roadwarrior

The biggest fish that I know of at Pickwick was caught a few years ago on a Friday pre-fishing for a club tournament. The bass weighed 11.98 and was caught on an A-rig, of course. But there is more to the story... On Saturday, tournament day, the older gentleman was telling his story to his partner when all of a sudden...WAM! Exactly the same spot with the same rig and soft plastic. Crazy. Although several lakes around the state have produced double digits, Chick is probably the only one capable of breaking it's own record. You guys stocked Florida strain bass several years ago and it worked!

Welcome aboard!

For smallmouth, Tennessee ROCKS! World Record 11lbs 15 oz. at Dale Hollow. We catch double digit largemouth here occasionally. Our state record is 15.2 lbs caught fairly recently. https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2015/02/14/teacher-catches-record-largemouth/23433607/

Topwater: Sammy, Zara Spook, PopMax, Rage Toad Jerkbait: MegaBass 110, Lucky Craft Pointer Shallow: Norman Fat Boy, KVD 1.5, Bandit 200 Medium depth: Red Eye Shad, Siebert Outdoors Cosmic Spinnerbait, Rage Tail Menace, Rage Tail Swimmer, Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm, Space Monkey Bottom: Senko, Fat Ika, Kut Tail, Rage Tail Structure Bug, Baby Craw, Cut-R, Thumper, Jack Hammer bladed jig, Siebert Outdoors Grid Iron G2 Jig, BPS Tender Tube

My mother had the same problem some of you seem to be facing... She couldn't seem to remember that Christmas was usually on December 25.

Call Shimano, they will probably send you the perfect one for free. 877-577-0600

What style blades do you recommend?

Never weighed one, I don't like touching them unless I am hooking one up for bait. I think they have cooties.

https://www.carolinasportsman.com/fishing/fishing-tournaments/davy-hite-wins-eighth-bassmaster-title-on-pickwick-lake/

I have been having some luck with the Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Flat Worm. Drop shot rigged, #4 Gamakatsu Octopus Circel Hook, nose hooked. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Powerbait_Maxscent_Flat_Worm_10pk/descpage-CLF.html

Rage Tail Structure Bug

Hmm... Not my experience, but I never fish them that big, dead or cut up. We catch the skipjack on a Sabiki rig. They are fished alive using a 3-way swivel, 2/0 octopus circle hook and a 3 oz weight below the Pickwick Dam.

Yes

Trokar 5/0 EWG https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lazer_Trokar_EWG_Worm_Hook/descpage-ECTEWG.html p.s. I REALLY like the Rage Toad!

Tatsu will be just fine, but the Gold is a different animal. Give it a one time try and see what you think. It's on sale right now. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Seaguar_Gold_Label_Fluorocarbon_Leader_Line_25yd/descpage-SEAG.html

Maybe the best, but live and 4"-6". That one is too big.

C'mon... Tennessee boys shouldn't be posting pictures of catfish bait!

Well, I troll for striper with a version we call "The Mississippi Rig". Thirteen arms including the center wire. Most of the fish are 15-20 lbs, but we occasionally catch a big one! My main buddy landed a 43lb followed by a 38lb for me on our last trip. Our best story was when my partner caught 19 to my 1. I was the "net boy".

Haven't fished pork since I was a kid, probably some time in the early 60's. Just thought it might be fun to give it a try.

I fish the rig a lot in the spring, but have never had a double. All of my fish are caught on the center wire, never on an outside bait. March through early June around here the Alabama Rig is almost required to collect a check in local tournaments. What really trips my trigger is targeting MONSTER striper with the rig.

Ridiculous... But I ordered some, too!

I hope someone can give you advice, but the gear is "old school". Most guys these days want longer rods and lighter reels. The Abu Garcia are awfully big for 5' rods.