RSBreth

The brand new issue of In-Fisherman has a really good article about using football jigs. It's probably on the newsstand now. I mainly use them for dragging gravely areas, like you you would a Carolina rig. That's about it.

I always use some kind of trailer, usually a Kalins 3- or 5-inch, with the tail down, matched to the main color of the lure. Top is Strike King "Little Mr. Money", bottom is Terminator 3/8th tandem. Both have a 5" Kalin grub trailer. No trailer hook, ever. If the fish aren't getting hooked or just swiping at it, I change lure speed, size, or color. Or all three.

Truer words were never spoken!

I use compact spinnerbaits mostly for Smallies, but caught plenty of them on regular sized models. In my opinion most folks fish too "small" and forget 3- to 5-pound Smallmouths will hit whatever they want.

I caught one right here once - about 5 years ago... View Larger Map"><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=37.104135,-93.264267&amp;spn=0.000967,0.001725&amp;z=19&amp;output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=37.104135,-93.264267&amp;spn=0.000967,0.001725&amp;z=19&amp;source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

Sweet. Nice Rock Bass.

I don't think moving it a few inches would matter. Like your mods, but do you like those "molded" seats? I hate them - I like to move around in the seat, and need a flatter surface for that

This entire post has me starting to believe that the Drake's "hazing ritual" has some merit... you know, before someone has full rights to post.. http://www.drakemag.com/messageboard/viewt...f=1&t=13313

I don't know about lodging being a problem- for that close of a trip I'd just go back home at night. I know I do for Ozark from Crane. EDIT-`I see now, Monette ARKANSAS, not Monett Missouri - my bad. Republic has to have something.

O.K., now I get it. I haven't fished either of those areas for a year or so. Just too much other good water around, especially for Smallmouth.

Yeah, it's small enough where only a couple of us are enough pressure.

Great report, too bad about the rod. What model spinnerbait was that?

This was from early '06 so I'm fairly sure the Crappie aren't in the same spots right now. Just try any of the big slow pools near timber and you're bound to catch a couple. You might catch a White Bass or Walleye, too. You just never know on the Finley.

If I was coming all the way from St. Louie I would go to the Niangua or James or Gasconade before trying one of the Sacs.

Thanks for the kind words guys. I wish I had more time tonight to write something and maybe take some pictures of the rigging of tubes - maybe an idea for the blog, right? Anyway, I searched the web for a good diagram but everyone that has some article about tube rigging doesn't have a good picture of it, but it's pretty simple to describe. I have an extra wide gap hook (I think it's a Mustad 3/0 for that Zoom tube) and I Texas-rig the tube on that hook, then stick the weight up the back end of the tube (gently squeeze it past the bend in the hook or you'll tear the tube), pointed end first. You can make sure it's all the way near the head for a quicker spiraling fall, or keep it more in the center for more "glide". A 1/16-ounce weight works good for a slower, drifting presentation, the 1/8 will get you down quicker. Where and how to fish them? Find a nice half-submerged tree or large rock that breaks the current. Cast so the tube lands just upstream of the cover, and where the current will just barely drift it past the cover. Let it drift on a semi-slack line, but watch your line like a hawk. Some days fish will hit the tube as it drifts, other days you'll need to have it tick along the bottom, just experiment.

I don't use tubes as often as some of the other fishermen on here, but I've had the most luck with the smaller Zoom tubes in "Grasshopper." http://www.landbigfish.com/tacklestore/showcase.cfm?PID=669 I usually use a wide-gap offset bend hook, and stick a 1/16 or 1/8-ounce bullet weight up inside. Works good.

Quick answer is no. Just to much trouble down there, which is too bad.

I was going to say that wherever that is, I've been there, even if I haven't been there exactly.

Does it break on your hook set, or when trying to free a snag? Just wondering because I use 6/14 Fireline W/14-pound fluoro all the time and rarely have break off issues.

I don't really think the "GE" (genetically enhanced) Rainbows should count. But the IGFA doesn't consult me on these matters, so I guess it'll stand.

I like reading these reports, but it's killing me because I can't get out to fish - just way to busy. You know it's bad when you can't get out to fish a spot 10 minutes from your own house. Maybe tomorrow.

Wow, that's a pretty good deal. Better than the one I saw a couple of days ago, they wanted 600.00 used, which I thought was a bit much.

Yeah, that or a Swifty.

Oh man, I though I was going to break the record. Now I'll have to aim higher.

Very cool. Good report.