flippin and pitchin

Those aren't colors, they're shades, BUT it's probably the best reply. Specific colors are subjective to the species, the region and the conditions.

You know they made worm weights with collars to apply skirts loooonnnngggg before punch skirts. We just didn't have the beaver type baits or chigger craws back then to match up to them. If you can't get a punch skirt use a Terminator spinnerbait skirt and just thin it a bit.

I still use my Lews Speed Spools occasionally when crankin. Even after 30 years, these reels still work great but parts are no longer available. Once a year my buddy who got me into bass fishing and I fish our old stuff on a nostalgia day. It's fun. I saw my first bass boat the other day in some guy's yard. It was covered with blackberry vines and garbage. What a shame. I have the best memories from that boat. :'(

The most inexpensive will be the two Revo S's I bought new for $67.97 each. They are not cheap but were very inexpensive. The other would be the Revo SX for 109.97

The Trokar flippin hook is to be rigged texas style. The knack is how far to insert the point down from the top of the bait before you bring the point out and turn the point back toward the body of the lure. Then just lay the point out to see where it will come out and insert it and texpose the point. The barb on the collar (which is on the shank )should be just outside the material of the bait and that collar keeps the bait from slipping down the shank. I'm sure someone more skilled than I will toss in a photo of a rigged bait. Let us know how you like them after you fish them a while. It's too early for me to have an opinion on this hook yet.

If you are talking about a true flipping stick, Lamiglas Certified Pro XFT806. If you mean flippin and or pitchin, XFT764 hands down. These rods have a shorter rear handle section than most rods and if you fish in weather that requires rain gear or heavy coats you don't have the handle catching the coat problem.

Company: Uncle Josh/Cotton Cordell Lure: Pork Frog/Big O. Old time ? I resemble that remark. ;D

The 2010 was well worth the wait. Much better drag and it casts like butta.

Oh yeah. Love these jigs. A GYB twin tail is a great trailer as well. This on't be the last two you buy, trust me.

Okuma makes a great spinning reel. I have two that are 7 years old and they have held up very well and performed well. They have made some great strides in the last two years and are worth at least serious consideration.

colors mentioned are perfect. Strike King, Booyah and Terminator get some good comments on this forum. Good brush guard and big heavy hook are a must.

Aaron's Magic for drop shots. Awesome bait. TW has em.

I know you said spray on BUT, Smelly Jelly is the deal. It works in all water temps and lasts. In the NW it rules.

There is no BEST reel. If there was it's the only reel that would sell. There are several quality reels with a miriad of features. You might narrow your choice down to 4 and then find the one that suits you. Three great options have already been mentioned. I would be happy with them all but the Revo suits me, the lures and presentations I fish.

Why not. They come in 1/4 ounce which would work for your Alabama spotted bass. The key is to get bites and develop the feel of a jig. As your confidence grows you can add larger jigs in scenarios where big fish are present. Mike Wurm has made a lot of money with these jigs. Add a 5/16 oz. Eakins finesse jig with a Yamamoto twin tail trailer. Have fun !

My vote is Owner twistlock as well.

If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes, it will change. You might consider Riffe which is a reservoir near Morton. It's just now full enough to launch at both ends. Water yesterday was 45 degrees. The wind was out of the east and the snow on the surrounding hills made for a cool day on the skin and the fishing. Six on and four in the boat, three were Kokanee, nice ones. ;D They like jerkbaits. The smallies should be moving up any time now. Go on a saturday or sunday and you get to watch the hang gliders as a bonus. BTW, welcome !!

If you are planning on one combo for both techniques, lean toward the heavier set up because Texas Rigged baits have hook points covered and a drop shot, in most cases but not all, uses an exposed hook point. You can dropshot with a stiffer rod but a dropshot rod will not be effective for Texas rigs. A Lamiglas Excel 703S would be a great compromise and is a great rod for under a hundred bucks.

I bought a Winch last year after retiring my Lews Speed Spools for cranking. I could not be happier. The centrifigul brakes are easy to access and adjust, simple and effective. The retrieve is very smooth and the drag is smooth, consistent with no stuttering. I wanted a low gear ratio to ease the strain from all day deep cranking and those baits are generally 3/8 oz. or more and casting is a dream on 10 or 12 Yozuri. I found the ratio is perfect for big spinnerbaits. They wear me out as fast as a DD14 or DD22. I'm buying another at the end of the month. If this reel was $179.99 it would have won Tackle Tour's shootout. Come on Pure fishing, get a $30.00 rebate going !! I wear prescription sunglasses. ;D

Did you loose some Twinky filling during that big bite while casting ? Sounds like lube and water mix to me, off the worm gear:)

Check your PM

Norman makes a great bait. Pick one for your depth range and select a color. Normans makes a killer goby color crank. That would be a great place to start.

Yup, I picked some up several year ago and fished (TR) them on and off. They will catch fish anywhere you would soak a brush hog or similar bait. I found them to be a bit more durable than the Zoom products. They seem to have a slower fall rate but that's becuase of the thicker body and longer single tail. The Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin and Junebug colors are what I bought and used. They do work.

I've only done the old hold the reel, spin the handle check at the store on this reel. Taking the size, bearing count and gear ratio into account, I think your right on in the applications you're choosing. Once you spool it up and cast some different lures you'll be able to dial it in.

A few things to consider before you buy are: Seasonal patterns, pre-spawn, spawn and post spawn. This will have the greatest influence as to the depths you might fish. Depth, based on seasonal patterns, availability of deep water and weather conditions. Visibility, the clarity or stain of the water you will fish. Species, most baits will overlap but some baits are more effective for smallmouth or largemouth. Cover and Structure, what will the bait be coming in contact with. Forage base. Put these factors into a list and then apply what you have learned about what baits are more effective in cooler water, i.e. lipless baits and tight wobble baits. Bolder colors for stained water and more natural colors for clear water etc. Applying what you have already learned will help you select brand, model, color, depth, bill style and noise making features. Finally select brands you you have confidence in, can afford and are willing to throw (and loose ). Learn how they feel because crankbaits telegraph alot of information about the bottom, the cover type and any changes may equal a bite, however subtle. We each have our pet brands and colors and I won't open that door. Crankbaits are fun to fish, cover water, tell you about the bottom contours and so on and catch all sizes of fish. Experiment with retrieve speeds. You have already made the first step, you are determined to learn. Have a blast and let us know how things go.