roadwarrior

Great post! One correction for you: Shad spawn 2 or 3 times a year on most of the Tennessee River and reservoirs.

I don't usually fish my local ponds on weekends, it's too crowded. This morning was an exception and the banks were packed. I had some good luck a couple of days ago on the Tennessee River throwing a GYCB Kreature. That was rigged so I thought I would give it a shot even though I already knew I wasn't going to be there long. A couple casts and out of there. First cast about 10 yards out and parallel to the shore just to make sure things were working. Next cast straight out from some culverts along an underwater hump created from sand and rocks washed into the pond. Out about 35-40 yards and let it marinade while I light up a smoke. After a minute or two, I gently lift the Kreature a foot or so off the bottom and BAM! Fish on! This fat girl came out immediately and got everyone's attention. My stick is a custom Senko rod built by Mike at DVT, Stella 1000 loaded with Seaguar Gray Stealth and about 8' of #6 Gold Label leader. With my light drag set-up, she ripped off 15 yards of line, headed towards the middle of the pond and went airborne again! She than took another 10 yards running to my right where she found a spot to stage. The fight continued for a few more minutes and by this time we had a little group of guys gathered for the landing. David, a friend of mine, asked if I needed some help since I was standing on a dirt ledge 3' above the water. I said I didn't think my line could handle the lift so he jumped right in. Most of our biggest fish from this water are 7-8 lbs, but it has produced a 11.98 (not by me). This big girl was right there with 'em. She's my best so far this year. Two casts, one bite and one fish.

The biggest advantage is being better at "feeling" bottom features.

My most effectie lure is the Rage Tail Thumper, T-rigged.

6 lbs Maybe, but it looks post spawn and might be a little light.

Seems like a great opportunity to me.

The Fat Boy is a square bill.

Red Eye Shad Norman Fat Boy Bandit 200

Pencil it in!

I like them both, but I do not use them as trailers.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

My best producer is white skirt, silver blase and white Rage Tail Structure Bug.

Good luck with your snaps. I never use one.

Today I rigged a Rage Hawg. One bite, one bass.

I suspect it will become your favorite rod! I like the 842 for small/ medium weight swim baits, weighted soft plastics and light jigs.

I'm so boring... Senko, Fat Ika and Rage Structure Bug.

High pressure, low water, big current or none...the rocks are always biting.

Lew's reels are manufactured by various companies, but the majority of their reels are made by a South Korean engineering company called Doyo. They have multiple factories across South Korea and China, where most of the reels are manufactured and assembled.

Fish points and rip rap at the dam. Run lipless throuh and on top of grass. Bump square bills in stump fields.

Welcome aboard!

Guides generally fish on or two guys. I think of charters having several guys and mostly trolling not casting.