KevO

I find it's easier to make more accurate casts with a shorter rod. Longer rod = longer cast

Any one fished here lately? It's been a couple months since I've been there. I will be going next weekend, any recommendations?

Thats funny whenever I order stuff from TW and it reaches memphis I get it the next day. I live around Nashville.

Thanks for the tips everyone

I've used my friends 6'10 MH Gold stix a few times and it definately didn't feel like a medium heavy to me. It has a very light tip on it, I was kind of nervous throwing a 3/4oz trap on it but it handled it pretty well. I have a St. Croix med rod with the same lure ratings and it is like a broom stick compared to the carrot stix. All in all it was a nice rod.

I did both of those things.

On the hook set should I come straight up or off to the side?

I've started fishing jigs more this year and I've been getting a lot of bites but my hook up % is really low. For example today I went to a pond near my house for about 45 min, I had 5 bites and lost all 5 either at the bank or on their first jump. How do I increase my odds? I'm using a 7'3 MH carrot stix w/ a core 50# sufix braid w/ 12# flouro leader.

Ive had my best luck using them as a crankbait. An SR5 is killer in the spring on Percy Priest here in Nashville.

I don't use mine for cranking mostly jigs and worms. I did however see an In-Fisherman episode where they were throwing dt-20's on a Core. So it can be done.

I have all three of those baits. But I've only caught fish on the tru-tungsten. I haven't fished with the other ones enough yet (maybe tomorrow )but all three of them come right to the surface. The Spro is a slow sink/wakebait and it might as well float if it were up to me. Now the Sebile is a fast sink 110 size and it sinks like a rock, yet still comes right to the surface now matter how slow I go.

Looks like a pretty good idea. I would add a piece of felt or something soft inside the PVC too. Or put a sleeve on the rod.

I wouldnt be leery of anything from TW. Everytime I have purchased something from them it has been what I wanted and in perfect condition. Not to mention they ship fast too.

Very true some of Dales best smallies are caught at night during the summer into late fall. But fish can still be caught during the other three seasons during the day. Dale also has guides that specialize in night fishing trips like: http://www.smalljaw.com/dusk%20till%20dawn%20guide%20service.html

Drop shot

My vote goes to Dale Hollow as well. John is a good guy I've talked to him at the dock a few times. I recommend Andrew Robertson or Keith Palmiero as a guide. http://smalljaw.com/ar-guide.htm http://smalljaw.com/smallychaser.html

Welcome aboard. You can catch plenty of bass in Percy Priest or Old Hickory from a canoe or kayak. There are plenty of no wake zones or secluded areas for you to float around in and catch fish. I see people on kayaks fishing all the time. I would let you tag along but I don't own a boat either.

Done

50# sufix braid 12# trilene 100% 10# Hybrid 12# Hybrid 15# Hybrid

Turn some of those breaks off and you will be more pleased with its performance. I usually have 1 on for normal situations some times total free spool and 2 breaks for any windy conditions.

Xcaliburs XRK75 and XRK50. followed by the XR50 and then the classic rat-l-trap.

I've been looking for it but no one has it here yet.

7'0 MH crucial crankbait rod with a curado 200dpv (5:1) and #10 yo-zuri hybrid.

I live in TN and I love it. I can fish all year long. The water doesn't freeze in the winter and you can catch some big fish that time of the year.

12# Trilene 100% flouro