Paul Roberts

Mr. Twister 6"

Here are some basics: Basic controls are depth and speed. You control them by jig weight, line diameter, and trailer bulk/buoyancy. Start with proper line diam for the given situation (depth, clarity, and cover, mostly). Then decide how deep and how fast or slow you need the jig to run at. This will take some experience as there are many permutations possible. Want to slow a given combination down or speed it up? Add a bulky trailer, or trim it down. Choose a head style for the cover you are fishing: Cone-shape for weeds, bulbous (Arky) for wood, football for rock. Choose a hook matched to your line strength. Don't go Flippin with 50# braid with a light wire hook. Don't try to stick a big bass with a heavy iron on 8# mono. Choose a color that either mimics (imitation is impossible) prey, usually fish or crayfish. Or, just choose one you LOVE and fish it with confidence.

I'd do some reading on these first, and then try one or two. Then ask a more targeted question.

I bought -ONE! I fish topwater jumpbaits a lot. Sometimes bass just can't be coaxed to break the surface. MAYBE this will help. But I'm not convinced -yet. Since it is a slow sinker it may operate as a shallow jerkbait as well. And maybe it'll be relegated to the has-been pile. Most videos mean little. There are a lot of waters and conditions out there that can make any lure look good. I dis-liked the Rapala video. I don't need the hype, just the information. And, better, some time on the water with that bait.

I invested in a couple high quality scales made by Chatillon 20 years ago. They are still perfect. Easily calibrated and solid. But not cheap. I have the IN10 and IN30. The key to accuracy regardless of price is in calibration, and re-checking every now and then. I use known weights -like dumbbells and check at 1#, 2#, 4#,6#, etc... A really good scale should not deviate at different weights. If it does, say at high and low end (common in lower priced scales) than you should know how much and make mental adjustments.

Thanks, JOF. I've make my belly weighted hooks a bit more complicated. I use lead wire, tied on with tying thread, then epoxy. More durable that way. Cheaper than buying them at this point. It's only a matter of time until someone jumps on this and they'll become readily available. Unless the BassTrix etc... craze wears off. Where I live I'm not expecting many bites -just looking for a few big ones. We'll see.

I have the 6-1/2" LuckEstrikes and 5/0 is too short, I think. That's a lot of plastic, even semi-hollow as they are. Don't want 'em balling up at the point. I'm going to have to make my own I guess. I'm looking at a Kahle-style in 8/0 which I'll re-bend and belly weight. Wish me luck...

I fish Sawhill/Walden, Pella, and a few others. I fish from shore and from a float tube. Feel free to post to chat.