Steveo-1969

I've never used Red Label (or any fluoro) as a main line, but I used Red Label as a leader (w/ braid main line) for a couple years and it worked great. I switched to Abrazx this year and feel it IS more abrasion resistant, but you won't be sorry with the Red Label. (On a side note, I ran out of Abrazx 2 weeks ago and bought a spool of Vicious. Not impressed. Not very abrasion-resistant and I can't tie a knot without burning the line. Even after wetting the line as I tighten it slowly).

My most expensive combo is spinning. Loomis 821S GLX and Shimano Stradic CI4+. About $665.

I prefer BPS for selection as well, but only get there about once a year because it's 90 minutes away. Cabela's would be second choice, but that is also 90 minutes away. I have two Gander Mountains 45 minutes away that I visit about 4 times per year. Locally I have two Dick's Sporting Goods stores that are ok, not great selection but better than Walmart. I get 50% of my stuff on-line, the other 50% from stores.

I don't listen to music when I fish, but like some other posts I always have the last song I heard on the radio on the way to my fishing spot in my head. For hours. Saturday afternoon I saw a large bird swimming in the middle of the river and was trying to figure out what it was. Then I heard it's call. A loon!! I rarely see them here, only when they are migrating. With ear buds in, I never would have heard it.

My average smallmouth is about 10". And... commence laughing...........

I'm going to hesitantly say yes for where/how I fish. I have one spinning rod I use the majority of the time and two baitcasters that I use sparingly. I'd like to upgrade my worm/jig baitcaster next year to something a little nicer though. It's currently a 7' MH BPS Carbonlite and I liked it until I used my buddy's Quantum Smoke. The Smoke was more sensitive, even with mono. So I may upgrade, I've been thinking about an ***. But otherwise I'm set for now.

Lucky hat for me, Chicago Bears camo hat. My son has a lucky hat too and he experienced the power of it last Saturday. He forgot his hat in the morning and watched me catch fish while he missed strike after strike. Then he wore his lucky hat on Saturday afternoon and caught fish. Coincidence? I think not!!!

What size jig are you using as finesse? I also fish a river for smallies and this summer started using an 1/8 ounce Bitsy Bug jig with small craw trailer (head of a YUM Mighty Bug or a Baby Rage Craw). I'm normally fishing 4' of water or less and various flows and 1/8 ounce seems to be about right for me. Until this year most of my fishing has been with t-rigged plastics. I've had pretty good luck with the jig. I like being able to feel the bottom and am getting better at bite detection, but I'm still working on my hookset.

And explain it in "Rod Sensitivity for Dummies" jargon?

If I am on "wet" foot patrol (wading) then I have my spinning rod in my hand because I'm throwing 1/8 ounce or lighter baits, and because I am absolutely IN LOVE with my spinning rod. Is that weird? ha-ha. If I'm on "dry" foot patrol (shore fishing) then I carry a spinning and baitcasting rod and frequently alternate. I don't necessarily need the baitcaster, but they are fun to use and it's great practice for me.

I do this too. And then the Bait Monkey (who is always looking at the list over my shoulder) says "You know, you really need to buy some......"

My favorite wya to fish is a bottom contact bait and I'm usually throwing a jig or t-rig.

For me, I can usually avoid skunks from March - October. Then from November - February bringing home a skunk is the norm. For me those 4 months represent about 200 hours of fishing. Conservately let's say one cast a minute, 60 casts an hour = 12,000 casts. With nothing to show for it but cold fingers, a runny nose, and pesky ice in my rod guides. And when I get home and my girlfriend asks if I caught anything, the answer is always "Nope, but I had a great time!". Hmmmmm, is there such a thing as "Fishermen Anonymous"?

Based on what's available in the river I fish my preferences are: 1) Smallmouth 2) Walleye 3) Channel cats I only fish largemouth about one week per year and northern pike even less than that, but love them both!!

I wade fish the Shenandoah in West Virginia a couple times a year. Beautiful river!

Welcome to the forum, you'll LOVE it here! DAAAAA BEARSSSSSSS (da bears da bears da bears da bears)

I started seriously river wading for smallmouths 4 years ago and started with a 5' UL spinning rod with 4# mono, but I found I couldn't set the hook hard enough and lost lots of fish. So I bought a 7' UL and switched to 10# braid and it was better, but still not great. For the last two years I've been using a ML spinning rod with 10# braid (and 8# fluoro leader) and couldn't be happier. I get a solid hookset but still enjoy a great fight, even with small 8-10" fish. I love fishing with my baitcasters, but if I'm wading for smallmouth I want my ML spinning rod in my hand. As for baits, I've caught fish on LOTS of different things. But to keep it simple and just plain get bites I would throw a 4" Berkley Powerbait power worm texas-rigged on a 1/0 worm hook. Either weightless or with a small bullet sinker (1/16 or 1/8 ounce). It will go through grass and won't easily get hung up on a rocky bottom.

I try to get both knots to be about the same size and adjust the number of wraps according to braid/leader thickness. Right now I'm using 5 wraps on the braid (10#) and 4 wraps on the FC (8#) and haven't had any problems. This is on a ML spinning rod.

When you are reeling in slack line, point your index finger down by the spool and let the line bounce off your finger as you are reeling. This will give the line some tension as it's getting wound on the spool.

When the water is warm enough don't be afraid to wade in shorts and sneakers.

I don't have anything else to add that hasn't been said. Bottom-contact baits are my favorite way to fish, but beware... it's highly addictive!!!!! Rock... rock... log... branch... rock... <thunk> FISH!!!!!!!!

I treated myself to a $700 combo this year and justified it (to myself) because I would use this rod every time I fish. And I have with no regrets!! Enjoy that sweet combo Hootie!!!!!!!!

This time of year I'm wading and fishing 4 feet or less most of the time. I've had good luck with a 1/8 ounce skirted jig with a weed guard and craw chunk trailer. It's surprisingly snag resistant (though it will get hung up at times). I'm throwing it upstream at various angles. I let it hit bottom, lift it up and let it drift in current and reel slack until it hits bottom, lift it up again, etc. 1/8 ounce is heavy enough for the current I'm faced with. 10# braid with 8# fluoro leader for abrasion resistance. Works well for me.

I've always used Spike-It garlic chartruese, but I'm curious about Megastrike. Might have to try some.

Welcome to Bass Resource! I'm a transplanted Wisconsinite myself. Don't miss the cold or the mosquitoes, but I miss the lakes a whole bunch!!