IntroC

That is one thing that can be said about the Raps is that you'll never have a problem with paint chipping. The hooks are also way better.

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The Red Eye Shad has a nice wobble on the fall. Many brands of traps have very little or no wobble on the fall, including the Bill Lewis Rat L Trap. The RES is a great bait when you're fishing traps yo-yo style. I think the popularity of the Rat L Trap has suffered as the price has risen into the $5-7 range, for the same bait that was $2.50-3 not so long ago. The Bill Lewis trap has followed the recent trend of the over-priced crankbait without changing the lure itself, other than adding slightly better Set Lok hooks that aren't very sharp. I agree. %100 increase in price is rediculous for a rattle trap.

Good question.

I remember years ago there used to be a Big Bass World Championships where they would take a guy from each state to fish a big tourney with a chance to win some serious prizes. To get in the tourney you had to sign up and catch the biggest bass from your state. Is this still around or is there anything similar going on?

Have caught fish on both. I think Traps are better than the raps and redeye shads better than both.

If you ain't fishing swimbaits your missing the boat. Basically take your pick anywhere from $100 baits to a $1 swim shad and they all catch fish. I have been very pleased with the Storm Wildeye swim shads.

Berkely Frenzy diver crank bait and also their lipless crank as well. Have caught a lot of fish on these baits.

x3 on the lure retreiver. Has saved me hundreds of dollars in cranks. Split ring pliers makes life easier.

This article made me a believer. Thanks to all who replied. Looks like I'll be buying some 6 inchers.

Curious if people have good success throwing these for northern strain bass? Here in ND we have a couple bass lakes stocked with trout and I was thinking about trying some six inchers to target bigger bass. Our state record is 8lb7oz so a 4lber is considered a good bass. Would I be wasting my time throwing a lure this big? Would be nice to hear some results of others that may have tried the bigger baits up north. Thanks

Anyone use these? I believe they used to be Exude brand tubes. Curious as to what peoples thoughts are on them and if they are a good tube?

I'll play.

I have a styro foam cooler that I use to store my musky lures I hang the lures along the inside rim, I had this cooler on the table in the kitchen. One night my cat decided to jump in there for whatever reason. Talk about a tornado in the kitchen. I was in the living room watching TV at the time and dang near had a heart attack myself. I guess I never reeled it in but my lures caught it.

Guess nobodys ever used chartreuse jigs or senkos.

I have been a visitor of this site for many years and a member for not quite as long and have never heard of anyone using chartreuse jigs or senkos type baits. Anyone favor this color for certain conditions or have any good experience with it, or use it often? People use chartreuse cranks and spinnerbaits all the time with success. Back in my early days of fishing I used to catch boat loads of bass on a chartreuse jigs flipped to edge of reeds and haven't tried it for many years instead using the traditional colors like watermelon and greenpumpkin. I'm thinking about giving it a try again this year and was curious if anyone else has had luck on chartreuse jigs and senkos?

I just finished watching the youtube video and have to say its hard to believe anything you hear on TV anymore. Global warming turned out to be a load of BS. After years of scientists claiming otherwise. All the news channels are basically at war with each other contradicting each others storys. Its a shame.

A beginner bait? Thats a good one. If that means anyone can catch a fish with it even a beginner I'd have to say that is more of a compliment than a insult to this bait. Not many baits or lures out there that this can be said about. I personally wish there were more.

Are these a short shanked hook?

When you talk top five in each open division are you talking the Federation Nation divisions?

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this but I have never fully understood what people were so unhappy with when ESPN took over BASS. And why they are so happy that Jerry Mckinnis has bought it back. IMO ESPN made BASS exciting and entertaining. I also believe if it goes back to the way it was when Mckinnis ran it it will go down hill. Although I heard Jerry will be keeping Zona on as commentator this would have never happened if it wasn't for ESPN. I remember Tommy Sanders and Mckinnis commentating being a pretty boring show.

PETA's a joke.

I like the BASS Elite series and think the coverage is excellent. They do a really good job of bringing the excitement of the tourney to your living room IMO. Like the title of this thread says its coverage not an informational fishing show. If I want a fishing show I watch Bill Dance, Zona's show or a number of others. I like the competition but think a lot can be learned from watching these guys compete. It always amazes me how during any given tourney the top five are usually all using different techniques. One flipping the shallows, the other deep cranking and yet another drop shotting. I would actually rather watch tourney coverage then actual informational fishing shows. To each his own I guess.

Was wondering what it takes to be a pro on the BASS Elite Series or the FLW? Do you have to qualify or win big tournaments? I know in the walleye world all you have to do is be able to flip the bill for the entrie fees, no qualification necessary. Just curious.

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