrid can be springy on a spinning reel, #6 Ultra Soft is not. I have never experienced the problem you are having and would NOT put up with it either. Get the spool replaced and you should not have any issues with this line.

The Calais is a fine choice, one you will never regret. I purchased mine five or six years ago. It was perfect then, but somehow better now. (Maybe I'm catching up!) No doubt, Daiwa has introduced some better reels recently, I've sometimes wondered "where ya been?" Competition among manufacturers is great for for all of us "consumers". Now if we could just get both higher quality and better prices!

I'm a Zipper fan, too: http://www.roboworm.com/zsframe.htm

Illinois...check Ranger...check Worm guy...check Lucky Craft...check But...Are you a Shimano guy? Just kidding...Welcome aboard!