Hammer 4

I should have stated that, the brakes that came installed on the reel, were after a get use to the reel period, were deactivated, so the brakes are there, just not working.. I like this set up alot for mainly flipping jigs that are 1/2oz or less. you never installed them? would taking them out equal less braking than if they were installed and in the 'off' position?

Never used the spares, heck, I don't even use the ones that were in the reel.. ;D

Big bass..football, lunker, toad. Bass gets of the hook before landing..came unbuttoned, farmed it. Big crappie = Slab. Big bluegill= dinnerplate.

Cactus apples...mmmmm..

You guys and your P Line... x2 , especially if your using 4-8 lb. lines for spinning rods !!

Soft baits are easier to deal with when you first start throwin em. However, the conditions of the lake/lakes you fish might determin which type of swimbait you use. Most of the hardbaits have bottom treble hooks which can easily get snagged on thick weeds, wood ect..so a bait like a Huddelston weedless " might be the way to go, or a huddelston ROF 5, or you could use a slowsink BBZ for example, but keep it about the structure, or weeds. If you fish open water, then the sky is the limit. Another thing to consider is the forge, if the lake has shad, then you have a couple options, if they stock trout, then a trout soft bait would be my choice. I don't think there is a time to throw soft baits anymore than there is a time for hardbaits, the conditions, and fish will let you know what they prefer. Just a note: if you get into some of the larger baits, i.e. 6" and bigger, you'll need more than a flipping rig to throw them. Grab a some and try them out, and have fun..Swimbaits aren't a numbers game for the most part in the 6" and above range, smaller than that and you should have a good time..

Why have 1..? Just deactivate them all..No brakes on my Chronarch..makes flippin so much easier..

I do, but it really depends on what your wanting to do. I prefer it, because weightless it will cast further into the tullies where the fish are at my lake..open water is a different story, there you could use the reg. ika, but all I buy are the fat ika's..

Contrary to popular opinions, you can Bass fish with spinning gear.. I would consider the Shimano Citica reel, and the Shimano Crucial rods, depending on your budget.

The lenght depends on what You like, I'm a tad over 6' and I prefer a 7'6" rod, I find that my 7'11" is too long, and my 7' is a tad on the short side, but good if you cast from shore, and have alot of trees ect that limit you..Never tried a telescopic though, imho if your flippin jigs, you need as much sensitivity as possible, and I'm not sure a tele rod would have that..? I would try and opt for a 1 pc. rod if it's possible.

Yes, the JJ's in whatever color you get will change black, or any other color, i.e. dip in chartruse, and the bait will change to chartruse..

I agree with Kent, heck, there have been times jig fishing, that I didn't even know that a fish had inhales my jig, till I started reeling to change positions of the jig. So yep, sensitivity is key, as is backbone if your flippin in heavy cover..that's why I love using braid..

Purple seems to work well in many places.. Ever wonder why people make knock offs ? I'll stick with the GYBC fat ika's..

Drive an extra 30 miles to the lake that had a state record. ;D

Gotta love fishin jigs..

Nuff said..

Anyone tried the IMA topwater plugs..? http://www.***.com/Ima_Big_Stick/descpage-IMABGST.html

5 1/4lb on 4 lb trilene xl..But my best catch was a 7.6 lb rainbow, on 3 lb trilene xl..

Ha...I have been working on that, now3 I can go a whole 1/2 hr... ;D

My old eyes are really straining to see my green braid... :-/

If you like crank baits...give the H20 4" swimbaits a try, they swim pretty nice, they catch fish, and for about 10.00 ea..they are a bargin.

For those lakes, I find that either a shad, or chart/white with double gold willows works best about 95% of the time. 1 thing worth noting is, I have never caught a fish on a spinner bait there with silver blades, nor have i got any fish with a spinner bait that didn't have at least the main blade being a willow in gold of course. As for the gill colors, they work there, I have caught fish on a gill pattern chatterbait, so my guess is a spinner bait of that color should work also. BTW, if your flipping in the north lake, a White jig, with a mud color 4:20 sweetbeaver trailer works well..just get it in the tullies..

Yep, cast it out, and I find the best retrieve is a SLOW one, with a few pauses, and a soft twitch on slack line depending on the bait..Also, don't be affraid to burn it, or use a med. retrieve..experiment. Knowing what size baits you have would be good to know, as fishing them would be different in some cases, i.e. the smaller ones can go through light vegetation, where as the larger, 8" and up can't due the exposed hooks, and especially if it's a jointed bait. Some of the larger baits weigh up to 6 ozs and more, so you need a rod that will handle it..having a good reel helps to.

55 lb Samuri braid..unless I'm fishing a lake with big rocks..

I don't think you "replace" cranks, swimbaits are another addition to your arsnel.. Be forwarned, swimbait fishing can be addicting..especially when you get into the bigger baits, but then you have get the gear to accomodate them. Each type of fishing has it's place, the conditions, and fish will let you know which to throw.