roadwarrior

Hmm... Did you read my post? http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/

Take a look at this Pinnacle: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html

Check your guides and change you line. Remember this: If a knot isn't PERFECT, it's not good enough.

I only fish Siebert Outdoors and NorthStar.

Swarming Hornet/ LFT Live Magic Shad

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/

Sorry you had to wait... On the other hand, you asked and received a specific response from someone who has owned the reel. If you have already decided to buy the reel, why ask? If you know anyone that works retail at BPS, you can ask them about their returns. Or better yet, talk with any profession reel repairman outside the BPS network. Basically, schematics and parts are not available. "Returns" are just the cost of doing business. You are not the only Quantum fan, I'm sure some other guys will have something to add. If you buy the reel, write a review when it's new and another six months from now.

I was addressing the original poster. These old eyes have difficulty reading long, unbroken script.

Great advice! Also, use some paragraphs when you post.

I only fish the main pond.

Questions: 1. With Smallmouth, is stretch in your line good or bad? I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid #4. The "stretch" comparable to fluorocarbon. 2. Do you go on the safe side, and go with heavier line? No. Line diameter has a major impact on the bite. 3. How much torque (or bend) do you keep in your rod when fighting the fish? Maximum bend with measured drag. 4. Do you use a Graphite or fiberglass rod for smallmouth? Graphite. 5. What's the shortest rod you'll use for smallmouth? 6 1/2' - 7' 6. How Light/heavy is the tackle you use for smallmouth? Both. 1/4 -3/8oz jigs, but full size jerkbaits, topwater and other hard baits. 7. Are you keeping your rod tip up or down when fighting the fish? Always up. 8. Do you sharpen your hooks for smallmouth? My hooks are kept sharp for all fishing. I replace hooks, never sharpen them. 9. How hard is your hook set? What determines how hard/soft you set the hook. Snap set 10. Are you setting the hook immediately after feeling the bite, or do you wait? Immediately 11. When you hook a smallmouth with a little bit of line out next to the boat, how do you not break off? Proper drag setting 12. Do shallow water smallmouth fight harder than deep water smallmouth? No, they are the same. 13. How do you deal with a Smallmouth's rapid movements/flashing? Medium Power rod and a reel with a smooth drag set properly 14. Does Braid help with fighting smallmouth? I do not use braid when targeting smallmouth 15. Where do you typically find that your hooking the smallmouth at ( Corner of mouth, etc.) Generally in the jaw joint, but not always 16. Does the type of line affect how you set the hook? No 17. Since smallmouth have smaller mouths, do you use smaller hooks? No, except when using live bait (minnows) 18. When a smallmouth is running, do you let your rod bend too much? Maximum bend 19. Is a shorter or longer rod better for fighting smallmouth? Longer 20. Do you have any tricks on getting a smallmouth that is running side ways to tire out? She's pulling drag or coming my way. Always maximum pressure. 21. Do you take any precautions after swinging them in (I've had the line break once the fish hits the dock and flops). I would never treat a fish that way. 22. Is a stiff, short rod better or worse? I don't own any. 23. Do you see any difference in how aggressive smallmouth are in clear water vs. dirty water? None 24. What size smallmouth is easiest to fight/land? They all fight hard, but fish over 5 lbs are significantly different than smaller fish. 25. How do you handle a smallmouth that eats a bait on the fall in deep water? Set the hook when ANYTHING feels "different". 26. How do you keep the smallmouth from bending out a light wire hook? Proper drag setting. That has never happened to me. 27. When a smallmouth is trying to go under the boat pulling the rod tip down, what do you do? Get around to the other side! 28. How far will you let a smallmouth run? As far as she can under maximum pressure. 29. How do you set the hook when you have a lot of line out when casting into deep water?Reel down qickly while lowering the rod tip. Then a snap set. 30. How much line do you typically have out for your hook set? 25-30 yards 31. What type of knot do you use for smallmouth? Depends on the lure/hook. Palomar on single hooks; 16-20 (Pitzen or Duncan) for most lures. 32. How do you keep your thumb and index finger from slipping when back reeling? I don't backreel, I fish a reel with smooth drag. 33. How do you prevent line from tangling when Back reeling? n/a 34. Have you ever tried Back reeling combined with changing the angle of the rod pull from left to right? n/a 35. How “forgiving” are the rods you use? I prefer Medium Power 36. Do you ever nose hook plastics for smallmouth? No

Your gear will probably be just fine, just check your Senko often. Weightless soft plastics have a tendency to go airborne. When that happens, baitcasters can turn into cotton candy.

From the bank, one or two on almost every outing; on the Tennessee River sometimes every cast! I have had a few "reserves" die in a shoebox, but I don't buy jigs with rubber ties anymore. A quality jig should last until you lose it and you are going to lose them if you are fishing prime structure.

It's not just location, the South is a culture. For example, northern Florida is South, Miami is not. The general answer is everything below the Mason Dixon Line, which includes West Virginia and Maryland. Kentucky may not be "south", but it's Southern. So, this is how I see it: TN, AL, MS, GA, LA, TX, NC, SC, MD, KY, AR, part of FL, VA and WV.

Not by the high school, a few blocks northwest of Houston Middle School. Soft plastics and jigs are the lures of choice. Big bass have been caught recently on the Rage Tail Space Monkey, NorthStar Swim Jig/ Menace and GYCB Fat Ika.

Well, we have quite a few members here in the Memphis area that fish the same ponds, so I hope they chime in. Our average is more like 5-6 lbs, but we don't usually catch "numbers". My big fish at Grove is 10-4, but we catch a lot of 8 to 9 lb bass. This year I think 9-14 is the "Big Fish" so far. On the Tennessee River, big tournaments require 25+ to get into the money in the spring. Smaller clubs, 15-20. 5-6 lbs is pretty common, but not "average". The guys that fish for smallmouth with me only count 5+. My best brown fish day (numbers) was 15 with 8 over 5. The fish in my avatar were caught the following Saturday.

Specific lures/ baits: Rage Tail Shad, Menace, Toads, Space Monkey and Smokin' Lizard Norman Fat Boy, KVD 1.5 and 2.5 GYCB Kreature Kietech Swing Impact Fat. Shadalicious, Hollow Belly and GYCB Swimming Senko NorthStar and GMAN Swim Jigs/ Rage Tail Single Tail Grub or Menace Senko and Fat Ika

So much for that light line theory! I have never caught a really big saltwater fish, but my last one was an 85 lb AJ. Short, stout rod; heavy mono and a giantic Penn reel. I eventually boated the fish which totally wore me out at 8:30 in the morning! I haven't been out since. My point is this: I hated the equipment, but any thing less would have been totally inappropriate. Unless you are Fish Chris, you need gear that matches the quarry you target.

In theory the bottom is about "bugs", crawdads and creature baits. Swim jigs immitate baitfish.

I know! Great trip, I wish I could have been there.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/

Rig the Menance with the tail vertical. I think you will like it a lot! Other suggestions: LFT Live Magic Shad, the back half of a GYCB Swim Senko and Shadalicious. My most productive trailer has been the Rage Tail Single Tail Grub.

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.

We have a calculator in "Tools" at the top of the page.

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