Megastink

Crankbaits and stick bait requires different replacment hooks. Most stock trebles are horrible. For crankbaits , I like Gamakatsu's Short Shank Magic Eye series. They are 2x strong, and they have a round bend and Ewg version. They are very strong and very sharp. For stick baits/too waters/crankbaits, I like Owner stinger 36 or even 41s. Thin wire hooks, but strong. They are lightweight hooks, so they don't effect suspending jerkbaits.

I got my first issue last week. It's awesome! I love it.

Simple question: what are some techniques for sealing the eye of a work hook? I am trying to figure out a way to seal a siwash eye. I want to make my own flipping hook. VMC uses epoxy, Gammy welds. I am not a welder, but I can soder. So, how can I do it? Any how to videos?

To hell with slowing down! This time of year, i'll either burn a spinnerbait or swim a jig over grassy points or bang a square bill through hard cover on main lake points. Fish don't WANT to bite after a front, you have to MAKE them.

1) I want to know how to darken a silver (siwash) hook. 2) I can close the eye via epoxy or maybe soder. I'll figure that part out.

I was gonna use paper clips, but that works. Aaron martens uses pieces of weedgaurd. Whatever works. How about darkening the hooks???

I think a 7'3" rod is too long. I do own a 734 and if you like a longer stick, you'll love that one as a toad stick. I use mine for pitching and football jigs. However, my dedicated frog rod is a 714 Endurance. A little play in the tip, the rest is all balls. I have a high strike/catch ratio. Also, shorter rod is better for SKIPPING, something you may want to learn.... I'd buy the Max 7' Mag Heavy for a frog rod... Better suites for the task, if you ask me.

Two fish and I start to think I'm onto something. The third fish confirms the pattern. I'll shake off the third bite if pre fishing.

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in Tacklemaking, but here we go... I read that the Hack Attack Flipping Hook was a gamakatsu siwash hook with a black nickel finish. However, at almost $2 a hook, I started wondering if I could make one with thread, a paper clip, clippers and super glue and maybe epoxy. I want to darken the finish on the hook; take some of the shine out. How do I do that? I was thinking a blowtorch, but I'm nervous about ruining the metal strength. Thoughts???

I'm only 26 years old, but I remember the first time I discovered a pattern! I was about 12 years old, and I just watched KVD (before the fame) catching bass on a spinnerbait. I had never caught a bass on a spinnerbait before. My dad bought me a yellow and green 3/8oz double willow spinnerbait from Wally World. I was chucking it around a rock outcrop near shore and wasn't getting bit. Then, I botched a cast and threw over on of the rocks. I dragged my spinnerbait over the rock, and three cranks of the reel later, WHAM! Two pounder. A few casts later, I biffed again. Drug it over the rocks, wham! Another two. Then the hamster started running...... Five bass later, I was on my first pattern! I also remember my first jig bass. I was using a black and red Renosky jig (no weedgaurd, but a bait keeper screw that you screwed your trailer onto and Texas rigged. It was June, the bass were cruising, and I saw three of them hanging out by my boat on shore (I was on shore). I pitched to the boat (may have been my first pitch) and watched a three pounder come in to investigate. I hopped the jig once, he inhaled it, and I had NEVER set the hook harder! It was awesome! Memories, memories!

Early summer mats, froggin'. There is NO more exciting way to catch bass.

You might want to google the Pennsylvsnia bass federation and track down the Presidents of the local bass clubs in your area. I'm in that general area, but have never caught one in Philly. Good luck!

I usually wear cheap sunglasses fishing (under $20). But I also wear a gaiter to protect my face from sunburn. The issue is that if I wear my gaiter above my nose, my breath fogs my glasses. I have to wear my face mask below my nose, exposing it to sunlight. Are there sunglasses that won't fog, or a coating I can invest in??? Please help. Thanks!

It looks to me like either a Bass pro or Cabelas house brand. Definitely not a Rapala or Rebel. It's not Japanese either; not nearly enough detail. My guess is canelas or BPS brand.

I guess no one has heard of this company. I can't find anything. Does anyone know of other companies from overseas that are not yet available here in the US?

Endurance Rods are absolutely outstanding. Lightweight, very strong, perfect action. For $170, there is nothing better, and no reason to spend any more money, IMHO.

I don't think so. They were masses produced and never win anything major. Unless KVD suddenly wins the classic on one.

It's called "The Flying Lure". The concept was that it would glide away from the angler, under a dock or overhang. They were one of those "as seen on TV" deals.

And that's why my club fishes the Upper Chesapeake....

Caught two little ones on it today. Clear 45F water. Action is absolutely awesome.

I am having trouble with my balsa square bills. They have lips made of Lexan, which delivers great action, but I have had issues with lips cracking and eventually breaking off. This has happened three times in the last three weeks. What other materials can I use for lips that are not going to cost an arm and a leg?

I'm looking for MAIN LINE. Sounds like Seaguar Invisx is winning.

I was flipping through an FLW magazine when I saw an ad for Duo Realis baits. They looked sexy, so I jumped on TW to check them out. I started to read the reviews, and one of the reviewers mentioned that the baits come with Kishida trebles. The hooks on the jerkbait look like a short shank EWG treble, 2x black nickel. I fell in LOVE with them, and after googleing Kishida Hooks, I have come up with NOTHING! The results say that they are a hook manufacturer in Japan. Thats it. Anyone know where I can find out more information? Thanks!

I need some input on fluoro line. I have tried a few brands, and have been plagued with poor performance. I will never again buy Vicious (green label) or Vanish or Trilene. I have lost more fish in competition on those lines with various techniques than I care to admit. I am wondering what you all use for fluoro. I do like Seaguar line. The precision wind spool is a wonderful thing. I have heard good things about Gamma, but haven't tried it. What brands do you use/won't use ever again and WHY?

Oh pretty please! Do post the video! I want to watch it!