roadwarrior

Alabama, 45- Zip

Saturday was a bust and a big sauger tournament scheduled for today was cancelled. My three man group caught a small largemouth, one skipjack, two big drum and a +/- 3lb smallmouth. The bite was terrible early and then went to -0- from 10:00 to 4:00 when we threw in the towel. We talked to a lot guys who had the same luck. We did not talk to a single sauger fisherman that caught a fish, We were told by some locals and a guide that the fish completely turned off when the gates were opened last week. The theory is that although there has NOT been a shad kill, millions have come through the gates. I don't know, but the fishing sucked!

Good job!

There are kits available on the internet. If you are just a little bit mechanically inclined you can make one for less than $3 plus whatever lures you choose. I like the arms tricked out with beads and blades, but they are still light and inexpensive. If you just want to give The Rig a try, this BPS deal for less than 7 bucks looks good to me!

Well now, I've been gone a couple of days and since the other Mods did not lock the thread, let's let her rip! Have fun and ask all the questions you like or...If you are serious, the Senko thread we have pinned has everything you want to know.

What he said!

Have your wife walk out to the middle and jump up and down for awhile!

I'm fishing with my buddy and Tennessee River guide, Speedy Madewell and another friend. We will be in a blue & white BayRanger, center counsel. Come over and say Hey! We will share some tips if we have any. -Kent

I do not own a CI4, but I have had the opportunity to fish a couple briefly. My initial impression was that these reels were VERY comparable to the Stella 2500FE. Maybe you should have the reel serviced even though it may be brand new. Mike at DVT will tell you if there is anything fundamentally wrong with the reel. If that is the case, I am sure Shimano will exchange yours for another new one. Otherwise, the cleaning should resolve the issue (maybe too much grease).

00 Mod was catching them on the other side last Sunday. I'm sure we will fish both sides.

I will be down there tomorrow smallmouth fishing. I will have a sauger report when I get back on Sunday. -Kent

Please read FAQs at the top of the page on the right. We do care... We are absolutely against any form of illegal fishing and will not allow any such threads or posts advocating such activity. All such posts are deleted. In addition, any material or posting that advocates or discusses illegal activities, with or without the intent to commit them, is prohibited. This includes activities such as software and music piracy, and other intellectual property violations. All postings should obey copyright laws. If a member cites articles or information from other sources or areas of the Internet, a URL should be posted with no more than a small portion of the article's text. Such a practice provides credibility and attribution to the source of the information. Legally, the article copied from a website belongs to that particular website and pasting the full text in a posting is an infringement of copyright laws. Regarding netting and live bait fishing: I fish live bait for both smallmouth and striper. I don't use a bobber, but that might be the ticket in Florida, depending on where you are fishing. On the Tennessee River I fish a split shot rig for smallmouth and a 3-way swivel for striper. The key is ticking the bottom without getting hung-up. Let the bait swim on it's own for a natural presentation.

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun to collect. However, three rigs cover all the basics: #1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some soft plastics and spinnerbaits #2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook lures #3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a variety of techniques

I'm sending some soft plastics, too. I don't recommend fishing hardbaits, except topwater, from the bank. A lure retriever will return almost all treble hook lures when you can get over them in a boat, but not from the shore.

Earl Grey

Small swimbaits for smallmouth? http://www.bassmaster.com/news/hite-hits-new-high-eighth-win "Every fish he weighed in was caught on a berkley Hollow Belly"

Don't order anything just yet...You will have a few toys to play with next week.

Good one!

You gotta be kidding! http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57561758/sugar-bowl-2013-louisville-upsets-no-4-florida-33-23/ Does this mean Notre Dame has a chance of beathing Bama?

The "Pocket Rocket" is pretty effective and almost free: 3 oz weight hooked up with a large paper clip. Similar to a spark plug, but easier to work with. The next step up is the Bass Pro retriever. I rate this more than 95% effective for treble hooks and A Rigs. If you are fishing crankbaits this little jewel will pay for itself after a single trip or two. The "reel" is just for line storage, so you might want to use an old reel on a short rod. Another option is a chalk line.

Well, experiment with a MegaStrike StrikeBack (on sale for 30% off) and you will change your tune. http://www.megastrike.com/#!products/vstc2=strikeback-spinnerbait

If you decide to go with a professional, ask friends and neighbors for a recommendation rather than a company randomly found in the Yellow Pages. We have a retired gentleman that is a great "handyman". Last Saturday I had all of my outlets checked and several replaced; guts to two toilets; refinished door and installed kickplate plus a small panel replaced. Three hours of work plus commute and all the parts for $125.

WOW! Great story, great fish!

If you fish from a boat, buy a lure retriever. I have only lost three treble hook lures in two years and those were due to strong river current. I don't fish hard baits from the bank, but there is no particular reason for losing lures when you can reach them with a retriever.

Not a clue, but I just can't bring myself to throw them away!