*T*

Nice! Any real detail that makes you believe it's a petrified fish? What are some dimensions? Would probably weigh real good in a tourney if legal length.

6# Sensation ≈.229 mm - (you would think I was trying to sell this stuff, not) My only recollection of PLine was that it was stiff and wouldn't lay well on spinning reel spool, but my memory has been known to lie to me once or twice.

From the Berkley web page about Sensation Mono: "Ultra strong and thin. Our highest strength-per-diameter mono, wet or dry. Super sensitive to detect light bites. Low memory for outstanding castability and handling. Maximum knot strength for more fish-fighting power." I'd have to agree with them. Been using this for many years now and have not found a reason to change. Haven't tried many of the lines you all are mentioning here, just have had vg success with Sensation. Strength per diameter is key factor. If you say the line you are using is suppose to be 8# but it's so strong that it's like 12#, well, it's (really) 12# and you are losing out on handling characteristics you might have with real 8#. Interesting discussion though.

McClelland has won at Grand before and the jig or jerkbait bite may be the ticket. But this is the World Series/Super Bowl and any of these great anglers could step up with big weights.

It's interesting how, especially late winter, just when you think there isn't a fish in the lake biting, you meet up with some guys who just smoked them, both in numbers and size. And, from the opposite side of the equation, when you've had a fairly good day, you meet up with friends on the water who have netted a "0", let them know that in fact there is a bite going on and, with that bit of inspiration, they turn their day around with some solid fish. Just keeps me always thinking that, "They're biting somewhere. Find them and get a bait in front of their nose."

Am planning on fishing more 5" swimbaits this year in hopes of meeting a few more larger fish face-to-face. Tex-posed weighted swimbait hook or open-hook swimbait jig? Also, what seasons are this size of a bait most effective. Good for winter/late winter bite?

What do you all think about the importance of trade-offs of light line v. heavier. There is definitely more stretch (more difficulty setting hook) and less sensitivity (slower transmission of bite sensations) with very light line. And although I know there is some positive influence on bait action with lighter line, doesn't the visibility factor of heavier lines not come into play so much in lower light situations we see every day on the water such as; early morning, late afternoon, heavy cloud conditions, high wind conditions, not to mention deep water fishing. Open, shallow water, flat water, bluebird sky situations (which seem to show up every time I'm on the lake), light line surely helps. Have fished micro-lines for trout over the years and have seen significant increase in bites, but not yet sold on 4/6# line at Table Rock. Convince me.

Have caught numbers and size on Staysees and like them much. When jerkbait fishing like to keep a shallow and deeper bait on hand for different situations. Also like to keep smaller jerkbaits ready for quiet, no wind, shallower water situations. Fish mostly LC baits but have McRips & 110+1 to try out this year.

Baitcasters - 12# & 15# Seagar Inviz-X Fluoro (One rod with 12-15# mono for topwaters) Spinning - 10# Berkely Sensation Mono Clear - (low diameter = to or < most other 8# monos, great limpness, great castability, low memory, good sensitivity), 12# for more difficult situations A-Rig - SpiderWire 50# Braid Green Carolina Rig - SpiderWire 50# Braid Green + 12# Fluoro Leader

Thanks for all of your comments. Hate to get somewhat back to my original question , but........Has LM population percentage shown any significant increase or stayed about the same? Aren't the SM flourishing and shouldn't we expect to see more & more giants. And, based on a few outings there are just so many 10 - 15" Spots right now, is 2013 set for an explosion of 15"+ Kentuckies? Thanks. Merry Christmas / Happy New Year

Interested in any of your thoughts on how the population of larger fish stacks up vs. say 10 years ago on Table Rock. LM, SM & Spots. Are we reaching peak levels or is there room for growth? Shad populations seem to be in good shape. I guess low lake levels, if they continue into the summer, could again threaten bass population structure.

Love all the crawdad colors and have way too many. Have also had good success on silver sided/black back and even straight chartreuse. The old suspending warts seem to have the best erratic action of all of them and that may be as big of a factor as color.

Very nice buck. I want one and will be looking again tonight. Left-handed, Remington bolt-action?

This topic inspired me to join OA and comment. Sure professional anglers are working to put food on the table and a few dollars in their pocket, but why is that different than others who work most all of the year to allow themselves and family a few days on the lake? See no reason for recreational anglers to yield to tournament fishermen other than for basic courtesy.

Long time reader of posts here and finally took the leap to sign up. Deer hunter/Fisherman. Fish LOZ, Stockton, Bull Shoals, Norfork, with long history of fishing Table Rock. Excellent site we have here. Hope to contribute from time to time. Thanks, all.