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Ok, so I like throwing the jig too much...so much that I buy and tie hundreds every year, and probably fish jigs 90% of the time. When not on jigs it's mainly senkos, spinners, and shakyheads. So this spring I'm committed to making an effort to learn more about jerkbaits, a lure I like throwing when the bite is on. But the waters I fish it just doesn't seem to be a hot bait. Never the less I plan on having a jerkbait on deck all spring. Most of the problem I'm having is deciding what kind to buy...Do I really need to spend $10, $15, and more on lucky crafts, yo-zuri's, megabass, etc?... Are they really that much better? My jerkbait box, which doesn't get open often mainly consists of Suspending Rogues in a few colors, I believe a few bombers, and of course some rapala's (floater/diver and suspenders). I almost bought one expensive one yesterday, but went with another Rapala X-Rap XR10 7/16 ounce in Moss Back Shiner...I own one other X-rap in a blue/silver color, and have thrown it a few times but never been bit. I know this is a mult-species lure (or is advertised as one) is it effective on bass, and a good bait? Finally what colors are best in Kansas/Midwest...usually pretty clean water? I have friends who fish Table Rock and are always talking about clown color, but I just can't get past the fact that it doesn't resemble any baitfish we have around here...? And in spring what depth is best? I believe most of mine fall into the suspending 3-10 foot depth running baits...the deep diving ones all seem really expensive. And when fish are on the bottom is a suspending jerkbait really the right bait? Bunches of questions I know But I just really want to get this jerkbait thing figured out...I love lures that catch big fish in spring fall, and honestly other than jigs which I have down pat, I know this is a tried and true cold water bait....apparently just not for me lol.

I saw that stuff at the hardware store and thought about it, but didn't know how much use I would get out of the two sponges it comes with. and I had heard Simple Green mentioned before by a few people, so I bought it. Now I'm wondering if I should just try the majic eraser... I don't want to get too aggressive with the cleaning and create pits in the cork.

ha. But no seriously. I've got some high dollar customs that I'm going to do a thorough cleaning, filling, sanding, and possibly sealing on...not sure on the sealing part yet. So here we go: I know this has been on the forum before but I wasn't paying attention at the time. I bought some Simple Green to clean the cork with picked up some Elmers Wood Filler I should have fine grit sand paper around here somewhere...how fine do I need to go? The sealer is the part I forgot what people were using on cork...? And does it make your cork feel hard or slick? I'm trying to decide if I should seal it or not... Thanks guys

Anyone got any experience with these reels. I'm probably going to purchase one this weekend and just wondered if anyone had any input on what to expect. I'm a Shimano guy, and have two Core 51MG's now and then another 5 reels that are all Chronarch 201E's except for the remaining Curado 201E I still have. I'm curious how the Zillion will stack up to my Core's performance wise. I've called a lot of bait shops and talked to a few guys and read some reviews. From what I gather (outside of the obvious weight difference) the Zillion should be a lot more refined on the retrieve, and be more accurate and easy to use when flipping and pitching than my Chronarchs or Cores. Also it has an all steel body which appeals to me as it would probably better serve me for light inshore and flats saltwater fishing...if I ever go. Plus like my Chronarch I can get a shallow spool from Japan Tackle if I want to use it for finesse fishing. I see it as a win, win and a chance to try a Diawa...a company I haven't tried in years. What do you guys think who have fished both the Zillion and the Chronarch and Cores? I'm hoping it's worth the price upgrade. And I'm also hoping the extra ounce of weight extra over the Chronarch 201 isn't too heavy feeling in hand. Anyone with experience feel free to weigh in.

Nice catch Clayton. I'll be going tomorrow, hopefully I can get a couple pigs like that in the boat.

You don't want to go that route dude. Most builders allow you to pick all your components (or guide you in the right direction--sounds like this is your first go round) they almost get their components from large wholesalers like mudhole or anglersworkshop, etc...I would personally be wary of a builder who only uses one company for all his components...ie some builders only use Batson guides, seats, etc... If you're spending the dough you should be able to decide all the components being put on the blank.

