A-Rob

I would like to see Greg Hackney win it

I'm sure it depends on line size and retrieve, but I use the one you are talking about, I'd say mine actually runs 2-4' deep on average.

I had a cheaper reel that would not throw a jerkbait b/c it was too light. Frustrating! I ended up getting a better shimano reel and now I can barely backlash it if I tried. So I think that is a big step. Also, a trick I learned was don't lob your cast or any kind of curved trajectory. Try firing a line drive cast. Sorry to get into physics, but when you throw a lob the lure actually stops accelerating at the peak of the lob, so basically it stops pulling line off your spool, but the line keeps running at the spool and backlash! The line drive will keep the lure pulling off the spool longer as long as you thumb the spool before it hits the water or stops moving forward (ie in the wind).

I can't remember the pro's name, but he was on an interview with bass edge. He never went above 1/2oz but would get up that heavy in real deep water. For the most part he used 1/4 to 3/8. He also said the new specific dropshot weights are marked up and there is no reason why you shouldn't be using the cheap "casting sinkers". He said they work great and are cheaper. I have used them and they work great.

oh ya sorry, and the left overs stay in the original packaging or a ziplock baggie, and leave it in my dresser....definitely don't need it for clothes!

I fish out of different boats so I just keep all my gear in my browning soft tackle bag, in the 370 boxes. I keep enough of every lure in each slab that I can fish all day. I don't actually own multiple boats haha I just fish out of different peoples, or my tin boat.

I think they claimed that bass prey glows in the dark. I would disagree, I think crawdads and bait fish are somewhat camouflaged and bass have no problem chomping down on them. Maybe bass happen to love that stuff, but it is definitely not natural. Funny thing is, when I am choosing lures, I dont' pick one that I can see 20 feet from the boat. I try to pick one that blends in a bit better. Like pumpkin green in clear water. Or Junebug in dark water. Or a silver jerkbait as it blends in with the sky. Thats what KVD says anyways, so I will listen to him.

I got a 4" tiki stick in bruised organge color Also, a 5" giggy stick by gambler I was thinking of using a 3" walleye grub for a smaller profile for smallmouth. It's simple but smallmouth usually don't mind a grub one bit.

There is definitely some stuff I am forcing myself to learn. Actually I like this post b/c this is all I think about all off season! I want to work on: 1. dropshotting 2. crankbaits 3. C-rig I have used cranks and the c-rig on/off but I want to focus on them and make them strong weapons b/c they are perfect for my lake. And obviously I want to polish up stuff I've been working on: 1. Swimbaits 2. well just about everything I can always improve! I might lay off the texas rig in deeper water and just keep it for flippin/pitchin so I can try these new things.

I didn't know this, or hear of this yet. But I was watching a 1998 invitational on the internet and noticed that KVD's "co-angler" was Ike. I thought that was weird. But later on they mentioned that the rules for that tourney was the pros would be paired and they would have to share a boat and compete against each other. I wonder how they would decide who's boat to take, where they would fish ie if one guy was good at flipping but the other wanted to hit ledges. I could see it being like Tiger Woods and Zo the golfer who couldnt stand him playing at the masters side by side

I found it easier to use a heavy jig, like 3/4oz jig. It's easier to cast and feel. If you pair it with a zoom super chunk trailer it slows the fall down, so it doesn't look like you are just tossing a rock. The feeling you get off a big one like that makes it easier. Most of my bites, may be a bit subtle, but if you just pay attention it really isn't an issue. Just spend some time with it, about a year ago I picked up the jig and pig and ended up having a wicked summer with them, great hook up rates, definintely a fun lure. Good luck bro!

I also sharpie my cranks. I like putting a pattern, like a series of dots that kinda look like gills or something natural under the chin of the lure. I'm sure it doesn't matter, but it makes me think I'm behaving like a professional (insane person). ie for strike king series 4 I will put 4 dots as gills.

I still prefer the zoom super chunk. i like the wider arms on it. Slows the fall rate down a bunch. I am not against pork tho, I may try them in the spring when temps are cold.

Often I will target the holes in the slop. It's the same theory as finding the "change" in structure. If I find a pile of slum and there's a pocket or hole floating in the middle of it, I will always pitch one in there. Best part is you don't need much weight if there is a hole there. I almost always catch a fish at those holes, I think they float around it as it is different, maybe waiting for insects or frogs to jump across(?). I still use a heavy weight tho, 3/8 and up.

Looks pretty solid! For my personal preference only, I like to throw a spinnerbait more often then a crank if I can. And a tube for the smallies on my lake. Looks good bro!

I use Yum Houdini worm, I think it is 5" long. I throw it on a hook with a hook keeper and a weight on the belly of the hook that keeps the fluke upright. I twitch it with spinning gear or if in heavy cover (usually when fishing largemouth) i switch to a baitcaster. I just have 1 rig for my spinning set up. 6'0 medium shimano rod, shimano sahara reel, 15# test braid with a 10# test mono leader.

forget your budget dude, this is fishing! hahaha I am just trying to make myself feel better.

wow, awesome experience. Sorry the weather was so cold! Congrats again

Nice! that's a pretty fish.

Congrats!! funny thing is I only got into jig fishing about a year ago and I remember my 1st to! I couldn't believe how productive it got for me, and how good I was hooking fish, never lost 1 on the jig/pig. All the best to ya in your new technique!

Shimano all the way. Had a few problems with other brands, most notable being quantum baitcaster I dished out over 100 bucks for and it wouldn't click into gear, it'd go into 'neutral'. So I returned that pretty quick, got another shimano....never had a problem.

oh ya St. Croix rods are awesome and expensive, I want one of those to! haha

I cannot complain about Shimano one bit with their "lower" end products, they are amazing. So I would go with a Shimano Stradic or whatever their top spinning reel is. And a Shimano Calais. Rods, maybe like Fenwick, Loomis for spinning rods. Kissler flippin'/casting stick. I currently use a Shimano Cruxis and Sahara and LOVE them. I was gonna splurge on a citica, but the rick clunn reel was on clearance and was more than 1/2 the price on the citica, I couldn't justify it haha, there mustve be something wrong with me.

Use as big a hook as you can get away with....thats my rule of thumb. with that being said, grab a package of of each size and throw them in the tackle box. Then you can just throw whatever hook in you need/want. I mainly use 3/0 hooks for my tubes, worms, etc for my smallmouth buddies, and a 4/0 hook for most of my soft plastics for largemouths. Extra big stuff or topwater I go 5/0.

Loomis says he catches bigger bass the day or two after a full moon....I think it was on bass edge. He based that on less fishing pressure and some other factors that don't really apply to me up north where the water temp never gets warm enough to bother night fishing instead of day fishing haha.