roadwarrior

Thanks L.D., your comments make sense. But I take a lot of guys fishing (just for fun, I'm not a guide) and I promise you the 6 lb test line consistantly makes a huge difference. We are generally drifting live minnows and maybe the weight or water resistance has some effect, I really don't know.

I joined the Memphis Bass Club and fished one, two day tournament. Had a bad experience and never went back.

Several years ago I was with a guide on Bull Shoals Lake, the first week of June. This was yesterday, as in "you should have been here yesterday". We have a big bite going which lasted throughout the day. We started early and my guide was out-catching me at least 5 to 1 which I attributed to (1) he's a better fisherman, duh (2) it's his lake, (3) we were throwing a Gitzit that I was not used to fishing, etc. Nope, he asked what size line I was using (8 lb) and suggested I switch to 6 lb. This changed everything. Now Bull Shoals is crystal clear but that's not exactly the answer. Same thing happen last spring while fishing with my buddy on the Tennessee River with visibility of 2-3 ft. I'm not completely retarded but I thought 8 lb might be a better choice than 6 lb due to the very rough structure in the river. Not if you want to catch fish! So, here's the question: Taking water clarity out of the equation, why is 6lb test line so much more effective than 8 lb test when fishing for smallmouth bass?

JT, Looking forward to your new column. For anyone that didn't see the announcement, "Bagwell's Bass Tactics" coming to BassResource January 3, 2005.

Wow! Nick. I had no idea fishing is that good at the Lake of the Ozarks. Haven't been there in twenty years, may have to give it a try. Jerkbaits in winter? If I can do that then the weather is never too cold.

Don't know 'bout the BassCat, haven't heard from Mike in a while. Regarding "Creating Tournament Winning Lures", fishing the way I would want you to will not improve your tournament skills. We don't go fishing, we go catching! You might catch some nice fish throwing artificials but the monster will probably be caught on a live shiner, especially this time of year.

JT, I thought that was you! I live in the same little suburb with Mike Whitten and have been trying to get him out with me. If you ever get down this way, maybe I'll take you and Mike over to the Tennessee River and give you a shot at the next world record smallmouth. But don't bring any of your tournament winning lures, we don't fish for little fish!

Not for sale, just got it last March. Sure like it for my kind of fishing and think other guys would too. I see more and more of the central consoles showing up in the region but they're still not an option most bass fishermen consider.

Do you use trailers (never, occasionally, always)? Pork or plastic? Short, medium or long?

If you're in the market for a new boat check this out before you buy...2180 Bay Ranger. It's comfortable, spacious and for a lot of guys, functional. I am not a guide but if you are or if you fish with someone else or a couple of guys on a regular basis this might just be the ticket. I fish for stripers in the boils of the Tennessee River, drift for smallmouth and occasionally fish for largemouth on big water lakes. It's not fast, but it's nice.

Surprisingly my favorite is INSIDE LINE. It is NOT an infomercial. Great writers, good tips, product reviews and in-dept interviews with the pros. A useful and entertaining magazine at a reasonable price.

No argument with everyones reply, but here's my two cents worth. For an all around rod: 7ft, medium power, fast action spinning rod and 8 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid. 7 ft because you can cast if further and since you don't already have a preference for a 6 1/2, you will always like this length. Medium power because you can another site when you have the opportunity and still have some fun with smaller fish. Fast action because you need it for quick hook sets and you probably won't notice it's not perfect in applications where medium or slow action would be better. Yo-Zuri because it's strong, supple and virtually invisible.

A couple of thoughts...Senko is my most productive lure, so I use them a lot. I fish them weightless on a spinning rod and 8 lb. diameter YO-ZURI HYBRID which is about 13 lb test. It's strong, supple and virtually invisible. I DON'T use a baitcating rod because Senko's are so soft you will eventually throw one off during the cast and spend the next ten or fifteen minutes pickin' and cuttin'. One more suggestion: I catch much better fish using the 6" version , you just catch too many fish on the 5"s.

This will surprise you but I have caught my biggest largemouth in the middle of the summer (July & August) on the hottest days of the year, bluebird skys between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Go figure. As for smallmouth, throughout the day and no particular weather pattern- I fish the Tennessee River for monster smallmouth and it's ALL about current.

