FryDog62

I don't downsize the lure for smallmouth but I do try to avoid lures with 3 trebles... They have a tendency to hook a smallmouth's eye more often. Switched to a Shadow Rap this past year and seemed to work well - and with 2 trebles.

I fish a small-medium sized river that ranges 3 to 12 feet deep. Have always done ok there in years past and switched lures this year and had my best year by far. Mostly casting to shore wherever there were rocks or rip-rap. Stained water - and smallies like white. Went to a 5 inch Yamasenko in Blue Pearl (which is white with flecks). VMC wacky hook with with single weed guard wire, 1/16 or 1/8 ounce depending on current. What a difference the color made! Next I plan to add a second lure - Fat Ika in the same Blue Pearl color and see what happens...

Tie: 1) On top of the water it's a Jitterbug 2) Below the surface its the stealthy targeted presentation of a 5 inch wacky-rigged Yamasenko

I use Palomar to hook and Modified Albright line to line. These knots have worked 100% for me on that line for years ... until I got a 600 spool of 10 lb last spring. It broke on me quite frequently. Bad spool, bummer... happens even to otherwise good quality product.

We seriously should get a Bass Resource petition together for Fenwick to bring back the Smallmouth Elite Tech rod back --

They told me the models had changed and gave me a choice. Would have opted for the Aetos but disliked the handle

First I think the Fenwick ET series was awesome...best handle/grips on the market, great blank, action, etc.. Went through the same process you did when my 6'-9" MXF broke and it was replaced with a Fast action of the new model. Not nearly the same rod without Extra Fast action... Moderate and even Fast action in that rod is mush. Stick to the models with XF. Still a good rod but needs the right action to be effective IMO.

The Lindner's recent show they had 30 lb braid with I think 17 lb fluoro leader. Seemed like overkill to me but they caught a lot of fish too --

I'm leaning towards sticking with braid + 6-8 lb fluoro leader as in the past... but how about 8-10 lb Trilene XT or Yozuri Hybrid? Would be tougher abrasion-wise but I'm not sure if it would allow the plastics to fall/sink the way they should .. ??

Curious - as a main line or just as a leader?

What line do you use for skipping docks with spinning gear? I know some guys that use a main line of 15-20 lb fluoro for abrasion resistance. Others that use braid and tip with lighter fluoro/mono leader to give lighter baits like Senkos, tubes and more realistic and slow sink rate. I skip mostly Fat Ika's, tubes and Senkos - What's your preferred set up?

Ha! I just dvr'd the Lindner's show and it was on dock skipping for largemouth.. Watched it last night late. Didn't know they had switched to St Croix rods this year, but they did (a good choice IMO). They apparently stayed with Quantum reels though. I smiled because in the show they were using the 5'-10" Legend Bass MXF Skippin' rod that I just purchased. Seemed to work well for them. They had it paired with a Quantum Speed Freak reel. Not sure that's what I would choose but it was interesting to see anyway ...

Thanks for the replies. So if I'm in the market to buy a reel - looking for recommendations to pair with: St. Croix Legend Bass Spinning - 5'-10" Medium, Extra Fast, Skippin' rod?

I've heard that spinning reels with larger spool size are best for skipping plastics, lures, etc under docks, overhangs, etc. Obviously I could opt for a large 4000 or 5000 sized reel, but many of those are quite heavy/cumbersome too especially on a shorter skipping' rod. I know of a couple reels that advertise larger spool size (Lew's, Pflueger Arbor) where you can get maybe a 2500 or 3500 sized reel that weighs around 8 ounces but has the spool size of a 4000 or 5000. Am I over-thinking this, or does this type of reel make sense? I'm in the market to buy a reel - looking for recommendations to pair with: St. Croix Legend Bass Spinning - 5'-10" Medium, Extra Fast, Skippin' rod? Thx!

I just ordered some 12# YZH at TW... Seem to always have it in stock there anyway..

We are infested with the pike in Minnesota as well. I went to thicker line for awhile (15-20 lb test) but found it suspends more. I then went back to 12 lb test and started using a tiny 2 inch wire leader that our local bait shop makes (Wayzata Bait and Tackle, they mail them out too). That extra 2 inches makes a big difference and you wouldn't necessarily think so. I've been using them 3 years now on spinner baits, cranks and even jerk baits. I've had only 1 pike bite off during that time. Great insurance on expensive lures and now I can get deeper in the water column with the thinner line.

In general, a good mono or co-polymer will stretch less than most fluorocarbon lines. I use either 12 pound Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Trilene XT for spinnerbait fishing, they both definitely stretch less than any fluoro I've ever used (Berkley, BPS, Sunline, Seaguar, etc).

In my annual stretch test, out of 20 lines YH stretched 2nd out of 20 lines and far less than any fluorocarbon. The only line that stretched less was Trilene XT.

Experimenting now with sinking braid (Sufix Gravity2) with and without a flouro leader.

I guess that's better than correcting to "neutered boy" or something...

Good discussion, if I had to rank my top 3 for the multi-species category they would be: 1) Lund Pro-V Bass 2) Tuffy x-190 3) Recon Tough call between the Lund and Tuffy, I've been a glass guy for years now... could go either way.

Spinning: Torn between St. Croix and Fenwick.... best handle/grip on the market goes to Bass Elite so slight edge to Fenwick! Casting: Duckett White Ice

Had the same problem with autocorrect, but have to admit that there is funny

I have been testing mono, fluorocarbon and co-polymer lines now head to head for several years now. I would say YH may be the best all around line. In stretch tests it's about as good as you get outside of braid (far better than any fluorocarbon), it's also water and UV resistant, stronger than its rated strength, knots are superb, abrasion excellent, it is "neutrally buoyant" and can be fished both bottom contact and topwater (unique) and it isn't a rats-nest-waiting-to-happen pita like fluorocarbon. No, I don't work for YH or anyone in the fishing industry.... I have spent a lot of time and my own money testing a lot of lines. There may be certain lines better for some specific applications - but all around, I don't think YH has a peer.

Good to know, what is approx cost to repair... and of course shipping 2 ways? Thx..