roadwarrior

All the action is below Joe Wheeler Dam, technically upper Wilson Reservoir. Tournaments are being won with all smalljaws and bags of +/- 27 lbs. The bite is hot and jerkbaits rule!

Then go buy a crankbait rod.

Only once and I slipped on the mud with a giant snake coming my way. I recovered, but have never gone back.

In-Fisherman "Largemouth Bass" and "Smallmouth Bass"

Promoting stuff you make or companies you are affiliated with is prohibited. Posting products you use is not. Post the name if you like.

Same can be said for spots, they have taken over several reservoirs in the Southeast. I don't actually eat them, but we keep all legal fish and find someone that will.

Where have you been, I miss you sarcasm. "Secret Lures" is just a spoof to get attention. None of these are secret and I have posted reports of success on every one of them over the years or since introduction. The real service I hope a thread like this provides is a guide to building a small collection of tackle that gets it done! Good luck!

This is a simple explanation: There are basically two types of presentations: moving lures and bottom contact. Moving lures are a bit more complicated because of the variables: speed and depth. For the most part this can be broken down in the water column: topwater, shallow. mid level and deep. Much more important than your lure selection is location. You may need to do a little research regarding structure and cover. These concepts are fundamental in determining where the fish are holding. In fact, this is the key to success. So some practical advice: Points are the most obvious structure and usually hold some fish Think of cover as grass or vegetation. Fish will sometimes be in the cover or along the edges. When you find a combination like grass on a point, you may have discovered paydirt! Let's keep it simple and think spring. In low light start with a Zara Spook (topwater), Rattlin' Rogue (jerkbait), Norman Fat Boy (crankbait) and Red Eye Shad (lipless crank).With just these four lures you have cracked the water column from the top to about 10' deep. Again, let's keep it simple and look at bottom contact. My first two suggestions are weightless presentations: 5" GYCB Senko and Fat Ika. Next is weighted, Rage Tail Baby Craw. Two more that are red hot for me right now are the Rage Tail Cut-R and MegaStrike MegaTube Craw on a ShakE2 Professional Series. All of this can be fished on spinning tackle or baitcasting gear. I suggest starting with spinning gear and light line, specifically Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6. With this small sampling of tackle, I think you will be on he road to success. Good luck!

Mainline #50 Kanzen, #20 AbrazX for leader.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html

The color pattern is redear, but it may be a custom paint job, I have not seen it on a Bandit. The Norman Fat Boy (redear) is my most productive crankbait.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKJpRknrT1g

The short answer...YES!

Any grocery store, Department of Natural Resources or Wildlife. Find a game warden and they should be able to help.

Neshoba (Chick-fil-A) used to be my dream pond, but that was ten years ago. About four years ago the city killed all the vegetation and the pond has never recovered. I know guys catch a nice fish occasionally, but I used to have 10+ fish mornings and a MONSTER ever now and then. I once caught nine bass on ten casts and eleven on fifteen. Every fish was caught on a white X-Rap.

You may not want to share yours, but I will share mine: Topwater: Megbass PopMax Tonosama Frog Jerkbait: LC Slender PT97MR Citrus Shad Shallow crankbait: Norman Fat Boy Redear, Red Eye Shad Spinnerbait: Siebert Outdoor Cosmic and MegaStrike StrikeBack both w/ white Lumaflex skirts Small swimbait: Kietech Swing Impact Fat, Shadalicious and Berkley Hollow Belly Sworming Hornet/ LFT Live Magic Shad Soft Plastics: Everything Rage Tail plus the MegaStrike MegaBug & MegaTube Craw Especially the Rage Tail Menace and Shellcracker by themselves or as a swim jig trailer The new #1, replacing the Lobster Rage Rigged, is the Cut-R And continuing a decade long tradition, the GYCB Senko and Fat Ika Jigs: Siebert Outdoors (especially the Big O) and NorthStar (especially the Original Swim Jig) Shaky head: MegaStrike ShakE2 Professional Series/ GYCB Kut Tail C-rig: Rage Tail Lizard & Eeliminator Double Fluke MegaStrike

If you are looking for just one brand as your all-round line, Yo-Zuri Hybrid #12 is the ticket.

I think the best option is the new Curado I. However, if you want a smaller profile the Curado 50E is one of my very favorite reels.

Man, those are some smokin' deals!

Just confirming, I will NOT be attending the banquet.

Shop around and try to find a Shimano Curado 50E. This is one of the best reels I have and I bought it a couple of years ago on our Flea Market for about $125. I think $100 is doable.

Mono for jerkbaits, specifically #12 Sunline Super Natural

Perfect for bank fishing. A Plano 3600 fits nicely in the back pouch. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Safari-Vest/722816.uts

I don't know, Pickwickwick gets pretty busy in the summertime. However, I generally fish the river and that is an entirely different story.