roadwarrior

Our new sponsor, Seaguar, offers the best fluorocarbons on the market: http://www.seaguar.com/products/new-products.htm

Smallmouth bass are not one of the qualifying species: http://www.mustadhookamillion.com/mustad/hookamillion/home

Okay, I'll take the challenge, but the bar is set pretty high here in Tennessee...11 lbs 15 oz. is the State Record, and the World Record! I'm targeting 12-1

#12 on baitcasting gear, 19.5 lb breaking strength. Yo-Zuri is a bonded, not coated, fluorocarbon/nylon blend. http://www.yo-zuri.com/

The original hooks are VMC which I don't think need any modification.

Keep your main stash in original packages or ziplocks and in a container that doesn't leak (Tuperware). For the things I am using on a given day or outing, Plano boxes are generally sufficient. I have never had any problems with rust, but I don't fish in a kayak either!

I think you might be surprised how much difference #4 makes on spinning tackle. Rather than using a true #4 fluorocarbon, try Yo-Zuri Hybrid, green for gin clear water. I like purple smoke on the Tennessee River which seems to blend perfectly in stained water. #4 Yo-Zuri Hybrid has a breaking strength of 8.5 lbs.

Try your rig with just one spoon in the middle; Skinny Dipper, Shadalicious, Hollow Belly, Swimming Senko, Lake Fork Live Magic Shad or grubs on both outside arms.

It really depends on where you live. Here in the Mid South winter is PRIMETIME! On the Tennessee River we are killin' 'em with shinners fished on a split shot rig. I have had great luck with The Rig, but now that we are into the pre-spawn, jerkbaits will take center stage.

Seems to me a little more creative negotiations could have come into play. Let's say $5mm bonus today with the balance paid through the season based on Manning's ability to play. $1mm per game and the balance at the end of the season.

Let's start with something simple: Buy the original Rapala Floating Minnow, silver and black. Cast the lure parallel to the bank, preferably along a grassline. Let the lure sit for at least thirty seconds, then retrive slowly and steadly. If you fish deep water along a steep bank for example, you can fish a Rat-L-Trap (blue & chrome) with the same casting pattern and retrieve. Both of these lures are proven producers. If you think you're ready for soft plastics, buy two bags of 5" Senkos (not knock-offs) and one bag of GYCB Fat Ika, all watermelon with black flakes. Rig these baits on a Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hook, weightless and weedless. Cast them just as I described with the Rapala. Allow the bait to settle to the bottom and leave it there for a minute. Move the bait 6"-12" with a horizontal sweep, allowing the bait to settle on slack line. Leave the bait motionless for at least fifteen seconds between movements. Focus on presentation and do NOT change baits or use anything else. Fish the entire bag of Senkos, then half the bag of Fat Ika before going back to the Senko. If you don't catch any bass on these four lures/ baits, find somewhere else to fish.

Spend some time looking around the site and especially this section. We have lots of threads running on inexpensive gear.

Match made in heaven: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/03/tim-tebow-and-taylor-swift-swebow-/1#.T1axpDGPWa8

Generally in pre-spawn the bigger females will stage off flats in deeper water, males will be building nests on the flats in shallow water. During the spawn, the biggest bass in the lake will be shallow. I NEVER target bedding bass, but for some this is the best time or the only time they can catch bigger fish. BTW, The best fishing in history is currently going on at Pickwick. More 10+ bass have been caught in the last four months than in the last four decades! The lake/river is on fire!

I just can't imagine fishing any buzzbait other than the MegaStrike Cavitron. http://www.megastrike.com/#!products/vstc2=cavitron-buzzbaits

I'm Old School...The rod is ideal for single hook lures.

I wouldn't agree with any of those statements. 1. I catch big bass along structure and cover. Ridges and weedlines are examples. 2. Lots of the time you cannot reel fast enough! Running a Bandit 100 over grass? 3. The Rat-L-Trap and today's enhanced liplesss crankbaits are classic.

Me, too!

I wasn't aware the Germans ever bombed Pearl Harbor...?

Excellent idea! I struggled with jigs for several years. Soft plastics has always been my strong suit, so you wouldn't think the transition would be that difficult, but it was. Watch Glenn's video for guidance and fish braided line. Braid has significantly improved my jig fishing. p.s. I strongly recommend GMAN and NorthStar jigs, and RageTail Craws/ Lobsters.

3/8 to 4 0z? I don't really understand how that works, but it sounds way too heavy for anything I fish.

I'm headed to Florence, AL this weekend. I expect the spring bite to be in full swing. Topwater and a jerkbait will lead the way, followed by a square bill or spinnerbait. Swimbaits will be in the mix and at some point, The Rig, but from 10:00 - 2:00 probably nothin' but the Rage Tail Lobster, keel weighted.

Come down to Guntersville for this year's BassResource.com RoadTrip.

We have lots of thread posted in this section and "Fishing Reports". http://www.bassresou...ick-is-on-fire/ The Rig rules, but bass are being caught on paddletails ( Hollow Belly Shadalicious and Kietech), spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and square bills.

Threadfin shad, bluegill and various species of perch. http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/fish/shad/threadfin/picture.cfm