drew03cmc

I have been using Sufix Elite on my casting reels in 10# test. I like the way it casts and handles. It has very little memory, and casts very well in cold weather as well as warm weather.

They clean the water Mitch.

I was in BPS for a few this afternoon to wiggle some sticks and see what I liked. The Lowrider LFC-5-16 and the IMX CR722 were the two I wanted to feel, and they feel almost identical given the wiggle test. The ratings are the same, the feel (to my hand) is the same, the price of the Falcon is 1/2 of the IMX. I would be happy to own any of them. To the guy who asked if I fish tight water, it depends on which location on which lake here I am fishing. Up the creek arms, it gets pretty skinny, where I can easily lay casts on the other bank or up in the trees if I wanted to. It is about the size of upper Shoal Creek if anyone has been there. I would also use these rods for floating or wading Ozark creeks, so the six foot length is ideal to me.

Thanks for the help guys. I look forward to seeing what I can do to handle the cravings for bass fishing over the winter.

And you didn't holler at me? For shame! No, I am eager to bundle up and see if I can't do some damage this winter on bigger fish.

Ness, how did you know? I guess some jignpig stuff is in my near future. Favorite colors? When you sat jerkbaits, what are you referring to? I assume like the Rapala HJ08 or something similar, but if I am wrong, let me know.

I have a couple of lakes close to home, one of 7 acres at full pool and the other of about 180. I am looking to catch bass in them all winter long, provided there is no ice covering the water. I haven't fished extensively in cold water for largemouth and was wondering what lures you would toss, what tackle you would use, and what areas of the lake one should focus on. In the past, the only times I have caught coldwater bass, I was using plastics and fishing them in constant contact with the bottom.

That lake isn't too far from work...might have to check it out.

QB, if you look at the line and lure rating, it is identical to the St Croix Avid and the Loomis CR722 mentioned in this thread, so I wouldn't hold many reservations about it.

What does everyone think of the Falcon Lowrider LFC-5-16? It is a 6' MH power (sort of) rated for 10-17# line and 1/4-5/8 lures. I think it would suit my needs and it is made in the USA. Just wanted to get a quick opinion on this rod from anyone who might know of it or own one.

Fish move. That is an undisputable fact. To claim they migrate implies that it is a repeatable event, yearly, and that they return where they came from, which there is ZERO data to support. Like Chief, a long-term radio tagging study is the ONLY way to confirm that they migrate. One thing I find funny is that in other parts of the country, the smallmouth don't migrate, rather they school in the deepest holes with suitable winter cover and are caught all winter long by anglers who know how to catch them. I guess if you don't catch any, you can blame it on the mass migration, rather than admit that you struck out or haven't learned how.

This migration makes me laugh. Migration entails a return trip. Fish wander, that is what they do. Few remain in the same pools their whole life, but yes, it does happen.

Jealous, party of one.

Mic, for smallmouth, I have to drive farther. In fact, I want to float on New Years Day if I can swing it.

I will let you know Ronnie. Thanks for the offer.

Why worry about what someone else's rules are for creek fishing? Go out there, throw some plastics at them and see what you get. I don't quit bass fishing until there is ice on our lakes up here. You can catch bass in creeks and streams all year.

I have a hard time justifying the cost Ronnie, but that rod has been the top one on my radar.

Senko-type baits are heavier than I thought. My 6' M power casting rod chucked one a good, long distance this morning. I guess I don't need a different rod, just more rods.

I hadn't thought of that QB, Dobyns is on my radar, but also, the BPS CarbonLite is available in a ML power rod, 1/16-1/2oz lures and is available in a combo with a Curado for $240. If I went Dobyns, it would have to be the DX702, just for the lure rating. For lures, I am thinking weightless 4 and 5" Senkos Texas Rigged along with the occasional fluke.

Has anyone used the Loomis CR721 IMX for throwing weightless plastics? If so, how did you like it and if not, do you have any other suggestions?

Redeye Bass (Micropterus Coosae) are in northern Alabama, eastern Tennessee, SE Kentucky, western South Carolina and Northern Georgia. You are thinking of Shoal Bass or Suwannee Bass, but nice try Jim.

I think Wrench is right on this one. My first thought was redeye, but it has a few things missing for that one.

Snowbee?

Hair jigs are hair, and often on a heavier jighead, possibly containing accents of rubber legs or zonker strips while marabou jigs are normally just marabou (dyed feathers) on a jighead. Hair jigs can be fished just like a bass jig, bottom bouncing, swimming, etc.

If I read this right, he is asking for ideas on hair jigs for SMALLMOUTH, hence this being in the SMALLMOUTH forum. Joe is having trouble reading Mitch...cut him a break. I have never fished a hair jig for smallmouth, but I have for trout and they are dynamite under the right conditions.