roadwarrior

Welcome aboard! The SBR752C would work well.

Welcome aboard!

"tackle continues to go higher and higher." I don't find that to be the case at all. This thread was started to address Lucky Craft lures. Most of the LC lures have had their RETAIL price REDUCED significantly (25% or more). When they were first introduced in the United States, they were NEVER on sale. I have bought Pointers for as little as $5, BPS often has a few on sale for under $7. Lures in general and Lucky Craft in particular are cheaper than they have ever been. Other equipment follows this same trend: the Shimano Stradic has been priced at $119.99 for at least eight years, the same for their Symetre at $79.99. Both G.Loomis and St.Croix have kept prices stable for at least five years and can now be found at SUBSTANTIAL discounts that were not available just a few years ago. The competition is fierce. I doubt that many manufactures will be able to raise prices in the forseeable future.

Maybe it's just timing. Catching one fish on a Fat Ika or any other lure doesn't send out a warning alert to all the other fish in the pond.

Well, no one has to buy "expensive" tackle. There are so many options with both old and new brand manufacturers, knock-offs, "specials" and sales, discounts abound. In some categories I prefer the high end gear and try to buy it when it's on sale. Still, some lures are cheap and very effective, i.e. Norman Fat Boys, Rat-L-Traps and Bomber lures. You don't always have to spend a lot to get a lot.

Well...Just amazing. I sure hope conditions improve so maybe you can have a "good day." You guys are sooooooo spoiled!

"In search of the World Record smallmouth" I realize this thread is just about "personal preference," but if you are really after a World Record or just bigger smallmouth, I suggest fishing some different structure, maybe another area in the lake that is more remote. It is highly unlikely that you will find the biggest bass in St. Clair fishing spots that produce 20-40 bass in a day. Big bass don't associate with smaller bass.

I'm on board with Rolo on this. In general, I don't think line size or color is particularly important when targeting largemouth bass. When throwing reaction lures, it is not important to smallmouth either. BUT...when using finesse lures (softt plastics) or live bait, line diameter can be crucial. On three different ocassions, fishing .010 diameter vs. .012 was the difference between night and day. I don't experiment anymore, I fish #4 (.009) or #6 (.010) Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft when I'm after smallmouth bass.

"What can a spinning reel do that my Alpha Ito can't do?" Allow an 8lb smallmouth to run 100 yards of line against drag... Oops! I must be late...I was thinking...maybe...Shimano? The best value in the Shimano line-up is the Stradic (2500FH), but if money is no object the Stella 2500FB will make you want to throw all your other reels away.

Welcome Aboard! Spinning tackle: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 Baitcasting: Ultra Soft #12 I'm kinda boring, hun?

Now, that's funny. I don't care who you are, that's funny!

I don't care if I ever catch another bass under 5 lbs, largemouth or smallmouth. Go big or go home. I like two kinds of bass: Big Ole Goodun's and Good Ole Biggun's.

Hmm... I'm thinking I might pick up a couple of those. Thanks for the tip, Roger.

I fish several Rapalas: original floater, Countdown, Husky Jerk and my favorite, the X-Rap.

Here is another vote for ignoring barometric pressure.

I have the St. Croix AS66MLF, too. This was my first rod dedicated to smallmouth fishing. I don't use it much on the big river just because we tend to catch a lot of big drum and catfish, but if if that is not typical on your river, the Avid is a nice rod to fish.

"AND NO OTHER BRAND SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!!!!!!!!" You can lead a horse to water...

Excellent thread Jim Blair. I think we should all remember that public waters are for multi-purpose use, no one "owns" the water or any particular spot on the lake or river. I wish everyone was as courteous as you are to duck hunters or anyone else. I would like to think that most of our BassResource.com members share this philosophy and impliment it whenever they are out. There's room for everyone if we all learn to make a few compromises and remain civil.

I generally agree with avid. My comment regarding comparisons are my perception of weight, balance and sensitivity. Both the IMX and St. Croix LE series are oustanding rods. I haven't fished the LT, so I can't comment directly on the question posed.

No doubt, the original Rat-L-Trap is killer, but I think you would be surprized at how much more productive the Yo-Zuri RatlN' Vibe is by comparison. Maybe it's just because the lure is not widely used and probably has a slightly different vibration and/ or rattle. The same goes for the Drum, just something different that most bass have never seen or heard. I also like the Lucky Craft LVR-300 & LVR-Max-500. Again, just another weapon that is slightly different than what everyone else is throwing.

Whether you prefer a 6 1/2' or 7' rod really doesn't make any difference. What is important in general is a Medium Power/ Fast Action rating for single hook presentations. If you are planning to use this rod primarly with treble hook lures (topwater, jerkbaits and crankbaits) I recommend a Medium Power/ Moderate Action rod or fast action with a soft tip. My main smallmouth rig is a G.Loomis PR844S/ Stella 2500FB/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6.

The St. Croix Legend Elite is comparable to the G.Loomis IMX series.

S-H-I-M-A-N-O... She's Man'o... Sht Man...NO! I said NO! Okay...good luck. Just kidding, you will like your new equipment a lot. I am happy for you (even if you bought the wrong stuff!)

Re: Practice Photo

Here we go!