camman

I use the largest one to jig for stripers and does really well. It’s a relatively compact size for the weight. I’ve switched out the hooks for the single owner hooks as well. Never had much luck on largemouth and sat unused until I tried them on stripers

i use to have your issues, at the time I was using one of the Falcon FTO boxes which helped reduce the problem but it still occurred. I ended up getting a Bass Mafia box years ago and haven't had any issues. They are pricey but well worth the money. I've dropped it a few times and nothing has moved.

IMO they are designed to catch a lot of fisherman. For reaction type baits, I don't believe the fish has enough time to look at the bait that closely. They are going after the silhouette. On slower baits it may make a difference, but again IMO it doesnt make a difference. One of my best swimbaits is a Triple Trout and they aren't that realistic in paint jobs.

i was given a pack of them awhile ago and used them fishing senkos. As mentioned above they hold a senko great and I had no issues hooking fish or keeping them on the hook. Was there anything special about them? No I didn't see any other advantages of using them vs my usual Gamakatsu hooks. I think because of that its hard to compete against the other hook brands on the market.

Lucky Craft for me

You are right...though you will be surprised at how many guys change out stock hooks from a wide range of manufacturers

They have worked great for me, though you need to upgrade the hardware on them.

That’s a crazy deal on Dobyns...he basically bypassed all the stores that carry the rods to get his $

Hudd 68 and a Triple Trout

its been probably 10+ years since I fished that. If I recall at the time lots of ducks but not full of duck poop. I remember you could catch some catfish in the summertime and had to go ultra light tackle to catch the bass.

California Prop 65...basically everything needs a “May Cause Cancer” warning sticker

I have a few older ones (straight eyes) and they work just fine. I fish them off 20lb braid with a 10lb leader

Second the Lunker Punker...8” Wood probably had the longest glide of anything I’ve thrown...never got a bite on one though

9lb 2oz

4” Roboworm Sculpin in Aaron’s Magic R&B Flake drop shotting

I haven't been in awhile, went a few times early last year and did pretty good on Spots. Fished the Narrows section and the Dam area and was mainly catching them drop shotting and some deeper diving cranks

Costas with the glass lenses

Check out YouTube. For bait either chicken legs or bacon have worked for me

SoCal is pretty big...Around what city and timing?

i've used them and also the Zoom Ol Monsters. I fish them texas rig and use a light weight...1/8-1/4oz and peg it. I like the slow slithering fall it creates. I think it definitely deters some of the smaller fish to bite, but I'm surprised how many 12-14" fish I catch on it.

I looked briefly and it only seems to give the outside dimensions? You need to find out the inside dimensions and see if they will fit your needs and how it compares in size to your current coolers inside dimensions

I’ve used the 1 oz size for jigging in 20-50ft of water

sorry don’t know rentals, but have you considered hiring a guide? It’s probably comparable in cost as it is in renting a decent boat. It will help with the learning curve tremendously and probably get you better fish. Clear lake in spring is a blast and depending on timing the spawn may be going on as they are different on the north and south end

Are you looking at the urban ponds around Phoenix? Like Tempe Town lake, Papago or El Dorado? It’s been a few years since I’ve fished them but found the most consistent way to get fish was drop shotting with 4lb test and a 4 or 6” Robo worm.

Even Clearance stuff....they have a Bass Mafia Deep box for around $20...half the price of TW