Bluebasser86

Harbor Freight sells a few colors for really cheap. I buy flat black, white, and red from there and it's something like $6 for a pound.

Great job on the new PB! As for laying them on the ground, at least you put her on the grass instead of in the dirt or rocks. Some soft grass has to be way easier on them than other surfaces.

Fish don't have to eat every day, especially big fish that are probably eating bigger meals. If a majority of them have been caught before, which is likely when they're getting that much pressure, they may just shut down when they sense something is up, like the vibrations of someone walking the shoreline.

Super Spook Jr in bone Whopper Plopper 90 in bone

I've never had great luck night fishing for smallmouth, partially because we don't have a bunch of lakes with them around here. The times that I have done well, I've either been fishing a black and blue single colorado bladed spinnerbait, or fishing a finesse jig in crawdad colors.

Welcome!

You want a cheap reel that can handle a big sturgeon or catfish?? That's asking a lot, but if you could spend a couple more bucks, I think you could get everything you're looking for right here; https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Sharky-Baitfeeder-III-5000/dp/B0746HHPR2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1504160472&sr=8-7-spons&keywords=kastking+sharky+ii+spinning+reel&psc=1

I've been really happy with KastKing Super Braid, and it's really cheap.

Might be the contrast that they like. My buddy got more tails by contacting Spro directly because he had a similar experience with his Morning Dawn rat.

Dropshot lipped crankbaits

They're a good bait, but I've never night fished with them. I don't like dressed trebles on walking baits because of the added drag though.

Around here, those are the size shad you want to be fishing around, because that's where the big bass want to be.

Don't get too concerned about what it resembles. If they eat it, fish it. What does a chartreuse spinnerbait resemble? Or a buzzbait? I was doing good on a bright, solid blue bladed jig Tuesday, what does that look resemble? I really don't care, the fish were eating it is all that matters to me.

With the low, clear water you might need to try something a little more finesse. Might try shaking a dropshot next to or over those piles if they're in deeper water, or downsize to a finesse jig or smaller profile plastic bait if they're in shallower water.

One of the baits I use in that color for a trailer, as well as a stand alone.

You can, I have other baits in this color that I use for trailers though.

I T rig it with a 1/4oz weight most of the time, flip at everything.

A hook

I fish the 90 on a 7' M/F casting rod with 20lb braid. For the 130 I use my frog rod, a 7' 3" H/F with 50lb braid.

I fish baits like larger walking baits and jerkbaits, and fish head spins on mine.

I fish bladed jigs a ton, and I throw them on a 6' 9" H/F with 17lb Pline Xtra Strong and a 6.2 reel. I don't buy into the need for a slower rod so you don't take the bait away from the fish. If a fish wants to eat it, they'll eat it. I have tons of pictures of baits down a fish's throat fishing them on MH/F and H/F rods. I tried the composite and glass rods to see if I was missing something, only thing I missed was a ton of fish when I changed. The rod I'm using now is by Hammer Rods. Although it's a H/F, it has a very parabolic bend and has been an excellent rod for the job. My cranking rods are glass or composite.

Strike King Coffee tubes, V&M Smallie tubes, and recently added the 3D Goby tube from Savage Gear. I pour my own heads and do the stupid tube rig.

Savage Gear 3D Goby Tube Monday morning. Sight fished it from under a bush right by the ramp, hadn't even put the trolling motor down yet.

I've had good luck with Morning Dawn in the bigger sizes, and Chrome in the 30.