roadwarrior

On big water I always start on a deep point in the main channel and work the point into the cove, arm or creek. Bigger fish are generally in deeper water. Yeah, I know, everyone catches their big fish shallow, but thats NOT where they live. I had some recent success doing this at Bull Shoals fishing the windblown shoreline. I was fishing a steep sloping bank in 60-80 ft of water with a Lucky Craft 128 Pointer that suspends at 6-8 ft (I think). I caught a 5 lb smallmouth that I suspect was staging in fifteen or twenty feet of water where the baitfish were thick.

bassmaster, Technical misunderstanding on my part. 50 degrees is too cold for largemouth bass to spawn, but the mid to upper 50's may be just right.

Largemouth bass aren't bedding in 50 degree water, although smallmouth might be getting close. If I were fishing exclusively for smallmouth, I would throw a Gitzit in exactly the same area- off channel points working back into the arms. I would also try C-rigged lizards (4" if your after smallmouth, 6" or larger for largemouth). That's theory, what worked for me were jerkbaits. One more thing, I was casting as far as I could with the wind and making a BIG splash at touchdown. Sometimes that may scare fish, but when the surface is choppy, maybe a big splash gets their attention.

Well, everyone seems to be on the same page so I'll be the contrarian. Last weekend I fished Bull Shoals a couple of evenings. The water in the main channel is either side of fifty, but warms up 4-6 degrees in some of the arms. I primarily fished points in the main channel and worked back into the arms. We had a stilff breeze 15-20 miles per hour with gusts 30+ mph. Additionally, the barometer was rising after a day and a half of occasional showers. So, here's what we did: Fished with the wind into the battered shores. Jerkbaits exclusively, fished moderately fast (1-3 second pause). My partner threw a Rogue, I threw the big Lucky Craft 128 Pointer...No downsizing here. We mostly caught walley but we also caught white bass, a Kentucky, a couple of largemouth and a 5 lb smallmouth. Forget that slow presentation and little baits, bring out the heavy artillery and crank it up!

Fisher of Men, Don't forget to pick up a couple of packs of Fat Ika, they will compliment your Senko fishing.

When I started fishing, my dad bought me a little Zebco and had me casting a jitterbug or another small topwater and sometimes a small spinner bait. I think it was all about learning to cast and not getting hung up, it certainly wasn't about catching fish on THAT side of the boat! My favorite artificials are soft plastics and I didn't start out with anything close. My observation is that guys gravitate to lures and techniques that work best for them. Maybe they have mastered other presentations, but they still ride the horse that brung 'em. p.s. Skeeter6598, I fish Senkos and Fat Ika weightless, weedless and slooooooooooooooooow.

I think Aaron Martens could address this issue after last weekend's event at Table Rock Lake. He catches a 9 lb bass when almost every other fish caught is a couple of pounds. Then on day three, he lands 3 lbs, while the winner brings in 14+. Now Martens' out by 7 lbs overall but 11 lbs on the day. And how 'bout KVD, zero, nothing, notta on day three. No one will argue that these guys aren't skilled, but even at the professional level, a little luck (good and bad) comes into play. And second place in the last event doesn't really suck when it makes you Angler of the Year!

Leave them alone.

Call or e-mail the DNR. I really don't have a clue. I have never seen or even heard of such a situation. I too was hoping to hear someone explain what has happen.

In Tennesse the state record is 11lb 15 oz and supposedly caught on Dale Hollow, but is not recognized by the IFGA. The world record, certified by IFGA, is 10lb 14 oz and also caught on Dale Hollow. So here, in this state, you might catch the world record and STILL not have the state record. Well, I'm shooting for 12 lb 8 oz certified and the undisputed state and world record!

I fish 6" Senkos and prefer the Gamakatsu #5/0 round bend. The shank runs parallel to the worm and is more "weedless" than the EWG.

Fifteen years of wear for L.D., a professional river guide...Well, what else do you want to know?

This is the absolutely best structure for a Gitzit. The tube sinks fast so you spend most of your time in the zone. Fish it like you image a crawdad would crawl. Drag it slowly along the bottom and over rocks, let it freefall over ledges. If you can get away with it, I recommend the traditional rig: leadhead with an exposed hook.

