MNGeorge

Several of the BPS stores I have been to carry the Kinami Palm Tree, which as stated above, is nearly identical to the Fat IKA and comes in some colors the Fat IKA does not. As to the durability factor, if you go to the GYCB website to buy them, you can get the salt water version which has proven to be a bit more durable for me. http://***/cgi-bin/order/S92F-05

We use 5/0 EWG superline hooks on all 5" or 6" flukes and sometimes go to a 6/0 if extra weight is desirable. We rarely need a fluke to go deeper than about 3', so this has worked very well for us. YUM Houdini Shads and Lake Fork Magic Shads have been the 2 best producers for the last several years...they both have very nice tail action on the drop.

I prefer the silver with blue back. X2 on the Silver/Blue followed closely by Fire Tiger

Here's how I've been rigging tubes for Mississippi River Smallies. It has proven to be pretty snagless and does minimal damage to the tube. The jig is a Title-shot jig made by Fin-tech. For reference, the jig is 1/4 oz. and the tube is 4" long. I know the guys who like a spiraling fall won't like this rig, but it has proven very effective on Mississippi River Smallies since I started using it last Spring.

This bait has been a consistent producer for us ever since I first read about it on this website. Read RW's post again, memorize it and do what it says...it works!

You may want to check your state fishing regs. Here in Minnesota, that rig would be illegal for open water fishing.

What does this baby craw look like? When and where can we buy some? I love the current Rage Craw, can't wait to see the baby one.

Just started using Mend-it, but I am already convinced it is the way to go. It will easily pay for itself. As for Spike-it, I have never used it, so can't comment. I have used JJ's Magic and would recommend it highly if you like garlic scent. Just don't open it in the house.

Mississippi River Smallies here in Minnesota smaller than the 4+ pouders you're targeting have no problem with 6" Gambler Flappin' Shads so I'm guessing the 5.5" will work just fine also. I like your idea of teaming the Live Magic Shad with the Sworming Hornet heads.

I've never heard of them. Who sells them?

I have used the rattling ones a lot in the past, not so much lately. I found they tore up the nose of the tube to the point it couldn't be reused. One tube per fish got to be a pain when the fish were really going good. Now, I either T-rig tubes, use an internal jig head or string the tube on a mushroom jig head. All Terrain Tackle makes a great mushroom jig for this application. They come with a 3/0 long shank hook and the heads come in several colors and weights. They work great for jig worming also. Check it out here. http://www.allterraintackle.com/products/mightyjig.html

Getting back to the original question, I have enjoyed good success on river Smallies using the Rage Tail Craw on a weighted keeper hook. Black/Blue has been the best in dirty water, watermelon/red has been very good in clear water during the warmer months and green pumkin has been good in clear water during the cooler months. I also loaded up on these at our Sportsman's Warehouse closeout, shouldn't have to buy any craws for quite a while.

This was my first thought also. I use a 6 1/2 ft med. or a 7ft. med/hvy. rod when throwing the Fat IKA. I use a 4/0 Gammie wide gap superline worm hook and my reel is filled with 20 lb. braid. Hooksets have never been an issue with these rigs.

Deciding back in 1981 to start fishing rivers. On my third river rig since then and have never regretted selling the lake boat.

I like the underwater footage, but agree about the lack of any real fishing knowledge being provided. The scripts are so forced and contrived and Kim's laugh is almost as bad as Shaw Grigsby's.

I've got 3 Extreme reels. 1 is brand new, so can't say what will happen there, but I've fished the heck out of the other two and have not had a single issue with either one. I also have several of the Rick Clunn model reels, all but 1 of which have performed flawlessly. My experience with BPS reels has been, if they work right from the git go, they are great reels, if there any issues early on, take/send it back and exchange it.

Here you go.

I'm still using mono (Trlene XT) from a bulk spool I got in 1981 or 1982. Works just fine. Kept out of the sun and away from heat, mono will last a loooooooong time.

I have two poles very similar to the ones you asked about. Mine are longer, 15' I think, but they have the same duckbill foot on them. They work fine so long as the bottom isn't too soft. Some places my son and I have tried to use them, the bottom muck layer is so thick, by the time you hit something hard enough to push against, there isn't much pole left to push with. If the bottom is firm enough though, they work great for easing around in the heavy cover.

Have only tried the shad and the craw of the ones listed. Have had excellent results on both Smallies and LM with the craw. Fish it on a weighted keeper style hook. Do not like the shad at all.

20,000 posts is quite a record and you are to be commended for all your help. I know I caught a lot of Bass last year I would never have caught without info I got from this site and especially from you. Thanks, especially to Kent, but to all who contribute here.

I've had very good results on river Smallies using the rage tail craw on a weighted EWG worm hook. Also have had some success with LM Bass using the same set up.

Reading RW's answer to a question on the Smallie forum brought to mind an issue I've had with GYCB. Does anyone else agree that the GYCB color chart is one of the worst ones in the industry? For what they charge for their stuff, you'd think they could do a better job of showing their colors.

The line guide on mine pops out under stress. Has happened several times.

BPS still shows the Kinami Palm Tree on their website. Same as a Fat Boy IKA, but from Kinami. Hi's tacklebox shop also carries the GYCB version and for less than anyone else I've found.