WanderLust

Depends on the type of prop bait. Heddon Torpedo needs some prop tuning to run right... Twitch, pause has worked the best for me but if the topwater bite is hot, steady will work fine. I have a LC Kelly J and a Deps buzzjet that I'm planning to using heavily this year.

Grand Isle has a ton of good spots. I fish there at least once a week in season. -Watermelon \ green pumpkin worms, craws & creature baits -Cranks (natural forage - perch, bluegill) to cover the water column I use alot of weightless plastic and focus on structure \ cover.

I use my Winch for all types of cranks... I just change up the rod based on application.

Just saw pick 1... Fat IKA

LOL gator bait is NFG... Last year my buddy hooked a decent largemouth and made the mistake of stepping on dried slime on the rocks. Needless to say, man, fish, rod... everything ended up submerged. and when he came up... no fish.

3/16th is perfect on my 51e.

I would buy another if it was stolen... I have a 201E7 and a 51E. 51E is a great reel, same quality as a 200 series. I was tuning up my gear and was throwing a tiny Johnson Silver spoon 50-60' with ease. In a snow storm... Not sure that means anything, just going a little nuts up here. I have 12# Flouro on it... Going to be my weightless plastics \ everything rod. By everything I meant: weightless plastics (fat IKA, baby rage craw, fluke) light jig & worm shallow crank jerkbait etc

Awesome fish... Thanks for the rigging tips as well!

Tip to clear the occasional backlash:

Keep hearing about Fenwick... But no one around here sells them. Best rod for the money...They are comparable to my Dobyns champions. Cabelas carries them.. Interesting.... I need a rod for punching so maybe I'll this one a try. Vermont is a retail ghost town though so hands on experience is some times tough.

This video helped me... I find braid easier to work through but this is a good trick. Line diameter, controlling your spool and an educated thumb are keys.

We need some expert advice. One of my buddies is a drop shot nut and he perfers the 1/2 as his largest DS weight. This is a technique I stink at so I can't comment.

Just another tool... I really like it for cranks & applications where its low visibility is key. KVD Line and Lure is a great way to help the line stay manageable.

Solid advice right there. Tim Hortins mentioned throwing into the really slimey parts as it offers the fish better shade \ protection.

LOL ;D I misread that one... A soft tip rod or mono etc can certainly cause hookset issues.

Keep hearing about Fenwick... But no one around here sells them.

Bass Pros on Versus had a nice segment on this as well. Lots of good advice so far, let's keep it going.

Lots of rods fall into that category. For the money Shimano Compre & Abu Garcia Vendetta are tough to beat.

x2...Are you using an underpowered rod? I use a G Loomis BCR803 GLX which is rated for 5/8 oz. Easily the best rod I've ever fished. I've also use a St. Criox Avid AVC70MHF which is awesome but like the shorter rod for this one. Fat IKA is my go to bait.

Good advice so far. When I first got my Curado I practiced using a SPRO frog. Wrong line mixed with a light lure = kiss of death. Just keep casting, focus on smooth & steady.

I use a Gammy EWG 3/0 with no issues. I use a fast reel, 6'8 MH F rod & braided line. The hook is skinned so its t-rigged but sitting flat on the outside of the bait.

I like the pro series spot remover... I have to check the MegaStrike ones as well.

Misty Shad Ghost Bluegill American Shad / Chart Shad both been awesome as well.

I also fish from shore quite a bit. My favorite rod length is 6'8 so I would 6'9 MH would be a great setup for a shore fishermen. If you need to make longer casts, flip or pitch the bait than 7'+ is the way to go. Of course you need to get the most for your money but ideally a few different rods can help you fish any environment.

Great post! Thanks