Quillback

I was fishing a drop shot with a 1/8 oz weight (spiining gear, 8lb. floro, Zoom finesse worm) on Table Rock a couple of days ago in water 20-25 deep. Casting it out, waiting a couple of secs for it to reach bottom, and dragging it back real slow, caught a few fish doing that. We were getting them on spoons also at those depths, sometimes with a vertical presentation, sometimes casting out and using a rip - pause sequence. Hopkins spoons and Cabelas real image spoons were what we were using.

Nah, I'm not afraid of the jigs, as a matter of fact I ordered up some custom colors that Mike will make up for me. There's lots of jig brands out there, but they might have a color I like, but not in the size I want, or I might not like their hooks. It's great to be able to have someone like Mike that will do a custom build.

Me and a buddy of mine were on Table Rock yesterday, and we threw some spoons. There was some early topwater action and we were getting bit by throwing to the boil and ripping the spoon right after it hit water, let it flutter for a second, and rip it again repeat back to the boat, caught a few doing that. Also caught a few using the techniques the other guys are talking about above. Used a Cabelas real image 1/2 oz jigging spoon yesterday in char/white. Very good spoon, reasonably priced, and comes with a sticky sharp treble.

OK, I'm calling you "Crazy August". I'm afraid to look at your jigs, because I know I'll buy some.

Very nice! Thanks for the review.

That's an awesome day for these weather conditions. Can you bring your own boat or do you use one of theirs?

2013 will be at Grand lake which is 50 miles from my house, but the weigh in will be in Tulsa whcih is about 90 miles, nevertheless I plan to attend one or more of the weigh ins. Hard to say what the weather will be like late Feb. when they will be there, it could be 20 degrees or it could be 60 degrees.

I also use Invisx on my spinning reels, my only advice would be to not fully spool it, maybe spool it to an 1/8 or a 1/16" inch away from the edge of the spool. Seems when I spool it to the very edge I end up getting a birdsnest and stripping off some line.

Holy Hawg! And you're asking us how to catch the big ones? We should be asking you

I'll be checking out your final product, good luck with your business!

I use Abrazx myself, works fine for me, sensitive and reasonably durable. One thing I do and I would certainly do with an expensive line like Tatsu, is spool on some cheap mono as backing.

Do we have a winner? Just curious how many were in there...

I prefer my Zillions over my E-series Curados. Keep an eye on Ebay, sometimes you can get a good deal on BNIB Zillions.

I gave up trying to keep up with the Loomis warranty changes. Or should we say Shimano. If one of my ShimLoomis rods breaks I'll deal with it when it happens. By the time you read this, they'll probably have another change in their warranty policy.

I saw that Strike King has come out with what they call the "Dreamshot" - 4" worm with the tail of a caffeine shad - ordered a couple of bags. But for now, I like Zoom FInesse worms.

I also pitch left handed and cast right handed. Did it from day 1, didn't even think about it.

I also wanted to add, docks are also worth trying, especially dockends that are over deep water.

Zoom finesse worms have been working well as a drop-shot worm here lately. Watermelon/Plum/Green Pumpkin are all good colors. You may have a thermocline around 25 feet, measure 25 feet on your line, mark it with a black marker. Use a 1/0 Octopus hook, 1/8 oz weight. Cast out to structure, ends of points, or where you see suspending shad on your depth finder. Watch your line as your bait falls, if it stops sinking, lift the rod tip see if there's a fish. I would not fish deeper than the 25 foot mark unless you have reason to believe you've found some fish deeper. That doesn't mean you can't fish in deeper water, but the fish will be suspended above or around that 25 foot mark. It's a tough time of year and these 100 degree days aren't helping. A fishing buddy of mine that's a good drop shot fisherman and knows Beaver well, fished the DS yesterday morning and got 6 bass total.

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No way I'd buy from an overseas seller with zero feedback.

Check out Northwest Arkansas for jobs also. Low cost of living (but Arkansas does have a state income tax). Lots of fishing within a 2 hour radius, Beaver lake (just a fair black bass lake, but a pretty good striper lake), Table Rock, Grand Lake over in Oklahoma, Stockton Lake in Missouri, Bull Shoals is 2-3 hours away depending on where you live. JB Hunt trucking is headquartered here, as is Wal-Mart. Might be some opportunity for a guy with a wrench. Lot of public land to deer hunt on, bow season goes on for about 6 months.

BTW Hanapa'a, it's tough to get BIG bass on TR in August. No matter what guide you choose. I just don't want you to set your expectations too high. But, on a good day, you can expect to get quite a few 12-17" bass, mainly Kentuckies.

Good recommendations above, I'd also suggest Bill Babler at White river outfitters (he also has a lodge you can stay at). He has quality equipment and runs a 21" Phoenix. If yo're interested in trout fishing he fishes Taneycomo also. Sounds like you'll be there in August when the drop shot rules on Table Rock. Bill can flat out fish drop shots. http://whiteriveroutfitters.com/

I'd certainly use LongMike's offer to help find a job, and I would not move until I had a job offer. There's a lot of expense associated with moving and setting up life in a new house/apartment, be a good thing to have that paycheck coming in every 2 weeks. There's also some oil drilling and gas fracking going on here in Arkansas, cost of living is low and some great bass fishing.

Sadly, thousands of ants and other bugs died in the conflagration.