Bassin_Fin@tic

x2 8-)

Muck/scum/algae/crap or what ever you want to call it is a different animal all together. It will completely nulify a spinnerbait.

In my opinion tandem colorado/willow combos in a few different weights and or blade sizes are the best all around bait if your not into all the specifics and just want to keep a few baits on hand. If you always fishing clear water then double willow will usually be the ticket. Also if your not keeping too many baits on hand then at least make sure you keep a few spare skirts. Then you can at least change the colors whenever you want to suit conditions.

Flappin tail worms like the Gambler 8 inch. Paca craws and rage craws. Senkos and Kut Tail worms work wonders.10-12 inch ribbon worms. I also like to use gambler brass rattlin weights or a brass and glass combo on my plastics and I also do a lot of carolina rigging at night also. 1/8-1/4 shakey heads and trick worms. Stanley Ribbit Frogs. Black buzzbaits.Dark single colorado spinnerbaits in several varieties. Hula popper

I love it. It is a well known tactic around here. You don't want to launch it way the hell out there. Instead focus on making short accurate casts using a low roll cast or even pitching to points on the weeds and through the lanes or any other nooks and crannies if there are any. Short note: A single willow can come through the cover better as it sheds the grass. It also helicopters on the fall better when pitched.

Sure it will work but personally I think there are better choices. If you do then stick with something like black/blue,junebug,black neon.

White spinnerbait,buzzbaits,and cranks have been proven the world over. I'm just saying though for plastics it seems like a tough bite sometimes but when discover a day that they want it you better be throwing it. 8-)

Thats simply awesome man. 8-)

Florida sunrise. I got 5 different phases of this one. Couldn't decide which was better. One of the best I've seen in my life. (crappy cell phone camera I got) :-/

Doesn't look to shabby to me.

Great fish! The spro popper is a first class weapon of bass destruction.

Something about it that I really love to use it on cloudy overcast days with a light rain or fog and thats when it seems to work best for me.I do exceedingly well on white flukes,frogs, trickworms,tubes in these conditions. I know I know you have to use black in low light LOL

Great worm. I use these a lot in dirty water and at night. Puts off a lot of vibration even more so than the gamblers that I frequently use. It can also be swam speed worm style through pads and such. It has a real thick body I would recommend a 4/0 wide gap hook at least.

You'd be very surprised what they will try to fit into their mouths, if they can actually get their lips around it at all, then it's fair game. One thing you have to remember about lures of any type is that the larger the bait the easier it can be for the bass to be able to distinguish it as a fake.The flaws in the lures action and the flaws in your presentation will stand out more.This is why you hear a lot about downsizing in clear waters. I believe that is probably why the big swimbait throwers in places like California bash cheap baits .Your throwing a 10-12 inch trout imitation it better look and act real. I think with all of todays luremaking technology constantly advancing that they are able to produce much more lifelike actions finishes etc on baits and are now able to offer them in bigger sizes more akin to what bass,especially large ones,eat on a daily basis.Most all the mainstream baits that have been on shelves for so many years are so small that I think that most people are stuck on the notion that this is the size food that bass prefer. Just kind of my take on the whole thing. I used to think that so many baits were way to big until I've seen so many ridiculous moments over the years where I've caught little tiny dink bass on absurdly large baits especially plastics. Those lures don't look so big to me now. I'm talking about 1 oz spinners with #6 and 7 blades,7 inch senkos,12-14 inch worms,super spooks or even some of the giant saltwater poppers sold around here,catching 6-7 inch bass on dd-22's. Just a few examples

x 2 on all responses so far,good info Just thought I'd throw this in as well. One of my favorite suspending baits is the Rapala jointed shad rap in all sizes. This has probably caught me more fish than any of my other cranks. It can be worked like a jerkbait. Ran super fast without tumbling or worked very slowly in cold water.

Sometimes a bait that just barely ticks the bottom is better. I say this because what about bottom debris, muck,algae and vegetation which can gum up the front of the bait. You don't always want it plowing the bottom. realize too that line size can make a bait go deeper or shallower as does rod position and casting distance. In other words if your not quite hitting bottom then make a long cast with the target area in the middle and keep the rod low during the retrieve. If the bottom is rocky and irregular or hard and sandy then by all means use a bait that will over achieve the depth.

A skilled user of a spinning reel can do the same by feathering the line between your fingers on the end of the cast and closing the bail by hand. When done correctly the bait will land without nary a splash and already be moving forward as it hits.

Many people prefer a high speed reel to get it to the surface easier.Holding the rod high during the retrieve can also slow the pace if that is what your looking for. Sometimes they want it burned though. It is also good to stop it for a sec so that it sinks an inch or two then continue. This can draw stikes. Overall best piece of advice I can give you when using this bait is that If you find a good holding area or a perfect piece of cover etc.. that you persistantly pound it over and over many times varying the retrieve. If you think there there is a fish around you can irritate them a lot of times when that noisy goofy thing keeps entering their territory. Also try to bump things such as stickups,reeds,logs,pads,dock pillings,retaining walls etc..

But I wonder would this be better with a Manns elite series waker :-? It's a pretty loud bait. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98366____SearchResults Just another thought I have been real curious about the Ima Roumba for some time and it also comes in black. 8-)

Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner .Some people are more versitile than others and some don't need to be due to the waters they fish.

Not picturing a scenario in my head. I live in Florida and know a thing or two about fishing weeds.Dropshotting with heavy line and large texas rigged baits, not nose hooked,is a little known practice around here. Now When it comes to fishing deep clear water or dropshotting in it with little 6#line then I would be lost.

Not answering the original question but would like to add that the rapala dt fat 03 is an exceptional bait for banging off shallow cover.

First off location and the ability to identify such. The knowlede to match the different kinds of cranks to the locations,conditions,mood of the fish. The keen ability to interpret sonar and structure. Cranking is also a game of angles. Rod position,line type,the distance of the cast can effect the action and diving angle of the bait. One needs to learn how to play the angles to achieve the proper depth of the bait. Also knowledge of the bait your currently using helps a lot so you know how quick it gets into the "zone" or can stay above the areas that you don't want it to hit.What does it do when you hit rocks or wood? How does it react? Practice is the only way to get good just like anything. Sure anyone can tie on a crank and probably catch a few fish but that don't mean just because they stop it,speed it up,rip it, etc that they can outfish someone like say Rick Clunn

Best Agreed! Best for the money. It's okay to splurge and get a few cranks in the high price range. The real problem comes in when you need to get multiple colors/diving depths,etc.. One can easily spend $1000 and still not have all the color patterns or essential depths in that color buying high end baits. Then think about the high probability of losing cranks? JMO thats all. It boils down to what you can afford and what you LIKE to use.

No offense but your seriously mistaken."flipping" a dropshot into heavy cover will give the fish a whole new thing to look at other than some goofy creature or craw crashing down and smashing into the bottom.Especially on lakes with heavy fishing pressure where boat after boat is lined up day after day crashing baits down a pad or hydrilla line.