Spankey

With bluegill patterns over the last couple I’ve been getting away from my comfort zone (Rapala’s) and have been fishing a few Lucky Craft. But you are correct 6th Sense and LC have some great bluegill patterns that are not a live image impregnated on the bodies. I do not do very well with live image type stuff. Good luck with that. Caught my eye for water with a bit of a stain to it.

I was looking for some help yesterday on the river also. Had it planned in my head how I was primarily going to approach it in my head. Tubes, small t-rigs and craws. Got out early at the end of overnight rain. Wind picked up early. Was a struggle finding that Smallie bite. Did manage three white perch on Shad Raps. Had to fish a bit heavier SR than I wanted because of the wind. Should have taken the time to throw a Rat-L-Trap. I thought I was on to something with Shad Raps. Season is very very early for me. Good luck, hang in there.

UL Trout Rod?

The reason I hate to buy a rod untouched. Very rarely have I ever done this. Brand X and Brand Y most likely have even the slight feel differently. Plus if possible put the reel on it you are going to use. The deciding point most of the time.

Real nice pattern.

I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one.

I have a birthday coming up. They are gonna be asking me if I want anything. Without ever touching these rods yet, the one by what I see of the specs and leaning toward maybe I’ll ask for it as a present. I won’t have to send it back. Heck might be my favorite rod of all time. Who knows. I generally fish cork handled rods. Foam might be a pleasant change. I’ll see. I’ll try to weight it up. I try not to impulse buy. I had been kicking buying a Megabass PopMax for some time. Last night I broke down and ordered (1) PopMax and (2) Pop X’s. I feel good about them. Was with certificate money so it was an easier decision. Good luck with that KVD rod.

I made my move last night and decided to try a PopMax and a Pop X. Top water fishing is a big part of my fishing and pop-r style baits are a big part as well. I weighed it up. Over all the years every brand of pop-r style I bought has gotten me fish. Rebel, Rapala, Storm, Strike King, Googan and Booyah. The Megabass will work just carrying a bigger price tag. I rarely if ever loose these baits. I felt the quality was there and maybe had a bit of innovation added. Why not. It will work and I’ve never even thrown one yet. Cost? Yes expensive but this is a bait style that will get hit. I’m setting on gift certificates that I got for presents so why not spend some of it. I bought both sizes. Size wise the Pop X size I prefer. I would say normally buying them I would be out of my comfort zone but having the gift certificates made it a no brained to try. Having all the color patterns I wanted made decision making easier. Pagani Raigyo, Sexy French Pearl and Gill fall right in line with works for me. Waiting for them to show up now.

Well if someone else is paying for it, go for it. I fish a Stradic (both new and older versions) I just don’t think it is necessary. Yes I use them a lot. But I use my old Symetres and Nascis a lot also. But I’m all about that Nasci. I felt the same about the Symetre. Good luck. Should be any problem if it’s someone else’s $$$$$ ?

I thought about ordering up two or three rods from Cabelas and have the shipped to the store. If there was one that struck I’d buy just the one I liked. Have done this before. I’d like to visit TW but we couldn’t be much more apart across the country. They list a spinning rod also I’d like to touch.

Shimano Nasci 3000. Same size as a 2500 just higher ratio.

Not that I never have, but I generally never buy a rod or reel without touching it first. The KVD Line has peeked my curiosity some. The BC reel, glass crank rods and the composite casting rods. Finding a dealer is the problem.

I realize for guys that fish these ways a lot and are big parts of your style, they are different. I’ve come to lump flipping, pitching and punching into the same category. Knowing they are different. Grass and mats are only a part of my fishing. Lay downs a larger part. They are good techniques but I’m no master for sure.

Thank you. I can try there on my way home from work to see what they have. Have not been to Wally World in a few years. Don’t know if you will agree with me on this or not but I’m thinking the combo rod may be a bit more on the moderate side vs. real fast which should make it good for fishing a larger variety of baits. He’s 11, might be the best thing for him to bass fish with bait caster at a young age. Younger the better.

