VolFan

Probably a species of eel. They're around. Catch it on a worm?

Speed - What line are you throwing yours on (baits in the 1-4 oz range)? The Yz hybrid is cheap and it works, but I'm always open to something better. The stretch is great for casting but less so at distance with larger single hooks. Regarding the distance casting - it's not that I can't, I can sling it when I need to; I just try to avoid it with positioning if possible.

My rod is plenty heavy, but light enough that my wife still likes to use it a lot. As far as spinning gear for Swimbaits, I also have a light 8' surf rod and 4000 size reel from ll bean that do a great job and let me use braid without worrying. It's mostly a loaner/back up, but it gets it's use. It does a great job with frogs as well and I think the whole outfit was $150ish on sale.

That was the answer I was looking for regarding the internals...i think I got some water in the brake races, it's making a little noise. I can see the spool if I really try with the 68s, but rare is it that I need to cast that far, and setting that big hook at that distance can be iffy... J - that Slammer you sold me got WORN OUT this morning...probably 30 or so fish between 5 and 8....am. I have a raging case of bass thumb.

Ok, I'm not having a capacity issue using 15 lb yozuri hybrid, do there's that...

I fish a Cardiff 200 for SwimbaitsI, mainly Punkers, Slammers, Slammer jr' and 68 specials in rate of fall 12. Do the brakes/spool tensioner wear worse using what some would consider a smaller reel for these baits?

15 lb yozuri hybrid and a 6'6" MH Baitcaster are what you seek. I would do it with a Cardiff 100A, but that's just me.

RW hit the nail on the head...you can have it both ways and not hurt yourself down the road in retirement. Don't touch that 401K unless you absolutely have to.

I'd take him up on that, back in college I used to catch tons of smallies right in Sevierville, just find a bridge and fish.

Rocky areas with some current and/or depth are where you want to be. A little logjam in the creeks all the more better. PS- Isn't Benton's Smokehouse in Madisonville? That's some good stuff. I used to work with their daughter.

You're in a great area for smallies. The Ocoee, the Hiwassee, and their tributaries are all good for smallies. Upper Ft Loudon Lake and above that Chilhowee Lake have some great smallie action. Abrams creek where it empties into Chilhowee and then upstream I great as well, some bigger-than-you'd-ever-believe fish up there. Small jigs, rebel craws, spooks and trick woms or soft jerk baits were all I ever needed.

I have Salomon water shoes and also the vibram Five Finger Bikilas. I love both. The Five Fingers pick up less sand/gravel than the Salomons, but it's not really a problem with either. I like the Salomons better if it's a long walk over rocky terrain.

I forgot - pain is subjective.

Oddly, I think Raider just nailed it. If you truly care about your kids you need to consult a dr for your back, and, probably more importantly, stick to drugs prescribed to you. A fishing website is no place for drug advice; get some help.

7'6" H Daiwa Cielo when TW was closing out the old model. $300 rod for under a bill. And it is an incredible stick.

I have the 6'6" m f two piece and really like it. The grip is smaller than some, but I've never had a problem with the temp extremes. Really good grip, especially when wet, almost tacky. Is it a super premium rod? No. Is it a very good all purpose rod? Absolutely

Note to self: Do NOT loan Teal rods! :-)

Don't forget that he also does custom rods! He built a ml/xf rod on a mudhole blank for me that is fantastic!

I'd like to keep Jackson. It always seemed like he (amongst a few other Nats starters) either wouldn't be sufficiently warmed up or didn't have their head in it in the games they gave up teh most runs. Teams always scored the most in innings 1-3, and then it seemed like Jackson settled in. I don;t know if that's a coaching thing or game day routine or mental. But i thought Jackson was our best pitcher for a couple stretches this past season. Also, I hate to see Laroche go. I thought he was a good level headed clubhouse leader, and played a great defensive 1B on top of his offense. I really believe having him at 1B gives the infeld confidence to let the ball go knkowing if it's in reach, he'll pick it.

Rage hawg or SK Perfect plastic Hawg or Speed craw...in that order.

I also feel like I have some..uh..talent... for catching them...and the big predators that feed on them. What's your question?

Nice! That'll fish!

And that's why you're not Southern. A true Southern gentleman wouldn't have done that.We'd have eaten and then whispered about them at church on Sunday.

Nope...if it's bad, washing it isn't going to help.

Smallie. Count the spines on the pectoral fin and caudal fins.