Bluebasser86

I used some large, brown millipedes for bait for bluegill once when I was a kid and they worked really well. They were probably 2-3 inches long and 1/4" thick.

Don't know anything about it but the Arborgast Buzz Plug might be a reasonable substitute without having to worry about losing a vintage bait. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Arbogast_Buzz_Plug_Buzzbaits/descpage-ABP.html

5-6 feet of visibility is excellent visibility for our lakes here. It would be in the top 10 clearest lakes in our entire state ? I'd try a swimbait or bladed jig along the edges of the weeds, flipping the thicker stuff, or frog over the top of the thick stuff.

Had an hour before work this morning, decided to get out and toss a big crawler around a bit. I was just hoping for 1 bite, but ended up catching 3. Nothing big but they're always vicious strikes, which is fun.

Yeah, the arc is the shape made into the paint from hook rash. I've got dozens of baits with that pattern on them. It doesn't hurt the bait, just happens with use. There are guys in the big swimbait world that install little bumpers on their baits to keep their hundred dollar baits from getting rashed but a majority of those guys are all about the rashed up baits also.

Never considered hook rash a deformity? Most all my baits have that from normal use ?‍♂️

This is a pretty solid evaluation of the 2 imo. Both very good lines, but Smackdown is quieter and softer.

The Vision 110 Jr KO's have 2 or 3 hooks, that would be my guess.

Beat up baits catch more fish.

Yes it does. I caught a dozen in short order with it at a local lake the first time out. I'd forgot I even had a couple of them until you asked about them ?

It's a cool store. We went last year on our drive to Florida. Best I've been to next to Springfield.

Got out Sunday with @HaydenS for a morning trip to a local lake. Good numbers but nothing overly big. He had one of the better fish of the morning on a Spro rat 40.

Sounds like getting a big gar in the boat. Fun to fight but I always regret hooking them when they don't come off mid-fight and I actually have to unhook them.

Yes, it's a very fast, reaction strike triggering retrieve.

I've heard lots of bad things about PF. Never been so can't confirm personally, but your story sure doesn't help that rumor.

I wear a standard pfd made by Body Glove that is pretty comfortable even when hot outside. I'm always concerned if the auto inflate will actually work when I need it, so I went with the standard style to ease my mind.

Same with the regular flicker shad but the shallow flicker shad is a great finesse bass crank for me.

I fish the Duo Realis Rozante 77sp a lot in the summer. The shad spawn produces lots of small baitfish the bass feed heavily on so it's a good imitation. I like to fish it really fast with little to no pause.

I always tried to keep it at 5-7 and then had one medium sized bag I could carry on my shoulder. You have to take a simple approach to things (cut down on color selection and similar baits that do similar things like bringing green pumpkin and green pumpkin blue flake of the same bait or green pumpkin 6" lizards and green pumpkin baby brush hogs). With the rods and reels, keep specialty gear limited only to ones you're sure you'll need (don't bring a flipping stick when you think you'll be fishing deep water all day). Instead bring rods that can serve multiple purposes and only bring specialty rods if you're certain you'll need them.

I caught a big snapper while fishing for blue cats a couple weekends ago. Got him unhooked and sent him on his way. Was actually pretty mild mannered compared to how they usually are. Only needed my 6" pliers and quick reflexes to get the hook out.

I'd love to catch a big snakehead, seems like they'd be a blast to catch.

That one is the BPS version of that bait. I like the HH, it's been a productive bait for me.

Be careful complaining about the heat, it'll be snowing again in less than 6 months.

Haven't updated with a picture for a minute, so here's about the last month or so worth of finds.

Gold Label is excellent, top of the line leader material. I've been really impressed with the SPRO Finesse flourocarbon leader material also for a cheaper option.