tholmes

I've had the most success with (and, naturally, the most confidence in) ribbon-tail worms. I use both 7" and 10" from Yum, Culprit, Zoom, Barlow's tackle, and Power worms. After that, it's a toss-up between Senko-type worms and Ringworms. Tom

Here ya go! http://stores.ebay.c...namentbassbaits Tom

This works for me. Also, when fishing in windy conditions, try a heavier weight. It really helps maintain contact with the bait and what it's doing. Tom

tholmes' home-made Arky style jigs in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 oz. Black/blue glitter and green pumpkin/ black flake and Zoom Super Chunk trailers to match. Tom

Another option is to scour the Flea Market forum for a used reel. If the rod you have now is suitable, keep it. If not, pick up a Berkeley Lightning Rod or Cherrywood rod at Wal-Mart. Both are undre $50. Tom

Shallow to medium diving cranks, lipless cranks, jerkbaits, unweighted (or lightly weighted) plastics, and smaller topwaters. Tom

Truth^^ Tom

I have some baits that look a lot like that, but a different color. They also were in a "kit" (along with several other styles of soft plastics) that my wife picked up at a yard sale. The kit was made by the Mann bait company. The ones that I have are kind of a watermelon red with blue glitter. THe smallmouth at an area lake absolutely love 'em! Tom

This^^ Chrome/blue and Red Craw are my best producers followed by gold/black and sexy shad. Tom

If I were buying a new spinning reel, Shimano would be at the top of my list. Any of their offerings in your price range is going to be a superb reel. Tom

Another vote for front drag. Tom

I routinely use 10# Trilene Big Game on my crankbait setups, sometimes going to 8#. For jigs and T-rigs I'll normally use 12-15#. But then, I'm not likely to be horsin' 10 pound bass out of heavy cover either. Tom

At the top of the list for me is the Zara Spook. I've thrown them until my arms ached and never got so much as a touch. The color that I consistently strike out with is baby bass. Never caught anything on a baby bass colored lure. Add to that bubble-gum colored soft plastics. Tom

This^ Living in Kansas for most of my life, I can handle wind. I don't even think about it unless it hits 30 mph. But the combination of cold and wet will have me heading for home in a heartbeat. Tom

or...fishing a drop shot rig. Tom

Nice! I especially like the Lemon Pepper. Tom

Yep! I have caught more bass on ribbontail worms than any other soft plastic. Tom

^ 1000% agree. Tom

X2! One of my "go to" colors for worms. It seems like they're gettin' hard to find, though Tom

I fish crankbaits a lot. Some of my favorites are Strike King (especially the 2.5 squarebills), Norman (almost everything they make), Bandits, Storm Wiggle-Warts (yes, even the new ones catch bass), Rapala Shad Raps and the DT series, As far as colors, I mainly use three: Shad patterns, craw patterns and bluegill patterns.. Tom

My S.I.L. She's one of those people that will ask a question and then argue with your answer. Actually, I wouldn't ban her completely, just from asking me stuff. Tom

^^ This. If you're used to using spinning reels, you'll need to adjust your release point with a baitcaster. Because a baitcaster has a revolving spool (opposed to a spinning reel's stationary spool), you have to compensate for the fraction of a second that it takes for the spool to start turning. Your release point on the cast needs to be just a hair earlier in the casting motion than it is with a spinning reel. Experiment with it out in the backyard, it takes some practice to adjust. Tom

I've caught more big bass on a T-rigged ribbon-tail worm than any other bait, and it ain't even close. Tom

One of my favorite cold-water baits. Do-It makes a mold so you can roll your own if you're so inclined. Tom

I think chrome w/blue or black is my #1 producer. At times, craw colors work well and, for night fishing, I have a solid black Rat-L-Trap that kills 'em. I don't have much luck with firetiger (in any bait) but the waters that I fish aren't all that cloudy or muddy. Tom