roadwarrior

The X-Rap is a well made lure with a balancing system comparable to the LC Pointer. They cast a mile and rarely foul hook themselves. Rapala calls this a "slash" bait and it does have a very erratic motion, simply different than any other jerkbait.

I spent a good deal of 2006 focused on fishing a jig, with some success. That is still my #1 objective for 2007.

My thought used to be, "I rarely fish them because EVERYONE else does." However, because of a few threads and posts here at BassResource.com earlier this year, I started using spinnerbaits occasionally. Well, guess what? Yep, I'm back on board! I still haven't caught a monster, but I have caught a couple of 5+ which makes it a winner in my book. Thanks guys.

I didn't have any new 'best" bait for fishing this year. The Fat Ika was dominant again. However, I had excellent results with the Rapala X-Rap, so maybe that's a new "one of my best" lures for 2006.

First of all, Welcome aboard! Although I do not have a custom rod made by ReelMech, I have had reels serviced by him. In addition to being a SIGNIFICANT contributor to this forum, his professionalism is unquestioned. He is an expect in his field and has offered important information to every rod builder on this forum that requested help. If you are looking for a rod builder you can trust, I HIGHLY recommend David Green.

You probably already know where I stand, so Daiwa & Pflueger guys, how 'bout some comments on how long you have been fishing your particular favorite and how it compares to the day it was new. The Stradic is dependable and in five years it will perform exactly as it does on day one. If you like that "feel" you'll like the reel.

What I am looking for is a line that is very "managable," thin, low or no memory, highly abrassive resistant and has low visibility. One option I have considered is 10/2 or 20/6 braid. If you are fishing mostly for largemouth bass and your water is at least slightly stained, I think this might be a good option. Personally, I do't like braid, so I don't use it. What I have found that meets most of my criteria is Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test), .010" diameter. In general, I would recommend a monofilament or copolymer no thicker than .012", or about 10 lb test.

Well, I have a Calais 200 6.2:1 and two CTE200GT 5.0:1. For an "all around" reel I prefer the faster speed and higher IPC. I consider the lower gear ratio, as fivebasslimit mentioned, to be a "specialty" reel for big, deep running lures (DD22, Mann's +20 & +25). I also use a CTE on my heavy jig rod and for big live baits.

Pre-spawn. Topwater really depends on the weather, but that's probably NOT going to be the best option. Tom Redington says all you need to bring that time of year are Rat-L-Traps, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and jigs. I will DEFINITELY be fishing soft plastics. Depending on the weather and fishing success, live bait (shinners and crawdads) is another option. Notably, Tom did NOT suggest crankbaits or topwater, but I'm sure we will have plenty of guys giving them a shot.

The trick is saying outloud, "This is my last cast." The fish think you're gone and that's when you come up with "Just one more cast."

I'm shacking up with flechero and plan on fishing with him for most of the trip. I'll probably get to fish a couple of his babies. Ronnie ought to have some of his new spiral wraps finsihed for Lake Fork, too. So, maybe I can fish a couple of custom rods. (I haven't spoken with The Bait Monkey in awhile. He gave me a pass for the rest of '06 after putting up some pretty good numbers last winter. I suspect '07 will involve another conversation with the furry critter!)

Here it is and its The Bomb! G.Loomis IMX PR844C ~$265 Although the blank rating is "4", this a Medium power rod. The Action is rated "fast," but the tip is soft. I have this rod's twin, PR844S in the GLX series. This spinning rod is my favorite rod, period. My next rod will be the same, but a baitcaster.

Here are the benefits of a rubber net: 1. Minimal impact on the fish. 2. Lures rarely (never) get hooked-up in the net. 2. The net never tangles up on itself, it is always good to go.

