You're Invited To The 2014 Roadtrip!

[bassin is addicting]

we can do that... that is another thing that is great about this trip. everyone has no problem telling what they use to catch them with. 

it is not a "double secret".

the whole trip/idea is to have fun and everyone catch as many fish as possible.

 

i am heading to BP this weekend.  if anyone wants/needs me to pick anything up...let me know.

[Brian Needham]

can i get some suggestions on colors for the plastics?

 

I am going out on a limb and say the standard...... Green pumpkin, watermelon, ect

 

you can always dip it in JJs for a color change.

 

dont forget the Zoom magnum shakeyhead worms in Watermelon Candy!  lots of guys used straight watermelon with the tail dipped in JJ as you probably remember.

and above all dont forget the JIGS!!!!!!

 

now a local question....... the more and more I read the more and more I see the color plum come up in TN river chain discussions..... is this prevelant color I have missed?

[.ghoti.]

I'll be there for the banquet.

 

Plum and red are both good colors for the entire TN river chain.

 

A couple of years ago I tore them up on Kentucky Lake with a red 5" GYCB hula grub on an Evo Shake2 jighead.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I am going out on a limb and say the standard...... Green pumpkin, watermelon, ect

 

you can always dip it in JJs for a color change.

 

Good ol green pumpkin works everywhere   Its a slayer on Pick.

 

I'm going to bring a bunch of Menace's.  They are like Smallie candy!! 

[Fishing Rhino]

i'm in for the banquet also...

 

and thanks Rhino....now the baitmonkey is sending me for grubs, menace(s), and weighted wacky hooks...  can i get some suggestions on colors for the plastics?

 

The Menace:  Pumpkin with purple and gold flake, Watermelon with red flake (it also has black but not in the description), black with red flake (might be called neon).

 

My standby is watermelon with black and red flake, but there are times other colors work as well or better.  Start out with my recommendation, then include some of your favorites.

 

If you like creature baits, a pack or two of Yamamoto Flappin Hogs can be used as a drop shot, a trailer, or rigged as per the picture I posted.  The glue is an absolute must on the Flappin Hog.  Like most Yamamoto baits they are not durable.

 

One other bait is the Strike King finesse worm.  I like the four inch version, but if you like larger baits a seven inch finesse worm is available.  They float and make a great shaky head bait.  Just in case, do not mix any elaztech bait such as the finesse worm with your other plastics.  They will melt together in a nasty mess.

 

One more recommendation for the elaZtech finesse worm.  Open a safety pin, straighten it leaving the circle intact and heat it over a flame (candle works well) and melt a hole along the center line to a depth of about 3/4" deep.  This allows you to slide it over a barbed holder like those on the Buckeye Shaky Head Spot Remover.  Without that, it is impossible to make the barbed holder penetrate the nose.

 

This bait is a rare variation from my good old watermelon red, though I do have some.  My color of preference for the SK finesse worm is coppertreuse.

 

As long as you don't lose it, you'll never need to replace it.  They are indestructible.  I've caught over thirty bass on a single worm before losing it to a hang on the bottom.

[Brian Needham]

and for cranks...... remember Randy Haynes blew away the everstart on pickwick while we were there.... 6xd in sexy shad and citrus shad

 

also the Surrat brothers who caught 23-25# a day in the same tournament, they locked through to Wilson  every morning and thier fish were caught on a big hammer in the "sara's shad" color.

The Surrat brothers fininshed #2 and #3.

[riskkid 2]

Susan and I are in for the banquet

[bassin is addicting]

i can see a menace on one of Siebert's shakey heads.... might be a good setup..

 

how about Redbug as a good color?

[Fishing Rhino]

Don't know about the redbug.   You'll have to ask the fish. 

 

If it's a color you've been successful with, why not?

[macmichael]

My wife and I are in for the banquet  as well.  Getting excited!!!!!

[macmichael]

So are we only fishing for just smallies or large mouth and smallies? 

[Fishing Rhino]

So are we only fishing for just smallies or large mouth and smallies? 

 

Both.

[BassnChris]

^{Beckie and I will make the banquet.}

[Brian Needham]

So are we only fishing for just smallies or large mouth and smallies? 

 

the water is populated with all three..... largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.

 

I think I caught  75+/- fish last year. Out of those 8-10 were smallmouth and 3 were spots.

 

the Smallmouth bite is going to be a timing deal, as they are now moved up, and by the roadtrip they will probably be moved deeper....... but it all really depends on current and many other factors.

