ib_of_the_damned

I have the 7'2" Clarus Drop Shot rod and find that its a good rod, and I paired it up with an Okuma Trio 20. Its a pretty slick combo and easy on the wallet. I also have 10-15lb braid with a 7lb Sunline Sniper leader.

I recently picked up a iRod Genesis II Fred's Magic Stick, it's 7'5" H/F and rated for 1/2oz to 2oz. I have ZERO complaints about the rod. It is super light, sensitive, and looks awesome. Its only $149 and with TW's sale you could pick one up and a few small swimbaits to throw on it. If you don't have a reel for it yet, I recommend the Daiwa Lexa 300 5:1:1. It can be found on ebay for pretty cheap. BTW, that's my exact small swimbait setup.

Sorry, its actually the Paycheck Head Case.

I have some of the Psycho Dads but have not used them yet, I have read that they are pretty fragile, as with most Yamamoto baits. But they are effective. There is another craw that looks similar to the Psycho Dad that I have, again have not used yet, but seems more durable and might fish just the same. The bait is the Buddha Baits Ultimate Fighting Craw. You may want to check those out. http://img.***.com/new_product/BUDUFCR-GPB-1.jpg

I'd be different and use soft plastic colors... 1. Translucent Watermelon Red 2. Translucent Green Pumpkin 3. Pearl with Silver and Blue Flakes or Zoom's Smokin Shad 4. Morning Dawn 5. Bold Bluegill

and the 4" Scoundrel in the Live color on a Drop Shot

Is the 24/7 color black/blue/purple? I cant really tell from the picture on the site.

I believe on the SK Red Eye Shads in the 1/2oz the hooks are #4 trebles and the 1/4oz they are #6. Pretty much in my experience with lipless cranks, the 1/2oz models are typically #4's and 1/4oz are #6's. Most crankbaits are similar as well. So to answer your question about the hook covers, I would go with medium sized covers. They usually fit 6,4,2's

Paycheck Nose Job

Because you are only wearing one shoe...

Those two types of swimbaits should be thrown on two different setups, like was previously stated. The two setups that I use are: 6-7" swimbaits and 2.5oz or less - iRod Genesis 7'5" Fred's Magic Stick with a Orra Winch reel 5:4:1 8"+ swimbaits and 6oz. or less - Mattlures Swimbait Rod 7'11" H Telescopic Handle with a Lexa 300 5:1:1

I'd throw a drop shot

West Coast Tackle QuickDrops and Voss Drop Shot Weights (Curved) both in 1/4 oz.

Compound or Recurve?

I wear Electric or Von Zipper polarized sunglasses. They are not "fishing specific" but they have good quality polarized lenses and can be had at decent prices off of that one really big auction site, it rhymes with Sea Ray. I probably have 3-4 pairs of Electrics and Von Zippers that I rotate through.

What kind of zipper bag is that for your hooks? I've been on a minimalist kick lately and that bag/case would be perfect for what I'm trying to do. I've been out a few times with just one rod and a small tackle box in my pocket and it is quite liberating. If I could throw some hooks, sinkers, etc in a bag like that I'd be thrilled...

I'm intrigued by the look and function of this lure. Does anyone have experience with it? How does it fish, action, durability, etc...? Also how does it compare to the Larry Dahlberg Clackin Crayfish? Thanks.

You could use a Jackall Gantarel, they are slow floaters, so some suspendots or suspenstrips should give you the suspension that you are looking for. Or for a smaller profile a Norman Flat Broke in Jelly Bean with a couple suspendots will do the trick as well.

got it... physics...

I was under the impression that swivels help with that. Looking at the new crankbaits, swimbaits, etc that have swivels, claim to reduce the fish throwing the bait/hook... Is there something to this, or am I wrong?

Gotcha, I do have some of the Jika Rigs that owner makes, I just wanted to make my own with heavier weights. I already have the open swivels and weights, I just didn't want to put a hook on that i couldn't change. But then again, with the Jika Rigs you can't change the hooks on them either... Maybe I am over thinking it... Maybe Ill just suck it up and use what I have and if I decide to make more, I'll go a different route. Thanks again man!

I forgot to add, i will be using these swivels for the weight and do not want to put a hook directly on the open eye so I can change out hooks later: DECOY OPEN SWIVEL on TW JDM Terminal Tackle section If I use just a split ring, the hook would be sideways, hence the swivel question. I have looked at the Owner and Spro Swivels on TW and I would purchase either one, I just dont know what size to get. As for the split rings, would the smaller size 2 work? I'm trying to go with small and strong. Thanks dude!

Cue check the sticky threads and Mod Lock in 3...2...1...

So I'm in the process of making my own jika rigs. I have no idea about swivel sizes because I never use them. My idea was to use a swivel to connect the hook to the weight so there would be less leverage for the fish to spit the hook. What size swivel would be the best for this application? I would like the smallest and strongest that I could get, and would/should I use barrel/crane/bearing swivels? Thanks in advance!

Word. Just an example: Crankbaits - Deep Divers, Squarebills, Shallow Divers, Wakebaits. Aren't these all classified as Crankbaits?