frogflogger

using the original rapala as a twitch bait is what made it famous and it's still a giant killer

shad raps and bagleys - if you listen underwater even a "silent" crankbait makes a lot of noise

All good choices but I would add a senko type bait if all else fails - they work no matter what the temp.

When I had a shop we would spool up newbies casting reels with 14# trilene xl - after some time with it they could make their own decisions - but it's a good casting line cheap.

I've read it is a real good spot bait - I'll try them this summer (if there is one) I'll use flukes most likely.

I've had success with the zoom super hog and a case big momma shortened - both came through the thick stuff pretty good.

I think gulp does better in a jar -

They're just tools - I still use a fenwick fiberglass I built 50 yrs. ago for fishing a spook - as the Yep - I've been lucky to have known some of the great innovators in the sport - they would be successful with any tackle. I have a near 50yr old fiberglass fenwick that still throws a spook a mile.

They all have there place. Limiting yourself to one type of line is fine but being bass fishermen we love to fine tune and you can do that by using mono, fluoro, and braid where their characteristics are an advantage for you.

flash in clear and flat colors in dingy water is how I select my jerks

I've used everything from pork frogs to grubs to hornytoads - put on something and see if the fish have anything to say - craws are very good on jigs but there is a whole world of stuff you can use - sometimes to your advantage.

It has a hook it will catch a fish.

yep - but it is a project fraught with the danger of losing balance and/or action - you really need to try and have the rattle centered whilst you inject an adhesive, good luck.

When I was guiding my clients used hundreds of stik-o's each season - even with inexpensive stik-o's it was still a good money saver to use o-rings - never saw the need for a tool.

Oh there are a bunch of beetle spin guys still out there - the originals are pretty scarce

Although they aren't particularly cheap initially Zman plastics are extemely durable - some of their worms have caught 30 - 50 fish without changing baits. That's pretty cheap - and they are very effective.

Good advice given - another thought - I love to throw big topwaters in ultra clear water - large dog-walking baits and some wakes will bring big sm's up from deep water if it's clear.

Thanks - good review

I'm dubious about starting out with flouro if you don't have experience casting - it's a bit cantankerous compared to mono.

A lot of bass are caught grinding deep divers in water half as deep (or less) as they run - but I was thinking of at least two baits for the depth range we're talking about.

spro little johns - smaller profile for the depth than most - good quality - a little pricey but very good lures 5'to 20'

? Not sure what you're doing but that hasn't been my experience - mono squishes? do you mean compress?

This is my experience - started out with xfast and lost some huge ones - you want the whole rod working for you.

please excuse double post - not sure what happened -

The strength of your line is its weakest link - 12# - no problem the 40-50 is about dia. more than strength (in my humble opinion)