 

 some guys got into a 30 or so smallmouth day last year, but I cant remmeebr who...... might have been Dinky or Procrafter.

 

you might not catch one all week or you might be on them ALL week.... that's the fun in fishing such a diverse lake!

[Long Mike]

How do you fish a Senko on this lake?

[Brian Needham]

How do you fish a Senko on this lake?

 

anyway you want!!

 

I hear Glenn gives lessons.....

[riskkid 2]

How do you fish a Senko on this lake?

You can use any brand of rod you want but you have to use a Shimano reel....otherwise they won't work. BTW...any rumors that a Lew's reel will work are false!!

[Mike L]

The Menace:  Pumpkin with purple and gold flake, Watermelon with red flake (it also has black but not in the description), black with red flake (might be called neon).

 

My standby is watermelon with black and red flake, but there are times other colors work as well or better.  Start out with my recommendation, then include some of your favorites.

 

If you like creature baits, a pack or two of Yamamoto Flappin Hogs can be used as a drop shot, a trailer, or rigged as per the picture I posted.  The glue is an absolute must on the Flappin Hog.  Like most Yamamoto baits they are not durable.

 

One other bait is the Strike King finesse worm.  I like the four inch version, but if you like larger baits a seven inch finesse worm is available.  They float and make a great shaky head bait.  Just in case, do not mix any elaztech bait such as the finesse worm with your other plastics.  They will melt together in a nasty mess.

 

One more recommendation for the elaZtech finesse worm.  Open a safety pin, straighten it leaving the circle intact and heat it over a flame (candle works well) and melt a hole along the center line to a depth of about 3/4" deep.  This allows you to slide it over a barbed holder like those on the Buckeye Shaky Head Spot Remover.  Without that, it is impossible to make the barbed holder penetrate the nose.

 

This bait is a rare variation from my good old watermelon red, though I do have some.  My color of preference for the SK finesse worm is coppertreuse.

 

As long as you don't lose it, you'll never need to replace it.  They are indestructible.  I've caught over thirty bass on a single worm before losing it to a hang on the bottom.

Thanks Rhino, I wondering about just that.

Mike

[Mike L]

and for cranks...... remember Randy Haynes blew away the everstart on pickwick while we were there.... 6xd in sexy shad and citrus shad

 

also the Surrat brothers who caught 23-25# a day in the same tournament, they locked through to Wilson  every morning and thier fish were caught on a big hammer in the "sara's shad" color.

The Surrat brothers fininshed #2 and #3.

Thanks Brian

Mike

[riskkid 2]

Here's what I'm thinking about bringing / throwing (I think they'll be relatively shallow mostly post spawn):

 

Topwater - Buzzbait, Pop R

Cranks - Sq Bills and some Series 5 type to get a little deeper if need be

T Rig - Lizards, Baby Brush Hogs

Jigs - 1/4 finesse jigs, 3/8 football jigs, shakey head

Spinnerbait

Grubs (incl menace)

 

What is everyone else thinking?? Starting to get really fired up!!!

[Siebert Outdoors]

I'll probably not be too different then that. 

 

Topwater,  Sammy

Crank Squarebill

Shaky head menace

Jig 3/8-12

Spinnerbait 3/8

Bluegill U2 Swimbait

[Brian Needham]

Bring it all boys........ you got an entire cabin to store it in!!!!

 

 

if I were going this is what I would have rigged when I launched my boat:

 

3/4oz jig

1/2 oz jig

1/8 oz shakey 

1/4oz shakey

3/8oz shakey

dt10

5xd

6in bull shad

senko weightless ( I learned that lesson)

and work out from there.

 

IMO the beauty of the TN River the first week in May is they will be in all 3 stages, pre/on bed/and post so catch 'em how ever you are comfortable........ and learn/build confidence in a new technique while you are at it.  

Last year I walked away being a MUCH better shakeyhead fisherman and finally learned how to fish a senko(always fished it too fast)

 

so throw it all in your trunk, you'll use it LOL

[papajoe222]

I'm only bringing one rod and a box full of Spooks. Why? you guys think I'll need something else?

Wait, it's April 2.................................Never mind.  I can't bring it all, but half a dozen combos and a dozen 3700s, my boat bag full of plastics and ...........................  How much room in your truck Mac?

[Jack Fate]

Won't be able to make banquet

[Siebert Outdoors]

I'm going to try to sink my buddies boat with all the tackle I'm bringing.