I like big fish and lots of 'em! When targeting largemouth, I'm 100% artificial and I fish everything and nearly every technique from time to time. I really don't like flipping because I like more fight, I don't like to drop shot much because I only catch little fish. So what? If you're a tournament fisherman and money's on the line, the goal is to put fish in the boat. Now for the rest of us, the recreational fishermen, maybe the goal is different. I don't want to catch little fish, I spend all my time searching for big fish. I like using all kinds of equipment but I catch all of my big largemouth on Senkos and Fat Ikas. Smallmouth are different. When I'm lake fishing, I'm always artificial. I catch lots of fish, but only one smallmouth over 5 lbs (on a baby diaper yellow, Gitzit). On the Tennessee River I fish live shiners and I catch a lot of big smallmouth. Now that's what I'm talking about! Big fish and lot's of 'em...Different styles for different situations. Maybe that's not fishin', but I'm sure it's not cheating...We call it catchin'.

Dark, natural colors all the time. I like 6" Senkos in #194. 208, 297 and on occasion 187 (clear w/ black flakes).

I am 100% satisfied with Cabelas Guidewear. I picked up the light bibs and coat (in the picture) on sale for around $200. This is an all day outfit rather than a pullover. Long-johns underneath and I'm good 40-65 degrees, blocks the wind and rain. For warmer and colder weather you need something to pull on and off, that can be worn OVER clothes. I have a light, inexpensive rain suit from BPS that cost about $50, and it works fine for a carry-along.

Similar... Flakey texture, mild flavor. Walley are significantly bigger so their fillets are thicker reducing the chances of being overcooked. If properly prepared, and I assume for most of us that's coated in cornmeal and fried in peanut oil, crappie and walley are about the same. Subtle differences, but both are a perfect 10.

4 lb Hybrid on the Stella and it holds about 240 yds!

I catch fish in the rain but if it's associated with lightning or even the threat, I'm outta there! I have been caught in a lightning storm several times and I don't like it at all, it's really dangerous, I mean life threatening. But if it's just rain, put on your rainsuit and fish...the fish are already wet!

Right now the local ponds have warmed to about 55 degrees and the fish are active early. I have been throwing one lure only on any given morning and caught fish on everythging I've thrown! So, here's what's working: Rat-L Trap, Spinnerbait, Square A, Bagley BII, Sammy and Spook. As I get a little more vegetation around the perimeter I'll go with a Slug-Go, which was very effective last spring. If I fish midday I'm back to Senkos or Fat Ika and killin' em. Just for variety I'll probably throw a C-rigged lizard soon. Tubes and jigs might be effective, but the ponds have soft bottoms and exposed hooks are messy. I'm going trout fishing on the White River this weekend and Bullshoals the following weekend. I'm looking forward to wearing out a few jerkbaits, that's my favorite technique. Hope to catch both smallmouth and walley on the lake and maybe the world record brown trout on the river!

I don't want any short sticks. GLX new in the tube or slightly used, 7 ft only. Stella FA if they're '04s, otherwise FBs only, make sure they have new line spooled up to about 1/16th inch from the rim. Diiachi ITT X-Points or Gammies but #3, #4 or #5 EWG only (make sure the packs are full, I don't want partials). Send it Fed-X, early delivery so it gets here fresh. Thanks, RW

This is my formula: Current, structure, light line and shiners. If you want to catch bigger fish, move away from the bank and focus on deeper structure.

cgs2004, If you get down this way I'll introduce you to a few, but you have to give them back! Skeeter6598, I like them a lot, I bet you will, too.

Great article Craig! Deep water really appeals to me, but I think it's too difficult and way too boring for most guys. Stay closer to shore, fish shallow water, catch more fish and have more fun. I don't want a bunch of guys out bothering MY fish! And one more thought, if it's gnarly & nasty you're probably going to get hung up and lose your lures. Don't do that! Fish where it's safe. Those big girls that live in the trash are my fish, too. p.s. If you haven't read Craig's piece, it's featured this week on the HOME page. Everyone will enjoy it and maybe we'll get a few interesting posts and some new discussion from it.

It's Monday, March 28 and this is my report on the Tennessee River: March has been tough! For the second week in a row, TVA shut their generating down. No current, no smallmouth. We made the best of a bad situation and caught a few white bass, but nothing interesting to report.