Spankey

Though I use them on certain baits because I think they match the bait to be better seedless, and how I perceive the way a bass strikes it, and majority of these plastics are thicker. I do use more often and feel a straight shank worm hook works better for me in most applications. My worm fishing is done with all straight shank hooks or drop shot hooks.

I never got bit by the blue worm bug. I remember the exact worm you are talking about. There is another electric blue type also that has my memory. I bet I could dig up a few of both of these types. I believe I never got into them was because I just couldn’t place what it was trying to represent. Blue has never been a big part of my fishing. Blue is really not a big part of my crankbait fish for the majority of my season. But fall it gets thrown a lot. It has gotten my some real nice fish in recent years. I don’t know why it seems to work for me than. I sort of chalk it up to the point that this is when water clarity is the clearest. The blue CB’s I use are not produced anymore. The bait is but not in blue. Why was it stopped? Maybe all just a head game.

Zoom Super Tube seedless.

I’ve been waiting that long or longer for the change also. In my line of work equipment can go either way or sometimes incorporate both sizes. It really wouldn’t bother me one way or the other. I only have a few more years to work anyway.

That a nice little care package you have there bub.

But I would imagine if you had just the right size hook to back hook it and fish it under a small trout magnet adjustable float and keep it down with a small piece of bb size split shot. It’s gonna work great. Should catch anything that sees it. Just my guess. And yes I would have bought the Gulp minnow instead if I fished like that. Will last longer I suppose. Bluegill, sunfish and white perch should tear that up.

That was once alive. Now it’s dead live bait preserved.

I’ve been a Rapala freak since I’ve been a kid. But around about 1975-1976 is when I truly learned how to properly fish plastic worms and the rigging techniques and I have not looked back. Trig, split shot, drop shot, Ned type stuff is nothing new. Wide range of baits available to us is the only new thing. So I enjoy worm fishing. But still seem to get a lot of crankbait, top water, jig and spinnerbait fishing in.

I guess those days of trial and error are long over. Putting in time, learning about water conditions, getting the fundamentals of baits down, working on your own techniques and building your own self confidence are a thing of yesteryear. But fishing and catching are still two different things? No?

I’ll be honest I don’t get into a lot of the biology of different species. But I do try to throw baits close to the natural colors of the Shad in lakes up here. There are golden shiners in the lake I fish. There were more years ago but a lot of gizzard Shad here now. Good size to them. The pic you posted caught my eye. A lot of my favorite baits have that pink purple rose tint to them. But Tennessee Shad versions works good up there also.

You're lucky to have someone so close. I might but don't know of anyone. I have two Rapalas that I do real well with that I'd like to tweak a bit and have someone slightly modify. My idea might work real well or be a bust. Who knows. Be fun to try.

That shiner has a bit of pinkish/purplish hue to it? Thanks.

In my fishing of jigs I don’t fish a jig over 1/4 oz. so I guess it all finesse for me. I fish on the lighter side in all ways. But I would not say ultralight. The SK Bitsy Bug Jigs and Jones’s jigs along with a few Missile micro jigs is what I fish. I use a trailers.

I’m not real familiar with that bait but when you feel that good you have to go with your gut. As long as buying it has not starved someone in the family or has the bank or landlord ready to give you the boot go with it. Might be the bait of the year for you. I hope it is.

Nice when you’re fishing with something you feel so good about.

Your 100% correct. You have to feel good about the lure before you ever throw it. You have to sort of free your mind about any doubts. Stick with it. Don’t rush to put it down after a few casts if you don’t get a look or hit. You can tie on your brand new Shad Rap in Tenn. Shad and catch a fish on your first or second cast. Than throw it for another half hour and not get a look or a hit. Sure set it down but continue to believe in it. Pick it up again an hour later. Start fishing it from the beginning on your next time out. There is a lot of talk on this site about crankbaits and particular crankbaits. This is a great site. A lot of good info shared about particular baits. A lot of info to be absorbed. But I find when fishing a crankbait I have to go with my true gut feeling when it comes to color patterns. The Rapala DT Series is one heck of a bait. Between the Standard patterns and the Ike patterns there must be 35 color patterns. I feel strongly about the bait but only a handful of the patterns. But there is a color for everybody’s confidence level.

Afternoon till almost dark. Mountain trout fishing. I love my bass fishing make no doubt about that. But I have a love for stream trout fishing. Stocked, wild or native Brookies. To me there is a different solitude to trout fishing. But I make a different type of connection while out on the boat searching for Mr. Brown Bass or Mr. Greenjeans. Admittedly I’m not the most religious guy on here but a man has to connect somehow.

Maybe try some Bitsy Jigs or micro jigs. Dark colors. Maybe a solid black or solid olive Bandit 200 or something like that. Maybe a black or black and blue spinnerbait. I don’t fish large spinnerbaits, SK and Booyah have smaller versions I throw. Or maybe don’t over think it and throw what you would on a normal day. Still a bit cold yet. You’re North Jersey?

I’ve been finding that same thing for a handful of years now. Restock myself to a certain level which doesn’t mean to the point of TW’s warehouse inventory. I do find myself wanting to experiment some. For this season I picked up a few Xzone sponsor baits. And a few of the Rapala OG Slims. Life long Rapala junkie. I have no doubts about these baits, my plan is to throw them all season like any Rapala I fish. But I still find myself fishing many of the lures I used the heck out of years ago. They just get you bites. Tubes, Grubs, Mepps spinners, Rebel Craws, Mann’s Baby minus, Heddons, Storm Chug Bugs. These things are with me all the time. I rather fish it with my rods now. But I still have all of my old Mitchell and Fenwick rods, Shimano Bantams w/ pistol grip, old lightning Rods. Can’t seem to part with any of this stuff.

I hear where you are coming from. I find that some times I have to go back to basics and reel it back in. Go back to some old school stuff.

Don't forget about a Chigger Bug or Chigger Craw. 4" Or a Zoom Brush Hog.

What I have on the boat for my grandsons that works real well is Crappie Magnet kit and quite a few versions of the Berkley PowerBait micros. Maggots, Wax worms, leaches, pinched worms, hellgie and mealies. They use a couple of bobber setups circle and Aberdeen hooks. Check it out. Having the Aberdeen and cricket hooks make catch and release of anything a lot easier and more pleasant. Have fun.

Coming from pretty much a Shimano guy I am putting a second Revo Winch on the water with me this year. Both paired with Abu Veritas Winch rods. I’m 110%+ satisfied with the feel and results with the first set up. Adding a MH to fish slightly deeper Crankbaits. I think MSRP is a bit high, I think everything is high, but buying them both on sale thru TW I’m liking the price. The moderate actions of the rods are definitely what I was looking for.

We are the same age basically and I hear where you are coming from.

It’s For a 12 year old. I really don’t care if he used my stuff while we are out but this may be a cheaper solution and a couple of years of a learning curve. I can’t say I’ve ever heard anything bad about them.