WdyCrankbait

^^^^ Sounds like the Bait Monkey is strong with her.

guys, Thanks for the time in your responses. Tholmes, I'm tying flies now while I recover from surgery so, I was just thinking a natural carry over once I saw them. I'll probably PM you later to make sure I am using the correct jig head. I found a great web page that sells unpainted jig heads so, I guess it is trial and error time. Thanks again everyone, Wdy

Hey everyone, I have a quick question or two. I wanted to ask if anyone uses Bucktail jigs for bass and if they do how often do they use them with success. I'm thinking about starting to make my own, but wanted to question you guys/gals and see if there was "weight," in pursuing it. Thank you, Wdy

Great smallie, nice sweatshirt!

good for you! My wife and I decided we have to fish on the opposite side of the lake in order to save our marriage. Of course, when I go check on her and she starts to backlash for the first time, I get blamed, go figure.

WOW! Ok, I'm moving up north! We have smallmouth here in VA, but these pictured here just dwarf them. Great catches!

Ugh, the one post I was hoping not to run across. I'm recovering from surgery performed 4/14 and it is not looking like I will be able to fish again till September. But, I love smallmouth fly fishing and that crawfish pattern in the picture above is the one to go with! Great catch! flyfisher, If you get a Saturday free try floating from West View to James River State Park (about 5 hours), or on to Maidens (about 9 hours) in a day. Two buddies and myself did that last fall with bass spinning gear and must have caught a 100. Healthy, strong ones to that did not like being hooked! Biggest one was close to 15" and not fishing that part of the James River before I am sure there are some much larger ones in there. Keep the pictures coming, great thread! PS, anyone use woolly buggers tied with tarantula material bodies? I have a couple original bugger patterns I am very curious about. Wdy

yeah, my Lews Tournament Lite SS has a made in Korea sticker on it. I got it in September, maybe there was a manufacture site change.

Good for you! Save that $$!

My wife is the same way at BPS! Oh, pretty sparkly pink and white lures! I'm buying them!! Same thing with tying flies. I'm getting back into it and she will pick up anything that shimmers, sparkly, does not look animal like to use. She will not use crankbaits anymore because last Saturday I got her a Yamamoto Chirara (sp?) squarebill. Excited for her to use it. Well, it was very windy that day and she got a treble stuck in her sweater. She was upset, and I asked "What did you think was going to happen?" Wind was blowing hard and you're wearing a loose sweater. Then, I used her rod, first cast, I know I through it 100 yards! Unfortunatly, that snap sound indicated to me the knot had broken, and sure enough. I laugh about it now, but only behind her back to get away with it.

Blues and Christian Contemporary, but mostly Blues Muddy Waters BB Jimi SRV Walter Trout Rory Gallagher Roy Buchanan Some Johnny Cash Etta James

Sam failed to mention he caught most of his bass on one of my rod/reel combos. I was happy for him for about the first 5, then after that, I was cursing him under my breath for beating up on me with my own gear! Had a great time, thanks for taking me out before surgery! Wdy

Great thread! There is some great knowledge in here! Thank you to the major contributors on this thread John S., Big O, RW, JFrancho, etc.! I'll be reading these posts over and over trying to learn more about jig fishing to apply when I can get back onto the water.

I agree with a lot of the statements here. A $100 reel will catch fish as well, but the higher end reels usually are lighter, more refined with better ergonomics. It's your money, be smart, buy the tackle you want, fish what you want and if people are going to talk down to you about that, well you know they're really not your friends, or looking out for you. Fishing is fun, and it is more enjoyable when you have good equipment to use. Go fish and ignore the haters. PS, maybe you should find a different tackle shop, store clerks calling their customer an idiot for buying equipment he wants to fish with, really?

Hey everyone, Has anyone tried these yet? Bait Monkey is strong and stung me for one, (maybe going back tomorrow to get some more) and I wanted to see if anyone has used them and there opinions of the bait. I'm a terrible jig fisherman and trying to learn the ropes so, any other jig recommendations are welcome. I will be ordering some from Siebert soon. Thanks, Wdy

Yep, Powhatan lakes are great! I popped a 5 out of there about this time last year. (North end of the lake on a jon boat). But, seems to be a very healthy lake system.

yeah, I am finding them for relatively cheap online, but cant get over the weight. I am very curious about them though, I would love to fish with one to seem if they live up to the hype for me.

Yeah, I got a Hawtech for my Curado 50E, quality product and great customer service, you are not going to to wrong with them.

I posted two on the Flea market for sale a couple of weeks ago. The 775, flipping, and 755 crankbait rod. But, I understand the new 3D rods are lighter.

I just picked up some Quantum reels. Yes, A-Jay, you know which ones, but for the rest of you, I came across a screaming deal on two EXOs I could not pass up and the EXO has the same thing. But, I think it is intentional and the reason I say that is because, I think that is done to allow the spool to rest of the bearings more, possibly reducing friction if the spool makes contact with the sideplate. (My personal $0.02) That would be my guess, also, to be honest, I like it. I have Curado E's, great reels but sometimes the line will be caught between the sideplate and spool when I am trying to lube it up and just a pain to pull the line through (say the line ends up finding its way through the sideplate). Yes, I am taking a shortcut there vs. taping the spool and pulling it out, but the EXO allows me to take the shortcut. If the reel works and has not failed him, I say let it roll.

another vote for a pinnacle

I use it, no problem at all for me. You should be good, make sure you dont burn your line when tying the knot, and roll.

I like the idea about contacting Quantum and see if they will swap it for what you normally use. Personally, I would think Quantum would want to keep its product in a consumers hand. Also, I just picked a Helios rod, I guess on clearance, normally $180 rod, I got for $140. Mine is the 7' MH, and it is light!!! Added to that a Lew's Tournament Lite @ 5.8 ounces, I have a combo under ten ounces. Okuma has been around awhile and recently seem to be getting some more traction on the forum here. To me, you have a win, win situation here. You got something for free, and now need to determine how to employ it, or use it as a resource to get what you want. Good luck and if you do get the Okuma combo, please let us know what you think about the rod. Wdy

Helsinki Shad does really well for me in clear water. Experiment, have fun, all the suggestions are good here. Maybe see who lives closest to you and start with those colors. Good luck!

I have the tournament Lite and wow it is a real dark horse in the Lew's line up! It can cast a mile! The only knock I have against it is the 85 mm handle. It needs to be the 95mm, which I bought and put on the reel. But, that ACS casting system is outstanding!! One of the best I've used.