roadwarrior

Hmm... For me the Red Lable is fine for leader, but too stiff for mainline.

Okuma might have just what you are looking for: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/tournament-rod-reel-okuma.html http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/okuma-tcs-rod.html

Yo-Zuri Hybrid is a bonded, not coated, nylon/ fluorocarbon blend. Most guys like it, some don't. Give it a try and see what you think, it's an inexpensive experiment. http://yo-zuri.com/Products/Yo-Zuri_Fishing_Line/details/Yo-Zuri_Hybrid.html Currently on sale, 275 yards for $5.99

This was a few years ago: David Hayes caught the World Record smallmouth bass in 1955 on Dale Hollow Lake. Some believe the next World Record will be found on the Tennessee River: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html Almost exactly four years ago, November 2004, my fishing partner and best friend, Speedy Madewell, boated a 10 lb beauty. I netted the fish and weighed it, he released the monster! Since that time we have had some luck with other big bass, including the bronzebacks in my avatar (January, 2005). Last Saturday Speedy and I fished the river with limited success: an assortment of species including largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky bass, striper, cats and drum. We may have caught forty fish or so, but no size and most importantly, no browns of note. Around 11:00 things changed. With poor results off either bank and limited water release by the TVA, we moved to the "middle of the river". Actually, we decided to fish along the river channel, defined by navigational buoys. The drop is well defined, but relatively small, only 3-5' in 15-25' water. Still,this represents significant structure for fish in open water. After landing a few nondescript fish, I got a nice strike drifting along the ridge. I set the hook hard and didn't budge the fish. However, there was very little fight and I saw another drum in my future. After 10-15 yards of retrieve, the drum dove and turned into a big catfish, just digging to the bottom, but no run. As I brought the fish closer to the boat, Speedy asked, "Gonna need the net?" Without any emotion I replied, "Yeah, it's big and ugly." Speedy runs the trolling motor on the forward platform of a BayRanger 2180, center console. So, with the net on the floor opposite me, it takes a minute to get set up. With little current, we let the boat drift. This time of year the water clarity on the Tennessee is about 3, maybe 4 feet. As my partner came over to my side he asked, "What's ya got?" I replied, in a steady voice and without inflection, "The biggest f***ing smallmouth I have ever seen." The fish appeared to be a Trident submarine as it rose toward the surface so both of us could get a good look at her, but then she bolted. She initially ran about 15 yards forward, then after a 90 degree turn, another 20 yards toward the middle of the river. My situation was precarious. I'm in the middle of the boat and have to hustle to get to the front, around and over the trolling motor while at the same time maintaining rod position with a sizzling drag. I was starting to have some fun! The pig came up, but did not jump. I got her turned around, but she had already decided she didn't like the Ranger. When she was halfway back, she bolted again, but this time dove deep. It took a few minutes to get her a little closer. Most smallmouth, especially biggun's, tend to fight the best on the first run after a close encounter with the boat, but even later, they never give up. This fine lady staged at rod length, tugged mightily and would not come up. I asked my buddy what he thought I should do? He responded, "Doesn't matter. That fish ain't ready and she's going to do anything she wants!" Well, I've caught a few big fish and I was in no hurry. My rod appeared parabolic with the line straight down into the river. I said to my friend, "This is when you have to believe in your equipment." And then.......the line snapped. stupid, Stupid, STUPID! We weren't catching anything interesting, so although I noticed a burr on my line before the last cast, I didn't do what I always preach: "If it ain't perfect, it ain't good enough." When there is any doubt, retie your line, leader or hook. So, could that smallmouth have been the New World Record? I don't know, but it wasn't boated, so it doesn't count. You might ask, "Really now, how much do you think she weighed?" I don't know the answer to that either, but what I can tell you is, she was... HUGE!

I had my best day ever in terms of numbers (78) fishing with Dinky on Pickwick during a BassResource.com Roadtrip. I rigged the Sworming Hornet with a LFT Live Magic Shad Trailer. The presentation was to allow the lure to fall on slack line. The moment it hits the bottom, reel quickly about 5 turns keeping the rod still and held around 10 o'clock. Let the Hornet fall again on slack line and repeat until you feel you are "out of the zone". DO NOT pump your rod, that will move the bait forward, not up. Think "dying shad". 100% of your strikes occur on the fall.

Man, I think everyone would enjoy a side-by-side review. Please...

Well, how 'bout waiting a few weeks, save a few more bucks and look at reviews on the new G. Loomis E6X Series. If these are the hottest rods on the planet wouldn't it be fun to be the first guy on the block to own one? I have one on the way and will be posting a review shortly.

My favorite, too. Mine is matched with a Core 50Mg and Tatsu #15. This is my dedicated rod for swim jigs and soft swimbaits.

Swim jig = spinnerbait without blades Fish it where a crankbait or spinnerbait is another option. I impart no action on the jig, just depth. The trailer is key. Suggestions are the Rage Structure Bug, Menace and Shellcracker; GYCB Swim Senko, Keitech Swing Impact Fat or your favorite paddletail.

That's professional advice!

Many potential sponsors have been rejected. Glenn is very selective regarding both the quality of the product and the reputation of the company. -Kent

What is your price range?

Looks good to me!

I think you have that backwards. Bass are primarily sight feeders. Even though they have a lateral line containing sensory organs, the bass mainly uses its keen sense of sight when feeding. In clear water, it can see a considerable distance and will forage along weedlines, ledges and other structural edges looking for a meal. But in muddy water, it can’t see nearly as well and won’t wander far from a home base, usually an object like a stump or log.

I am sorry for your loss.

Visibility, abrassion resistance and the ability to break-off when needed. Situations come up in heavy current when it is virtually impossible to retrieve a hung-up lure or bait. I learned that the hard way.

We "mature" anglers have a huge advantage over most of the younger guys. Most of the stuff we "need" we already have and probably way more than we will ever use. So for us picking up the new magic lure, rod or reel is about our only tackle expense other than replacing line.

The Florence, AL area might just be the ticket. I have friends in Sheffield with a home eight miles or so below the Wilson Dam. Their home is built on a bluff over looking the river, the far side is Natchez Trace Park which will never be developed. Sitting on the porch watching the sun go down creates the illusion of of being a part of the wilderness. However, everything you might look for in a small city or big southern town is only minutes away.

Thank you for the review. I'm looking forward to fishing this new G. Loomis series, too!

7' MHF

I prefer a longer, softer rod for crankbaits: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/perfecta-lte.html This is another: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html An all time favorite is the Avid AVC70MM. For deep divers it's a Lamiglas SR705R. My choice for jerkbaits is shorter which makes working the lure easier. St. Croix Avid AVC66MF with a soft tip.

Leviathan Ayu

Pickwick would be perfect and as long as you buy in Tennessee there are NO state taxes. Property is "reasonable" by national standards, but everything is available from a cottage to multimillion dollar mansions. Fishing is year-around except RIGHT NOW! The best smallmouth fishing is usually mid October to mid March. Striper are World Class, crappie great and DD largemouth are being caught in greater numbers than any time in history. Sauger can replace your walley and for HUGE numbers in the spring the white bass can't be beat. We also have monster buffalo fish, drum and every species of catfish in SIZE!

Hmm... SENKOSAM, Too young to stop now, splurge a little. Go buy whatever you consider the hottest rod & reel, a spool of Tatsu and three or four of this year's "MAGIC" lures. I think you might be surprised at how much more fun that would be. -Kent

Back down again... WTI $47.80