K_Mac

I think you will be surprised at how smooth the PQs are. For $80 on sale it is steal IMHO. At $99 it is still a good value. I have 2, and the only reason I don't have more is that money is tight right now.

Great story. I am sure you would not want a hook in that critter. Something like that in the boat with you would be very exciting.

I pad lock the handles on the two mounting bolts together. If someone was really determined they could still get it off, but not without some work. Older motors don't have the holes, but you can buy a lock from BP or others. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_37904_225011000_225000000_225011000_225-11-0

The Netbait Paca chunks and craws come in a big selection of sizes and colors. I use one of them most of the time. A regular chunk in Bama Bug is my current favorite. 8-)

I do it often. With a little practice it is no big deal. One of the lakes I fish often has a ramp that basically starts at the waters edge and drops very steeply into the lake. I drove myself crazy trying to trailer my boat, esp in the wind, until I add rear uprights. I now leave about 6" of support bunks out of the water when I drive on. As soon as I'm straight on the trailer, I give it a little gas and drive it on. This works well on this ramp. On a ramp that drops slower you may have to go a little deeper. It won't take long and you will have it figured out. 8-)

Here's one more recent jig thread. Be one with the jig grasshopper. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1269477736/15

You didn't say what length your spinning rod is, but a 6' 6" or 7' MXF is a perfect choice in most situations for this bait IMHO. Your MF baitcast would be my second choice. I would only use a heavier power rod in very heavy cover FWIW.

The Ranger multi-species Fisherman Series are some very cool big water boats. 8-)

BB I am not sure if it is all the sugar you are eating or what, but your post is so sweet I now have to go take an insulin injection. ;D

So when you finish your cast do you just continue to hold the rod with your hand behind the reel?? I switch hands partly because I cast right handed, and partly because I like to grip the rod around the reel instead of behind it and this allows me to make my cast and then place the rod in my other hand the way I want it. I have two fingers under the reel when I cast. If I want to move the third in front of the trigger on the rod, it is a natural movement as I engage the reel. Once you do it a few thousand times it happens without thinking about it. 8-)

I used to start with an 1/8 or less and work up. Recently I start with 1/4 or 5/16 and work up or down from there. If the fish will bite a faster falling/moving worm you can cover a lot more water with a heavier weight. If not it doesn't take long to try a lighter weight.

An excellent point!

I use 1/8 oz most of the time. I will go to 3/16 or 1/4 depending on depth and wind.

Nope +1

rip·rap (r[ch301]p'r[ch257]p') n. A loose assemblage of broken stones erected in water or on soft ground as a foundation. The broken stones used for such a foundation. tr.v. rip·rapped, rip·rap·ping, rip·raps To construct a riprap in or on. To strengthen with a riprap.

I did. ;D They have a very good web site. On the site they have a contact page. Here you go pike killer: http://zoombait.com/

I use a shakeyhead just about everywhere. It is not my favorite in heavy grass/brush, but the outside of a weed line is a great place for one. Under and around docks is also a good place. It is a fine deep water bait when the fish are a little finicky. Ledges, humps, chunk rock, gravel, rock/weed edges, the possibilities are endless. 8-) I use Zoom Trickworms most of the time. I haven't used the mag shakey worm, but I bet they will do a good job for you. Watermelon/red flake is a great color. I haven't used the Strike King jigs. I checked them out online, and they look good. They have an open hook that makes them a little more vulnerable in wood. I use Spot Stalker jigs most of the time. One more thing: just because this is a finesse bait does not mean it only catches smaller fish. I have caught many very nice fish using this technique. Good luck.

Buy them from Tackle Warehouse. Spend over $50 and shipping is free. They have great prices and a good selection on most of their stuff. Spending $50 there is not a problem. 8-)

RobbyZ5001 I saw a guy at the coffee shop the other day with that same piercing. ;D

Clark I don't know anything about the rod, and I haven't had enough experience with braid to comment on the braid/leader question. I think water clarity would determine that for me. With that said, if the rod feels good to you, use it. Water clarity and depth will determine the color and weight, and cover/structure the type of jig. A football jig in rocks works well. Grass/brush something like a Booyah Boo jig works better. A 3/8 or 1/2 oz Boo jig in Green/brown is where I would start with the info given. I would look for rocks/gravel banks near deep water. Secondary points this time of year would be a good starting spot (with the info given). If you can find where grass and rock come together in these spots, even better. Good luck. 8-)

Hook Set mentioned, "being one with the jig." This is a very Zen-like way of putting it, but it is exactly what I am tyring to do when working a jig. This idea of keeping contact with the jig to know what it is doing is hard to explain. It takes concentration and practice, and some people never get it. I've explained to my son-in-law how to watch his line and feel what's going on at least a dozen times. I showed him how hundreds of times. He just doesn't quite get it. I have a buddy the same way. For those of us who have taken the time and made the effort, "being one with the jig" is a very cool thing. 8-)

I think on highly pressured waters bass look for places that are the least disturbed but still have food available. Deeper into cover and into deeper water is my experience. They still feed, but are more cautious. In low light conditions they are by nature more aggressive. They see better than what they are eating, and on highly pressured, clear water lakes, night fishing gives access to more aggressive fish.

A lot of good tips. I would try a white or chartreuse marabou roadrunner jig in 1/8 oz. on 4 or 6# line. I've caught many small bass and a few big ones on this way. Good luck.

Stick with 3 or 4 basic colors as Vinny suggested. Natural greens/browns, brown/orange, and black/ blue are my basics with white/light blue thrown in for variety. 3/8 and 1/2 oz are my primary weights. 3/4 or 1/4 oz when the fish insist. : Bass Patrol makes a good cheap(er) football jig. Booyah Boo jigs are my all round favorite, and Strike King Denny Brauer jigs are also good IMHO. Paca craws and chunks are my favorite trailers. Match the color with the jig (more or less). Good luck 8-)

I love jigs. All kinds of jigs. I almost always have a skirted jig/trailer, a non-skirted jig/spider grub, and a shakeyhead jig/worm ready to go. I may have a darter jig/grub and/or a wacky jig/Senko/Senko knock-off ready as well. Weight, color, and plastic will vary a bit, but the jig is a constant. When I first caught the bass fishing fever back in the day, I spent one whole summer fishing a jig and pig. Earlier that spring I spent a week at Lake of the Ozarks in Mo, and we just killed em. It almost killed me since we were fishing all day and most of the night... I've been hooked ever since. There are some great articles on jig fishing on this site. Read them all, and find what works for you. One good day when the jig bite is on, and you too will be a jig fisherman. ;)Good luck. 8-)