roadwarrior

Recoil guides

The best water temperature is under 60*, but we will still be on 'em in the low 40's. However, the threadfin begin dying at 45* and 42* is terminal. Last year we lost nearly all the baitfish in January. Against everyone's advice I fished during the kill. That was a total waste of time.

Okay... Tackle: Spinning gear, #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid (purple smoke), #4 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks. Split shot rig. Position the boat, bow upstream, casting distance plus 5 yards. Control the speed so your boat is moving with the current, no slower, no faster. Cast upstream about 45*, NEVER fish downstream! Ideally the split shot will tick the rocks. The exact weight takes some experimentation. Buy plenty of tackle, if you are fishing it right, you will lose a lot! Drift both sides of the river. Specific spots are not important, but rocks and gravel are. Pass mud banks, smallmouth never stay there. If you have islands, fish the front, both sides. Otherwise, current breaks, pools and ledges are most productive. Small fish will be close to the bank. The better fish are ALWAYS well off the bank. Right now topwater is HOT! Otherwise, if you want to fish artificials, LC Pointers, Wiggle Warts and Bandits rule! You will also catch a few on 3/8 black jigs/ Rage Tail Baby Craw (blue). Another soft plastic with great potential is the MegaStrike MegaBug. I have not caught many, but the bait produces SIZE! I'm fishing it on the 3/8 oz Shak-E2. 8-)

Electronics in general, but especially television -75%. More importantly, switch sectors...Fillet mignon is around $17-$21 per pound, but Hormel pork tenderloin is only $9 and occasionally on sale. Man, I like the teriyaki marinade more than the beef! Be selective, buy "on sale". On a fishing note: I have bought three new rods and reels this year for 30-40% off retail. Our Flea Market has some great deals! Don't buy your shirts and pants from catalogs, shop around. $45 shirts are readily available for $15. I bought a pair of Wrangler jeans at Macy's for $10; a $450 "designer" suit for $149 less 15% on their card and then a 20% discount coupon! I have never bought a suit any cheaper. Shop around, great deals are available everywhere. 8-)

Home prices?

Hmm... The Consumer Price Index is up .6% (less food & energy), 1.2% all inclusive, over the last 12 months. This is the lowest increase EVER recorded since the index was initially published (1957). The solution is to simply walk away from price increases whenever possible. There are plenty of soft plastic bait alternatives. I don't believe there is ANY excuse for the price change and suggest simply doing business with someone else. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm :-? p.s. Be wary of the "inflation mentality". The biggest threat today, worldwide and domestically, is deflation not inflation.

Cast and let the lure drop to the bottom, then reel quickly and let the Hornet fall on slack line. Repeat until you feel you are out of the zone. DO NOT pump your rod on the retrieve. Reeling allows the blade to lift the bait. Lifting your rod simply moves it forward. 100% of the strikes occur on the drop. You probably won't feel the strike, but SET THE HOOK the moment you feel ANYTHING! 8-)

Cut and paste. Just one word of caution: This section is allowed to get "rough". I don't mean "rude", but "constructive criticism" may come across as harsh. -Kent

75 yards is plenty. One 300 yard spool of braid will cover four reels if you back them with other line. 8-)

You need to give MegaStrike a shot, too. I use JJ's for soaking jig trailers, MegaStrike for everything else. 8-)

Hmm...Somehow your avatar tells a different story! Hope to see you there! 8-)

Swarming Hornet/ LFT Live Magic Shad 8-)

Great post! 8-)

Alberto's Knot: http://www.stripersonline.com/Pages/Articles/article_arby_albertos_knot.shtml 8-)

I'm sure you will, too!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1226342926/9 Genetics, structure/ cover and forage. 8-)

Tried it a couple of years ago...I think you wasted two bucks.

The MegaBug is the ultimate flippin' bait! 8-)

That's what it means...Unless you want to become a sponsor, advertising is prohibited. You may not promote your products, services or website. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Nice fish, great pics! 8-)

Cabela's Guideware...100% waterproof! 8-)

Nothin' to talk 'bout! Give these two baits a try and see what you think. Pick up a pack or two of the Anaconda while you're at it...You won't be disappointed! 8-)

Topwater is red hot early, but dies shortly after sun-up. Boated one out of five strikes Saturday. One of the fish that missed was a monster! 8-)

Glad to see you back! -Kent

Hmm...Sounds delicious... : BTW...We will be arriving Saturday. So, for those coming down early... Saturday night rocks!