natanestaban

Braid or Nanofil with a flouro leader is the way to go unless you plan to use the rod for topwaters. Some braids are better than others on a spinning reel. Power Pro is good. I haven't tried Nanofil yet but I understand it's worth every penny.

I have several of a very similarly designed bait by Luhr Jensen called a 'Brush Baby'. Love them for cranking wood cover.

Opinions or thoughts Flat side up or down for Roboworms, handpours, etc.?

I had a similar bad FedEx experience like BassnBlvd described. If you use FedEx, use PVC and make sure it's insured.

The simple repair is how it starts. I replaced a broken guide on one of my rods, Ebayed my name brand rods, and now build my own. Mudhole,Swampland,Acidrod, others will have what you need. Roll Tide

Alabama Power Generation Schedule number 800-525-3711 or https://lakes.alabamapower.com/ Good luck and Roll Tide

I fished that lake a few times when I lived in Valdosta in the mid 1990's. Caught some nice bass there pitching to the cypress trees. I think I was using a red colored ribbon tail worm back then. I would be nervous being in that lake with a kayak due to the other wildlife. Also, if I remember correctly, Burt Renolds made a movie called 'Gator' there in the 70's. Kind of a Smokey and the Bandit type flick with boats.

'Hey net boy, get ready"

Anyone have any feedback on these. I just chewed up my aluminum prop in some rocks looking for Iaconnili's hot spot at the take off site of last year's year end Alabama River tournament. Depth went from 20' to 2' in half a boat length. I was only at idle speed but too fast to back off. I'm lucky I didn't do more damage. Remarkably, the skeg looks untouched. Anyways, the aluminum prop is a goner. Took about 1/4 to 1/2" of the ends of two of the blades. I guess I can keep if as a spare 'limp home' deal. I have a four blade Comp Prop that was my old back up. My concern is whether or not these things are adequate for full time duty or just for an emergency. Anyone have any experience with these? The motor is only a 90hp.

When cranking, starter gear with pop up to flywheel but after that starter axel (or what ever it's called) will just spin at high rpms but gear doesn't move. I.e. the axel spins freely inside gear. Flywheel/motor is not seized. I can move it by hand. Is there an easy fix or is a new starter needed? Any ideas/thoughts/recommendations appreciated.

Check out the article on this site titled 'The Fishing Line System" A true flouro on a spinning rod is a pain no matter what brand you use. An appropriately sized braid with a flouro leader casts better than anything else and will be more sensitive. The trick is making sure you have good knots. A drop of super glue on your braid to leader knot is helpfull. Also having some larger sized line (mono) on spool as a backing will save money as you don't need to waste your braid on line you won't actually be casting. A small piece of electrical tape over the backing to braid knot will keep knot from poking through and catching line on casts. Some braids do not work well on spinning setups either if not totally round. I have had good luck with Power Pro. My medium weight spinning rod is set up like this with 20lb mono backing, 10# braid (I don't know how they come up with the 10# as you can uproot a tree with it), and 8# flouro leader. On a baitcaster I use flouro on all with a cheaper backing line except my topwater rod and extra heavy flipping rod. Remember with flouro, attention to knot tying is extra important due to flouro 'burning' if cinched to fast and without lubrication. Just my 2 cents. Roll Tide

Check http://www.fishingalabama.com/marttip.html If I had to bring only one bait to Martin it would be a watermelon finesse worm on a 1/8 to 1/4 oz. shakey head fished on points or docks with deep water close by with wind or current on them. Good luck and enjoy your stay. Roll Tide

There's a guy in Valdosta Ga. who sells his stuff on Ebay. Called 'GhostBaits'. Very good plastics. His 4.5" paddletails are great with color patterns you can't find anywhere else. Roll Tide

The Alabama is a big river. Barges can go all the way up to Wetumpka. Come check it out. There is a reason there have been several BASS classics and last year's tour championship here. Good luck, BamaNate

I forgot to mention that the Army corps of engineers runs the dam at the lower end. The number for their generation schedules is 334-682-4896. Let us know how you did and what patterns were working. Bama Nate