I like deep running crankbaits parallel to the ledge, (1) along the ledge, (2) just above the ridge and (3) below the ridge. You cover a lot of water fishing parallel but if you find fish this way STOP! Pull out further and work the ledge. Cast above the drop with you favorite lure (worm, tube, lizard, jig) and work it until it falls off the ledge. If you don't get bit on the approach or the drop, LET IT SIT. One more pull, drag or hop and redo.

It seems like the generic reply would be edges and transition, I watch guys beating the bank all day long. But to catch bigger bass, here's my take: Cover attracts bait fish because (1) there's food, bugs, worms, smaller fish, etc. and (2) shelter, protection or a place to hide. Larger fish occasionally cruise the cover and we catch them and think that's where they live. But generally we catch small and medium size bass because the big girls are staging further out, off the cover and on or near some structure in deeper water. So...I'm looking for the ledge, submerged timber, boulders or hole out a little further. I'm working the theory that big fish want a bigger meal or at least and easier one. The smaller fish injure lots of bait fish and scare the hell out of the rest causing them to become disorientated. That's when opportunity knocks and that's why I catch bigger fish in deeper water.

"Omori's Last Minute Victory" Bassmaster Oct. '04. Balsa Bagley B II, charteuse/ black back. Also, "Takahiro Wins Bassmaster Classic Title" Inside Line Sept/Oct "I stayed with the crankbait the rest of the day. The B-II runs shallow, but it bounces off cover very well, which is why everyone likes it. The last year or so on the Bassmaster Tour it's been a key bait for a lot of fishermen."

Well Nick I'll have to do a little research but I know I read somewhere ( either Bassmaster or Inside Line) that Omori did in fact win with a Bagley B II. The article went on to say he modified the lure with red Gammie hooks. I'll find the article and give you the post but what I recall so specifically was Omori complimenting his sponsor, Lucky Craft, for allowing him to use what ever brand of lure he want's in competition.

I just posted this on another thread, but anyhow, ran across a deal while surfing...This is a great rod for medium & light applications...Fenwick Techna AVC 70MF on sale at Reed's Family Outdoor Outfitters...List $209.99 on sale for $159.99 plus free shipping and no tax unless you live in MN.

When I replied to this thread the first time I'm thinking lure = hard bait...If everything's included I am Mr. Senko. I'm not kidding about this, I quit using the 5" because I caught too many fish! You still catch small fish with the 6" version but not as many. The overall quality is much higher and I have caught ALL my big largemouth on 6' senkos. One more comment: In '05 I am going to focus on jigs. I fish them a lot and catch some nice fish but I have heard and read so much about jigs being THE big fish lure, I'm going to really give it a test.

Hey beachcomer, if you're fishing a lake you best heed ernel's advice and try going tomorow or Sunday. 30.04 and rising is a recipe for lockjaw. If you go anyhow, I would recommend that you use live bait.

The barometric pressure apparantly has much less impact on river fishing, it's ALL about current. You may find this hard to believe but we had our best day of the fall season fishing for smallmouth on the Tennessee River, Saturday November 20th. A cold front moved through raising the pressure from 29.7 in the morning to 30.2 in the afternoon. A ten to fifteen degree drop in temperature and bluebird skies. Caught 23 smallies, five 4 lbers, one 5 llb. Go figure.

About a week to go and your wife is frantic. She might get you some new underwear, you always need that. But how can she really surprise you? She thinks you already have every lure ever made and wonders why anyone needs ten fishing poles. So, help her out. You've had a good year. You already own a $40,000 bass boat and a $30,000 truck to pull it. God knows you don't need any more tackle (at least until the new stuff comes out in '05). Well, here is my suggestion:SPLURGE! Your first car probably didn't cost as much as a Stella but you're not a kid anymore. Match that up with my favorite rod, G.Loomis GLX PR844S. If you prefer a baitcasting rig, PR844C matched up with a Shimano Calais or if you've had a REALLY good year...BOTH! Wrap them up and put 'em under the tree. When the kids or grandkids bring you your gift you'll be surprised and happy. Thank your wife and let her know that's the best gift she has ever gotten you. Forget about the price, she won't have a clue.

njvbass: G.Loomis and St. Croix both make very good rods. I think the overall quality of construction, sensitivity and strength are comparable.

I like those Daiichi X-Points, too. Wish they would expand their offerings, it seems odd that the line is so limited.