roadwarrior

Chatterbait, skirt removed/ Rage Tail Cut-R ticking the bottom. My theory is that the cold snap seriously impacted the shad population, making them easy prey. This fat girl was bloated!

Caught my pet again today and she looked like she was about to burst! I'm sure going to be disappointed if anyone keeps her.

Here is another option from Pinnacle: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html

I prefer football heads and heavier weights, 1/2 oz & 3/4 oz.

DSC_0001.JPG WOW!

We have a variety of species and colors in this region. Click on a species from the list and each one is pictured. A general theme seems to be a combination of brown and green pumpkin, but during the year some of the critters will look EXACTLY like Rage Tail Falcon! http://iz.carnegiemnh.org/crayfish/NewAstacidea/species.asp?g=Barbicambarus&s=cornutus&ssp=

US Reel SuperCaster spinning reel?

Just saw a report that Buffalo, NY is buried under 6' of snow.

I will be interested to hear how you like the set-up. There will be no issue drifting or trolling, but casting may be challenging. Good luck and report back!

Welcome aboard!

From your original post: "I mainly fish with a 1/8 - 3/16oz weight plus the plastic bait". For those weight plus trailers the 852 is perfect.

They could really use a big back for short yardage and time management. Denver has a great opportunity, but it's a long and winding road to the Super Bowl.

They were acquired by Terminix about a decade ago.

WOO-HOO!

Very affordable, strong and "user friendly" #12 Yo-Zuri Hybrid My favorite: #20 Tatsu Money saving alternative: #30 Tournament 8/ #20 Tatsu leader

#12 Sunline Super Natural Monofilament

The biggest argument against a new World Record, as Dwight pointed out, is that 10 lb smallmouth are so rare. In order to get to 12-1 you need some stock that is close! On the otherhand, these are some positive variables: Water quality has improved dramatically in the Tennessee River. Baitfish populations are HUGE. Commercial catfishing has all but disappeared. Most importantly, the vast majority of guys targeting smallmouth are C&R. I will never know whether it was the New World Record, but I had a monster to the boat: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/68635-huge-disappointment/

http://www.luckycraft.com/luckycrafthome/Goods/Hooks.htm Or if you are looking for an assortment with rings: http://www.overstockbait.com/VMC-Barbarian-Treble-Hook-Kit-p/kit133.htm?gclid=CPHJ__i-gsICFWUF7Aodh0EAlQ

I bought the original, first run directly from Ray Scott and a matching rod he was marketing. That didn't work out for me either.

TUF-LINE HeviCore, Suffix 832 and Kanzen are all pretty tough, but I still would recommend a fluorocarbon leader.

Government employees.

Not Top Ten, but you still have #18 Missouri coming up. I think you're right, "toughest schedule in the country".

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/146618-pickwick-dam-smallmouth-and-stripes/ Pick nice days throughout the winter. This is the VERY best time of year for monsters! If you are not willing to fish live bait, grubs, craws, jerkbaits, blade baits, soft swimbaits and hair jigs are probably your best options. If you want to catch more and better fish, big minnows on a spit shot rig is the ticket. My buddy, Speedy Madewell caught the only 10lb smallmouth I have ever seen ten years ago this coming Saturday. The fish in my avatar were caught the third Saturday in January, 2005. The previous Saturday I caught fifteen, eight over 5 lbs. These are pictures from that trip: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html My observation is that bigger fish are caught below Wheeler Dam and Pickwick Dam. However, good fish and better numbers come from below Wilson Dam. BEWARE, DO NOT fish below Wilson by yourself or at all if you are not experienced on this water. The boulders are VERY dangerous. Fish on the edge and inside the horseshoe and you will be fine.

The first time I met Big O was at Kentucky Lake on a BassResource RoadTrip. We were having a casual conversation and color came up. I have always felt that color can be important on occasion, but generally the least important. Big O shared his opinion this way, "When the fishing is good, having EXACTLY the right color can make it better". I thought that comment was very insightful.

Welcome aboard!