roadwarrior

#8 Avoid "hard choices". When in doubt, buy them both. #9 If you already have everything right, never mix and match: Buy the new reel to go with your new rod and visa-versa. And here is a tip: She doesn't need (or want) to see your new stuff. Just mix it in with the rest. I promise, if she isn't interested she can't tell the difference.

Well, I have had the same affliction since 1997. I tried to cure it with the Fat Ika, but that's like switching from opium to morphine: no net gain. This spring I forced myself not to fish soft plastics until April...Last month I caught my first 5 lb bass of the year and then fifteen more. Luckily, I have had some big bass success with the Bomber Square A, but I know I'm just kidding myself... There is no cure!

I wholeheartedly agree with Madhouse27. Buy yourself a quality rod & reel combination and focus on a couple of techniques and a couple of lures. I know how all those lures look great, but you'll save a lot of money and catch more bass if you start with some of the recommendations from guys on this forum. This is what I suggest: 1. Soft plastics 5" Senko, watermelon and watermelon with black flakes fished weightless on a 4/0 EWG hook Fat Ika, same hook, rigged skirt up 2. Shallow crankbaits Bomber Square A Bagley BII That's it and that's all I would start with. BTW, Welcome aboard!

Be sure to read this featured article on the home page. It applies to every body of water throughout the country that holds smallmouth bass. I found it to be a very interesting read and it might help you, too!

Although the physical appearance of spots and largemouth are very similar, genetically Kentucky bass are most closely related to smallmouth. Spots and smallmouth prefer structure over cover and are often found in the same ecological niche. That's not to say that spots and largemouth will not be found in the same general local, but it is more common to find Kentucky bass and smallmouth in the same areas. Regarding baits and lures, again smallmouth and spots share the same niche and can be caught on common presentations. Grubs, Hula Grubs, Fat Ika and 3 1/2" tubes are consistant producers. I have had good luck with Kentucky bass fishinmg worms and 5" Senkos I'm sure Triton_Mike and ReelMech can offer some other suggestions, they both focus on spotted bass.

Any time of day. In low light, topwater and suspending jerkbaits might work, shallow running crankbaits over the top and deep running lures around the edges. Soft plastics would be my choice the majority of the time, especially Senko, Fat Ika, lizards, Kut-Tail, GYCB 8 1/2" worms and Micromunch Tackle El Gordo tubes.

Inside Line is my favorite bass magazine, but I think In Fisherman is the best all around fishing resource. I also subscribe to Bassmaster, but I think it ranks a distant third.

I only buy new lures highly recommended by members of this forum. I only fish new lures when I have a big bite going. I only fish lures on three outings if they aren't working for me.

Fish deeper water off the beds, prespawn bass will be staging there. This is where you will catch big smallmouth this time of year. I leave bedding bass alone.

Smallmouth season is over on the Tennessee River. You might pick up a stray fishing for largemouth, spots, stripers and cats, but targeting smallmouth on Pickwick, Wilson, Wheeler or any of the Tennessee River lakes is fruitless. The smallmouth bite starts up again in late September and gets strong throughout the winter up until about the middle of March. The #1 bait is store bought shiners. A distant second is native yellowtail (threadfin shad). If you are focused on artificials, grubs are #1 followed by 3 1/2" tubes. Other lures to consider are Hula Grubs, lizards, suspending jerkbaits and top water (Sammy and Spook).

Tennessee Structure in or near deep water is the best bet for consistantly catching big bass, especially smallmouth.

I'm after two kinds of fish: Big ole good'uns and good ole big'uns. Size only for me, always. If I ever start catching numbers, I move.

No beer until someone catches a fish...or the sun comes up.

Welcome aboard! Check out the BassResource. com Library. It's extensive and has additional links to even more information.

For me it's slow vs. fast. Heavy equipment vs. lighter gear. All soft plastics are finesse, most hard baits are power, but a jig can be both! I divide it more specifically with the rigs I use: Baitcaters are power, spinning gear is finesse.

Although I prefer power fishing, at least 75% of my fishing is finesse. I use spinning tackle exclusively for finesse and baitcasting for power. It's also about light vs. heavy line and big lures vs. soft plastics for me. With live bait it's light tackle for smallmouth and heavy bass equipment for stripers.

I voted for smallmouth, but I actually spend more time fishing for stripers. Whenever I have the option, I will always fish for smallies vs. largemouth or spots. I tend to catch a lot of largemouth and spots fishing for smallmouth, but it rarely (never) works the other way around.

Low-Budget_Hooker said it all. I might add that for fish that seem to be line shy (smallmouth, walleye and brown trout) thin diameter line and maybe even a pure fluorocarbon will help, especially during the bright parts of the day.

WOW! Congratulations!

Paparock, Once you figure out Bull Shoals, you still have Norfork! I think we ought to talk Roger into some White River fishing. That should be a new challenge, fishing two lakes without a blade of grass or a stick of wood. I guess you already know what rocks are about, but not all rocks are equal. Some days gradual sloped, rounded points will hold fish. Other days it's steeply sloped and well defined. I suggest you find the bait fish, the predators won't be far behind.

Inside Line is my favorite magazine and it usually has an article on smallmouth, but this month Mike Whitten has a great piece featuring one of the Tennessee River's top smallmouth guides. I think In-Fisherman is the best all around fishing magazine if you simply overlook some of the marketing focus. And finally Bassmasters, always good for an article or two and ocaasionally something absolutely astounding: David Hayes and the World Record Smallmouth investigative report forced IGFA to review their position and eventually reinstate the true WR. So, those are my favorites.

"The most important thing is to have a good time". Well said. Thank you.

bobo, Members of this forum have posted responses that address what every fisherman should consider. Great thread, but the specific question is really not meaningful. As everyone has pointed out, it's a combination of factors that is important.

Hmm... I had to go through this thread twice just to see if anyone was serious. Rather than being a smart aleck, I will just suggest spending some time in the BassResource. com Library. I hate to critisize a serious question on the forum, but this is just funny! All right you guys...The short answer is yes, everyone that has EVER fished a spinnerbait has caught a fish.

The bass haven't moved offshore, that's where they live! To take it to the next level, focus on soft plastics and jigs ONLY. Fish deeper structure, for example, primary points.