Wayne SW/MO

The problem with bearings ar two fold, one you never know what quality you're getting in cheaper reels. I can almost guarantee that a reel with a lot of bearings and and a low cost is not going to be filled with quality bearings. The other is that a lot of bearings create more of an illusion than fact. There are only a few that really matter. The spool bearings can promote better casting, and bearings on both ends of the level wind shaft can also help. The anti reverse avoids the take up of slack in a mechanical anti reverse, which also requires more parts and makes the roller bearing cheaper. The rest of the bearings are more show then practical, they can make the reel a little smoother, but they also provide more opportunity for foreign matter to enter and more surface area to be effected. Good design, close machine work and quality bushings will trump a bunch of cheap bearings any day.

You can't use grease on an anti reverse bearing. You're right that a thin oil like 3 in 1 is all that's needed.

Its not a good environment for them. If it was they would be there. Bulls Shoals and Table Rock don't have a good population of smallies across the entire area.

I've never had a problem with gut hooking with Senko's, but tubes are notorious for it. I've just about quit using them. As far as a hook and/or bait disintegrating, its going to depend a lot on brand of hook and the alloy and the plastic in the bait.

I've never used a Quantum reel, but a lot of people do. Maybe a post asking for specifics on that reel would help?

gotmuddy use a jig. I dress my jigs with the shell highlights of crawdads and they work. You don't have to match anything exactly, just give an impression.

You might also keep an eye out for a BPS reel on sale. They aren't bad reels and you can often upgrade with a sale price.

My best smallie lures are 3/16 oz jigs in brown and green and a couple of Sammie's for the top. Tubes work well, but are hard on the fish. Beyond that plastic, lures with slow wobbles, and spinner baits are worth trying. In the fall jerkbaits do well.

Don't forget that you likely won't need anything under your waders in October. I wouldn't overdue the fleece. I've had great luck with Hodgman waders, not the cheapest, but something above that.

I don't think you can buy those chairs anymore.

I agree, Fleece is the key. The fleece wader pants are nice, the stirrups keep everything in place.

Looks good Eric. If my Solo didn't wobble a little i would think I was grounded.

Sounds like y'all had a good day Goggle Eye. Sounds like a long shuttle though, if I'm thinking right.

I've noticed in some of Chief's Goggle Eye pictures and the one you just posted, they seem to have a different mottling than those on this side of the ridge. I don't know if its my imagination, but they seem to have more contrast.

Like Al said, its been around forever. It wasn't intended for anglers alone, even though they probably give it the most use. Tryon's Smallmouth book is a good choice for anglers, especially considering the fact its not meant for boaters. It does lack information on shoals, obstructions, etc., but there isn't anything in Missouri a person with reasonable experience can't handle safely.

I was thinking more like a catfish in a fish basket in answering a question concerning fish.

Where did you fish Oneshot? I haven't seen Cottonseed cake in years. What we used had a hole in it and we tied the hooks back to back through it. I think cheap hotdogs do just as well, if not better, especially with a little anise oil soaked into them.

I would ask the "Guy".

Oneshot carp aren't line shy, not even close. I would stay in water under 20' and use something like Cat recommended or a few kernels of canned sweet corn. Cat have you ever fished Middle Fork for carp?

I didn't go by that, I contacted people I knew had them or had had them. I decided to hold off for a Vagabond because of what I was told. Before I had the money for a Vagabond I ran across a cherry Mohawk Solo 13 for $300, and I haven't looked back. I still have my yaks and I think they have their place. As I stated before I feel more comfortable in the Tarpon when the water is cold than I do in the solo. I know it will stay upright and keep me from a swim in cold water.

Except for the flyfishing, that describes my fishing. Overall I would think a solo in the 40# range would probably be best. The 12'Tarpon is fine also, up until you have to load and unload on a steep bank or portage. For what its worth, I've never paddled a Pack, but I seriously considered one until I got a lot of negative feedback on the stability from those who had owned them.

I'm not familiar with that one, but I have a Solo 13 and I'm more than pleased with it. The secondary stability is excellent while the tracking is acceptable. I suspect if the tracking was better the agility would suffer. I don't mind the trade off.

Looks like a great trip,

That brings a smile to my face, how things change. I remember well when 7 highway had to Swinging bridges, one at the Grand river and long gone, and one at Warsaw which is preserved and open to foot traffic. We never thought anything about crossing them.