roadwarrior

Alberto Knot

I don't think better equipment necessarily impacts the "catching", but it might make the "fishing" more fun. This is my hobby and I'm a collector, an enthusiast. After a few decades I don't really "need" anything, but I usually buy a rod and reel every year and sell or give away some of the stuff that I no longer use. For the last few years I have focused on replacing production rods with custom builds. I have Rainshadow rods built by Mr. Batson (Batson Enterprises) and .ghoti as well as a dedicated Senko rig from Mike at DVT. The cost is comparable to the G. Loomis GLX series and cheaper than NRX.

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/prespawn_fishing.html

I also need the ability to break-off on occasion. With braided line I ALWAYS use a leader.

#12 Yo-Zuri Hybrid

Welcome back aboard!

Calcutta CTE100GT, (2) CTE200GT and just this week, Conquest 50. I like round reels, but most of mine are low profile.

Well, color is low on my list, but sometimes it can be critical. My advice is to start with "your favorite color" and go from there. Oddly I am not a big fan of watermelon/ red flakes, but that color combination is a "must have" around here.

Looks great to me!

Yes

Sweet!

Nice fish, GREAT pic!

The PR series has a softer tip. I also have the spinning version (PR844S) which is my go-to for live bait. Specifically, live minnows and yellowtail targeting smallmouth on the Tennessee River.

G.Loomis GLX PR844C (Popping Rod)

PopMax is my go-to.

I think you would be better served with just one "all-around" rod. The specific rod depends on your budget, but a suggestion for general parameters would be 6 1/2' - 7', spinning or baitcasting, Medium Power/ Fast Action.

The 1000 series is the better match.

Blue gill patterns will work, but where threadfin shad are prevalent, shad is generally preferred.

Well, these are the soft plastics I have fished with success. GYCB: Senko, Fat Ika, Kreture and Kut-tail Rage Tail: Structure Bug, Spacemonkey, Smokin' Rooster, Hawg, Menace, Lizard, Eeliminator, Cut-R, Baby Craws, Craws and Lobster, Swimmer, Anaconda and Thumper MegaStrike: MegaBug and Mega Tube Craw BPS Tender Tube #71 3 1/2" Gitzit (baby diaper yellow) Z-Man TRD Roboworm (drop shot) Most colors work at one time or another, but if you want to simplify your selection green pumpkin, watermelon/ black flake, watermelon/ red flake and black/ blue flake will do.

I would be glad to show you around Germantown and perhaps take you and your son to Pickwick. Let me know when you would like to get together. -Kent Germantown, TN

Nice fish, GREAT pic!

SWEET!

I gave all mine away. I'm fishing the Rage Tail Swimmer, both sizes, exclusively. BTW, this little gem won the Classic last week!