Bluebasser86

I had one but didn't like it, it just felt dead to me. I know guys that love them though.

5-5.5 would be my guess.

It does look pretty rounded but it could just be from the way the fish is laying. Glad the trout worked out for you. They remind me of a colorful shad, apparently the catfish agree

Great bait when the fish are suspending deeper or not wanting to rise as far to the bait.

June around Big Cedar is going to be rough. Tons of big boats down around that area and not many people driving them should be allowed to operate a boat. If it were me, I'd be trailering to the other end of the lake to get away from the traffic. I'm assuming that's not an option for you though. In that case, get out as early as you can (night fish if possible), and fish until the big boats chase you off. Get back at it in the evening as the crowd thins out a bit when they go in for dinner and fish as late as you can stand to. Long, flat points with deep water at the ends/sides (commonly referred to as "roll off points"), are good places to look. Drop shotting around the KC or 86 bridge will almost always score a good amount of spotted bass. I've done very well in the cove that Big Cedar is located in (caught my Table Rock PB there in fact). Topwater walking baits can be good early. One bait I always have tied on is either a Zoom Mag II or Ol' Monster in Plum Apple, it always seems to catch some fish. A shakyhead with a watermelon red magic trick worm is another constant producer, as is a football or finesse jig in PB&J. I hate drop shotting but there's always some fish to be caught on a little purple worm. If all else fails a Ned Rig will always catch something.

All good advice. I've never had an issue but I almost always buy new and make sure it's from someone with a good history. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Owner ST 36's or Gamakatsu round bends are what I use for a majority of my baits. The VMC spark points are really good hooks too.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

I also use the Owners. I use them to keep from scratching my rods up, and because my dog likes to stomp on fishing lures, which is a problem if the hooks aren't covered.

Jigs, tubes, wacky rigs.

Everyone on here is lying, the Ned rig doesn't work! Just move along and go back to fishing a shakyhead, that's the only finesse bait you need

Low 50's are my cutoff but they can be caught below that, and they're usually big fish too it seems.

I tossed it a couple times in the 37 degree water Friday to see how it looked, me likey

I fish mine on 7' MH/XF with 10-15 pound fluorocarbon and a E7 Curado.

I picked up 6 of the Xcalibur Erratic shad jerkbaits for $.97 apiece awhile back. They had a bunch of Sebile hardbaits for $5 apiece too.

SDJ

I have one of the SS1 Speed Spools that I've put through the ringer and it's still going strong. It's one of the farthest casting stock reels I've ever owned.

At Table Rock last April we had it go from dead calm to 30mph winds, rain, hail, and lightening, all in about 20 minutes time. Had some of the heaviest rains I've ever seen start falling 30 minutes after we got to the lake on day this fall, really bad lightening too. I've fished an 8 hour tournament through 20mph winds, rain, sleet, and snow.

I did not like the BBZ at all. I had the slow sink though and if I did it over again I'd get the floater. If you're going to get a Slammer though, I'd much prefer that over a floating BBZ. I'd get a Slammer for sure, but I'd get the 7" instead of the mini. There's only 1/2oz difference but you get a much better swim and profile from the 7", and it's really not that big. I would probably get the S waver, or you could get a Savage Gear Glide Swimmer. I have both and they both catch fish. The S waver can be fishing a little slower I think but the Savage Gear comes in more sizes and better colors. Never fished the CL8, looks like a decent bait. I would add a couple of the Savage Gear 6" Line Thrus to the your list, both in floating and slow sink. They're a great swimming little bait and way cheaper than a Hudd. The Optimum Baby Line Thrus have caught me a ton of fish and are very affordable and durable for a soft bait. I've got a bunch of Decoy Hydratails that are the soft bait that got me started. More than welcome to borrow one and see how you like fishing them.

Buy a Pfluegar President and use the extra money you saved to buy line for it and some baits to fish with it

I prefer the finesse style head for fishing ponds. Most of what a pond bass eats is fairly small so a finesse jig fits the bill well. I'd stick with a couple black and blue and a couple craw colors. I really like the Zman Batwingz for a trailer.