North Fork HM all the way. If price is no issue, and you don't need it really quick (he's backlogged) Randy Search Randmaderods is the finest builder I've used or seen on the planet. BTW I have about two customs done every year for the past 4 seasons. Good luck. PS--as mentioned Matt with Otterods is a fine builder, ditto for shfishinsticks and barrettrods.com

Kind of sad...but that was my initial reason for purchasing a spool from TW...kind of a stab in the dark if you will...I've learned internet reviews can be highly undependable at best...but hey it's worth a shot.

What were the negatives and positives about it? Did it have decent longevity? I obviously prefer my Shooter and Toray...I just wanted to try a supple line for spinning reels that I hadn't tried yet.

Anybody have any experience with this? I bought a spool just to try a new fluorocarbon...just curious.

X2...I use the double uni for any line to line connection.

really like the line tie and head design on that football jig very nice...nice paint and skirt selection too. What colors are in that skirt?

Mossyback by like 1000% on that. It has a XF taper that is designed for fishinig jigs and soft plastics, and it makes a huge difference in terms of sensitivity. The Mossybacks actually run about .5 power stouter than usual b/c of the extra fast taper....you will probably find the BCR 853 to be plenty powerful for jigs up to 1/2 ounce. I've fished both back before I got into more expensive stuff, and it's no contest, the Loomis is a far more sensitive rod.

Thanks guys. That's something I have been told but forgot, and wouldn't have realized until after I ordered a bunch of them and fought the weedguards all day.

My dog gave his stamp of approval on that one...Truman knows his bass, he is my dog afterall . Good post Clayton. I've never tried to tally a whole years catch...that's dedication.

Clayton I really want to try La Cygne some time this winter. I've never been....give me a call bro. We'll get out there sometime, hopefully on a day that at least hits the mid 40's. tight lines

Thanks. That's what I was assuming. I was pretty much planning on purchasing prefabricated jig heads complete with weedguards and paint. I did want to try creating some of my own custom skirts to match the reservoirs I fish. I have an old (cheap) fly tying vise a friend gave me. I've tied one jig on it a few years back. Thanks for the info. I did contact Mike last fall, but didn't do a purchase I may use him this year. Thanks for the response.

Thanks Clayton. That's pretty much what I was thinking...I may purchase some painted football and arkie jigheads from Barlow's or someone wholesaler like that. I'll check out the skirt material, that's what I'm most picky on. I may get with you and see if you can pick me up a roll of heavy fly tying wire from BPS before we go fishing this winter. That's what I was thinking on the living rubber skirt material...I had a Skinny Bear jig with it once and was not impressed with the material...I prefer the silicone, but wanted to be sure of that before ordering. Thanks dude.

Hey guys couple of questions for jig building junkies: 1) Is it cheaper to tie your own jigs?...or is all the material, time, paint, skirting, etc...worth the cost? I don't plan on selling them, I just fish jigs a ton. and I purchase a lot of nice hand tied jigs from California from places like TW and Hi's tackle. 2) I'm pretty selective and picky, will I be able to get some of the more sophisticated fleck colored skirts, and all the options to mix and make my own patterns? 3) If I do start doing it small-time, is it cheaper to just purchase the jig heads (painted and unpainted w/weedgaurds from online dealers like Barlow's), rather than cooking them myself? 4) Do you tie the skirting on with standard wire--like what's used in fly tying? And if so, what size type? 5) And for the life of me, and the probably 100 jigs I own, I never pay attention...what's the difference between living rubber and regular skirt material? Thanks guys Here's an example of the type of colors I like--see attached picture

D*mn Dwight how much do you get out on Eerie? And how do you sell the old lady on that much fishing?

Dwight how big is that one in your purple shirt? Looks like it has to go 71/2-8lbs...nice!

That is a frieken BEAST!! We don't grow em that big in Kansas. Our state record I think is around 7lbs or so.

Clayton is that La Cygne?

Clayton you will like the C14 quite a bit. I prefer my Stradic FJ to the C14 I had...the C14 is light but felt like it flexed sometimes under a load...the frame isn't quite as solid. I also had the same experience with the Pflueger, mine was a Supreme Magnesium and it lost its smoothness after about 3 trips.

Yes I wet my line prior to using. I've been exclusively fishing fluoro since 2006, and I use to like Seaguar, until I got burnt. One time, that sucks, twice that is some really bad luck, three times and I'm tapped out. Plus like you've noticed the Sunline is a superior product for the price and Toray is far superior but pricey.