Avid Angler FL

I've received Barlow's catalogs over the years but never really looked into detail about their plastics materials for making your own. But aren't hand-pours generally more bouyant? and isn't the plastic softer? I just think it'd be interesting to throw a bait that I made myself so that no one could duplicate me. Idk, guess it's just the competitive nature of bass fishing !

How are their craw baits? I've never fished em.

Thanks Glenn and everyone! Great info!

I'm fishing for Largemouth in a small lake though. Any ideas of fishing grass or weeds?

Thanks for the info! But a lot of that info was from 2006. Just wanted to see what everyone else's experiences have been recently with them. Have you ever fished the Zoom Small Tube?

What areas do you look for to cast? Like on the edge of a weedbed or right next to cover?

Wow! Nice work!! These look better than a lot of the ones that major retailers sell!

I'm starting to get interested in making my own soft plastic baits, but I'm not sure where to start. How much would the basic set up cost? And are homemade hand-poured baits a lot better than brand-name, store-bought baits?? Thanks, Garrett.

Hey I was just wondering if anyone else on here fishes in my region. If so, where at? And what do you find that works best?? Thanks!

Well, I've been bass fishin for almost four years and have never used bass tubes. I've used crappie tubes and whatnot but not a genuine bass tube. I have three bags of Zoom Small Tubes (around 3 inches; definately bass tubes, just scaled down) one bag in Watermelonseed, the other two in Grasshopper. Also I have all the soft-plastics hooks and weights I'll need, and a small pack of 1/8 oz internal weighted jig-heads. If anyone has any tips or techniques please let me know! ANYTHING involving tubes! Also, the rod I'd use these with is a 7 foot, medium action spinning outfit spooled up with 10lb test Stren mono.

How to you work the Horny Toads?? And what kind of hook do you use to rig em? When I use frogs I usually use the Stanley Ribbit Frog, so Horny Toads aren't my strong point.

Looks like a nice little jig, but how would you fish these from the bank??

Yeah I haven't had it backlash too much except when I'm not payin attention and all of a sudden it starts to make that awful sound ... BUT, just keep your thumb on it and you'll be good .

How do you fish the tubes though? I bank fish due to lack of boat, so I don't know how exactly I should work the tube or where to work it.

I'm always trying variety, and I have many different brands of plastics, but Zoom has to be in my top 5! No other company has been able to replicate the classic "Fluke"! Other shad immitations are either not what they say they are or they're more pricey for less product. I think I'll be fishing Zoom baits forever! There's just such a variety in styles, colors, and applications for which you can use them, they've become a mainstay in my tackle bag.

I'm not sure where you're shopping at to find defective ones, because I rarely find a defect in their baits. They're usually all pretty consistent when I get them, and I've used plenty of em! Anyone know a good way to rig/fish the small tubes? Thanks

Yeah with the Zoom Fluke, to rig it weedless you just take an offset worm hook 3/0 or 4/0 and rig like you would a T-Rig, but instead of adding a bullet weight, leave it weightless. Also, for a bit of added action, add a split shot of varying size about a foot up from the bait. This will give it some added action. It's not always effective but it'll make a difference at times.

Does anyone here love using Zoom baits? If so, what kind and what are some ways you fish them? I've been using Zoom for the past 4 years I've been bass fishing, and have always loved using them. Also, I have a few bags of Zoom Small Tubes, they're like a 3 in version of the regular Zoom tubes. Anyone have any luck with these?? Thanks, Garrett

I'm gonna have to try those out! Are they scented??

Welcome back! And good luck on the water!!

For fishing related, I'd have to mention the Luck-E-Strike 6in Twirl Tail worm that is sold at Wal-Mart. Of course there are better plastic worms out there, you can't beat a 15 pack for like $1.50, they're just simple and effective. They're also scented which I think gives them an advantage. Try em out sometime, T-rig with a 2/0 Eagle Claw offset worm hook and a 1/8-3/16 oz Bullet weight. Excellent little cheap bait, seeing as how I bought them for the fun of it to try them out and see what they'd be like, and I started really getting bit! Definately surprised me!

I also use the Renegade worms! Except now they're made by Luck-E-Strike. They don't carry the black/silver glitter color at my local stores though. I find the best luck with them when using the Green Pumpkin, Electric Blue, and Tequila Sunrise. All three of those are great in the 6in size T-rigged.

I purchased the Abu Garcia Orra SX at Academy a few months back, havent had much opportunity to use it though. I spooled it up with 50lb test PowerPro braid, for fishing heavy cover or for catfishing. I paired it up with a 6 foot 6 Abu Garcia Black Max MH rod which came with a Black Max combo. If anyone has used the Orra SX and has any personal opinion or experience with it, please share! I think it's a great reel but like I said I haven't spent enough time with it to draw up an accurate conclusion. Thanks, and as always, tight lines!

The big secret here lies in the lateral line. It's the line that runs up on both sides of the bass. It allows them to sense some of the slightest vibrations in the water. As mentioned, a lot of people don't think that senko-style baits produce much movement, but when it's "shimmying" towards the bottom, it's putting out a lot of small vibrations. The lateral line on a bass could be described as having eyes on the back of your head. It is their ultimate predatory tool!

I definately agree on the Beetle Spins! Hopefully you have an ultralight rig with 4-6 lb test. If so, try fishing a 1/32 oz Beetle Spin. Just buy a few in diferent colors. start with solids first though. Try white, then black or chartreuse, and just cast and retreive, giving the bait the occasional pause. Another great bait to try if you're using gear that can cast it effectively (they're only 1/8 oz) is the Strike King Bitsy Pond Minnow! Bass Pro Shops carries them, as well as Walmart. These are two baits you really can't go wrong with. If there are fish in there, you'll get bit!