Bluebasser86

I never even threw mine. Once I saw the bait, and the hooks, I left it in the package and sold it. Water willows aren't overly thick in the areas I fish a frog, but they're a very tough stalk, kind of like a sapling tree. You can't tear a hook through them like most other weeds. This is kind of what the stuff I fish frogs in looks like, Something about the Trokar hooks (and the Owner cutting points), just seems to find them so much easier than other hook styles. I've fished Trokar flipping hooks and used the jig hooks on some of my baits I've made. That point just seems to cut or tear a bigger than average hole in the fishes mouth. One of a few reasons I don't use them (or baits that use them), in my arsenal anymore.

I don't like the ribbed tubes, seems like I miss more fish with them.

Down the hatch picture of the jig. Probably would have lost her if it'd been later in the year and she was pulling harder. The hook was only through the soft skin in the roof of her mouth.

It's about an hour for me to get to one. Worth the drive for $6 Slender Pointers though. The SK and KVD plastics were $2 a bag. The Boom Boom swimbait was by far the most expensive purchase, and it was only $11.

It's a well documented issue. A light coating of oil on the brake drum should fix it.

Looks like the SBX has a full handle and a little higher end components. I haven't handled one but I have a Guide Select A that I really like. I'd be all over the SBX for half price if I needed another swimbait rod though.

I'd rather have the one without the Trokar hooks. They're a nightmare to fish through water willows and cut a huge hole in the fishes mouth making it easier for them to toss the bait.

Can't fish bottom contact baits in this particular lake thanks to the zebra mussels. Even before they were there, a Ned rig outfished a shakyhead by a wide margin 9 times out of 10. I've used a round jighead in the same weights with a TRD or 1/2 a Zinker, it works, but it isn't quite as effective either. You state a desire to keep it simple, I promise it doesn't get much more simple than a Ned rig. We were fishing in 25+mph straight winds that day, and I never use anything bigger than 1/16oz. Wasn't hiding from the wind in the least bit either if you'll notice the swells and whitecaps. It's a no feel presentation, so to me the wind doesn't change anything.

I have the wood duck. Good looking bait. Similar to the Ploppers, but the sound is much more subdued, but with a larger bodied bait. I've had a lot of strikes but not much luck with hookups yet. I wasn't worried about color when I bought it and not worried about it now. The fact that it's a topwater and creates so much of a disturbance, I really doubt they get a very good look at the bait.

I guess some guys are cutting down the fin that doubles as a weedguard to help with hookups.

Very similar to Siebert's Fogy, except it's quite a bit more expensive than Siebert's bait. http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Fogy-417.htm

#3 Mepp's, chartreuse blade/brown/black hackle.

@Advantage and I fished Bourbon County State Lake Saturday while @basshunter0731 and his son were on their boat. We didn't catch any big ones but lots of largemouth and spots on jerkbaits, jigs, and spinnerbaits. Jon was catching them good on a wart but it wasn't working for us.

Since it's not the actual fish, I'm going to guess that the taxidermist just did a poor job with that mount. The shape, body, and head are all right for a big crappie, just the color is bad. Possible it came from a lake with very dark water that caused it to lose some of it's distinct coloration? I'd be shocked if a bass/crappie hybrid could happen without a lot of human intervention, and even then it might not be possible.

Spring for me is spinnerbait and bladed jig time when the water gets above 50 in smaller bodies of water. Fish will be surprisingly shallow as they try to soak up the warmth from the sun. I'd look for areas of shallower water near deep water, especially those that are hit by the midday sun. Dragging a dark colored jig can be a good way to get a big bite as those big females are looking for those slow moving and protein rich craws to help with egg production.

Something I have not dealt with much in my life at this point. We lost an officer last year to a drunk driver while he was on a traffic stop. I hope to never have to attend another officer's funeral, one of the toughest things I've been through. I hope things get better for you Catt.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

By Cedar water I'm assuming you mean tannic. I've had very good luck in water with that type of stain with golden shiner, solid black, plum apple, and Junebug.

Guess I have to update this now 6.65 on a homemade 1/2oz football jig in my namesake color (from the Siebert's Storm Series).

There's way more than just 3 kinds of Black Bass. According to Wikipedia, there's at least 14 different subspecies, and it doesn't list the Meanmouth as a subspecies, which I know it is since there's records kept for them.

Great rods for the money. I bought a few of the Shocks for $17 apiece this winter. Haven't used them much yet but they've been nice so far.

I had one, it cast a mile, felt like it had a lot of flex when it was put under a load though. I sold mine and replaced it with a Pfluegar President.

10-20 is what I use on most of my spinning reels, but I do have one with 30, because I got it for dirt cheap. It's a little more difficult to use than my standard sizes, but it gets the job done.