CWB

I have used BPS plastics for some time and they are pretty good. Worms, grubs, lizards, probably as good as anyones. I really like the Shadee Shad which us a fluke style bait but with a little more meat to it. Stick-O's (senko type) are O.K. and a great value but are a bit stiffer and don't shimmy quite like a senko. They do last longer.

Don't know if it will help but we used them in Cost Rica to catch bait for Tarpon every morning. they were rigged pretty similar to a drop-shot set-up. Jigged them and caught enough bait for the day in 5 minutes.

Agree with Glenn. My local waters are mostly Gin clear so to me it would be stained.

Yes it does... :-X Not that there's anything wrong with that. ;D I'm not a huge Bill Dance fan but Zona made this a great show. Fun and educational with no product promos. That's the way it should be.

Muddy is 100% correct. The musky jitterbug is not jointed and has 3 hooks, one on each side in the middle and one in the back.Outstanding night bait for monsters. http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/26/page/1/id/85/name/ArbogastMuskyJitterbug

You bet your arse they are. Although they have lost some of their luster anyone who has ever used one will testify it's one of the greatest baits ever made! They might not be one of the "in" baits, but they do still work. I wonder why you don't see any pros sponsored by Arbogast? Do their baits sell because they work and don't need to be hawked on every other fishing show by Bill or Roland?

The one here north of Chicago stunk as far as what they had in the store vs. the catalog. A quick phonecall might save you some time.

Wow! Brings back memories. Used to troll these all the time. First bait I ever drilled a hole in and put BB's inside. I've hit 30 feet trolling the larger one. Casting probably 10-15 feet on a long cast with thin line.

We have them here up north. They serve a few purposes. They keep the water moving so it doesn't get stagnant, they oxygenate the water, and up here they keep the water from freezing! Fishing around them can be productive due to added oxygen and surface movement.

Have to disagree with Catt on this. My home lake is a dishpan shaped natural lake. The shoreline is sand and tapers slowly from zero to about 5-6 feet where weeds start to grow. Bass tend to cruise the shoreline as there is an abundance of bluegills feeding on minnows etc. I've caught some of my biggest bass under a dock with no other cover within 50 yards of it, except the weedline out in front of it. My theory is the bass do laps around the lake which is not very big, and stop under the docks to catch their breath. I say any dock is worth a few casts unless you can see that there's nothing lurking under it. A boat tied up to it doubles your odds. That being said it's always a good idea to check the surrounding cover and pick the best area. On My lake I can fish around the whole shoreline 2 or 3 times in a day. On bigger lakes and reservoirs, you have to choose wisely and that is where what Catt says makes sense, don't pick an ares with only one dock.

With mono, I use an improved clinch with a simple overhand not on the tag end and wet it and cinch it tight. With braid I put some type of backing, either old mono with electrical tape over it or electrical tape right to the spool so it grabs. Same knot.

All of the above. Buzz the shoreline early maybe or twitch the fluke. Rattle bait to search them out. Spinnerbaits always good when shad around. Shadrap excellent and underused bait. Drop a senko near any cover or inside and outside weededges. Crawl a jig or worm along bottom if nothing else going. This will usually get you bit. Keep the fluke rigged in case you see a school busting shad within casting distance. Can I come with? ;D

RW is right on. I've tried most that cost less than $20.00 and wouldn't trade any of them for my old battle scarred Chrome/Blue Back Super Spot. Something about that bait is magic. Of course now that I posted this I'll lose it on the first cast I throw it.

Most definitely! Especially if it's the only cover in the area. Trouble with this one could be that there probably are a bunch of guys fishing off it at any given time. However, if you're in your tube, pitch a jig or drop a senko in the corners with shade first, then work the whole thing.

This looks eerily similar to a local forest preserve in my area. Buzzbait in morning is good start. Probably gets hammered with spinnerbaits so I would use them as a last resort. I have had excellent success with tactics the "Average Joe" will not use. A 4" senko is dynamite at these type places. Walk the shore and you will eventually find an out of the way spot that holds fish. Work a worm or brush hog slowly across the bottom also. Look and see what everyone else is using. Chances are it will be spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Try something different away from the crowds. If it's not heavily pressured, go with your strengths. Love the frog Pic. I've caught quite a few on frog baits. I wish bass were as aggressive as those buggers are. I had one come 30-40 feet to grab my bait.

One of my go to baits. Underrated for sure. I remember catching 10 or 11 on one bait one evening until a pike or musky decided he wanted it more than me. Excellent hookups too as you can expose the hook thru one of the ribs and it will still be weedless. I have had them where after one fish a leg was missing though.

Don't leave then anywhere they will get real hot either.

Agree with both above. Weeds or rocks will definitely. Some of the most productive areas I fish are barren flats inside the weedline but lined with docks and boats. Sometimes I sightfish for cruising bass like on the bonefish flats. They can't resist a wacky senko fluttering down in front of them.

Absolutely not! I will P.M. you my address and send them to me immediately! ;D

If you are careful stay with one of the better ones with good cutters. If you're like me and drop or kick them overboard or see them fly past you after you hit a wave on plane, got to Menards Bargain Bin and get 2 or 3 cheaper ones. Keep one in your tackle box/bag just to be safe.

I have an older Plano case that hold about 6 rods. It has foam at the top to protect the tips. The best thing you can do no matter what case you use is to wrap a dishtowel around the tips and midsections. This will not only protect the tips but make for a snug fit in the case so they don't clank into each other. Had an overhead rack in my old Suburban but it's long gone.

Storm Kickin' Slab. Looked to be the perfect bait for springtime bass feeding on small 'gills. great finish and looked to be well made. I bough 4 of them 2 years ago. Still trying to get one to run straight. If I ever do, lookout!

Have always liked Stanley. Terminator are great. Like the new Strike King with perfect skirt and Booyah with the same and leverage hook. Surprisingly, BPS house brand are pretty good. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=90120&CMID=TOP_SEARCH_GO&langId=-1&storeId=10151&searchOption=products&hvarSearchString=19-249-731&catalogId=10001&cmCat=SEARCHRESULTS&ddkey=SearchResults

Wish I was near Atlanta to see Senko77 but it's a little too far. We get mostly the Walleye pros up here. Anyway I go so the Baitmonkey can lighten my wallet. If you can get near a seminar it's a bonus. Last year I signed up to help with the kids trout pond but haven't heard back yet. I think Jimmy Houston was here a couple years ago and you couldn't get close.

See thread on Eakins Finesse jig.