roadwarrior

The two are NOT mutually exclusive. I fish artificals only for largemouth and both live bait and artificials for smallmouth. Although my PB smallmouth was caught on live bait, two of my biggest brown bass were caught on artificials. I don't find the fishing all that different and I really don't know why you care.

GYCB Fat Baby Craw, but only as a jig trailer. Black with blue flakes, watermellon with black flakes and green pumpkin with black flakes.

Chartreuse Shad & Ghost Pearl avid, You're right, smallmouth fishermen were the target, but I have had good luck with the original 100's & 128's. So, with too many jerkbaits already, I have only purchased two of the Slenders and I don't think I have ever fished them! Hmm... I need to get out a little more often.

275 yards $7.99 600 yards $11.99 1 lb $124.99

Is it true that when sand is heated to 10,000,000 degrees centigrade it becomes glass? I think the world needs more glass. 2/23/07 is the U.N. extended deadline demanding Iran cease its uranium enhancement activities. Not coincidently, the United States has positioned another carrier task force in the region. During the weekend of 2/24/07 I expect the United States to initiate the most far reaching, dramatic execution of force ever unleashed in the Middle East. Reinforced bunkers will not withstand the onslaught. The damage and destruction will redefine our position in the region. When diplomacy fails, the military options are enormous. We have the means. We built them, let's use them.

fourbizzle, I've seen the pictures some of your hawgs. Why would you target "little" bass?

ghoti, We must be twins! However, I've gotten my 80% down to a 12" X 10" x 2" Plano box. That way I have plenty of room for all the stuff I rarely (never) use.

Okay, I'm not going to disclose my source, but let me assure you, he is da MAN! I ran into an "acquaintance" last Saturday at the Memphis BPS. He was helping a couple of guys buy new baitcasters, Calais 100's. We were chatting and he grabbed my basket and asked, "What's ya gettin'?" I had a few bags of Senkos, a Yo-Zuri RatlN' Vibe, Rapala X-Rap and another Lucky Craft Pointer 100. Dude says, "Want in on a little secret?" Well, if I could tell you who I was talking to, your answer would be YES! So, wassup? I already have three Plano boxes of jerkbaits (Smithwick Rogues, LC Pointers and Rapala Husky Jerks and X-Raps), so I don't really "need" more. Well, WRONG! My "friend" tells me what is hot, red hot, are the Slender Pointers. They apparantly run much deeper and have a significantly tighter wobble than the original Pointers. He has been KILLING the smallmouth, the biggun's, on these lures. They can be considerd a completely new class of jerkbait. It doesn't matter how much you think you have, there's always "something more."

I have nothing in terms of lure suggestions to add to this thread, but I do have a question or two: Given Fish_Chris' credentials, why would you consider using any other lure? And as a follow-up, why would you buy a more expensive bait that is (probably) less effective?

For big fish in deeper water, you might want to try a 3/4 or 1 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade.

One of my business associates just spent two days last weekend at Dale Hollow. They fished with guides both days, float n' fly exclusively. The weather was brutally cold and the water extremely clear. The four fisherman caught three smallmouth, 2 1/2 -3 lbs was the largest. One of the guides caught a 5+, but the other guide zeroed. As I stated earlier, this is a slow technique, but at least they caught a few fish.

The IMX is what put G. Loomis on the map.

Rumor has it, some guy down in Georgia ate the World Record Largemouth Bass. David Hayes has his skin mount of the World Record Smallmouth. That's what I call a wise decision. Otherwise, replicas are the better choice.

"It's just time for Shimano to update a bit." I'm sure the new Steez is a great reel, but the Stella has been out there for five years and one upgrade (FB from FA). The fact that Daiwa finally came up with a high-end, competative product isn't surprising, it's just odd that it took them so long. We'll see how well they are reviewed a year from now. New, out-of-the-box is important, but durability is another aspect that I'm sure we all care something about.

Bud, Chronarch MG? : I just wish it came in junebug with a chartruese handle! In the Shimano line-up, some fans think the Symetre is the "best value," but I think the Stradic is at its pricing point.

rocknfish9001, Although rods compare SIGNIFICANLY different at various pricing points, there are dimishing returns for higher priced equipment. If your primary consideration is "value", I think the "best" is a combination around $150 on sale from one of the major retailers. This equates to around $250 retail if purchased seperately. I also think that for the majority of fishermen, rod and reel combinations at this pricing point will be a pleasure to fish and a significant improvement over the gear they are curently using. You will notice a difference, big time.

Gosh Bud, We haven't had this poll in almost two weeks, I was wondering if you had changed your mind? : "Whiskey for my men, and beer for the horses!"

Take a look at the G.Loomis MBR844C. This is a rod that will serve many purposes, including those that you mentioned. If I were to have just one baitcasting rod, this would be the one.

Excellent! Those are some mighty fine fish.

This question comes up periodically, probably too much. The argument will not be resolved because lot's of guys (LBH in particular) have TREMENDOUS success with knock-offs. If they work for you and you feel they are "just as good" as the GYCB Senkos, go for it and save some money. Some of us have been very successful with the original and will not be switching brands, but that doesn't mean the knock-offs won't work for you.

Although I generally prefer 7' rods and own the GLX MBR844C, I don't think you will find it to be much different than the 784. I do not think the tip is softer, the 844C tip is firm. Generally speaking, or at least for many, a 6 1/2' rod is somewhat easier to cast and more accurate. It seems to be more a matter of preference than anything else. I use 844C as my main heavy jig rod, for heavy spinnerbaits and as my striper rod (live bait).

Welcome aboard! I'm sure you will get a few responses from members who have fished the SB series.

Welcome aboard!

Excellent! Anyone fishing in 20-33 degrree weather deserves a gold star. I'm glad you caught a bunch of great fish, too!

The fish found its niche in nature in fast current. The tail is proportionately bigger than a largemouth and over time smallmouth have evolved stronger swimming muscles than their cousins. The fish is built for speed and contoured for current. River smallmouth spend most of their life "working out". Why it has a "small mouth" remains a mystery.