roadwarrior

Upstream always means the opposite direction from that in which a stream or river flows; nearer to the source.

I think Raul makes his point very well, but for me, a crankbait specific rod makes all the difference in the world. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130634-rod-selection-the-basics/

Original Floating Rapala GYCB Senko

Another tip: Take off the skirt and rig a Cut-R. Fish it slow with a steady retrieve just off the bottom.

We put in at the TVA ramp, set up and starting fishing a hundred yards upstream from the Botel. The cast is always perpendicular or upstream, never downstream. I like to cast about 45* upstream and try to keep the bait/ lure running at the same speed as the boat. This is where boat management comes into play depending on water release (current). With live bait the key is a natural presentation which means drifting the minnow at the speed of the current and managing the boat speed with the trolling motor. Not always easy. The main adjustments are moving the boat in or out to maintain a distance of 30 yards or so from the bank. Throwing lures allows more flexibility. Saturday I was try to SOFTLY drag bottom, lifting the bait whenever I felt a rock, With the Menace the distinction between a rock and a bite is dramatic. You will never think "you might" have had a bite!

Mission accomplished.

Try Sunline Super Natural, I think you will like it for cranking.

Welcome aboard!

Denver is my team and Peyton is my man....but...This will be his last year.

#12 is MUCH more manageable.

Rage Tail Menace http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/163835-its-on-at-pickwick/#entry1855639

Fish a Rage Tail Menace below Wheeler Dam.. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/163835-its-on-at-pickwick/

I talked to a couple of guys that targeted grass exclusively yesterday...not good.

We try to maintain the boat 25 to 30 yards from the bank, cast upstream at a 45* angle and drift. I T-rigged the Menace weedless with a 1/4 oz bullet weight, cast and drag. The only imparted action is an occasional pop when I hit a rock. That little lift will also reduces hang-ups a little, but you are still going to lose a lot of baits. For reference, we had 56,000 cfs so the current was strong. With less current you might have to adjust your retrieve. You never want your bait downstream. The fish were VERY aggressive and there was never a doubt whether you had a bite or not.

Ridiculous... http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/36646-why-is-the-reel-handle-on-the-right-hand-side/

It's on! Believe it or not, artificials outfished minnows yesterday. I will add a pic later, but of the 15 smallmouth landed, all were in the 3-5lb range. Four were caught on store bought minnows, the rest on a Rage Tail Menace, bullet weight and 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG Offset Worm Hook. We fished the minnows on spinning gear, Octopus Circle Hooks and #4 Yo-Zuri Hybrid. I fished the Menace on #12 Sniper FC, BCR 893, Curado 50E. Every fish was caught in 8'-10' of water. Surface temperature was just over 70*. I lost 4 smallmouth on the circle hooks which almost never happens. After three jumps the fish of the day threw my Menace 10' from the boat. The fish came 3' out of the water! In addition to the brown fish we caught tons of the usual suspects on live bait, including 3 giant gar. I also caught a 3lb spot on a 3/8 oz Sierbert Outdoors jig/ Rage Craw (PBJ). No trash fish on the Menace.

It's on! Believe it or not, artificials outfished minnows yesterday. I will add a pic later, but of the 15 smallmouth landed, all were in the 3-5lb range. Four were caught on store bought minnows, the rest on a Rage Tail Menace, bullet weight and 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG Offset Worm Hook. We fished the minnows on spinning gear, Octopus Circle Hooks and #4 Yo- Zuri Hybrid. I fished the Menace on #12 Sniper FC, BCR 893, Curado 50E. Every fish was caught in 8'-10' of water. Surface temperature was just over 70*. I lost 4 smallmouth on the circle hooks which almost never happens. After three jumps the fish of the day threw my Menace 10' from the boat. The fish came 3' out of the water! In addition to the brown fish we caught tons of the usual suspects on live bait, including 3 giant gar. I also caught a 3lb spot on a 3/8 oz Sierbert Outdoors jig/ Rage Craw (PBJ). No trash fish on the Menace.

This should help: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/35514-rods-power-and-action-%C2%A0defined/

Citica or Curado are VERY user friendly.

Casting the Alabama Rig or huge swimbaits.

Well, here is a tip for grub fans. There is a better mouse trap: Rage Tail Menace.

Well, I don't dwell on doing it all over again, but going forward it's all custom build for me.

Wow! Just gave it a try this afternoon. MONSTER! Maybe I can post a picture tomorrow.

Thank you!