roadwarrior

Cabela's and some Wal-Mart stores carry Yo-Zuri Ultra Soft. The diameter of #6 is .0100" which is the same as Ande Premium and many other 6 lb test lines. "Poor handling?" I have never heard that before. I guess I don't even know what you mean. "Line size shouldn't matter to a fish." Well, it has been my experience that line size is CRITICAL when fishing soft plastics and live bait.

When this came up a few weeks ago I suggested Cabela's Guidewear and it is still on sale. This is the best wet weather gear on the market and the best investment in fishing related equipment I have ever made. 100% waterproof, light and durable.

ww2farmer, This isn't personal and I am NOT sonsored by Yo-Zuri, but if the Ultra Soft had ANY memory, you spooled it up incorrectly. Ultra Soft, especially in the smaller diameters, has virtually NO memory in use. If there is a problem with memory, it will be 100% resolved by trolling the line after the initial spooling. When fishing #12 on baitcasting equipment, I have one complaint. Because of the fluorocarbon component, backlashes create kinks that appear to impact the physical integrity of the line. I don't know that this is actually the case, but visually, it bothers me. The fact is, I have been fishing several spools of #12 for almost a year without a single break-off. I fish #4 on the Tennessee River for smallmouth bass. Both fish in my avatar were caught on #4. I have NEVER been broken off by a fish using this line. I have NEVER been broken off by a fish using ANY Yo-Zuri line.

Hey Craig! Would you please post links to a few of your articles so we can get this section started on a positive note? We have lots of smallmouth articles in the BassResource.com Library, but several of them are yours, too! So, show out! This man used to know something about brown fish, but I'm afraid since he has moved to Florida he has become focused on green trout. Let's see...

I hate this thread. I plead the 5th Amendment...I admit to nothing.

#1 "Fishin' magazine...In-Fisherman. #1 Bass Magazine...GYCB "Inside Line."

You're right, I need some new material for this gig. Everyday it's the same response. 8-)

#4 (.009" diameter, 8.5 lb test) or #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test) Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft for soft plastics and live bait. For hard baits (reaction lures) I use a baitcaster with #12 (11.9 lb test).

What did you get?

Welcome aboard! I fish spinning tackle, 7' MF and Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test). Specifically: St. Croix Legend Elite ES70MF/ Shimano Stella 2500FB.

The World Record Smallmouth is not without controversy. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending: http://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/05fishgd.pdf

No, but I know that crankbaits are VERY productive for others and in fact, the World Record was caught on a crankbait (pearl white Bomber). I only listed lures I have actually caught smallmouth on, but quite frankly, the vast majority of my river fishing is with live bait. p.s. the_muddy_man, I only included the Shimano comment for YOU!

Three packs of #6 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle hooks; one box of #4 Bull Shot split shot; four dozen LARGE shiners per man. That's your best bet. Artificials: 3 1/2" Mizmo tubes (baby diaper yellow); GYCB Fat Ika; GYCB Single Tail Hula Grub & grubs; 1/4 oz hair jigs (black, brown and black & brown)/ GYCB Fat Baby Craw trailer; Lucky Craft Pointer 100 and/ or Rapala Husky Jerk & X-Rap; 3/4 oz Single Willowblade Ledgebuster (white, white & black, chartreuse); full size Zarra Spook, LC Sammy. I fish live bait, soft plastics and hair jigs on spinning tackle (7' MF) spooled up with #4 or #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft. For hard baits I suggest baitcasting gear, 6 1/2- 7" Medium Power/ Moderate Action rod and Ultra Soft #12. I don't know whether smallmouth bass can be caught with any reel other than a Shimano, but you might give it a try! : Good luck.

Welcome aboard! When you changed your profile, the system registers you as an ex-member. I'll try to get that fixed for you. Regarding the rod. I fish both brands, but if it were me I would go with the Loomis SJR843S. If you prefer a shorter rod, the SJR783S is 6 1/2' equivalent.

"Suggestions for Your First Tacklebox." Here's the thread: https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1167329834

There's not much left to say. I'm not sure the Senko is the #1 topic on fishing forums around the net, but it has been around here. There will always be more questions and that's fine, but we have tried to consolidate a lot of information in the referenced thread (with links!). So, the answer is short, but the information is extensive.

Most of the biggest smallmouth I have caught on artificial lures have been caught on jerkbaits, specifically full size Rapala Husky Jerk (blue & silver) and Lucky Craft Pointer 128 (American Shad). I think smaller lures (X-Rap, Pointer 100 & 78) would catch far more fish, but I feel that larger lures catch bigger fish.

This one? http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1121527643

Just like bass2187 posted, but I happen to use 4/0 EWG hooks. 5/0 or 4/0 will both work fine.

GMAN already highlighted this article, but now it's January and since we are just kicking off this section, I wanted to mention it again: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/finding_smallmouth.html This is a great read.

My preference is fishing jerkbaits, especially Rapala Husky Jerk and Lucky Craft Pointer 100. For topwater I would HIGHLY recommend the full size Zara Spook and LC Sammy.

This thread might help: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

Mostly it's about memory. Many lines, especially pure fluorocarbons, copolymers and thick monofilaments, become slinkys in cold weather.

Natural, green and blue. I especially like fishing jerkbaits in clear water.

Wassup wid' dat? Why are we going to Lake Fork? You guys are killin' me! :o :o Congratulations. I can't wait for another one-upper. Are there any BIG fish in that lake? 8-)