SteveF

I've purchased virtually all my Daiwa's (Alpha's, Steez's and Zillions) from Japantackle.com and they are excellent and very nice people to deal with. A++++

1. false - I find that positioning the boat so that my shadow does not go over the bed as the most important factor. 2. a. - however I personally feel catching the male is the best way to bring the female out of hiding. 3. false - I personally do not believe it matters, however I will hold the male (if legal) until I can catch the female. 4. false - I have never found any part of the bed to be any different than the rest. 5. false - there coloration is typically going to be set by cover, water depth/clarity and not relative to the spawn. 6. true - this is difficult as smallmouth typically spawn on gravel flats, where as the largemouth will typically spawn around cover. 7. true - they are referred to as "spawning flats" for a reason. 8. b. - as water clarity affects the overal water temperature as it determines light penetration. 9. b. - I don't know that this is set in stone, however typically bedding fish do jump regularly. 10. false - I do not believe that any bass in the lake spawn relative to there size.

Those 5 colors will catch fish anywhere in the country, the only color I would add to your list is in the worms and that would be junebug but I would say you have every color you need. Steve

That is absolutely not the case, however you will typically fish crankbaits much faster in clear water. I would say that a lipless crankbait, suspending jerkbaits as well as tight wiggling crankbaits fished quickly maybe just the secret in your clear lake. Steve

I use the St. Croix Legend Tournament 7'6" MH Moderate-Fast for my frog rod with 50 pound Sufix braid. I have had excellent success with this rod and miss far less fish with the slight give in the tip, however Croix's tend to a be a little on the stiffer side though.

I think every angler has a confidence bait that they believe will catch them all the time, and it may, the big question would a different lure be more effective in reference to size or numbers? By only fishing one bait, you will never know just how good any lures are or can be though. Steve

My flipping sticks have Daiwa Zillions on them, and of course left handed as always.

I use a LTBC76MHM for my flipping as well as one for my frogs. I feel that the moderate-fast St. Croix's are a little on the faster side compared to other manufacturer's, however I prefer a little tip on the bigger rods especially for pitching accuracy and for a little added forgiveness and delay on my frog rod due to the braid. Steve

John G. I'm aware of both the Cover Craw and the Flick Shake, and I am only referencing the Senko as a comparison in terms of sink rates. T Rig So the Cover Craw falls very slow, is that what you are saying? As I would rate the Fat Ika as having a fall ever so slightly faster than a Senko, would you agree? Thanks. Steve

Anyone know the weight or can describe how fast it falls in reference to say a senko? I'm looking for a slow fall but want to be able to get to the bottom without waiting an extreme amount of time? Thanks.

I already read that review, and it answers none of my questions.

I have found that the Thin Senko is excellent on a shaky head, and I believe that the Pro Senko with the fatter head will be even better.

Curious if anyone has fished with the Jackall Cover Craw? How much does it way and can you fish it weightless and still get a fairly decent speed on the sink rate? For example, how would you rate the fall rate to a senko (faster?)? Thanks.

A finesse jig will typically have a lighter weedguard, a lighter wire hook and it will also be of 1/4 oz or less and be made with less strands to produce a smaller profile. My favorite finesse jig was the Terminator Tiny T Jig, however when I could no longer get them I switched to the Spro K-Finesse and it has worked out fine. The Strike King Bitsy Bug is tough to beat for the price and the only down side is the hook in my opinion. Take care, Steve

Unfortunately with quality the higher prices follow. If you like the price I believe we have to take a few "odd balls" here and there. It is no different that with the Rattle Traps, the price looks great but then you put $1-$2 in replacement trebles on them and now you have a $7 lipless bait. I'm sure they will get you taken care of and send a replacement. Steve

I use multiple styles of line to fit what I am trying to do and to vary the depth of a given bait. For example I may have 10 pound fluorocarbon and 12 pound mono for throwing the exact same swim jig but the 10 pound will get it a few feet deeper than the 12 pound mono. I think tape on the bottom of the reel see maybe the way to go, not really sure I can bring myself to use a Sharpie on a $300 St. Croix Legend Elite even if sand paper takes it off. :-/

Some good ideas, I have 14 rods in the boat at all times and keeping track of what rod has exactly what is some times confusing. I am very specific in my set ups and many times have 2-3 rods with jigs, and 2 rods with spinnerbaits and 3 rods with crankbaits just to list a few examples and in many cases it is not only maybe a color difference but I try to mix up line sizes to cover a different depth in the water column and I am just looking for a better way to keep track. Thanks and keep them coming. Steve

Does anyone have any secrets on how to keep track of what a particular rod/reel has in relation to different lines. For example if I have 3 crank bait rods set up with all 3 of the same reels but I want 10 pound fluorocarbon on one, 17 pound mono on another and 15 pound fluorocarbon on another ... how do you keep track as to what has what without any damage to the rod or reel? Any idea's? Steve

I'm curious to the thoughts and any related testing that has been done on the following questions. Give a 10' (for sake of numbers) running depth of a particular crank bait on 10 pound mono, what depth will that same lure run with 12 pound mono? How about with 12 pound fluorocarbon? Please post links if there has been research related to these questions. Thanks, Steve

What is your water clarity? If the water is clear, I would recommend burning a trap very fast on any change in water depth (points, ditches and ledges). I would then slow down and fish very "fishy" spots with a suspending jerkbait and follow up by dragging a football jig to pick of the remaining difficult biters. If the water is stained, no doubt I would grab a Storm Original Wiggle Wart and crank the points, ledges and ditches leading to spawning flats and cover as many likely travel routes as possible until you find them. You may also be suprised at how shallow your fish can be if the water is colored as well, and you may want to look for spawning flats. What species of fish are dominate in this body of water will also determine my tactics. Take care, Steve

In today's market the copper pipe might cost you $1000.00. ;D

I'm a believer in quality than quantity, now there are some great rods for the money, but I have 9 St. Croix Legend Elites and 5 St. Croix Legend Tournaments and would not ever fish with even a St. Croix Premier anymore unless it is for top water or something where sensitivity means nothing. I say buy 5 rods to start if that is the money you have an add to your arsenal in the future as you can. Steve

No doubt it is the Lethal Weapon II from www.customlures.net (Scott Gardner) ... Tom Monsoor spends many hours a week in this shop as I see him in there all the time and Tom Monsoor is what made swim jigs known because of his success with them on the FLW Tour and Karen Savik is the traveling partner of Tom as well. I make my own based off of Scott's head design. Take care, Steve

I looking for custom bait colors and combinations and not mass produced colors as I am not looking for recommendations of colors for myself more of interested in popularity of custom cranks and when choosing custom cranks what colors people are choosing. Horton Dolphin Plemmons Foiled baits Etc. Thanks. Steve

What is your favorite crankbait color from the custom lure manufacturer's (Flat Shad, Big M, etc.)? I'm looking for unique named colors mostly like Coachdog, Plemmons and Horton for examples. Please include a general description of water clarity where you prefer each color pattern. Thanks. Steve