EmersonFish

Did you indicate anywhere if your collection of MH rods are Fast, Extra-Fast, or something else? I might have missed it. That could make a difference regarding how best to distribute their use, depending somewhat on the manufacturer of the rod.

I'm still kind of "meh" on the every fish over 12" scores idea, and wish one of the two tournaments used a different approach, but I will admit I'm looking forward to MLF returning. I think Louisiana will be a more interesting venue. And the selects will be in Arkansas, which is cool.

Welcome! Thanks for the zip code. Now the name makes sense.

If you have located fish on beds, don't assume they have moved off, as the water temp will be slower to change due to the cold front. I usually try not to assume anything at all when a front comes in, but I have a pretty quick trigger if Plan A isn't panning out. Plan B in your case might be what qualify as prespawn areas adjacent to the beds you located.

I think the way they edit the show for dramatic effect makes it seem like he's really grinding for that one fish, then, as his time is running low, he hooks up! I'd love to see him just do a pure fishing show, cause 'River Monsters' ain't it.

I'd start by looking at a parts diagram and seeing if everything that is meant to by under the spool tension knob is in place. Every little ring/spacer/washer or whatever your reel is supposed to have under there is there for a reason. If it's missing one of those parts, you can probably get it for cheap, assuming the reel is a reasonably late model; and it's probably a part that you can replace yourself. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, it's probably not an expensive reel repair if the reel is worth it.

Hard to say what is going on. Maybe you are cinching it a little before you moisten it and burning it that way? Perhaps 'Vanish' is more prone to burning than another line might be so you need to be extra careful? I couldn't tell you without watching you tie it. The main point you should take from the responses is that there is no reason you shouldn't be able to tie an improved clinch with fluorocarbon, so don't bail on it. Just take whatever extra line you have, and tie some knots while you are sitting around with time to kill. You'll figure it out.

As far as hook size goes, I can tell you that most people use much larger hooks than are necessary, or ideal for that matter, for what they are fishing for. From a conservation standpoint, which is important because he is generally fishing for rare species and intends to release everything he catches, smaller hooks are less likely to damage other areas of the fish, depending on the fish' anatomy. As far as bait for the species he is targeting; although many of them are relatives of our catfish, they tend to be much more aggressive eaters, and more likely to target a moving bait. We also cannot presume to know the local regulations he is fishing under in every situation, which might dictate some of his choices.

If you find a bunch of giants up in the Gravois, get some GPS coordinates and PM me (wink, wink).

These big "Big Bass" style tournaments are a good way to get into fishing competitively. There is a little less pressure without having to launch in front of everyone, and not really having a set weigh-in where it feels like everyone is looking at you. You just kind of stop by the weigh-in site when you need to, and people are coming and going in a hurry. It also helps that this is not a 5x3 situation. You just need to catch one big boy to have a chance to win real money. When you need 5 and you don't have a keeper in the boat after a few hours of fishing, it can play with your head. In the "Big Bass" events, it just takes one bite. You can have nothing and still be in it right up until it's over.

I believe I know who you are talking about, and he is one of my favorites as well. I have not yet fished against anyone of that stature, but I'd be lying if I said the first thing I'd look into at the weigh-in was anything other than how I stacked up against the big pro. I'm sure they don't mind regular guys like me getting a lot of satisfaction out of topping them at an isolated event. They know better than anyone that fishing is a bit like poker; it's the results over time that really separate the very good from the great (Not that I'm very good yet. Maybe someday?).

A lot of variables depending on the action of your specific "heavy" action rod, and the make-up of the A-Rig you are throwing. That is probably a suitable basic unit, with the 50 lb. braid being versatile enough for you to use the rod for other applications, especially if you don't mind tying leaders.

I wish someone would make that offer to me. I'd jump all over that. My old partner (dad) just isn't into it anymore. This year we will fish a few 'Big Bass' events; but those just don't get my competitive juices flowing. Seems that as long as he knows what your limitations are as someone who hasn't fished tournaments, you have discussed all of the logistical stuff, and he seems like a guy you can be isolated on a boat with for hours and hours without any issues; go for it.

K_Mac beat me to it. I was going to type this exact thing earlier and got pulled away from my office for actual work stuff. A finesse or trick work on a spot remover is in my standard arsenal. Start with basic stuff like that, and try a few different things here and there until you come up with works for how and where you fish. Don't be afraid to try a variety of baits. Spot removers are versatile, although I prefer to stick with thinner profile baits.

One of the hardest parts of learning to work the bait on slack line is getting use to taking up the right amount of slack between your set of jerks. You have to take some line in to see what is happening with the bait better and prepare for the next set of jerks, but you don't want to reel in too much and pull the bait just when it is suspending there after a few erratic moves. That's the time when you really want to make sure the bait just sits there as tantalizingly as possible; particularly when the water is really cold. Pay close attention to this. Over time you won't have to think about it as much.

Apparently the most valuable baits I've lost have been pre-Rapala Wiggle Warts; but they were not expensive when I bought them. I stay away from the high-end baits because I'm not one to spend much time trying to get baits back if they are hung. Same reason I don't use expensive golf balls. If I don't see it in 20 seconds, I drop another.

... check my spool tension knob before I make my first cast after cleaning my reel. ... put on sunscreen before I'm baked. ... bring something decent to eat if I plan on being out all day. ... bring my migraine medication.

The good news about the jerkbait; particularly the hard, suspending baits, is that currently they are one of the most common topics of instructional fishing videos. They are fairly expensive, everbody has their version, and they want you to buy one. So they make videos showing you how to fish their bait, when and where it is likely to be most effective, and what kind of tackle you should probably use. (I believe KVD has some really good videos, but virtually all of the professional videos are more instructive than what I can articulate here.) Doing the research will give the information; but only time on the water will build the confidence. It takes a bit of practice getting use to that little slack line pop you need to mimic a dying baitfish and not overwork it, but once you understand the how and when, everything will come together.

People seem to be pretty particular about their drop shot setups. I'd recommend giving the system you are describing a try and seeing how you like it. If you get into some fish with the DS, you'll know how you feel about your setup pretty quick. I was not a fan of the swivel hooks; others swear by them.

Oh no! Mizzou fan? That's okay. This is a bass fishing forum. We won't worry about that little detail. I actually went to graduate school at Mizzou, so I try not to bag on them too much.

Congrats Dwight. Another reason for you to look forward to spring; as if anyone needs another at this point. Can't wait to hear about the rod.

This is the bummer. I won't buy a rod I haven't handled anymore. I would be so stoked if there was an icast like event near me I could go to to get my hands on all the latest stuff at once.

I personally wouldn't like the action of a Medium/Fast Duckett for T-Rigs, but if you have to use that rod, the advice above is important: Use the right size hook for the bait; preferably a very good quality, lighter wire hook, and make sure it is rigged exactly right. Also, don't get too caught up in worrying about setting your drag loose enough so you do not break your line, particularly if you are using mono. Between the stretch in that line, and your relatively light rod, you can tighten your drag more than you might think. If you never stick the fish, it don't matter how you set the drag anyway.

Are you fishing the Lake of the Ozarks 'Big Bass Bash' in April and/or October? I think I'll actually be making it out for both this year. I'll have a much better answer to this topic when I lip that 8 pounder.

Welcome! I'm a Kansas guy who has since moved to Mid-Missouri. Plenty of places to float and wade around here, but you have to put up with a bunch of Mizzou fans, so there's that trade off. Look forward to seeing you around the boards.