WanderLust

Indeed. They will inhale them; especially by weedlines. I use the big one (perch) when I'm actively targeting those toothy critters.

Try weightless... and use a money color like Watermelon seed, dark pumpkin etc. 5 inch works well around here. My T-rig worm bite has died off a bit however creature based is still red hot.

Dobyns Champion or Extereme would be my choice however many high end rods would fit your fancy. I recently got a St. Croix Avid and I love it but as other members stated make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

LOL I used whatever stickbait is avaiable in the color I want. I have a ton of senkos but tons of others as well. Yum Dingers actually been killing lately.

11.7 is quite a hawg! Awesome fish.

Could be either I guess. I've had a few surgical cuts on pike hits though. I fish braid almost exclusively and I can tie a pretty good knot.

Also interested in this one... Finally picked up a Curado but need a better rod... Was thinking Dobyns or Shimano at this point.

I just started using it but its a great producing bait. The green pumkin one is a smallmouth magnet and the black & blue has produced quite a few LMB for me. Still a Senko angler but IKA is the real deal for me.

^ This... Weedy swampy mess is the place to be with frogs... I've had more hits at night than any other time but that's just me.

Bend the hooks out a tad. When you get a strike pause before setting the hook. Then hold on!! Thanks! I will try that.

I have a black SPRO and its generates some great strikes but not alot of fish for me as of yet.

Owner and Mustad are my preferred hook.

PM sent

LOL - People are rude. Being that you were right there, they should respect your personal space. I would have told them to get lost in a nice but serious tone. More than once I've told people to GTFO especially when throwing towards my kids or throwing to my spot when they see me catch a something...

LOL, I know this music.

Well said. I normally go with (3) setups... 1) Worm \ Tube 2) Jig 3) Crank or spinner Soft plastics weighted and unweighted are numero uno for me. Color \ size \ weight I decide when seeing water conditions.

I tried it when it first came out and promptly removed it. Terrible memory and after fishing braid / fluro the sensitivity wasn't there. I use Suffix Elite for my cranking stick and that seems to perform like I would expect. I use braid and fluro for the applications you mentioned though.

Power Pro is the best casting braid. Super low memory and very sensitive. If fishing ledges you will get some line cuts. Suffix Performance is the toughest braid I've ever used. Great for fishing salad. IMO of course.

I caught several SMB and LM's using one this weekend. I've had all of my luck just as the sun is setting.

I've seen them and been tempted a few times however the price always scares me away. Owner, Mustad and Gammy all work superb for me.

Sound advice for sure. Often times its what you don't see that creates a problem.

Nice fish. 5-6 range? Tough to tell without girth. Coffee tube has been okay for me for LMB; Yum Junebug tube has slayed em though.

They are still biting! Heat index has been 103 here lately. Every fish I've caught lately has been just after dark or sitting in a deep hole.

I fish from shore 5 days a week generally. There's been some good points brought up already so I will just try to add some more food for thought. Use the right presentation for the right environment. Most shore fisherman don't move around that much however when you do move; you need to be using the right tool for the job. Be through and methodical when attacking an area... If it doesn't work; change it up. I constantly have people ask me what are they biting on etc... Just throw the right presentation at them, at the right time with the right speed. Which is part of challenge I love about fishing.

Double Palomar... Make sure the knot is well lubed before tightening. Fish N Fool is supposed to be great but I would think any knot that doubles through the eye would be great. ^ Not a great vid but you get the idea.