Steveo-1969

Upper Potomac - 21.5” smallmouth

On the bite or hook set I say “There’s a fish!”. On the release I say “Thanks buddy” before gently setting it back into the water.

@A-Jay from BR. For the giant smallies and because when I grow up I want to morally be like him. Mark Zona because he seems likes a very genuine person on TV. Denny Brauer because I miss “Brauer Bass Battles”. Denny’s dry sense of humor is the best!

I just got a G. Loomis WPJR 822s GLX rod and a Daiwa Tatula LT 2000D-XH reel. Merry Xmas to me!! I’ll get to use it Sunday morning for the first time. VERY excited!!!

Was “Michiganian” already taken? ?

Mine shows my lack of creativity. My nickname and the year I was born.

For the past couple months I’ve been using Fireline Ultra 8 Carrier in 8# test (crystal color -white). It’s a little stiffer than other superlines I’ve used but not horrible. In fact I’ve been using this without a leader and being a little stiffer makes it easier to tie to terminal tackle. I use a Trilene knot with 7 wraps and it doesn’t slip. Casting distance hasn’t been any less than other superlines of similar diameter. I bought this because the package says “4X more abrasion resistant” and I’ve been happy with the abrasion resistance. I normally use a FC/copoly/nylon leader for abrasion and ease of breaking off snags but haven’t found it necessary with this line. Again this is the 8# Fireline ULTRA 8 CARRIER, not regular Fireline. I’d buy it again.

I am very fortunate to live near a river that has lots of stretches good for wading and if the water level is low enough to safely wade then that’s what I’m doing. Shorts and sneakers when it’s warm enough. Chest waders when it’s cold. I appreciate the fact there will come a time when I physically can’t wade any more and don’t take it for granted!

I fish a river year round but only catch smallmouth from about April-November. I don’t know where their wintering holes are and couldn’t reach them without a boat anyway. The rest of the year I target walleyes below a dam on the river.

Most of my smallmouth fishing is done with a ML WALLEYE spinning rod. ?

I’ve always been a Tabasco fan but wished it was a little hotter. Enter Habanero Tabasco. My new favorite!!!

^^^ This

Do you have access to Sufix Advance Monofilament locally? This is the lowest stretch/most sensitive monofilament I've tried yet. Look at the diameter to determine what pound test will work for you on a spinning reel though.

Welcome to BR!! I took a 13-year fishing hiatus from 1997-2010 and am still kicking myself about the time I lost and will never get back. But at least I'm fishing now and the past decade has been very fulfilling. Like you I started from scratch gear-wise. I went out and bought an Ugly Stik spinning rod and $20 reel because that's what I had before. Then gradually upgraded from there.

If you are a fan of "Zona's Awesome Fishing Show" you've probably seen Mark Zona do this with smallmouth bass. He will keep them in the livewell until finished with a spot so the released fish don't somehow turn the rest of the school off the bite.

My #1 favorite movie of all time, no contest!!!! My wife? Not so much... ?

Very spooky. Do you think it will scare the fish away?

... AND... when I start reeling I extend my index finger and let the line bounce off my finger a few times ensuring that no loop is reeled onto the spool. It's all muscle memory now and I don't even think about it.

^^ This. Only you know what bottom contact technique you use the most. Spend as much as you can afford and you will be smiling from ear to ear every time you pick it up! ?

Thanks for introducing yourself. GO BEARS!!!!

On my local river lead heads and plastics are very popular and effective for walleyes. Flukes, paddletails and curlytails.

Susquehanna Fishing Tackle sells ball head jigs with larger hooks: https://sfttackle.com/jig-heads/sfttackle-big-hook-ball-head-jigs-1-16-1-8-3-16-1-4-3-8-1-2-oz-12805.html

From April through October I target smallmouth on every outing because the section of river I fish is predominantly smallmouth. If it was predominantly largemouth then that's what I would target. From November through March I'm targeting walleyes on the same river. With that being said my favorite fish is a smallmouth bass because they just don't quit.

Welcome to Bass Resource! It's already been suggested but I'll second it. Read all you can about the Ned Rig here on Bass Resource and give that a try. It's a fish catcher! On a side note, Da Bears are now in sole possession of 1st place in the NFC North. BEAR DOWN!!!!!!

I've never used either of the above rods so can't give any feedback on them. I'm still trying to wrap my head around buying a fishing rod based on its color rather than its length/power/action, etc....