T-Billy

The mighty Sweet Craw has got it done two years running. I'm expecting more of the same this year, but the chatterbait has a legit chance, it puts quality fish in the boat year after year. Mmm Hmm..............

I've never tried the red baits, but lots of folks swear by them in the spring. Give it a whirl, and let us know how it works for ya. I know red can be lights out at times. A couple springs ago I was going down a bank fishing chunk rock with a tube, and doing well. A guy pulled in a little ways behind me and started following me down the bank throwing a red jerkbait with a bright orange belly. He was catching as many as me , with a bigger average size, from my used water.

Some seriously good sticks hang out around here, ya never know who's gonna go on a tear next.

Your IR thermometer isn't useless Katie. Surface temp matters more in shallow waters as it corresponds more directly with the water temps a little further down, in waters shallow enough for the sun to warm the bottom. 100% agree with Dwight on this. They're a little slow to get going in the early spring. I've had some awesome days with water temps in the low 40's and even high 30's in the fall, but it's normally a grind for me in the spring until I'm seeing surface temps in the upper 40's. This is a BIG fish time of year though. @A-Jay will be along shortly with a video to prove this point. ? Stable weather can be tough to come by in the spring, but if you get a few days of sunshine there will be some fish very shallow on wood and chunk rock. Small craw imitations are your friend under these conditions.

Early spring the fish like the same weather you do IME. A few days of sunshine and warmer temps, especially overnight can really get things going.

Five gallon bucket and any color shower curtain she wants. ?

X2

10-4 been there. Give it a go later in the year once the water level comes down and clears up. Lots of good looking stuff there. Fast channel lined with stumps at the current seams, adjacent shallow slackwater flats with wood. Can't imagine that place not holding fish.

Don't keep a log, but I work four 12's a week, have 5 weeks vacation/personal time, and the kids are grown, and out on their own. I've been right there at 100 days, give or take a couple, for the past couple years. I still wish I could get out more.

Hmm... It would seem that bluegill, shad, and crawfish are similar in calories to bacon, donuts, and beer. ?

Most of 'em.

That's a sweet looking stretch of river. Good luck.

LOL. Sorry, that was a gross underestimate. Your comment prompted me to go count. I have 35 baitcasters, 32 with braid. 9 spinning reels. Like 55-60 rods, I'm not counting all those, some are in storage up in the rafters of the garage. And yes, thank The Lord, I'm not THAT braided wonder!!! ?

LOL. Alex started it with that Braided Wonder business. ? Not that it's not appropriate. I have three baitcasters with mono on them, and another dozen and a half or so spooled with braid.

Pretty tough to hang with the Alabamaslamma. The man boats five fish limits with two casts for cryin out loud.

Alright, ya got me. I'm officially subscribed. NOW GET YOUR BUTT OUT THERE AND FILM US ANOTHER EPISODE!!! #ALABAMASLAMMA

10-4. I bought a couple B-Hit's for chatterbaits, but I find them a bit underpowered for that. I like 'em very much for crankin though. Same with the 7' "Grinder". If ya get to looking for a chatterbait rod, look no further than the 7-4 Heavy, Mod Fast, Invoker.

I'm living that same dream brother. Bought a home in my childhood hometown last May. Population, about 350. I'm 1/2 block from the lake. One mile from a launch ramp, and fifteen minutes from the ramps at my favorite fishing lake. Moving back here was like moving back in time a few decades. #Blessed

We've lost several unimproved "ramps" on the river in my area for those exact reasons, especially the dumping.

Well... I'd take a cricket over a hellgramite every time!!!

The Ark Rods, Tharp Series, B-Hittay is outstanding for what you're looking to throw IMO. $129 unless you find it on sale, but it's a quality blank with Fuji K series guides, and a comfy reel seat.

Rule #2: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. ?

LOL. That's cause you're a good person with a kind heart. NUTHIN wrong with that. God bless ya brother.