WCCT

I reach for a Norries Bug creature bait when everyone else seems to be using beavers or brush hogs. I like these texas rigged, on a football head and C-rigged. Largemouth and smallmouth kill these things. It is a little more subtle than most creature baits out there.

Done

The original Berkley Power Worm. I know they still make them, but I haven't used one in years. Not sure why to be honest with you, but I used to wear them out on a 4 or 7" black worm with a small brass bullet weight and a glass bead. I also grew up fishing the Mister Twister grub that they no longer make. It had a nice thin, wide tail. It seemed like I could catch them anywhere with these simple baits. Makes a guy wonder why we all go to the newest, flashiest baits instead of these old classics.

Nice looking spinnerbait. Lurepartsonline has the rainbow trout photo imaged blades. They are under the "What's New" section. They would look killer on that bait!

I have the Powell Trap/Spook rod and love it! I throw mainly 1/2 oz lipless baits, but it handles 3/4oz baits really well too. I actually bought this rod for a trip down to Clear Lake in Cali to throw big spooks with. It performed awesome at that too. I handled several 5-7lb. bass on that trip with no difficulty. Trap fishing is one of my go to techniques, so I have really given this rod a work over and it rocks!

I am willing to bet the Alabama Rig would do wonders on those big smallmouth down on the river when they are schooling. I just don't know if I could pull the trigger on one of them yet.

Email Trey at Kistler and he should be able to set you up.

I got tired of them coming off in the livewell. I had the X-tools type and ended up putting the safety pin style of ends off of a cheap metal stringer on them. I put colored beads on each one to go with the Cul-me-rite scale and they work great and I don't have to worry about them coming off.

I like the Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe in Chrome/Blue (which I hear they are discontinuing. At least the chrome/blue, as I can't hardly find them anywhere. ) I also like the original Rattle Trap.

I've had good luck there with green pumpkin/red flake and margarita mutilator.

I agree with the previous post. A moderate action is essential when fishing baits with treble hooks. That extra softness of the rod will keep those treble hooks from tearing out.

I would go with a Dobyn's hands down. Either the 703 or 733 Champion. As far as reels go, a lot of guys on here really like the Shimano's, but I prefer the Daiwa's. I even like my Quantum Smoke, but it is a hair noisy. It's all preference.

I fished it with my wife and we took 8th. We targeted smallmouth with jigs. The key that I found was an aggressive hopping along the bottom. I noticed most people were just dragging around, but for me to get bit, I had to really hop that bait.

I have poured soft plastics for 10 years or so. I have tried every type of plastic out there and I always kept going back to M-F Super Soft. Do a search for M-F plastic and it will pop up. This is just my opinion, as others will have different preferences such as L.C., and Calhoun's to name a couple. My suggestion is to try out different types in the pint size and then order in a 5 gallon size once you decide which is best suited for you. Shipping is pretty high on this stuff, but it is a great hobby.

4", 5", and 6" Yamamoto Hula Grubs. I always have a football jig tied on. I go through at least 50 bags a season, so I am going to start making my own. They don't give them away and the price sure adds up.

Maverick makes some good stuff. He is a heck of a nice guy too. I loaded up on a bunch of different Maverick baits the last time I went down to Clear Lake and we caught fish on pretty much all of them. I was pitching the larger paddle tail they make and it has some serious action, so I imagine the small one is good too.

I read somewhere that they are planning one with a weed guard. They are also making one a size smaller too. Sweet looking bait, but in the stuff I fish in, it is not uncommon for me to lose 20 or so football head jigs in a single tournament day. That would get really expensive!

Here is the set up the majority of us North West guys use: Hooks: Owner Mosquito size 2 or Gamakatsu size 4 Line: Seaguar Invisix 6# test Weight: Quick Drops Sinkers. Go with the lightest possible. 1/4 oz for deeper water and drop down accordingly the shallower you are fishing. Baits: Sniper Lures Snub or Bolt. These have won more money in the Pacific North West than any other bait in the last 10 years. On the standard drop shot set up, do not over work your bait. There is a time and place for that, but in general, less is better. Another technique out here that has also become standard is called Dropswimming. Use a Panic dropswim minnow and just slowly reel with your rod tip high. I like to twitch the bait a little as I bring it in. This can be a killer teqnique.

I just bought a Lamiglas Excel 702SM spinning rod with micro guides. It is 7' ML. I haven't had a chance to fish with it yet, but it seems like it will be an awesome little rod. I was using a Kistler Magnesium dropshot rod, which was great, but I just felt like it was time to try something else. I am weird that way.

It has been a long wait, but I just got my email confirmation from *** that my frogs have shipped. I ordered them in August hoping they would be in stock by early fall, but oh well. The only problem is it is in the 30's here and the frog bite will have to wait until spring. :-/ I can't wait to see these things in person.

Say what you want about the cheesey stuff he endorses, but the guy can flat out catch fish. He could back in the day, and I bet he still can. Go Roland!!!

Hand pours are great. I pour my own, and I seldom buy anything off of the shelve. The main reason I use them is as stated in the previous post. Colors. I also like my stuff super soft, especially when targeting smallmouth. I just feel they hold the bait a second or two longer. It may be just a confidence thing, but they seem to work. I also like the scents that I use better than most mass produced baits. They will not fill every need you may have, but they are worth having in the boat.

The warranty is the only concern I have with Kistler. That being said, I have 6 Kistlers, with several LTX's. These are probably the best rod I have ever used, and I have used most of the high end rods like G-Loomis (GLX), St. Croix etc.. Ultra sensitive, and very strong. The only Kislters I have broken have been the Magnesiums.

Pour your own, it's easy and fun. Here is a mold that is very similar. http://www.lurecraft.com/catalog.cfm/molds/plastic-molds/craws/5x587:304. I actually like the one in the previous post better though. It seems to have a little more detail and would still be very easy to pour. You can also ask some of the guys over on T.U. Someone on there probably pours it.

I like the Yo-Zuri Rattlin Vibe and the original Rattle Trap. Blue/chrome catch most of my smallies. I also change out the stock hooks on these which really helps the landing ratio. Craw patterns are also always a safe bet. The Koppers Live Target is also winning a place in my rotation.