They seem to be moving shallower.

[Blue Raider Bob]

Went to the Tennessee River yesterday and went fishless for two hours fishing some deeper water that has been productive this year. Checked out some shallower water with rip rap banks and visible old stumps from before the impoundment. Flipped a craw to first stump and WHAM! Caught a 3-3, 3-8, lost a pig, and caught several at 14". And some dinks that managed to eat the craw. All on craws targeting stumps and logs in 5 feet of water or less. Water temp 71 deg. And extremely clear for our rivers. Used an 1/8 Ned head with craw and did two things different from last trip......went with straight braid, and sharpened my hooks often! This allowed me to get good hook sets, unlike last week when I lost two hogs on mono.

BTW, I realize these size fish are as common as fleas on a dog's back to most of you guys...and girls, ole' Crickety.....but they are an absolute delight for this ol'e southern boy! My 9th and 10th 3 lb ever! Can't wait till Sunday!

[Swamp Girl]

Way to go, Bob! I saw the same thing yesterday, i.e. bass tight to the shoreline, but mine were chasing minnows, as I saw their silver sides flashing, as they leapt to flee. I don't know if they were largemouth or smallmouth, as I caught both yesterday, and the bass were too focused on chasing minnows to hit my wake bait, but it was thrilling to see and surprising to see how shallow that water was. 

 

I'm thinking of using more straight braid next year. I lose too many fish to weeds and when I was using mono to frog fish, I couldn't even hook the fish. 

 

As far as fishing Sunday, go, Southern boy, go! 

[T-Billy]

On 10/7/2022 at 3:48 PM, ol'crickety said:

I'm thinking of using more straight braid next year. I lose too many fish to weeds and when I was using mono to frog fish, I couldn't even hook the fish. 

 

Straight braid will work well for you for alot of presentations Katie. It's tailor made for the shallow weedy waters you fish. I HIGHLY recommend Sufix 832. It's very reasonably priced, and handles very well. That Gore fiber gives it some body. It's not as wispy as most other braids, and you'll get less tip wraps. It's also very abrasion resistant for a braid. Most will recommend 50# in cover, but I've found 40# to be plenty strong, large enough diameter to prevent line dig from being a problem, and it casts further than 50.

[Swamp Girl]

Coincidentally, Tim, I was thinking about braid again when I awoke this morning. You don't use leaders, do you? Is there a color you prefer? Lastly, can I spool my spinning reels with braid? 

[T-Billy]

On 10/9/2022 at 8:31 AM, ol'crickety said:

Coincidentally, Tim, I was thinking about braid again when I awoke this morning. You don't use leaders, do you? Is there a color you prefer? Lastly, can I spool my spinning reels with braid? 

I only use a leader when fishing deep rock to make breaking off easier. I mostly use Sufix 832 in low-vis green. You can absolutely spool your spinning reels with braid.

[Swamp Girl]

Thanks, Tim. I'm going to buy some Suffix 832 in low-vis green and spool a spinning reel or two. 

[Dwight Hottle]

13 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

Thanks, Tim. I'm going to buy some Suffix 832 in low-vis green and spool a spinning reel or two. 

 

For spinning reels you can use 10lb or 15lb braid without any problems. Most 10 lb braid breaks at about 17-20lb and with spinning tackle you don't  have to worry about back lashes. 

[Swamp Girl]

Thanks, Dwight. Then I'll go with 10 lb. test. I've been using 17 lb. mono on my main spinning reel and I had never had a bass break it this fishing season. 

[1984isNOW]

@ol'crickety  Sorry to interrupt but I would highly recommend going with the 15 pound braid. I just made the switch last season after using 10# for years. They're both great, 15# is barely any larger in diameter- but just enough so that it digs into itself a little less, lays a little flatter, just a little easier in the wind (including less wind knots), but still super light and thin.

 

Also, depending on application, I've moved to a high vis yellow and either a 6-8 pound leader or black sharpie for a few feet of line (I still have like 4 new spools of low-vis green I expected use until I switched and haven't gone back haha). I do this for slower presentations and finesse bottom contact. Helps me see a subtle take and also have a better idea where my lure is exactly.

 

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming

[Blue Raider Bob]

Just my two cents....I fish rocks and current and started using Suffix 832 in Low vis green. I use a 20 lb test because I can straighten out jig hook when snagged. If fishing non-current situations the lower test braid would be ideal but if you get alot of snags the 20lb may work for you. The diameter of the line is minimal and the Smallies and Spots don't seem to mind.

Thanks for the Suffix 832 recommendation T-Billy! I'm glad I made the change.