A-Jay

Up side down means different things sometimes ` anglers don't all use baits the same way and still get bit. But in the photo - the tail would be facing / running down as the scrounger runs hook up. btw - swimbaits on scroungers don't always offer the best action. The scrounger will sometimes actually seem to be "fighting" with the action of the swimbait depending on the make, model & brand. Straight tail or somewhat less active trailers do well - especially thin and / or soft baits. A-Jay

A bump in reel size offers a few benefits. More line capacity which effects inches per turn during retrieves (baits working speed) This may or not be a big concern depending on the presentation. Also I feel the slightly bigger spool equates to longer cast. I have the 200D & the 300D. With heavy mono, a big bait, a decent tail wind, and a brisk Bomb cast - we're coming close to seeing the spool shaft occasionally. A-Jay

For heaving Baits like the 6th Sense Crush 500DD, Duo Realis Crankbait G87 20A, & the Strike King 10XD Crankbait, I think you'd be OK with that set up as these lures are less than the rods rated 2 ounces. But if you move up the Lucky Craft SKT Magnum 120 Mag DR Crankbait, which weighs over 3 oz, the 30lb braid & 17 lb leader will be IMO inadequate. I fished some of these big baits for the first time this summer and the rig I was using was essentially a swimbait set up. Big meat stick, 300D and 25 lb mono. Even managed to catch a few. Selecting baits with in the rods abilities is always a good choice. Personally, if you want to use braid, I'd go with 40 or 50 lb Seaguar Smackdown Braid or 40 or 55 lb Daiwa Samurai Braided Line ~ both are super thin for their rated test. But you may again consider pumping up that leader to at least 20lb. With the 30 / 17 deal and an almost 8 ft stick - there may be a few "Launchings" that are precluded by that dreaded Line Snapping sound in your future. A-Jay

The Gamakatsu Skip Gap Hooks 3/0 works well when Texas rigging a 3.5 inch tube. Hook is not heavy wire and I'd not recommend it for heavy cover applications. A-Jay

Hello Dave and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

When fishing in an environment known to have Big Largemouth Bass, some of the most impressive fish I've taken have come on a 3/8 oz Scrounger / long bill version crawled slowly along the bottom. Best trailers have been Zoom Super & Magnum Fluke, Zoom Mag Trick worm, 6 inch Slug-go. I'd post pictures of a few but with all the snow we have here, it might make me cry . . . . . A-Jay

Hello David and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

6th Sense Crush Flat 75X Crankbait ~ Bluegill A-Jay

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/search/?type=all&q=scrounger A-Jay

I'm a big fan of the Keen Newport H2 Sandals in Mossy Oak® Break-Up Infinity® Which actually happens to be on sale ~ http://www.cabelas.com/product/Keen-Newport-H-Sandals-Mossy-Oak-reg-Break-Up-Infinity-reg/749381.uts A-Jay

Hello Trevor and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Seems like there's still a decent supply available here ~ http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=yo-zuri+ultra+soft&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=yo-zuri+ultra+soft&_sacat=0 A-Jay

Hello Matt and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

X2 ~ When comparing the price per 100 yards of Monofiliment, Copolymer & Fluorocarbon lines there is quite a staggering difference. Just to use some rough number ~ For example ~ using middle of the road 12lb line across the board for 100 yds (bought in bulk mind you) Monofilament ~ Less than a buck Copolymer ~ $ 2.50 - ish Fluorocarbon ~ $ 7.50 ish If you have 1 or 2 rigs then this may not even be a concern. However, when talking about several rigs (me) & over the course of even only one season - it adds up fast. My whole point is this - I have not recognized a sufficient enough difference in line performance when fishing copoly or fluorocarbon on the techniques I use nylon line (including crankbaits), where the performance of mono was that much different to justify the price increase. btw - I do like braid A-Jay

LOL ~ They had a little secret though . . . . But passing people while backing the trailer ~ that's the best ! I wish I could have seen their faces . . . . . A-Jay

First off, Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ I've been running the Bullnose rudder mounted on the trolling motor on my canoe for I think two season now. I am very happy with it's performance. It does make a positive difference on my craft and I'd recommend it. A-Jay

Egg Sinkers will "Work" but if after punching with them for a few trips, try using the real thing. An hour in with tungsten and you'll soon realize that everything else is like a fight. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hello Pete and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

The only ones I've used with any success are from Freedom Lures. The Stealth Hybrid Jig and the Hydra Hybrid Jig. http://freedomlures.com/stealth.html http://freedomlures.com/hydra.html Both are effective & versatile. The Stealth comes through cover well and the Hydra excels where deeper presentations are desired. As for how this rig differs from say pegging a weight a 1/3" above the hook on a T-rig ~ The Hydra version has the hook tie on the top which promotes a nice Swimming action. Both rigs completely eliminate the weight slide in up the line which in a prominent problem with heavier weights. They also offer a football head which I have yet to try. http://freedomlures.com/football.html Finally I'll say that this product is not tungsten based so if that type of material & size is important for a particular technique - this may not be the answer. I like them ~ Quite a bit. A-Jay

The excerpt below is from an article titled Tactical Analysis written by Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Mike Wood an NRA Law Enforcement Division-certified Firearms Instructor and the author of Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis, (entire article link below) The article references the FBI's recent decision to switch from .40mm handgun back to 9mm. ****** While this info is clearly gear toward Carry and not Home Defense, I believe the same premise regarding mindset, tactics, and training applies here. "The truth is, with modern ammunition, any of the calibers currently in use by law enforcement will do the job — yet none of them will turn a handgun into the Hammer of Thor. There will be a lot of ink — and hot air — expended in the coming weeks and months as this latest chapter of the ‘Great Caliber Debate’ unfolds, and while it may be entertaining to watch, we need to keep our priorities in focus. Issues of caliber and weapon selection pale in comparison to mindset, tactics, and training. We need to dedicate our extremely limited resources (time, money) to the things that matter the most, and equipment selection is at the very bottom of that list. As long as it’s reliable, it doesn’t matter what’s in your holster. What matters is what’s in your mind and your heart. Professionals focus on mindset, tactics, and training. Professionals let the amateurs bicker about minute differences in equipment. Don’t get distracted by all the noise: stay focused on the right things, and stay safe out there." A-Jay https://www.policeone.com/Officer-Safety/articles/7453193-How-the-FBI-reignited-the-pistol-caliber-war/

Nice Brown Bass ~ Congrats to your Bud and you on the net work A-Jay

Now That's Exactly what I'm Talk'in about. A-Jay

Catt ~ but only at Night . . . . . A-Jay

$1.59 ~ here Be nice if these prices hold through the summer . . . . A-Jay