J Francho

Rig it just like a Texas Rig on a straight shank hook. The little barb keeps the nose of the worm from sliding up the hook shank.

On the spot remover, the worm will be standing straight on end. On a shaky head, it will be more horizontal with a bend upwards. If you use a heavy, sinking worm, it will droop over, or just fall over. I "pop" the spot removers, and they usually land upright. I shake or nod (pulse your grip on the rod, gently) the shaky head, which makes the tail wiggle.

Okuma and Lamiglas make rods specifically designed for kayak fishing. Floating and short butt rods are available.

Actually, its just "prime location" for a photo shoot. About the only thing in these stagnant backwaters in the middle of summer are bowfin and turtles. The bottom is that slimy, black, anaerobic mud. My main purpose for being up that creek was to scout out some prime Northern Pike spawning areas for this spring.

Let me add, I remove the split rings from the baits. The reason is that at the split, the ring often gets caught at an off angle, causing the bait to run foul. If you know this is happening by the feel of the bait, a simple shake of the rod tip usually fixes the issue. Snaps don't 100% solve the issue, but go a long way towards it. Some baits, like LC baits, have an oval split ring, which eliminates this issue. I remove those as well for consistency. I've heard some say that the split ring installed by the manufacturer is part of the lure design. maybe, but why so much variability? I just picked up four Pointer 100s, and two had smaller than usual oval split rings - even smaller than what was installed on a Pointer 78. The difference in action must nominal, and really I'm splitting hairs, but it seems to me they use what is on hand, in some cases. I feel confident in the consistency using #3 Duo-Locs on all my hardbaits, and I know what to expect from them when I fish them this way. I think that's more important than any subtle difference in the action. "Knot Wars" should do a test of different split rings and snaps. It would be interesting. One tiny tip: pay attention to any weak split rings one the line tie, if you go that route. They are same rings that connect your hooks to the bait

Keep an open mind about, and be creative. Its a very useful tool. I use it in deep open water all the way up to canonballing the slop. Its a fun rig for fishing beds, as it keeps the bait right in place, and you can stay way back, twitching away.

Most entry to mid level rods are made in China. I'm pretty sure my St. Croix Avids and Kistlers are made in the USA. Even some of my Daiwa reels are made in Korea, but the higher end models like TD-X, Sol, TD-Z are made in Japan.

Buck's writings were crucial to me learning how to fish for smallies in Lake Ontario. Many would probably laugh at me, but I spent a lot of time trolling for smallmouths. Spoonplugging isn't totally about trolling spoonplugs, but it is a very efficient means to an end, which is finding location. I haven't read him in over 10 years or so, but I recall his books getting me to think more about why some spots were better than others, how baitfish moved using routes or highways, and where bass would likely set up shop in a lake. The books are definitely worth the time reading. I need to go back and read again.

Its not really a money issue, as I have about 20 combos, but more the fact that I fish as a non boater in my club. By having the extra spools, I can cut the number of combos down.

Thanks, BB. Keep pitching in the living room - I tie a cat toy on, and harass the cat for hours every night.

The reason they don't stand up is because those two baits sink. Try something that floats, like a Roboworm or Berkley Shaky worm, and you'll see a BIG difference in both the shaky heads and Spot Removers. BTW, those cut tails and trick worms are deadly on a DS .

I have just two spinning reels, but like 8 or nine spools for them. Its not a deal breaker to me, otherwise I wouldn't own ANY baitcasters. Yes, I order extra spools for those as well. Some spools aren't inexpensive, but less than a whole other reel, and it saves on space, being a non boater in my club's trail. For instance, I have two spools for my heavy cover rig, one with 50# Power Pro, and another with 20# Sunline Shooter. For spinning, if you get some twist, or a tangle, just swap out and rerig. A big time saver when every minute counts.

That should read, "Rich Z's articles are the best. He's been writing outdoors articles since I was born. Ive been following him since the mid 80s. He most recently had a great article called "State of the Smallmouth" for In~Fisherman magazine.

Sure it does. Do you not drive your car because it will put wear on your car? Does it not generally last for many thousands of miles, if well maintained? Its all in the maintenance. Don't bother asking the questions if you cannot respect the uncommon sense being handed to you for free. :

Keep your reel maintained - grease and oil as needed, or have it professionally cleaned yearly, and it will last you YEARS. I had an old Daiwa BWII that lasted almost a decade before I upgraded to a TD-X103HSDL for my heavy cover fishing. Its still in use to this day.

Must have gone the way of the "free" extra spool.

Agreed, totally different looking bait in the water. I had been using Spot Removers for a long time, and all of a sudden there was a buzz about shaky head. I mistakenly assumed it was the same thing, until I tried a real shaky head jig.

I use Bagley's and Bite Me, along with the original Spot Remover. I find I have to trim the bottom bait holder tab on the Bite Me jigs. I never understood why its there.

Rochester, NY here. I fish with Flower City Sportsmen. A few of us get your way to fish 18 mile, Catt, and Oak Orchard for cold steel in the fall and winter.

A great tool for #4 hooks and smaller. Pretty much required gear for trout and those tiny #14 hooks. Nearly useless for most of the treble hooks and worm hooks used for bassing. They do come in handy when removing a deep hook through the gills.

Great idea...it will go good with my fanny pack. I'm sure you've run into one or two of us trout guys, with those stupid necklaces with about a thousand tools hanging off them, LOL.

Actually, no need to answer that, I totally misread your post. you have several specialized rods out, rigged and ready, so you can change frequently. I got it

I always took the term "junk fishing" to mean fishing the same spot and rotating out different baits until the fish tell you what will work. Am I wrong there? Or is that what you meant?

BTW, Arkie jigs are great in wood. They were designed for it.

Why are they "missing your bait' as you put it? They don't usually miss a jig. I go back to my original statement. Compare hookup ratios between frogs and jigs, and I think you'll see why this double hook arrangement is not ideal.