Tatsu Dave

Thats all I fish in, visibility maybe a foot with all the rain runoff as well as ice tea water (tannins). I use flash, tailspins on stickbaits, underspins with swimbaits, Start with half dozen colors and see what the bass key on with light conditions. Whopper's and buzzbaits on top, spinnerbaits, and I cast close to structure. Bass find food in that dark water just got to get it close to them.

Yes I do with straight FC I like the increased casting distance and slightly better sensitivity. Intend to get them. I will do that Tom thanks for the tip, are you talking w/ micro guides or any rod with 10# ?

I think its finally time to step up and try a better rod, if I wait for a TW sale its a pretty good deal. Another member confirmed they still have sales just not as many as they used to. You and Mickey gave me the nudge I needed.

No warranty on Diesel rod, basically if it fails pitch it and buy another. I have to say they are right, with return shipping not much left with an $80 dollar rod. If I buy the powell I go into it with the throw away mind set. The sierra is probably how I should go but a little more than I have right now, will have to chew on all this as there is the endurance and max in powell line up to consider. Thanks for the direction and advice. Dave

Thank you all for the info...........understand a bit better now, have to get 2 batteries and hook them together. I only run the troller w/front battery which has a circuit breaker inline as well. Back battery starts motor and runs depth finder, also charges off motor when running. Again thanks to all responding poster's. Dave

Use a 45lb thrust foot controlled minn kota wired straight to a 27 group deep cycle battery. It has always worked great and charge lasted for a fishing trip 6 hours, bought a weedless prop to replace the standard power prop. It is larger and heavier than the original but works great in the weeds. Problem is turning a larger prop seems to take more battery and it goes out on us after 3-4 hours of intermitent use. Should I get a bigger series 12 volt battery, or should I hook a second 24 group battery in and run two? We use standard deep cycles from Walmart, what am I looking for more amps? Thanks Dave

I know this question is always being asked and maybe gets old but I started my TW order last night and its the only thing I have no idea which way to go. Throwing plastics-smaller spoons-and shakey heads so nothing real heavy, using 10# tatsu, and a bit of cover always. Not a big dollar set-up as I decided on the pfleuger president xt and a decent rod to put it on. Last night I narrowed the rod search down to three at TW. Duckett silverado-Powell Diesel-and Dobyns fury. All med w/ a fast tip, would appreciate any experience and input.........I'm leaving now for fishing and will make my order later when I get home. I'm a finesse technique kinda guy and probably feel sensitivity and strength are most important. I know these rods are at the bottom of the $ curve but its what I got to spend at this time. If you feel I'm missing a better bet in the same price range I'm open to suggestions till I call in the order later in the day (I fish pretty intense for about 6-8 hours. Thanks in advance, I won't be back online till afternoon. Lotta knowledge and just as important hands on experience at this site and I would like to hear opinions. Dave hope the smallies are hitting this morning overcast w/ a front coming again tonight.......

I touch them up on the water with a file or stone, just takes a couple seconds. Looked in my hook box and I have gammy-owner-vmc-and mustads they all have uses. Old timer taught me to sharpen hooks early on and I end up doing my sons or anyone fishing with me, not worth failing to stick even one fish.

Never lose that wonder of what will happen whether woods in fall or summer on the water. I will dink w/gear and line today for tomorrow's jaunt up the river. I'm somewhat jaded from the years and will admit that smaller fish don't ring my bell anymore but when the drag starts to scream the adrenalin kicks in and it never fails to remind me why I'm here. The rest of you guys going out today......Catch A Big One! Dave

I think its cool that we get reminded about lures from the past that never quit working......most just quit using them. I bet it will have a very noticeable effect on silver spoon stocks and a lot of new and older anglers will give them another try. Well Done Glenn.?

My rods are sitting rigged and ready for Wed., one with a shakey head and either big zoom grub or rattlesnake. Three T-rigs with senko or ocho, top water plopper or buzzbait. Difference here is the top water action will last thru the day with peaks early and late. Reason I cut a lot of firewood and endure the cold winters is to have these kinda summers ?

Thats great news for guys like me, takes a long time to travel all eight zones. I guess the sales are probably not a priority, oh well. Thank you for the information Dave

I make my own worm hooks with mustad flippin hooks paired with owner CPS springs, just screw the worm or stickbait on and run the hook thru and hide the point under the skin. If you are using the traditional worm hook you are correct they are higher priced. I haven't bought that style in quite a few years. I do however prefer the mustad 3/0 EWG it is not light like some of the other hooks I've seen. Pulling fish out of wood laydowns or heavy pad beds I like a stiff hook.

Two questions where is the second location same state? I've been waiting for a sale for a big order and they don't seem to have as many maybe?

I consider finesse to be how I fish, I think a % of bass will always hit moving baits but where I fish they are subjected to very little pressure and don't see the constant array of lures to become wary of. I fish with lighter gear and lighter line than many but in our waters it really works.

Mustad hooks like I use are $13-15 for 50 hooks black nickel plated very strong and my favorite. Sorry TW has them.

If it turns out to be deeper and you can reach the deeper water with casts you can let a T-rig lure drop and count it down. Using a weighted hook w/ T-rig it will drop faster of course. I dead stick senkos a lot after catching so many bass with it laying on the bottom.

That one gave me a chuckle.......I'm glad I never see them anymore. Don't miss them but I do the giant catfish.

I know what he meant I'm still digging him about the carp. Thought he would want a new gamefish to catch.

Hmmmmm......hafta send you a package of doughballs and corn, thread the corn on hook first. Actually caught my biggest in the tailrace with a white sassy shad.

Yea....its falling steady in little wet pieces ? I Hate Carp ? nothing but really big minnow's. I'm thankful I left em' in Maryland when I moved north. Algae is another of my favorite's.

They used to sell them with small plastic frog's called perk tail trailer's. Small enough to not disturb the wobble but still catch the fishes eye. I found a stash of them with my spoon's so I had just pushed them to the back and stopped fishing them. I would wager that the bass where I fish have never seen one and would hit them like a new lure. The hooks are steel on all mine and the same hooks we used for striper's. Large barb but takes a good edge with file or hone.

Liked the song its playing now, I've lost count of the rain storms now. All last nite stopped this morning..........fished in the rain the other night. Kept switching between ploppers and ocho's they kept biting. Sidenote that I gotta mention, big smallie came aboard and left me three large crawfish on the floor...two starting to digest and one looked like it was just eaten (big boys 3 1/2" and meaty bodies). Dark backs and reddish/orange belly. Let it Rain

I still have at least thirty of them from the early days some in perch color. They work much better with a frog trailer on the back. Caught more fish in the weeds than with any other lure in late eighties. Agree with Glenn take the time to sharpen up, but the hook is fine.

I'll add one other piece of info, we had never went in to the upper end and when we went in I wondered what someone would do if they met another boat going in that last leg. Its a rough woods road at best and very narrow. I know you didn't mention a boat but in case you do. Dave