Team9nine

Big difference between 'retie' (as in the link provided) and 'replace.' Ditto @J Francho as I commonly go 2-3 years or more with most fluoro spools on my baitcasters. As long as you've kept your outfits in good conditions, the line will last a long time. Yes, check for wear in the last several feet; retie as needed. And I will replace if I get a major backlash that I feel might have compromised the integrity of the line further into the spool (usually from trying to get the backlash out, not the backlash itself), but that is the exception. Was just out yesterday catching bass with some Tatsu that has been on a Curado for 3+ years. Will replace it this winter due to getting too low on the spool for my liking, but the line integrity is still perfectly fine.

I think that would depend on which 'pro' you asked. I haven't heard many say, "I'm not here to win. I just want to catch some fish and cash a check." Maybe if you're just starting out or back in the old days. I have heard several pros refer to 2nd place as "first loser" though and be disappointed with that finish.

At what point is a finesse jig no longer a finesse jig? What's wrong with just a regular flipping jig at this point (heavy power rods and 5/0 hooks)? Regardless, maybe the Jewel Baits Tactical Finesse HD Jig. Doubt it's a 5/0 hook, but it is a good gap and heavy duty hook.

FWIW, Swindle is credited with a Southern Open win, but if only counting "Elite/Invitational/Tour" wins, then '0' is the correct answer. I ran through all 88 pros on the Bassmaster circuit, and 39 (44%) are credited with a win (Tour/Open), and 49 (56%) aren't. That obviously doesn't take into account wins on other circuits that might have occurred but don't show up in BASS stats. If you were to only look at multiple time winners, that list dwindles considerably to just a handful or two. If you went with the definition as anything other than first is next 'loser,' and take number of events into account, every pro is a loser in that regard, as that is just the nature of the sport. The best in the sport's history like Vandam, Martin, Nixon and Clunn only hit the 3-5% range in terms of victories.

Pfft - As has been alluded to, Jika was just a (original) creative rigging option, but Tokyo was pure marketing hype by capitalizing on a small variation. I don’t own/throw either of them as they move the wrong direction on the tackle continuum for me.

Yeah, that's what I was trying to convey to him. I edited it to maybe make it clearer.

I would never say fluorocarbon is a 'must,' as you can (and we probably all have/did) catch bass for years and years before using it. That said, it is on nearly 100% of my baitcasters (except for 1 or 2 braid setups - frogs, etc.). I don't have a single mono/copoly setup in the bunch.

'Report' and 'share' show as the only two options if it is not a post you made. If it is a post you made, then you get the third option, also (edit).

Top right corner; those three little dots. If you click on them, assuming it's your post, the option to 'edit' should pop up. Just click on it and you can then edit after it reopens it.

Just checked all my Husky Jerks. Both old and new all say 'Rapala' on the lip, though you have to hold it up into the light to see it on the smaller ones. That should be the defining factor in this case from the sounds of it. Beyond that, the smaller ones are exactly 2.75" if you only measure body and not the wire eyes/hangers. As for weight, with hooks, they are just over 3/16 oz. (~.194 oz) and they do rattle.

I have that exact bait (size/color). I just went out and weighed a couple and they weigh just at or slightly over 3/8 oz. with hooks, rings, etc. despite what the catalog weight states...so it's a match

Go with it. Older models were gold inserts...

You’ll be in best position to tell because in pictures, the insert tends to take on whatever color it reflects, often the orange giving it a gold look. Some real old ones might have been gold flash, too. I’d have to look at mine. I have several.

B24A Silver Flash-Black Back-Orange Belly

Happens all the time. No way every jersey wearer I see at shows and on the water are all sponsored or supported. The companies would go out of business. I think a lot of guys just like to look the part ?

Lindy Fuzz-E-Grubs might be the original version of this concept. They've been a multispecies staple in the Midwest for a good 45 years or so.

I’ve always just “stuck ‘em on” and been fine, often just fractional pieces on smaller baits for fine tuning.

When I was first showing Wheeler (Jacob) offshore structure fishing and using your electronics, a lot of our trips were crappie trips. There were only a couple lakes in our state with a good enough bass population to target offshore fish and actually do well, so we did a lot of crappie which were easier because they group up so well offshore. The same basics of electronics, finding, fishing, depth and speed control, etc. are involved, so it makes it simple to make the leap to bass after you're caught hundreds and hundreds of crappie 'going through the motions.' Builds your confidence quickly. Needless to say, he's a wicked stick on the slabs now, too; not just the bass.

The ones I use (when I do use them) are the ones in the picture which are a size 1 (not 1/0). They are just about an inch long, but work perfect for leaving a little longer skirt length or adding above a plastic trailer without interfering with anything. You almost don't realize they are back there, and they will get any short strikers. Plus, they set easier being smaller/thinner diameter, and are more easily concealed by the skirt and trailer.

I could best sum up my style with this David Dudley quote: “To me, the reward is the bite. I don’t care if it’s 12 inches or 3 pounds. Getting a bite means I had the right pace and rhythm and right depth and right angle and right cast. That to me is money. That’s why I love crappie fishing so much.” As for tackle, I have it all, but fish with a style I call the ‘sucker shot mentality.” I carry very limited equipment on trips, especially from the bank, and gear up specifically for what I expect the best bite to be on whatever water I fish that day. Could be all day Ned as easily as all day A-rig. This year, with so many bank trips, the scales were heavily tipped toward finesse and spinning gear...and like Dudley, I love crappie fishing (all artificials). My last 5 boat trips have been targeting them.

Thanks, but I’m thinking more in terms of the OP’s initial question. If ‘location’ is defined as the lake you show up at and spots are limited by access due to being on the bank, location becomes rather meaningless because ‘it is what it is.’ That’s a lot different than some of the answers which assume boat access and are shooting for ‘the best location on the lake’ to increase your odds of a bite.

Haven’t thrown a baitcast model Clarus, but my ML spinning model Clarus is a fantastic ‘bang for the buck’ rod, and my most used, by far. Personally, I’d go 6’10” or similar if power/action is the same as it should help some with cast length as well as playing fish on smaller treble hook baits (a longer ‘curve’ involved).

Appropriate sized trailers actually help with hookups most times by creating increased bulk/mass, making a bait flow easier into a basses mouth (via suction feeding). They can even help get bites in general by creating a better or more appropriate profile compared to a short cutoff skirt. Studies show bass tend to target the center of mass of a prey item, so a more complete bait profile can be advantageous in both appearance and strike targeting in those circumstances.

Seems like we need some definition of terms here, as this discussion has become pretty convoluted. For example, ‘Location’ can be worthless and low ranking depending upon the definition given to it.

The problem with manufacturers (and anglers) is they all use/package their spinnerbaits/buzzbaits with these giant, full-sized trailer hooks, which IMO is the wrong approach. Throw ‘em out and downsize and you’ll solve all kinds of problems, including short strikers and excess hangups. This is all you need. I have a lifetime supply: