Drew03cmc

I routinely toss the Super Fluke Jr in small waters for bass, creeks, small rivers, ponds, etc. I rig it texas or on a 1/0 Twistlock Light. How do you rig the Baby Z Too? I like the idea of more durability, but it won't take a screwlock, being Elaztech and all.

Honestly, floating the Ozark rivers, I would do pretty well with the following: 3" Tackle HD Hi Def Craw 3.5" Tackle HD Swimmer Zoom Super Fluke Duo Realis Rozante 77SP Owner Zip N Ziggy/Whopper Plopper 90 Black Label Baits Peanut

Biggest smallmouth was 16.25" on a super fluke. I lost a couple bigger, including a new PB. Biggest largemouth was a 21.5" punching prespawn.

I use a trailer. I bought an old jet ski trailer and am still modifying it. Total cost so far, including new axle, wheels, tires, lights, paint, etc is about 550.

Probably all of them, but this time of year they are in wintering areas, either in bigger rivers or lakes that the rivers feed.

The Kurita fish is the record. The Perry fish has more questions than answers. The fish was submitted to the Field and Stream contest and grandfathered in when IGFA began and was starting their freshwater record-keeping. Simply put, there was zero scrutiny applied to it when accepted. There are zero pictures, zero witness statements, zero lie detector tests (he declined to take one before his death) and I have zero faith in that fish. 22-4.97 is a verified, certified record and, as such, is THE record.

Abrazx is a great line. I've had it on several reels this year and love it.

The SLX is closer to an XF. It's more of a jig/pitching rod.

For the jerkbaits I fish the most, 3/8oz and under, I use a spinning rod, 6'6" M Deep South Elite Tubes rod. I use 8lb Invizx on it and have no problems. For a casting rod, it would need to be a similarly powered casting rod, more of a ML. I am a proponent of a shorter handle, as I am a kayak angler and the longer handle just gets in the way. I'm looking for a rod, 6'6" or under, shorter handle, ML or a lighter medium, that can double as a walking bait rod for the lighter walking baits I like (Damiki Dolphin, Zip Baits Fakie Dog, Duo Pencil 85 and others in this size range).

I throw mine on whichever 6.x reel I have on a cranking rod. My squarebill rod will do the job, but I prefer a 7.x on it. I've used 6.3:1 SLX MGL, Lew's BB1 6.4:1, Chronarch 50 MG 6.2:1 (my favorite for it) and myriad Abu/Daiwa/Shimano/Lew's. For the RK, I just really like the way the older Chronarch 50 MG felt on a nice, limber Medium power rod with 10lb fluorocarbon. I was dragging the RK 55 MD across chunk rock in July this year getting blasted. They are incredible baits.

I was thinking of using it both for jerkbaits or light finesse-type jigs for river smallies and maybe as a wading rod for river smallies with topwater, small jigs, shallow cranks, etc.

I just picked up a 6'9" M Intenza casting rod. Anyone have this rod or have any reviews?

Let me offer some evidence why smallies are my favorite. They are not the most readily available here locally, but they are definitely my favorite. These are fish my son has caught this year. He was far happier about the smallie, on topwater, from a creek in Mid-MO.

I don't recall, honestly.

Ron, I have been a follower of your reel knowledge since Fiberglass Fly Rodders, but have moved to modern reels and rods. Your knowledge and photography skills have me needing to run down to the Hill Country for a shot at some Texas Brookies. Thanks for posting here and joining the madness.

I'm around KC and know of several local lakes under 500 acres that hold really big fish.

How about the Duckett 7'6" XH? It has a great tip on it, the price is right and readily available. If it'd work, someone buy the reels I have listed on here. Haha. I gave this rod the wiggle test at BPS tonight and think it'd work well for the tasks at hand, A-Rig, 6" Bull Shad, 7" Slammers, etc.

Thank you!

Does anyone use the 7'9" H Carbonlite for Alabama Rigs? How about smaller swimbaits with trebles up to about 3oz? I'm looking for a rod for these uses and was wondering if it would work as it is readily available locally.

Like Jim said, if you can find a deeper, nearly slack water hole, often against a bluff or steeper bank with wood or rock cover, there should be fish. You can paddle through several great looking spots and catch nothing, then hit a shallow flat above or below the hole and it will be loaded with fish, especially on sunny afternoons. Late summer, early fall low water is the time to scout for them. I found a wintering pool on an Ozark river that is absolutely perfect. It is 8 to 12 feet deep on river right, tons of wood, laydowns, boulders, etc. On river left, it is a shallow, gravel bank from 2 feet deep tapering down to the channel on the opposing bank. In October, I saw a legit 22" smallie under a log at the head of the pool and several big spots up to (guessing) 18" in the wood in about 8 feet of water. When I looked at this pool, it has wood perpendicular to the current and laying with the current. If I went down there tomorrow, I'd toss a jig or HD Craw in the wood and fish a flat sided crankbait along the edges of the wood.

The fishing will definitely slow down, but don't let that dissuade you from going out to try to catch some of these fall giants that are prevalent across the country. You won't find them in the same waters they were in during the summer, they will be closer to their wintering holes. When you find a spot that is holding fish, slow down and fish it thoroughly.

Tom, I'm definitely interested in custom hand pour finesse stuff, especially soft jerkbaits and creatures.

Same group of baits, but check out the Duo Realis Kabuki 50 SSR, 0 to 1 foot depth and a super wide wobble.

No. Listen, I didn't know if it was available anywhere else. You seem to want drama, so by all means, have it. Clearly you didn't read my OP. Read it again. Hell, those two, I have no issue buying the videos or transcripts, never asked for a handout.

Does anyone have a transcript for Gerald Swindle's class on PMA and his class on jig fishing? I'm a huge fan, but don't want to subscribe to Bass U. I didn't know if these transcripts exist.