Kev-mo

I was driving to work listening to the radio. For those that live in Chicago area... I was listening to Mancow and he was reporting on everything. He kept saying over and over again 'this is not a bit!!' This was after the first plane but before the second.

So sad

Shh..... lol

I need to do this myself. What swivels and sizes do you like? I imagine it depends a little on lure size.

Mostly river fish for smallies myself. If you have fish ripping split rings and hooks off baits either the split rings and hooks are weak, your pulling too hard, your equipment is mismatched or some combination. I fish a ML XF Avid with a 2500 reel and 20 pound braid and as long as the drag is set right I'm golden. I also fish a XX flat side special with a 51 size reel and 20 pound braid and again the drag is key. Here tho it's for the initial hookset, the med hvy moderate rod comes into play after hookset regardless of bait being used. Obviously polar opposite combos but both work. Btw I've lost big fish myself and most it has been operator error....

I picked up a Kryptek last year for kayaking. I would suggest looking for something similar

That's a good looking bait. What's the weight on that one? When does retail (BR) production start?

My oldest decided to go to school in CO and now lives there. I been out there about 5-6 times in the last few years. There is definitely an adjustment period! It's not so much about the shape you're in but the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood. The last thing I read about it was it took about 2 weeks for your body to start acclimating to less oxygen. At that point your body is making more red blood cells or the capacity of said cells is increasing. Also extra water, your blood is mostly water.

Wait, there's more than one Lake Menderchuck?!

I've always just thought of it as the ground under the water

I've fished a split tail trailer like above and a paddle tail trailer. I've caught fish with both kinds of trailers and also with no trailer. Never use a trailer hook. I mostly fish rivers, including yours and feel if they are on a spinner bait bite they are keying in on those blades and that skirt. I think i prefer no trailer or maybe that split tail if anything. Times to add a trailer would be to add more bulk, slow the fall, maybe a paddle tail in muddy water for more thump, maybe that split tail to look like a minnow tail kicking in clearer water. I think the correct weight spinnerbait, blade configuration/size and how you work the bait are more important than a trailer. jmo....

Did a little night fishing back in the day from around 11 pm to 1 am in place that i was not a member of ?. 1/4 oz black short arm spinnerbait with silver blade caught the most fish. All released.

Purple Alpha for sure (nib!) cause i missed out on a few things back then.

You're welcome. Hit on impact..... maybe try topwater. Enjoy!

Hmm, so that river flows north? Not that it makes a difference but that's what it looks on the map. Also what's up with the usgs gauge for friendsville jumping up and down? Is that from sewage plant effluent or the dam release? I would imagine most of your fish have spawned based on your latitude and what's happening by me. Higher water, less visibility=spinnerbait, swim jig, jig on the bottom and of course a square bill all fished in current seams and those slack water areas if the water is high enough to push the fish to shore. Since you had success with a square bill start with that! Doesn't matter the season, i fish one all year round.

I don't know anything about that particular river.... but most of the rivers i fish are rocky. I would find out what river conditions will be and where the fish are with the spawn. Topwater, moving baits (squarebill, spinnerbait, jerkbait) and then bottom baits (jig, ned etc.) are what i use regardless of the river. River conditions then dictate what i start with and the fish tell me what to continue with.

This right here! I had an old greenie with a screech and subsequently found it had a slight groove that was able to be polished out. I think my brakes/reel function better with just a slight oiling after several outings as described above. I get more distance in my cast and the braking is smoother/more controlled. This is on the few shimano's i have.

Are you really ready to wade yet?! You need that foot for the rest of your life.... Assume you are just going to use the max cushion gyms shoes you are wearing. Can't say how long they'll last as they sure weren't designed to be in the water....also they'll get mildewy from being wet and dried unless you dunk them in a mild bleach solution after wading. If this isn't what you are doing ignore the last paragraph. Some sort of waterproof urethane or epoxy might be good if they start coming apart. I've always used aquaseal. How about using neoprene socks and crocs? A friend uses crocs to wade in, the added neoprene will take a up a little extra room and provide a skosh more cushion for your foot. Also never dry any shoes/boots in the dryer or sun Neither is good for them. Upside down and putting them on a boot dryer is best. You can also stuff them with newspaper to absorb water and that will speed the process along. Remember to take the wet newspaper out....

Whopper plopper and spinnerbait Still trying to figure out bladed jigs and the ned

I was out saturday on river and saw a few beds with fish. The cold front will slow them down....

slightly off topic but i saw zman came out with a small spinnerbait using 17-7 coffee colored wire. wondering if it's the same wire you are talking about?

all good answers above. i primarily wade. the answers to your questions depend on how you're going wade and what you value. if you plan to wet wade in the summer i would recommend getting some columbia PFG pants or something similar. these will protect your legs a bit from poison ivy, sawgrass etc. on land and a little bit in the water from sticks, rocks etc. i would also recommend something a little sturdier than a gym shoe for foot protection. neoprene wading socks really help cushion. if the stream you're wading is clean, clear, not too rocky, not too urban, you're not busting through brush you probably don't need all of the above. as far as waders go i've had cabelas, simms and patagonia and one other but forget the brand. all of them purchased on sale. they will ALL leak eventually. so far i like my simms gore tex the best due ease of repair both at home or sending them in. the patagonias are new cause i couldn't get the simms repaired last year during the shut down so the jury is still out on longevity but initial eval is thumbs up. you'll need to decide what kind of wading you plan to do now and in the future. if you don't plan to wade much with waders then get a cheap pair. if you think you'll be wading 5 years from now you may want to make an investment. also simms and patagonia have the most options in sizing, they are also the most expensive. i'm not saying an inexpensive won't last. it's been my experience that the gore tex from simms are pretty darn good. i get the 3 layer ones. as far as boots go... it depends on what fits your foot best. definitely try the boots on with the waders as some you'll need to go up a size and others are sized for the neoprene bootie. most companies make a decent boot. the longest i had a pair of boots last is 3 years and that was with tlc and glue for the sole the last 6 months of their lives. the constant wetting and drying delaminates the sole from the boot it's all glued. altho patagonia just came out with a sweet looking boot that the sole is stitched so it can be replaced. pretty darn pricey tho. it could be worth it for someone. price per wear is good measure of a goods value. again it all depends on what you are going to do with your gear and what you value.

i would disagree and say braid is sensitive on slackline. how else do you account for feeling that tick when getting bit on slackline when working a jerkbait?!

who's having abundant success with what and where?

you can also soak in jewelry cleaner. just don't tell the wife....lol probably best to pick up your own jar