A-Jay

I totally prefer moderate action rods for single hook moving baits. (And many treble hook baits for that matter). And well before I settled on the one mentioned below, I was like many anglers in that I was totally unsure what to use or what I would prefer. So after ‘reading’ and watching too many videos, I just went ahead and purchased and then fished a graphite (St Croix), 100 % Glass (Lamiglas) & a Composite stick (Quantum). Needed to be able to compare them- side by side. Only way I could expect to answer the question. In the end, they all worked OK, but I settled on the composite. Just has the right combination of castability, sensitivity, hook setting and fish fighting ability. So, I sold the graphite stick and ‘retired’ the glass ones. I use the same rod (and Reel) for spinnerbaits & vibrating jigs as well as squarebills, shallow & medium diving crankbaits. A 7’4” MH Composite Quantum KVD Crankbait rod. I use & prefer a ‘slower’ reel. Helps keep me from fishing the bait to ‘fast’. Something I continue to struggle with and always need to pay attention to; especially after I get a few. I use a Shimano Calcutta 200D round reel. Has a 5.7:1 ratio. I love these reels. A pleasure to chunk & wind all day. As for line, I prefer Fluorocarbon; specifically, Seaguar InvisX or Tatsu in 15lb. Done. A-Jay

No experience with the Deps baits. I have and been fishing the OSP baits for a while. Initially came across them when I purchased this bait as they came with them. https://osp-lures.com/product/o-s-p-blade-jig/ It is the first clear bladed vibrating jig I'd seen at the time and was at least 3 years before the Z-Man offering. This one is even smaller that the Z-Man bait and the Action Trailer matches it well. So it's a fairly small trailer. Would be good for the Clear Bladed Z-Man bait as well IMO. As for the 'action' of the Action trailer; it's decent but nothing special. Some thin appendages that will do what the bait tells it to, (which isn't a whole lot), as well as move on the fall. Not always a bad thing. If you're looking for something similar in the domestic market, the Culprit Incredi Slim is almost the same bait ( it's a bit bigger and has a few more appendages) Is priced right, fairly durable and might be easier to get. Most importantly, it will ride nicely on that some what down-sized Clear Bladed Z-Man bait. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Culprit_Incredi_Slim_8pk/descpage-CULPISL.html Finally, I'd be interested hearing about your results with this new Z-Man bait. I threw it around quite a bit this past season without much to show for it. Although most of my season was a dumpster fire anyway so take that for what it's worth. A-Jay

Interesting topic with several thought-provoking responses so far. I think of 'fishing slow' more of a technique that the speed I'm fishing Might be more about how much water I'm covering, as well as how much action a certain presentation requires me to impart in the bait. For instance a drop shot, I soak the thing and actually try not to move it at all. (pretty much as if it were live bait) A Hair Jig, Ned Rig, and a Spy Bait: all baits I'm moving and even covering some water, however these baits seem most effective for me when I simply reel them in slowly, perhaps with a pause, but that's about it as far as angler input goes. So that's SLOW fishing for me. If you've ever tried 'stitching a worm' - Wow- the epitome of Fishing Slow. Only thing slower might be on the ice with a tip up ! Good Luck trying not to nod off, I couldn't. Bottom line, I don't totally hate fishing slow but it's rarely my first choice if there's another effective option available. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. A-Jay

Hello Tony ~ From a fellow Lund owner up in Otsego County Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Nice Intro A-Jay

Hello Carl and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hello Dave and welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I use the snap A-Jay

This - but at this point, it's just backing . . . A-Jay

Here's some of the ones I use quite often . . . A-Jay No you don't ! You never use those. That bait doesn't work. (stop telling everyone about our secret) A-Jay

Here's my version of Tungsten vs Lead on a swinghead I use both. A-Jay

I have been using & abusing the swing head for a couple of seasons now. Took me a while to figure out some of the where, when & how to trigger bites from the local brown bass population. But once I did, it was hard to put it down at times. Now I always have at least one rigged up. I like a stop & go type retrieve that happens all with the reel. You can see it in action here ~ Below is more swinghead specific info: A-Jay

#foodcoma ! A-Jay

I actually think it's pretty funny despite living it for the past few years. I used to think I could eat more and then wait for it . . . "Burn It Off" . . . Yea right. I'd have needed to jump rope up & over Mt Kilimanjaro 4 times a day to even but a dent in it. And then there was that magic moment where I discovered 'portion control'. Who Knew ! Eat what you burn every day and that's it. No Cardo Needed - - - Ever. My knees sure like it. A-Jay

Hello Sean and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Saturday morning Scuppy McScupperson got up early, quietly dressed, made his lunch, Grabbed the dog, and slipped quietly into the garage. He hooked up the boat up to the truck, and proceeded to back out into a Torrential downpour. The wind was blowing 50 mph, so he pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather would be bad all day. He went back into the house, quietly undressed, and slipped back into bed. He cuddled up to his wife's back, now with a different anticipation, and whispered, 'The weather out there is terrible.' Scuppy's loving wife of 10 years replied, 'Can you believe my stupid husband Is out fishing in that?' And then the fight started . . . . A-Jay

Here's the 'secret' my friend, right here If at any point in the day, you are not hungry you are heading in the wrong direction. And this includes immediately after you eat. Every time; especially in the beginning. That's just the way it is - you'll get used to it. Eventually you will come to recognize that as the feeling of success . . . You've Got This ! #takecontrol A-Jay

I forgot to mention that this states current top brown bass was taken in 2016 from the Menderchuck River which connects Lake Menderchuck North & Lake Menderchuck North. While I don't fish that narrow river (it's like a freeway in the summer), I do put some time on the big water of both places. Get The Net ! A-Jay

Each pre season as part of putting paperwork together for the boat to be ready for the upcoming season, I down load and print the updated state record fish info, the names and numbers of both the DNR officers for my area, as well as the contact info of on call state biologist required to certify a record catch. This package also includes the updated state record application form and instructions. Always Ready A-Jay

Yup ~ Every night she stares out into the back woods and growls into the pitch black total darkness. We see or hear nothing of course but in the morning, the 'tracks in the snow' tell the story. Not sure if she sees the deer or hears them. Either way, I expect to sleep good for many years to come. A-Jay

Kya's liking the snow ~ A-Jay

Kya came to us by way of the Lone Star State but she's adapting quite nicely to her home here in the Wolverine State ~ she's 7 Months old now A-Jay

Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it. Fletchers is quite a place. #stumpfest A-Jay

Hello from up in Otesgo County and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hello and welcome to Bas Resource ~ A-Jay

Mastering a Technique ~ May depend on one's definition of the term. Generally considered being highly skilled in something, when applied to fishing it often starts to get a little tricky. Because there's enough 'professionals' who are considered masters of many different techniques, that get totally blanked often enough that the term starts to lose much of it's luster. In my bass fishing world, mastering a technique simply means knowing what gear to use to fish it effectively as well as knowing what conditions can contribute to it's success. So how, when & where I guess. However, locating said bass, getting them to strike, and landing them, is a totally separate deal. YMMV A-Jay