Hooligan

X2 Plus I think the chrome with the red tail may be a Tadpolly. I've never seen that perch pattern lure before Top is a Mann's 1Minus, not sure which size. Bottom is either a SwimWhiz or a Believer.

They were colors or sizes that this store wasn't stocking anymore. They just clearanced them to get them out of the way, I guess.

The "fish eat what they see as being the greatest benefit with the least expenditure" rule is usually pretty true. I wish I had the picture of a fish I caught that had the tail of a sucker sticking out his face. Sucker must have been 10" or so, the bass was only about 2.5lbs.

First is eeliminator, then I move to a smokin rooster, then Space monkey, then I give up and throw a crankbait.

Most generally, my big fish are crankbait fish. In terms of hard cover, I find myself slinging crankbaits more and more because they're so versatile compared to what we had even a few years ago. More depths, more bill/lip designs,, that sort of thing. I'd have to say that jig/trailer is my #2 producer of big fish. Usually a 1/2oz Green Pumpkin or black/blue with some sort of plastic behind it.

It was under $300, so not that bad, really.

The Craw and Baby craw have been superb smallie baits for me.

... with that stinkin' bait monkey! They had a ton of Lucky Craft baits on clearance, not just the RC. They had Pointers, Staysee, Flat CB, SKT, BDS, Flat Mini, and GDS... The best part? They were in good colors for the lakes we fish regularly. I ended up buying about 50 baits, just couldn't pass up that good a crank at such a low price.

Love those two baits. I flip the Rooster a lot, as well as Crig it. Space Monkey is a great bait to pitch, flip, Trig, Swim... Buy em all, you can't go wrong with either of them.

My suggestion: Rod: Veritas 7'6 MH Line: 50-65# braid, Daiwa Samurai, PowerPro, 832, etc. Baits: Beavers, Chigger Craw, Rage Craw, Smokin' Rooster, the list goes on. Paycheck punch skirts and others like that are good. Just like any other bait, they have their time and place. Ok I like the Veritas I have a 7ft Heavy and I have actually flipped with it but don't like the tip so I don't think I'm gonna like the Tip on the 7'6" MH. What I need to know is... Is 7'6 long enough or would I be better Off with like an 8 ft Skeet Reese rod? And the other thing is if I went with a lower priced rod but was very strong am I ginnards look back and wish I had bought a $150+ rod? I wouldn't get the Skeet Reese rod, I've heard they fish like a noodle. 7'6 is plenty long. I would go with the Veritas 7'6 MH/F. I doubt it will be as stiff as your 7' H/F. It should be a very versitile rod as well. That.

Should be fine, the skirts are silicone.

They're supposed to have addressed that issue, I haven't had one do it for a long while.

I replace most everything with either Triple Grip or Owner stinger.

Little Tubes, Strike King Finesse worm on a shakey head, Double tail hula grub weightless, Ring fry...

I'm not talking about the regular heads, I'm asking about the insert heads that go inside a hollow body swimbait. I'm wondering if it affects the durability of the plastics in any way. I've fished the regular ones, just as Roadwarrior describes, and have great luck that way. I guess if no one as tried them I'll have to.

What I want in a flipping rod is a rod with serious power in the butt to move fish out of cover, and a relatively fast tip that will allow me to control what the bait is doing, as well as places casts accurately. Whether you choose MH or H is dependent upon what you find yourself fishing. I fish my H more than MH, I just like the way it moves fish. I also prefer a rod in the 7-6 to 7-11 range in 99% of the flipping I do. There are quite a few rods in the $100-!50 price range: Veritas, Team Daiwa S, Shimano, Duckett, St Croix Mojo. Baits for flipping can range from 1/8 oz jigs to 2 ounce punch rigs. Typically I'm flipping a jig more than anything else. I like a jig with a stout hook and balanced head. Weight of the jig depends on cover and the fall rate you're after. There really isn't a magic formula. In many situations a creature bait is a better option. I really like the Rage baits, Smokin Rooster and Hawg being my best last year. I fish all tungsten weights anymore, from 1/16 to usually 1.5 oz. Hooks, I like the Mustad Flippin hook, as well as the Owner Straight Shank Wide Gap. I don't use EWG hooks uch when flipping, it's a preference thing. I feel like I get better hookups with a traditional hook. That's an overview, I guess...

Has anyone gotten their mitts on them? I'm interested in how well they hook, slide in the body, and the durability of the bait after you've inserted the head. I can't imagine it being much different, but ya never know until you ask.

If you absolutely have to fish it on a head, which I sometimes do, I like the Owner Inshore heads as much as anything. And for more flash, Sworming Hornet.

Oh I'd completely agree that there's no need in replacing the frame. I'd worry about media blasting, though. Tolerances are pretty tight and no matter what micron you get down to you're going to be removing material. If it will go back together correctly and everything fits, I'd almost say let it be.

I'd guess that the cleaner has magnesium chloride in it, which is fairly common in citrus oil based cleaners. I don't think there's any reversing the effect.

What did you soak it in? It almost looks like saline corrosion on magnesium.

Maybe the McStick, too! 8-) I haven't fished any McSticks yet. I bought a few because they're supposed to have a really tight action with the nose tipped just enough down.

Pointers, Vision110, and Xrap. Depends on the conditions. Oh and Wild Shiner fishing for bass on pike lakes. I hate it when pike take my good baits away from me.

If you don't want to mess with a snell, I just use a bobber stop above my knot. I punch with 1.5oz tungstens and have had no issue since I started using the stop. It's easier than tying a snell knot on an EWG offset for me.

I've heard very good things about the River Runner. Have you gotten to play with it much yet?