SteveF

I really don't "show off" any of my rods as I purchase high end products for my own self confidence and luxury, but I would have to say that my favorite set ups are my St. Croix Legend Elite rods paired with Daiwa Steez 103HLA's. I have one in the EC68MXF and another that is a EC70MHF. Steve

Personally the only time I upsize the stock hook sizes is on lipless baits as I will go one size larger on the belly to help free weeds easier, however I would suggest never upsizing the rear treble on any bait as all fish imitating baits should sit/run nose down no matter what in my opinion. Even wake baits will run nose down as the tail is what creates the wake. Steve

I personally use the o ring with the o ring tool as it takes a matter of seconds to rig another bait if needed and definetely prolongs the life of the bait. I mostly wacky rig a Senko with a #1 or 1/0 Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap hook on a St. Croix Legend Elite 6'6" Medium Fast rod spooled with 6-10 pound line depend upon the body of water and structure. Hope this helps. Steve

I personally believe that unless you have tried or knew this gentleman's exact situation it is pretty bad to claim that he was trying to sell us something or fishing a jig. Swim jigs are extremely popular in my area, where we fish very stained to muddy water on the Mississippi River. We burn swim jigs across the tops of grass beds, along shallow wing dams and even sand bars when the smallie's are chasing shad. I will typically fish my swim jigs on 10-12 pound line, however he was using Flouro and I would guess that be cause of the sinking properties he increased the line rating to prevent the jig from getting too deep (at least in that particular situation possibly). Steve

I believe that in most instances that the 3 sizes you mentioned will fit pretty much every bait available. I typically look at the size of the bait in relation to thickness/length and base my hook size from there as best as possible. For example I believe that a 4/0-5/0 hook would make me feel a little bit better with the Flappin Hog, however the bait is pretty short for these sizes as it is very thick in relation to length and I typically fish it with a 3/0 EWG. The Brush Hog would probably best be suited with a 2/0-3/0 as well and the baby Brush Hog with a 1/0 or 2/0 as they are fairly small in size (diameter or thickness). I also believe that the guage of the hook to be very important for some people depending upon there set up, for example a 2/0 standard hook may not fair to well with a flipping stick and 50 pound braid in FL however. Use the smallest hook you can get by with (typically speaking) but yet get virtually a 100% hooked to land percentage as I feel you should not loose hardly any fish at all with a single hook bait (there are ocassions and days though). Take care, Steve

Depending upon your purchase and quality and accuracy that you are wanting, in my opinion there is nothing that will top a Cul-M-Rite. I pretty much only use a scale tournament fishing and the difference in a couple of ounces can pay for the scale itself 10 fold ... accuracy and quality are most important to me. Steve

WIllzx225, I think you explained it better than I did. I believe that mass produced lures (both high end and standard) have the possibility of being both good and great, but I believe that a hand made crankbait has the potential of being a "magic" bait. Take care, Steve

When you guys by a crankbait, spinnerbait or other lures that are sold individually, how do you purchase them (referring to one bait/color)? A) Only buy one Always buy two in case they are really good and you loose one C) Buy more than two I've always been the guy that will pick up two identical baits/colors, and never ever purchase just one ... as it maybe working great one day and if I loose it to a snag or a pike I want a back up until I can get more. What say you? Steve

RW, Is it the model/manufacturer or is it just that particular bait? What I mean is does one particular lure produce more fish than another lure that appears to be identical, or is it the model/manufacturer that makes it special? Man, what I am trying to describe is almost impossible for me to communicate via typing. Take care, Steve

I guess for me personally (and this whole topic is obviously a personal thing) I have never had a bait that I would go swimming or get out of the boat to get back because it simply flat out caught the fish better than any other bait of its kind, and that is the lure I'm trying to find and I do not feel I will ever find that in the mass produced market (i.e. Lucky Craft). Like I said, I believe the RC 1.5 amoung many others are very good baits but I do not believe they are "THE" bait I am after and maybe I will never find it, or may spend hundreds of dollars trying but part of me wants to try. Steve

I referring to baits from Marty (Big M), or Flat-Shad for examples. I also don't want to get into modifications (however that would make a great thread), but more as to production versus Marty's. Standard versus probably a one of a kind. I believe the biggest thing is confidence, I know (shallow as it may seem) when I'm throwing an "expensive" lure I have more confidence for whatever reason. It might just be a personal thing, and I feel as far as consistency is concerned that the good bait makers can hand carve them pretty consistantly but someone like Marty would have to comment on that. Take care all, Steve

