NYWayfarer

I agree, go with the MB. I have the TS1SMB model which features a high capacity spool. I can't say enough good things about this reel, it is a rock solid performer.

I have a pair of needlenose pliers and forceps in my tackle bag and I carry a Buck multi-tool with pliers. What I seem to forget is fish grippers...

If it is a few feet deep and you want to find what's in it I suggest a 3" Yum Dinger rigged wacky style on 4 to 6# line. Also try some Berkley Atomic Tubes in grasshopper color. These lures will catch the small stuff so you can do a species assessment.

Ditto. I still have 2 old Plano tray boxes still going strong. They are from when you could send in for an inscribed plaque with your name that you could stick on the box.

I couldn't wait till the weekend. After dinner last night it was still blazing hot out so I took a quick trip to the river. Cast the Popmax a few times in 2 different areas no bites. Moved to the third spot and on the second cast, first pop got this decent Smallmouth. I can see why @A-Jay ,@J Francho and other recommend this lure. It is very versatile. You can pop it or you can walk the dog with it. I noticed it has a unique rolling action when walking the dog. The fact that I got a Smallmouth with it in this area instead of a Sunfish is very promising.

Did he mean to point out spelling error or the fact that it's non-venomous not non-poisonous

The frugal fisherman inside me screamed no, but my topwater Smallmouth addiction screamed yes. I picked up one of these last night in Secret Gill color. It perfectly matches the redbreast and longear sunfish that inhabit my local rivers and lakes. Can't wait to try it this weekend. 12 pound Big Game will be fine. I have been throwing my WP 90 on 10 pound Big Game with no issues. Don't forget to retie every so often.

Finally caught a fish on the Arboghast Buzz Plug Jr. I lost the set of double hooks the first outing with this lure. I replaced them with a treble hook and tried again this weekend. Got this pound and a quarter Smallmouth Bass on it. The lure and fight messed up it's mouth pretty bad as you can see in the close up. It might be one and done with this lure as I might retire it.

Ahhhh the curse of the popper. Panfish love that feather covered rear treble for sure. I have tried the rebel, lunkerhunt and Rapala Skitter Pop and the results are the same. Sunfish hit that rear treble. Saved me from the Popper skunk many a time.

Technically there are 2 types of Plopper “colors” They are clear and solid. The clear ones, like Bluegill and Monkey Butt, allow sunlight to penetrate the bait while solid colors, like Loon and Powder, do not. If you have a solid and a clear color you should be all set. The actual shades do help if you are fishing clear waters. I notice Bluegill works best for me in the clear river waters I fish. It produces more fish than any other color I own. Bone is a close second as fish seem to love that fish belly white color

I like my round reels for Saltwater and Catfishing. Low profiles are my go to’s for freshwater Bass fishing.

For river Smallmouth I throw the Plopper first. It’s more versatile than you think. If a Smallie doesn’t hit it upon landing I pop it once hard or start a steady retrieve. Most Bass hit on one or the other styles.

PB’s are meant to be broken. At 3.81lbs this girl weighed in just shy of 4lbs. My biggest Hudson River Smallmouth ever. I got her on of all things, the Ned Rig. I have been shorebound this season due to some back and shoulder issues. It has been tough going so far but I was experimenting with the heavier Shroomz Nedlock jig heads on baitcasting gear and 10# line for max distance and less drift in the currant. It worked for sure today as this big ole river girl choked the TRD. The fight was intense. I had to lock down the drag and use my thumb to stop her from peeling line. Once I landed her I was able to stop a lady on the walking path to take a pic of me with it. Probably scared her half to death but I thanked her and she could see my excitement. She knew it was a special fish. Got some vids on my phone of the release soon to come. I spent a good while reviving her but she was Ok in the end. I look forward to catching her at 6lbs

Nice vid! They were jumping in front of the boat as well! That was a great spot.

I break down my gear and clean it after every trip. Baits get removed and inspected to see if they can be fished again. If they can't they get tossed If they can they get repackaged usually in a baggie marked as used. Hooks and weights are cut off as well as any frayed line. Weights are saved, hooks are inspected to see if they can be used again. Tossed if I can't and put in a tray box of used hooks to differentiate them from new ones. Rods and reels get a damp cloth wipe down. Reels are taken off the rod to give the reel seat on the rod a rest. They get oiled if need be. Drags are backed off on the reels. Take care of your stuff and it will take care of you.

Black/Blue is my least productive color, followed by Watermelon.

I got used to them. They look sleek compared to full cork or foam grips.

No leaders for me. This season I have been fishing Suffix Elite 8lb mono on my spinning reels and Kastking Fluorokote 12lb or Berkley Big Game 10 and 12lb on my baitcasters.

Throw a 3" Yum Dinger or a Z-Man Hula Stickz wacky style on a split shot rig. You will get all the dinks you can handle.

I went through my pack of General's pretty fast. They produce for sure. Something about them the Smallies up here love. Durability is questionable. They say on the pack to use a wacky weedless hook and I was but I lost 3 worms on the cast and 2 worms while fighting fish and the worm had ridden up the line. One shake from a Bass and the worm went flying. The hook and line seem to cut right through these guys. I will be purchasing another pack but I am going back to the "O" ring method to see if I can make them last longer.

Finally got one on my new Whopper Plopper 75 Loon color. It's a dink but it counts. I would have to buy a 75 in another color to see if its the color or the way this lure sits in the water is the reason it doesn't produce fish like my 90 Bluegill does.

My Whopper Plopper 90 in Bluegill color is the most productive color I own. I fish extremely clear waters for Smallmouth Bass and they love the Bluegill WP.

I throw mine on a 6'10" MH/F action Lew's Mach I rod paired with a Lew's Tournament MB reel spooled with 10lb. Berkley Big Game line.

Try a Berkley Powerbait Atomic Tubes. With or without a bobber. These things are panfish magic. I catch tons of Sunnies, Perch and even a Smallmouth Bass on one. http://www.berkley-fishing.com/berkley-bait-soft-bait-berkley-powerbait/powerbait-pre-rigged-atomic-tubes/1285468.html I like the grasshopper color.

I love the WP on days where the water is choppy or it is raining. I also use it on calm days using it more like a popper. I cast it out, let the ripples die down, pull up the slack on my line and pull my rod back half a foot or so. The lure makes a short plop doing that. Wait for the ripples to die down and do it again.