Drew03cmc

Absolutely. Small water does not mean small fish or small lures. Fish your strength. I often throw a 4" walking bait or "1/4oz" buzzbait, which is actually 1/2 or so after skirt, blade and trailer. Why would I not use braid that has the same diameter of 6lb mono?

St. Croix Legend X 6'8" MF and an 07 Metanium MG with 20# Smackdown to either a 10lb CX or Invizx leader.

I have a Feel free Moken and was wondering how you like the Seastream 120PD. The Moken 12.5 is a fast, straight paddling boat. It is stable enough to stand and fish, handles wind well and has a comfortable enough seat.

Honestly, Tackle HD has their HD Swimmer in 3.5" and 4". I love the Iridescent Blue color on an 1/8oz ball head. They swim fantastic and are super durable.

I have a handful I won't use, holler if you would. My go to baits are all still made, but I would sell a limb for a few...

Costa Fish, I have two pair, amber and green mirror. So far, they're really nice. I have had Oakley Fuel Cells in the smoke lens, they're nice too. My son has some Solar Bat RB1 and he absolutely loves them.

Set the hook and grind the fish in, period. If you give an inch, the fish will use the weight of the 68 weedless and it'll come off. Also, you might try a heavier rod. The weedless 68 needs a heavier rod due to having to move all the plastic out of the way.

I love both of my Stradics. I have a 2500 CI4+ and a 2500 FL. They're both great for what I use them for, Super Flukes, Ned rigs, Neko rigs, hair jigs, small jerk baits, small poppers, etc. I have the FL on my St. Croix LTB 6'8 MXF and the CI4 on an Avid 6'9" MLXF.

Currently a Zodias 7'5" H/F with a Citica 200G7 and 65lb 832.

River smallies you say? Go to www.tacklehd.com and look at the HD Swimmers and HD Craws. I love them both for bass of all kinds.

Those are not the same species we have here. Those are actually Alabama Bass, native to the Mobile River basin and moved all over hell. The northern spotted bass is native to the MS river drainage, including the Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee River systems. Drew Gregory had a great podcast about the black bass species with Steve Sammons from Auburn University.

I use the 3/0 Flashy Swimmer with the willow blade for my 3.5" HD Swimmers and I am looking at probably grabbing some of the next size up for the 4" size. They definitely work in shallow grass.

Graphite spinning reels aren't worth their price. I had a Lew's Mach (graphite frame) and caught a 1lb smallie. I could feel the reel binding. Never again.

Not to mention the Lew's reel is a graphite frame and suspect to twisting or distorting, whereas the Vanford is a CI4 frame, carbon composite. Carbon drag washer will always be smoother than felt. There is zero exception to this. I used to be the guy wanting the cheaper reels and was okay with using them. Now, I primarily have Curados and above, along with a Stradic CI4+ spinning reel and a mid level Daiwa spinning reel. I, now, see the benefit to the smoother drag and the higher quality components.

The real question is, do you frequent lakes or rivers most? The 10 won't track great due to its short length and general bathtub shape. I would keep it simple with accessories for now. I have removed most of what the previous owner did to my Big Rig and have only put on a Yakattack cup holder and a Rotogrip paddle holder. My boxes go in a Blackpak, but with all my space under the seat and beside my seat, may unload it as it just takes up space for me. Where are you located at @waymont?

Invizx 10lb for jerkbaits. I sometimes use 8lb on smaller baits, but that's often on waters that hold trout too.

Must have gone to Scheel's. Bass Pro carries Kalin's marabou jigs occasionally. I got ahold of Rutter's and have 2 dozen being made in my favorite colors.

I am fishing the Ozark River Angler Tournament Trail this year, so I will be spending some time around the rivers all year. Season opens 3/13 for the series.

PM me cost and what not if you can.

I have bought several dozen from Andy's. TW had them on a deep sale over the holidays. I prefer bear hair, but the synthetic works too. May have to check them out. You aren't kidding. Those Feiders are pricey aa heck, but they look good. I like the Andy's for cost.

Until a year or so ago I was in this same budget conundrum. I would recommend getting an SLX HG ($90 on ebay) and an Aird X ($50 at Academy). My son has my SLX reels now.

Ready to go chase river smallies? We can find a ton within a couple hours of my house, not to mention, it can be done wading or floating in the kayaks.

Guys, I found an affinity for using hair jigs this winter. Do you all have any specific brands, types or styles you prefer? How about tackle? If you tie your own, I'd love to discuss that with you. These are fish from big spring branches. The water bubbles up between 53 and 58 degrees all year then empties into bigger rivers.

I occasionally use one ahead of a Super Fluke, braid to swivel, to an 18" fluoro leader. I was just going braid to leader, but line twist on a Super Fluke was hell.

3" Tackle HD Hi Def Craw on the 3/16oz head they designed for it, small jerkbaits like the Ripstop 9 or Duo Rozante 77 and 1/8oz hair jigs. I use an Avid 6'9" MLXF, 10# Power Pro and 6 or 8lb fluoro.