Over the years I’ve gotten some good deals on rods, reels, baits and all. Caught some great clearance items. But a steal? I won’t go that far. When I was a young guy back around ‘76 or ‘77 , much like you I made a killing at a mom and pop tackle shop and a hardware store closing up. At that time I was getting into crankbaits and rubber worms. Worked out great for me. I walked out of there with a box of Bombers, Cottons, Mann’s, Rapalas and Mr. T stuff. Cents on a dollar. Still have and use some of them. But my deal of the lifetime was buying a Heddon 7 1/2 foot featherweight bamboo fly rod and reel w/ canvas roll and leather reel cover and a couple of fly wallets for $50 from the owners daughter. It was not new, was probably 20 or 25 years old than. Immaculate shape and still is. I bought it to trout fish with and never thought of it as a wall hanger until a lot later. My streams are real narrow and I thought 7 1/2 foot would be perfect. I wasn’t wrong but wasn’t right either with that thinking. At the time I didn’t even want to spend the $50, the gal was sort of pushing me on it, glad she did, and never gave any thought that one day it would be antique. I just wanted to catch trout with a fly rod. I think it is a Model #17. A few years later it sank in that maybe I should put that thing up and don’t risk anything happening to it with its age. Bought a Sage, still use that now. Probably ‘85. I’M A FLYFISHING HACK. My thought have always been when I retire I’ll work on my flyfishing skills. Make that a priority. I’ve trout fished since I was about 9 or 10 years old. It’s a big part of my fishing life. Hard to explain. Not that bass fishing isn’t, that’s just the flip side of the record. “b” side I guess.

If we are talking about the same worm. That greasy oily black version of worm is one of my favorites.

I hear you on that. I’ve pretty much been the black sheep in my family since I was a kid. Many many moons ago and no sense bad mouthing anybody who is not on this earth still breathing and can’t defend their actions. The reality is what it was. At least in my case. I’d like to think I made out ok. You'll do ok. You are fortunate to have sites like this today. This is a good bunch of guys on here. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’m pretty much a Shimano guy, but I’ve taking a liking to the Revo Winch Series. So far the last few season they have been great for the crankbait fishing I do.

I appreciate the tip. I think for an 11 year old to give it heck on this could be the answer. Good start. I’d give my two grandsons the world if possible because they fish with me. But a Revo like I’m using is probably not the start that is required. But I would/will buy him a Revo at some point in time. Doesn’t have to be a Revo but you get my point.

I’d like to find the BM combo for my youngest grandson. Hard to find local. I never hear much bad about them and it appears many seasoned guys use them and like them. Good luck.

I could be wrong but I believe the only difference to them is the paint scheme on them. Sort of remember the guy at BPS making that point. Different for sure.

My situation is very similar. Have the Qualifier 2. Back a couple of years ago during the BPS Spring Fling they were ridiculously cheap. It’s on a Bass X Rod that I throw frogs on. I realize I don’t have a lot tied up in this setup but wanted something dedicated to just frogs and slop fishing. I would recommend one. No issues with it. Again I realize this setup in not breaking the bank.

I have to jump on that Chatterbait band wagon also. I thought I was giving them a fair chance. I thought I was fishing it correctly. Built up a lot of frustration and was about to give the few I have away at the ramp. I have to admit I still do not know how to fish them properly. I’ve only had success hopping and dragging them on the bottom. My colors are dark ones and have only used craw type trailers on them. I believe my shortcomings are because I should be fishing lighter color one and mimic a baitfish and have a baitfish trailer. I believe it it because I’ve caught a few fish. That boost the confidence level. But I don’t thing I’m fishing it to it’s potential.

Admittedly I had my share of bad days over the years. A grub, Fat Albert or PowerGrub has saved a skunking. Along with a Rat-L-Trap many times. Why didn’t I start my day off with them? I use to. Majority of time I rig sort of Slider Style, I’m a creature of habit from the 70’s and 80’s.

My whole world doesn’t revolve around PowerBait soft plastics. But I can only recommend them as a starting point. And they will work. The three I’ve mentioned worked what seems like 30 years ago for me and still today. Rat-L-Trap......what can I say. They make things happen. They have kept me from getting skunked many days. Have fun with it. Keep it simple.

I have no idea what river you are talking about. But without knowing anything other than there are Smallies there about all I feel I would need to catch them is Berkley Power Grubs, Berkley 4” Power Worms, Berkley Power Tubes, 1/4 oz. Rat-L-Trap, Rapala Shad Rap and SK or Booyah Micro Spinnerbait. All would fit in a ZipLock bag. Happy Birthday ?