roadwarrior

I tested my drag today with the grocery sack. My "standard" setting was just under 1/2 lb too tight at 33% of breaking strength. So, now I have the feel for exactly where it should be on my spinning tackle. Tomorrow I am going to test my baitcasting equipment. I think it will come in pretty close to where it should be, too.

GYCB Fat Baby Craw

Fish BIG shiners on a #6 Gamakatsu Circle Hook, split shot rig. You will catch LOTS of smallmouth and some of them might be HUGE! You will rarely (never) have a gut hook, trust me. I would suggest using MF spinning equipment and #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft (green). If your water is gin clear, go with #4 Yo-Zuri Hybrid (original formula). I emphasize line because it makes a BIG difference.

I depends a lot on whether you are fishing for BIG fish or little fish. If you fish shiners for MONSTER smallmouth, this is the answer: Spinning tackle, MF Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks #6 I fish them on a split shot rig. Hook the minnow through the bottom lip and through the top to keep them alive. Cast softly and let the minnow do the work, do NOT play the bait. No float, no trolling and lose the braid. Flipping? Not.

Take a look at this, maybe it will help: http://www.9erslures.com/

Budweiser ShareLunker Program = 13 lbs.

No, you're not superstitious, not at all...(Never cross your toes, either.)

No the_muddy_man. I have a ML, but my other two St. Croix rods are medium power. The Avid AC66MF has a soft tip which makes it what I consider my "all around" baitcaster, but I use different equipment for jigs and soft plastics (Legend Elite ES70MF). Maybe that was what I wrote that was confusing. The Legend Elite is definitely "powered up" compared to G.Loomis or the Fenwick Techna AV, the other brands of rods I use and can compare.

MDngler14, [i think it's accessibility first and foremost. It's become like golfing for the non country club set. A social activity men do when they get a little old for contact sports. It reminds us of our youth. It's challenging and allows you to be outdoors without breaking your bones.] Your post struck a nerve, that was very insightful.

For me it was 1/08/05. On the Tennesse River we generally catch a lot of "fish" and the poundage can be incredible, but they are not all bass. On this particular day I caught fifteen smallmouth, seven over 5 lbs. This was the biggest trip I had ever had and included my PB smallmouth. The next Saturday, 1/15/05, I caught a new PB around 11:30 and my current PB an hour and a half later. Those are the two smallmouth in my avatar.

WOW! Welcome aboard! That's the way to start withyour first post.

I agree with KU_Bassmaster, that is a beautiful bass and a great picture, too.

Welcome aboard!

Hmm...

Breaking strength. I think that grocery sack suggestion is a great one, too.

Welcome aboard! New England? Not that I know of...

NJfishinGUY, The importance of setting you drag correctly comes into play when you hook-up with your next PB or the fish of your life. You might only have one shot at her and you might not land that big fish unless everything goes just right. I view setting the drag properly in the same category with sharp hooks, the perfect knot and flawless line. "Almost good enough" doesn't cut it. Failure of any component is a disaster.

I like both kinds: Country & Western

Avid, As a big fan of St. Croix myself, it is very disappointing that they stooped to such a level with their Triumph. Over the long run, I think that is a big mistake. Hawgin, You didn't mention which Fenwick model you are looking at, but I have been impressed with the Techna AV.

How about just general structure/ cover and lures? Are there any colors that "seem" to be lake specific. Jigs? Soft plastics? Are there colors that you think are important? Is there deep structure or rocky shoals? How about current on the upper part of the lake? Is the dam worth working? Is the water significantly deeper or clearer towards the dam or is that less productive? Since many of us are not tournament fishing, how about trolling just outside the wood, along channels or near deeper water? Is there any structure near the main channel in the deepest part of the lake? Maybe something special that not everyone is fishing?

I don't think so. I check my drag before fishing and occasionally while I'm fishing, but NEVER with a fish on. This is why: I'm set up so that I can put maximum "heat" on my equipment, whether setting the hook or fighting the fish, without any concern of breaking my line or rod.

The fish measured 22" X 17" = 6.65 - 7.95 lbs according to this article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003281435_webrecordfishy29.html?syndication=rss The BassResource.com calculator comes up with 6.856. I have caught numerous 22" smallmouth that did not make 6 lbs, 5 and change is much more likely. Our (BR) formula is biased toward largemouth bass that tend to weigh more for a given length. For example, the NY DNR table estimates a 22" fish like this: smallmouth 5.3 lbs; largemouth 6.6 lbs.

This topic comes up from time to time and as I was perusing the Shimano website I ran across their recommendations: (paraphrased) Have someone hold your rod or place it in a rod holder in a stationary fishing position (10 o'clock?). Using a scale, set your drag to release at 1/4-1/3 of the rated breaking strength of the line. Although this was not specifically stated, I think this requires testing line within the guidelines for the rod you are using.

Good luck!

I understand EXACTLY how you feel about the hook-set. If you want to give the circle a try anyhow, sometime, hook the bait across the hard part of the snout. This allows the bait to breath normally thrrough it's mouth unlike the more restrictive traditional rig (lower lip through upper lip).