I am taking a groomsmen/bachelor party trip this weekend to the elk river in south tn (kelso,tn). I have never fished for smallies or trout in my life, just largmouth, spots, and crappie. I am looking for any kind of tips or advice on what to use, as far as gear and lures. I am already sure i will look like i am a newbie to fishing trying to fish sitting in a canoe, based on my experience fishing out of my flatbottom jon boat. I can cast very well and accurately standing up in my bass boat or on land, but it goes to crap sitting down, since i never do it. I only own 1 spinning rod and it currently has 12# mono on it with a wacky senko. I do have a few zebcos i use crappie fishing as well as when taking my lady since she makes a mess with my baitcasters. I do have a good selection of standard bass lures, and some crappie jigs but thats all. No flies or anything even close other than some finesse jigs. 

choice #1 would be the black/yellow/gold panther martin spinner either 1/8 or 1/4 oz

choice #2 same lure but the yellow/red/silver combo

 

you will catch about every type of fish that's in the water on 1 of these 2 lures.  the lightest action rod you have with like 6lb mono is all you need to have a blast.  i'd suggest getting a couple of each of these for the inevitable loss, snag, break off....  they're about $4 i believe and i find them in walmart or dick's sporting goods no problem.

 

i went fishing on lake fontana in western NC for a bit on my bachelor weekend and we had a great time!  have fun!

 

 

Thanx. I will have to stop by wm or acadamy and have a look.

Yessir.  I use the black and gold almost exclusively on the little tennessee up in western nc not far from eastern TN.  my dad uses smaller floating rapalas and typically catches some bigger fish, but on that black and gold i can outcatch him about 4 or 5 to his 1.... those smallmouth love that thing when you pull it through the breaks in the current, it's as close to a sure thing as i have in the tackle box.

Just cast and retreive like a spinnerbait? Or vary it up some?