ww2farmer

Man, I live under a rock anymore. I'm just learning of both WRB's and Catt's passing. They made this place better, and despite not knowing them personally, I'm positive that whomever lives they touched, they also made those better too. RIP both of you.

After the last 4-5 years I had. 2025 Is a breath of fresh air. I'm catching fish, I'm having fun, nothing expensive broke, I am enjoying tournament fishing again. I even cashed in a few after 5 years off, putting to rest the thought that I'm "old/rusty/irrelevant/out of touch/etc..." I'll be 50 at the start of the 2026 season, let's hope with some luck, better lifestyle choices, better stress management, that my 50s are better all around than my mid/late 40s.

I'm old school and just throw them on round ball heads. I think I actually get bit less when I use "swim bait " heads. Unscientific of course.

When Nichols was sold to dirty jigs, they discontinued my favorite small jig. The Dee Thomas finesse flipping jig. Since then I have become a fan of Jewel's Peewee line of jigs.

In the late 80s through the late 90s, I used a lot of Berkley and Fenwick rods. My first dip into a "premium " rod brand was with G. Loomis, the old GL2 series...I wasn't impressed, haven't owned a Loomis since. Then for the better part of 15 or so years circa 2000 to 2015 I bounced all over the place ..more Fenwicks and Berkleys, St. Croixs, Kistlers, Daiwa, Shimano, Abu, BPS, Cabelas, and probably more than I can remember. Then...for about 5 years I fished exclusively with Dobyns. The last few years, I have been exclusively fishing with Ark rods. So what's my favorite....heck if I know 😆

I've been here since 2005, I remember the time before he was a mod...seems like yesterday.

In NY the following are required: Fishing license Boating safety course Registration on boat, trailer and tow vehicle. Annual inspection on trailer and tow vehicle Oxygen breathing tax Outdoor activities use tax Tax paying permit Tax on taxes not already taxed Thought tax Speaking permit And permission from the government to ask for permission from the government to do anything.

Jerkbait, bladed jig, swimbait, ned rig, finesse football jig, blade bait.

I hope it's not being discontinued. It's been a staple for my for as long as I can remember....almost 20 years...maybe more.

Get well soon

II honestly don't remember the last time I threw a lipless crankbait, yet 10 years ago one was one my deck seemingly year round. I also don't remember when the last time I deep cranked....also a staple 10 years ago.

I used to be a big SK, Spro, and Lucky Craft guy, buy in the several years I have been silent here, I have grown quite fond of Ark, and YoZuri shallow crankbaits. Both offer baits that I think fit your requests

1/16th, 1/8th, and 3/16th... coincidencently those are also the same size ned, hover rig, and finesse swimbait head sizes I use as well. 1/16th = super shallow, calm water. Also the best size for skipping 1/8 = the "do all size"...great shallow when there's a little wind, and great out to 10-12 feet If it's not too windy 3/16 = deep grass line, or rock pile size. Also is my preferred size for slowly dragging a worm around as it ensures bottom contact better than 1/8th in water over 10 feet deep.

Most of the lakes I fish DON'T have shad (a couple have Alewives) and shad colored swimbaits work well. Like MN Fisher said, many if not all lakes have some kind of shiner/minnow type schooling bait fish that behave and look similar to shad that it's not a concern color selection wise.

That rods probably a decade old and has long since been discontinued. That said....yes, I had it and used it for jerkbaits. It's been a while, but it was a good rod, the whole smallmouth series was a good series...their Achilles was the reel seat, I twisted more than one of them off trying to tighten then down on the old Team Daiwa Sol, and Fuego casting reels I had on then that never seemed to stay tight without use of electrical or duct tape on the reels feet.