Being technically challenged, my pictures for this thread didn't work out. So, just as a disclaimer, the pics posted are from my very best outing 1/08/05. The trip I am writing about was two weeks ago 11/18/06, but the smallmouth were comparable to the photos I'm attaching. Dateline: Tennessee River 11/18/06 This outing was the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We had the perfect weather and more importantly, the perfect water (76,000 cfs). My partner (Speedy Madewell) and I arrived at the boat ramp around 7:30, but we had a guest to pick up at 8:30. So, What to do? We didn't really want to start down the river without our guest so we spent a few minutes trolling some new line to get set for the day. We still had about forty-five minutes to kill as we returned back, near the ramp. Normally a wing dam protects the ramp, but in high water the dam is submerged creating a small rapid and diverting water out into the main river, then swirling backwards to create a current along the bank flowing upstream. The net result is a neutral current about fifty to severty-five yards offshore. That's where we stopped to wait, in what might appear to be out in the middle of the river. Although we were pretty excited in general, we tossed out a couple of minnows without much enthusiasm. Low and behold, I hooked up with what felt like a nice bass right off the bat, a minute later my partner hooked up with some size, but he was sure it was just a big drum. Well, it wasn't! As I'm fighting with my fish, Speedy's fish came boiling up and jumped, drum don't jump. I promise you, I thought this was the new World Record. I put my rod in a holder with the fish still on so I could help my partner land his pig. After a second run and the third jump, I finally netted the monster. As it turned out, this brown fish hadn't had breakfast and was a little skinny. Still, it weighed in at just under 8 lbs. Our guest showed up on time and we took some pictures of the fish, then we released it. Now it was "time to fish." On the first drift I started out with two in a row, but neither smallmouth made it to 5 lbs. The third bass was caught by Mike, our guest...6 1/2 lbs, his new PB! Pretty good start. We ended up with nineteen smallmouth bass, four over 5 lbs. Additionally, we caught just about every other species in the river including three flatheads and a couple of sauger which we kept (probably 30-40 lbs of fish). We never went fifteen minutes all day without someone yelling, "Fish On!" BTW, That first "brown fish" I caught, turned into a drum!

I HIGHLY recommend that you buy a rubber net: The Great Net from BPS, $42.99.

On another thread we talked about "how many" Lucky Craft we fish. Although I am a BIG fan, I haven't fished the Fat CBs yet. Those are on my list for next year. BPS usually has some LC as in-store specials that are not advertised or available online. If you want to pick up a few, look for them at your local BPS.

Jim Blair, I'm glad you joined the Forum and appreciate your contributions. Now about that 23 year old...

*** Moderator Note *** As someone who grew up in the Midwest, spent 17 years in the West (Denver) and now is going on 10 years in the Mid South..."Bud" is NOT a derogatory comment...Maybe in context it can be, but I am SURE in this instance it was not intended to be. BassResource.com is VERY interested in moderating "tone," not just content, but c'mon...we all need to be a little bit flexible and thicker skinned. Play nice, that's all we ask. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Something like Bud's numbers. I can't say exactly because I keep my lures in cases, organized by class, not brand. I have three sizes of Pointers, a few Staysee, Bevy Shad, Rick Clunn Series 2.5 & 3.5, Sammys, LVR 300 & Max-500. A few Gunfish and Fat CBs are next on the list.

Welcome aboard! The dogs will be fine as long as you don't plan to do any casting, use lures with hooks or catch any fish.

According to the reference chart developed by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 18" ~ 3 lbs 14 oz. In northern Mississippi that would be a "very nice" crappie. Four pounds is large. 5 lbs 3 oz is the World Record (white crappie); 4 lbs 8 oz for black crappie.

Well, I have a Calais, but I didn't put it on my MBR. I like round reels just fine and the CTE200GT feels better (to me) on my GLX MBR 844C.

Let me put it this way: If you buy a Stella, you will end up getting rid of all your other spinning reels.

Avid, If you are still fishing spinning tackle when we get to Lake Fork, I'll give you a Stella to play with for the whole trip. I have often said here on the Forum that the Stradic is the "best value" in the Shimano line-up, but for a LOT more money, the Stella is something else. It's a matter of diminishing returns: Four Stradic for the price of one Stella, you see what I mean? I'm glad you like the reel and I am soooooo happy to hear you are able to get back into fishing. Good luck, my friend!

Sweet! It is a very cleaver plan that you have devised, arranging to meet with the Bait Monkey at your office, away from home. Do you maintain a tackle room at the office, too? Indeed, very nicely done! One other suggestion: In the states, emergency preparations are on the front burner. So, as a veternarian you should look ahead to potential situations, especially search and rescue. Your clinic should probably own a fully equipped and adequately powered watercraft. I'm thinking, something like one of these: http://www.rangerboats.com/no_flash.cfm?update=8 This might require your animal clinic to maintin a garage and perhaps a tow vehicle, too. You might consider "volunteering" to oversee this procurement as well as the weekly testing of the equipment. It's your duty, your responsibility, to be prepared.