Spankey

Panther Martins have the most positive spin. It’s because of how the shaft is through the blade. Rooster tail has a like blade version also. Very positive spin to it. Majority of time for bass I’m using a Mepps. Panther, Rooster Tail and CP Swing are more in line with my trout fishing.

Mark Zona had a show recently where that was kind of the feature bait. But he’s a Strike King guy. And bottom line was to sell that bait. Pick a pattern you like and try one. Not real expensive, nothing to loose. I could be wrong but now that you guys are mentioning the Texas stuff that’s where he was fishing it. I fish the Rapala that is close. Try it good luck.

I agree 100% with Mo and Way. For years (still do) I’ve fished them on the river for Smallies. Mostly as a change up type bait. Fishing them on a Light power rod. I’ve gotten a lot of fish on them. But can’t really say I’ve gotten an outstanding Smallie on one yet. But if I threw them all the time or more it may have happened. They are good baits. I could be wrong but most likely those other guys and myself cut out teeth trout fishing as kids using them at a very young age.

I find eBay just the opposite. Have seen items 2X+ higher. Example just Berkley Worms. Lucky Craft hardbaits. I believe you guys. Admittedly I’m very rarely even checking there. I think it’s mostly because I don’t want to deal with PayPal.

A-rig also. I’m too old to throw that weight around for 6-8 hours. Need to work the next day. Never looked into the mini A-rigs versions. Can’t say that I’m using much with a boot tail of all the soft plastics I throw. Plan on trying as a jig and buzzbaits trailer vs. curly tail I currently use. Something like as Swim Senko. Have never fished a larger swim bait. The segmented or line through types. I’ll buy one later toward the dog day of summer and try one this season. Y’all’s talk about them enough that my curiosity is peaked a little.

I’m 60 years and it feels like I’ve been using 4# XL and the Original my whole life. Those line have never cost me any fish. Two ultra light setups are setting in my truck right now waiting for after work. Good luck with the trout.

Just use other claws from soft baits. I use that craw. I like that craw. I’m using the smaller version. I’m not much for what LiveTarget puts out generally. My first one I had given to me. “It was like go try this and let me know.” Bass and Pickerel seem to like it up here where I am. I’m generally not a big fan of fishing anything too lifelike. I find them to get bit.

OP I can understand the hate hate relationship with Wally World. Any Wally near me sucks as far as fishing stuff available and nothing else I use on a day to day basis doesn’t need to come from there. I refuse to go there also. But if you can remain patient things (stock) is getting better at these places you mentioned. I have seen where TW had an expected date and items were gotten for me before that date. Not just for me but everybody. Covid, what is essential and what is not essential comes into play. Parts for the trades (real working materials) needed in my line of work are tough to get. Imported stuff is quarantined. Production is slow. But things will get back close to normal. Your stuff will come. I had baits I waited months on. Finally got them. Places like TW have to put some type of lead time on things. Most likely out further than reality.

I guess you can use a spinning setup for everything. I find I can’t. Frogging, punching, deep running cranks, heavier cranks.

I fish generally a 1/16 oz. or 1/8 oz. shakeys. Been tossing the 3/16 oz. Rugby some but still out to lunch on that one. By the time I add the worm I’m pretty close to being a 1/4 oz. The Zoom Shakey Worm is about the lightest I throw.

I own my share of St. Croix Rods. Avid and Premiere Series rods. Some split Grip Premieres and Avid X in the mix. SC puts out a good product. But over the last few years I’ve been fishing some Abu Garcia crankbait rods and have been pretty satisfied with rods that are fairy inexpensive in the full scheme of things. As of today I have had no problems with the Veritas series of cb rods.

Shimano fan boy also. But I’ve been fishing some Abu Garcia Revos the last few years and very satisfied. Got hooked on their very low gear ratio for some crankbait setups.

I feel your pain. By maybe 40+ years worth. Early season is a struggle for me. Your results are the norm for me also. I could never really put a pattern to the early spring prespawn times. I’m not gonna spin myself into the ground over it. I just keep trying at it. My Smallies turn on like a light switch. One week they seem not there than the next a switch went on. I’m gonna struggle a bit yet. It will come together. Mid May seems to produce nice fish. Summer will be here soon and some type of pattern can get established. I’m already looking forward to September and October.

Don’t hesitate to pick up something like a 4” Mr. Twister. Trig with a 1/0 hook. I fish weighted but to each his own I guess.

Megabass PopMax. I will this season but can't find one local to see/buy, didn't want to just order. Looks like my only choice to do.

I know jerkbaits have that special time of year, the ripping cadence of fishing them, rising, stationary and sinking countdown types. But I find myself fishing them more like a crankbait than in the typical jerkbait fashion. Like you I have some nice looking jerkbaits that I was not fishing. Now days I just fish them as crankbaits and they have gotten me more fish that way.

I agree with you bub. I would take a spanking like back in the days I was in Catholic School by the nuns.

With an EWG hook and Texas rig fish it. Worm weight. Peg it, don’t peg it.

Years back Bassmasters held an event in Pittsburg on the rivers. I believe KVD won it. At that time I had my dad out with me fishing. He said to me “I believe you (me) could place in that event with any of those guys”. Was a bit flattered by the old mans comments about that and my commitment to catch river Smallies. To some degree I do believe that. And not just me. Many of y’all also. I said to him “thanks and I appreciate that but I believe I could hang in there with them but if I needed to find that one more good bite, that last solid bite, that bite to cull off that necessary fish. It would not work in my favor. That’s were I would get smoked. That’s where they stand out. That’s what sets them apart”. I believe that 110%. We on here are not that far from those guys in skill and ability. It’s their routine and time on the water. If you didn’t need to work and have a job and could fish all day and have the industries best at your disposal, you could be there also.

I’ve been fishing RoboWorms for many years. One of the best thing I was turned on to. During a trip to Cali. They were never even heard of out East in my parts back then.

I fish some Nasci's. They are assembled correctly and are smooth as butter. Post a pic of what you are talking about.

Not in a stickbait but that is one of my favotite RoboWorm colors.

I think you are correct in what is seen in some of these past greats. They made it what it is today. Maybe the underlying reason why I love bass fishing so much. Bass fishing for me has been a live and learn process. Can't say that I've ever idolized any of them. Or tried to walk in anyone shoes. My life is too different. My field of expertise is not fishing and I don't live in the bass mecca of the country. I can only make the best of what I have in my area. Try to keep it real to what the potential is to my area. I fish to break my personal best. I admit to buying a crankbait that KVD has his name attached to or a VMC jighead Ike was pushing and a Hack Attack Jig Greg was endorsing. Fortunate enough to catch on them. I would not know where to begin to find out what is in their personal arsenal. We may fish the same things, I doubt it. I possess nothing special, no style, no true edge over any fisherman or fish, no real success story to attach myself to. I do know that I never give up. I keep trying on those tough days (a lot of tuff days). I try to fish like I'm hungry. I fish hard to keep from a possible skunking, I try to fish for a new personal best every time out. But I keep it real. It is what it is.

It probably worth having black and a smoke color also. Consider even a white possibly.

Hang it in the man cave/gal cave. Interesting piece of history.