Smirak

So, was out yesterday throwing an RK55. I tied it on (brand new out of the package) and tossed it a couple times to get everything dialed in (8’ out from the bank or so). Then, I go to actually cast it. I sling it out there like I have done 100s of times. Well, for whatever reason, the bait went much further than my line. I’ve thrown off lures before, so aside from a couple of cuss words, I just reeled in so I could retie. When I got it back in, I realized that the lure completely flew off the keeper that is molded in that holds the split ring. Talked to SPRO this morning. They said send it back and we’ll replace it. After a few emails back and forth, I’ve got it squared away. Anyway, the main point of the post is this… as part of SPRO customer service is they replace the bait with the same one and throw in an extra one. So, for one defective bait (that I don’t even have) I’m sending back that’ll cost me whatever a stamp is now days (like $20 or something…) and I’m getting 2 back. Another reason to buy more SPRO.

I’ll have to try that. I’ve only ever used them as trailers, to which I believe they are awesome! When I’m in/around Chattanooga, I’ll stop into Hog Farmer and stock up.

I haven’t found a use for the 3.5” spunk shad. What are you going to use it for? I’m guessing I could throw it on a chatterbait mini?

I’m in. You had me at Donut. Where in Knoxville? (I’ve probably tried them all - I like donuts)

Umm, I’ll buy gas? 😂

Thanks - will DM you next time I know I’ve got a trip coming up.

Thanks again @Tennessee Boy Follow-up question…what about the Knoxville area? My wife travels there for work quite frequently and since my youngest is a Sr in HS, I sometimes do the bad parent thing and leave him at home alone…😳😳

@Tennessee Boy You ever hit any of the smaller rivers/tributaries? I fished second creek last week. I find myself venturing out toward wheeler/wilson now more than Guntersville. The grass is a killer for me and my kayak. I’m a paddle guy… Also, I’d probably be just as safe trying to wade with a 40lb anchor tied to me as I would in a kayak at the dam while it’s generating!!

Thanks all. I know this is subjective and depends on conditions, but are there “go-to”s that you use color wise, weight wise, etc?

I want to specifically target some smallmouth. I live in N Alabama (Huntsville). Live about halfway between Wheeler and Guntersville. Lots of great fishing. However, I want to specifically target some smallies this fall. The Elk River will probably be my first foray into that world. What are some of the things I need to know/learn? As far as lure selection, how does it differ from LMB? What are some of your confidence baits? Are there specific things I should be looking for on my electronics (no FFS)? My daughter and son-in-law live about 20 mins S of Dale Hollow, which I’m pretty sure there are small ones there 😂😂. I’m a kayak fisherman, so if there are also places that you can recommend in this area it near Dale hollow, I’m all ears. thanks!

Could you explain a little more in detail about #6? I’m not sure what that is? I asked my wife and she didn’t know either?

I really like my 16x16. I think right now, I’ve got 7 3700s in it and 2 3500s. 2 of the 3700s are the edge thins (one is the terminal box). I also throw my spinnerbait “bag” in there. Sometimes some soft plastic clamshells find their way in there too. I have 2 of the trac packs on top. Those carry my go to soft plastics for whatever I’m fishing that day. I must admit though that one is always loaded with spunk shads because I always have a chatterbait tied on. I have 6 rod holders on mine. Two on one side are angled back so my longer swimbait rod will fit (7’11). My next purchase is the short stack. Like said above, the tethers on the rod holders always seem to get in the way of closing the lid OR in the way of putting a rod in.

My first expensive bait was a magdraft. I just took possession of a klash9 (right about $140). I went and bought some lure knockers today 😂😂. I hope to not have to use them, but $10 insurance for a $100 bait makes sense to me. Not that the lure knockers are 100% success guaranteed, but neither is my car insurance…

I use seaguar tactx. It’s camo already.

My chrome gill came in today and let me take a word from when my 29 yr old was younger…it’s fire! Gonna throw it at Wheeler Lake tomorrow. Pretty excited…

My order arrived today. Helps that their warehouse is only about 4 hrs from me. So, UPS ground is actually next day. Quick question though - what sized hooks did you get? All the literature and even the box said 2/0. However, they don’t fit my runcl hook covers for 2/0, so I’m thinking they may be 3/0?

My local dicks doesn’t do fishing any longer. Closest is about an hour and a half. Our dicks stopped selling fishing so they could have more store layout for Alabama and Auburn stuff ☹️☹️

Dicks has jackhammers buy three, get three free. That makes them $10/ea

This primate is making my wife really mad…when she says something about it, I blame the VA for not giving me hearing aids. Stacked the TW newsletter discount with the River2Sea 30% flash sale on TW and got a tactical wake, a spro rat, a couple of double plopper buzz baits and a few nest raiders. Never tried these before, but at around $3, I couldn’t pass them up. All of this was just a hair over (less than $5) $100.

I swear I’m going to stop reading this thread. TW got me on the 30% R2S flash sale, combined with the 20% newsletter and I got a chrome gill tactical wake, a couple of the double plopper buzz baits, a spro 50 rat. I also threw in a couple of the R2S nest raiders. Never fished them, but for $3, I figured I’d at least try them… all for right at $100 shipped.

If you’ve not tried the spunk shad, I do believe you’ll be happy. I have tons. When I go to Chattanooga (only about an hour and a half from me), I always stop at hog farmer and stock up on the 4.5 and the 5.5”. I don’t normally downsize very much, so I’ve yet to try the 3.5s. I’ve tried the chatterspike and it’s ok, but I have a hard time going away from the spunk shads. If you wanna try the chatterspikes, DM me and I’ll send you some to try.

Caveat to add - the “best” knot is subjective really. YOUR “best” knot is the one you can tie most competently. For me, it was the palomar, and to an extent, still is. As stated above, a palomar is a pain to try and get over even an 8” bait. BUT, once I started tying a SDJ, I’ve realized that it’s much easier for ME to tie that. Not that a palomar is hard to tie at all, but for me, the SDJ just seems like an easier knot. However, I will say this. Depending on the number of wraps with braid when tying a SDJ, the “loops” that you make are very lazy since braid doesn’t hold memory. What I mean by that is that you have to “hunt” to get the loops. With flouro/mono, since there is memory, and honestly a completely different profile makeup, the loops are much easier to find.

@Koz - you have good luck with those freeloaders? I fished them this weekend as chatterbait evo trailers. I’m not sure if it’s the plastic, the hook keeper, or what, but they didn’t stay on the bait long. Actually cast some of them off. I normally put a drop of superglue on the nose of a trailer, but couldn’t find it this time. I’m wondering if anyone else has had an issue with durability on these? They feel good and tough, but they just kept getting torn up in that evo.

I have started using the San Diego jam because it easy to tie and it seems pretty strong. “WASTING” line isn’t an issue for me when I’ve got a $150+ swimbait tied on. It’s much cheaper to buy more line than (sometimes hard to come by) a big swimbait.

Ok, no worries there. I’m spooling correctly.