I can see your concern with the consistency, however I often think about the possibility of the "magic" crankbait that the "Pro's" refer to as tournament baits only. What I mean is I believe that pretty much all of the crankbaits made have there place as good crankbaits, but do you really feel there are amazing production crankbaits versus the possibility of finding a few that are simply incredible? I guess I'm thinking about trying to find that "magic" bait that will flat out catch them anytime, has a unique wiggle or "hunting" action that they can not turn down. I love my RC 1.5's and others similar and don't get me wrong they are very good cranks, but are there amazing crankbaits out there? Steve

Firstly let me start by saying that I love my high end production baits like Lucky Craft and the like, but I got to thinking the other day which leads me to my question for all of you! If spending $15-$20 on a lure is something a person is willing to do (I don't want this discussion to be about whether it is worth it or not), would it not make more sense to 1) Support smaller bait makers such as Marty, Flat-Shad and the like 2) Have custom baits that even less people are throwing? What are some of your thoughts? Why do those of you that buy Lucky Craft and others similar buy them versus from a custom lure provider? Consistency? Colors? Wait Time? Thanks. Steve

No doubt it is a great jerkbait, however anything short of spinning tackle isn't going to cast them either as the 11 is 3/16oz and the 13 is 1/4oz. I maybe should have been more specific, I would like to use these jerkbaits in shallow, stained water around cover and want them to be able to be casted with light/medium bait casting gear. Preferablly around the 3/8oz-1/2oz area. Thanks. Steve

I would like to find someone that makes custom spinnerbaits that I can choose the blade colors, configuration of the blades and skirt colors, does anyone on this sight offer this type of service? I want all premium components such as swivels, blades and Gama hooks. Thanks for your time guys. Take care, Steve

Has anyone had any experience with the other options in the Bomber Fat Free line? Any feedback on the following baits would be greatly appreciated: Bomber Fat Free Shallow Bomber Fat Free Fingerling Bomber Fat Free Shad Jr. Bomber Fat Free Guppy Bomber Fat Free Fry Thanks for your time guys. Steve

Yamamoto Thin Senko

For me here in Wisconsin, and mainly the Mississippi especially since I can get on it about a month earlier than the lakes due to statel laws I will always start with the following. Hair Jig Jig and Pork Fluke Senko Suspending Jerkbait Lipless Crank Flat Crankbait (tight wiggle) Finesse Worm Spinnerbait (colorado/willow) Those baits will always be on the deck early in the season with water temps 55 and under. Steve

Can it be used with mono in sparse cover on a 7' MH rod, or will it require braid to get the hoooks home? Basically would buzzbait equipment work for this "frog" or is a typical frog set up required to get the single hoook driven in in buzzbait spots? Thanks. Steve

I grew up my entire life just miles from the swim jig man himself, Tom Monsoor. A quality swim jig paired with a 3-5" grub is absolutely probably one of my best presentations, especially on river systems (stained to muddy water in fact). I would recommend using flourocarbon line (to get the jig slightly deeper) and fish it pretty much in the conditions you would throw a lipless bait or spinnerbait. Over the top of grass, around stumps, docks and rocks. I view it as a finesse spinnerbait and it is absolutely amazing. In relation to swim jigs, I do not believe there are any that are produced in extreme quantities that are any good. I would recommend the following website: www.customlures.net The Lethal Weapon II is probably the best swim jig, but I make my own with a few little modifications. Take care, Steve

Come on now ... and I'm sure you are going to tell me the wrong hand as well huh? ;D Take care RW, Steve

I have some options for reels as well: Daiwa Alpha 103L (qty: 6) Daiwa SOL L (qty: 2) Daiwa Zillion 100HLA (qty: 2) Daiwa Steez 103HLA (qty: 2) I would also like to know about line size/type as well. Thanks all.

If it has to be under $100 I would look at the new St. Croix Mojo Bass MBC76MHMF, as I have one in the Legend Tournament and it is a great rod for light flipping and a great pitchin' rod. I also will use it as a back up frog rod if paired with braid. Happy New Year, Steve

Allen, The RC 1.5 is one of my favorites for sure, guess I am more into something that most other fisherman around me don't have. Now Marty has always been full of help and expertise, how do his baits compare to those of WEC, Brian's, and the like? Marty, please feel free to get in on the action ... should I purchase yours instead? Maybe you can break down the differences between makers. The main concern I have (which is probably everyones at first) is the fact I don't want to have $100 in 4 baits and maybe one is productive due to the action? Thanks all. Steve

.dsaavedra. I didn't mean that the DT's where $25-$30, I meant that they will play a role in my Balsa selection UNTIL I can purchase the hand made $25-$30 baits. Jake Do you have a website or any information on the Zoom WEC crankbaits? Thanks guys, and keep the feedback coming. Steve