CWB

X2 Can't go wrong with Bagleys B3 either.

Have you tried Earl Scheib? Seriously I've done a few spots and spoons myself by taking off the hardware, hanging them on a clothesline, getting a can of Krylon and painting them. Won't be as good as a pro could do but if you play around enough you might be surprised!

Does look sweet! No Sexy Shad? ;D

As far as pure scent, I like Chompers Garlic. Lasts a long time and works! I think any scent is better than none for 2 reasons. First it gives you confidence. Second I have very oily and high PH skin which have been proven to to repel bass.

P.M. sent

Any of you Illinoisans planning on making the road trip to Kentucky Lake? I'm trying to get permission from the boss and if granted, might look to partner up with one of my brothers here. P.M. if interested.

Chicago. Northsider born and raised. Cubs fan (not sure how much longer) Spend alot of time on the Fox Chain and surrounding area lakes. Anyone else? P.M and we can swap B.S. If you love pressure and traffic the Chain is for you. Can't beat the scenery.

Bigmouths That's cause all us rednecks that likes big mouth basses aint too good at typing!

X2 Great sightfishing bait- something a tad out of the ordinary.

Strike King Redeye Shad is the best I have thrown. Pause it and it flutters down upright- not nosediving or on it's side. I don't know of another rattle bait that does this. I also like the old standby Cordell Super Spot.

Search E-Bay for Poe's RC-1 and RC-3. These were flat sided cedar baits with or without a rattle and a coffin lid. Still have a few and they work!

Hard baits-Smaller Spro BBZ-1, Tru Tungsten, and King Shad all right at about $20.00. Soft baits- Take your pick. I like the Bass Magic and Shadalicious.

If you are looking at the 4" Spro, can't go wrong with it or the Tru Tungsten. http://www.***.com/descpageSWIMTRUTUNG-TTMISS.html Watch the video.

Excellent advise. My local "home" lake has a mix of weeds and the density of the cover should dictate which bait to use. I'm partial to buzzbaits because of the explosion but remember to wait before stickin' it to em. I drop the rodtip but keep reeling after the strike and if I feel something I hit em. If not I keep reeling and more than half the time they come back and hit it again. You have to teach yourself not to instantly react.

I have to disagree with most on this. I use Yo-Zuri 10lb ULTRASOFT on my light worming outfit which is a Shimano Spirex 4000 spinning set-up. Line does not jump off spool. Works quite nice. Regular Yo-Zuri Hybrid is pretty stiff and will spring off a spinning reel though. Both are extremely strong lines IMO. I have yanked a 4 lb'er in that had me wrapped twice around a metal pier post. I was pretty amazed.

I say let the fish decide!

X2 Fish to your strengths Right on! Try to find something you have confidence in such as cranking points or flippin matted grass. Start there and then go with your instincts. A good map and stop at a local tackle shop can't hurt but sometimes you need to take what they tell you with a grain of salt until you build a relationship. They might try to push some slow movers on you and say that's the hot bait.

I like The Bass Pros, A Day on The Lake, and Zona's show. If you get Classic Patterns it's pretty good. City Limits with Ike is O.K. because you get to see Ike go Ike. Also they did a show in my backyard- Chicago.

Sorry- I use the 4.5" and the 5/0 is perfect. If you are on a budget and like the keeper style, try these. http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/swimbait-hooks/820475.aspx Falcon are a little more pricey. Check out hooks below. http://www.***.com/descpageHOOKSFALCON-FBJSH.html

I usually jig a Jigging Rapala with one rod and put a 4"-6" roach on a tip-up. Oh did you mean open water? ;D

Soft 4.5" swimbait slowly retrieved if cold. Redeye Shad if warming trend. 4" Senko either. Small Musky bucktail if I get bored.

I like them but prefer Black Rosco Duo-lock #1 (25lb) or #2 (50lb) depending on bait.

He wears red, has horns and carries a pitchfork!

I've probably gotten more help and advice here in 6 months than in 6 years of trying to pry info from baitshops etc. My wife thinks I'm having an online affair I'm on here so much. Hmmm. I guess you could call it an affair. Maybe not. Been cooped up too long.

Had a 6 lb+ break me off on a Sluggo a few years back. Re-rigged ,cast back to the exact same spot and caught the same fish on the next cast and got my Sluggo back. Last summer I had a monster wrap me around a post that a Pontoon boat was tied to. Broke me off and took my Senko. Later the next day I pulled a 7 lber out from under the same boat with my Senko still in his mug. Maybe their short term memory stinks.