rangerjockey

Crock O Gator X Bites.

853 or 893

I think the 873crr is the best 3/8 -1/2oz Jig rod in the NRX line up. Personally, I Think the 854 and 894are both fairly stout rods. I wouldn't throw a 1/4oz jig on either. If you could cast it, I don't think it would fish the bait very well.

That would be winter or transition.

The boater should give you an idea on how he's planning to fish the night before, so I grab what tackle I need based on that. In the Ozarks I would never be without a spinning rod and shaky head.

For me pre spawn is when the water warms enough for them to start to stage up off the points and creek mouths. Anway, around here they will bite a jig year 'round. I fish a smaller. lighter and more compact jig with a smaller trailer. Something like the Eakins jig . or the 1/4 oz Onieda snak jig with their trailer.

I fish the Rk Crawler/Wart ect. and 1.5's on the Cara medium cranker and Loomis 845 cbr. 2.5's will also work . The deep little N will tax the Falcon but it's OK on the Loomis.

Personally, I've never seen a flourocarbon stretch as much as mono at least in the last 15 years or so. Even the Sunline crank FC doesn't stretch like mono.. Back in the day we used the old salt water trilene ,which I believe is now big game. If you hung up a jig in 40 foot of water you could stretch that stuff 3 feet trying to pull it loose. Unless you using a sinking braid that stuff will float like no other line. I use it on my topwater rods and wake bait rods and it will make a so so running redfin run great.. If you haven't tried the new Spro Flouro , It's really good and the price is right.

10 or 12 lb. flouro.

I'm on Table Rock so any shad pattern, I don't think they are too picky. He has a version of citrus shad I like and the ol' chartreuse/black back in dirty water.

Black Label. Cliff Pace bought Ed Chambers old duplicators when he passed. Ed owned Zoom and WEC Balsa baits. The WEC's bring big money these days if you can find one. The Black label is reasonably priced with good paint and they hunt really well.

I agree. The Scottsboro/yum rigs are reasonable in price and fish really good.

I like them. I don't use it for tubes however. But for mag trick worms and french fry baits on a c-rig I've had good luck them. Owner makes a specific hook for tubes , I cant remember the model number but I get them at BPS.

I think there will be less co anglers with FFS getting used so much. It really becomes a waste of money unless you just want to go along for the ride. It sure isn't a guide trip . What was he throwing ?

Spinning reel

I'd take it, But the MBR series is a better all-purpose rod. I love the 844 GLX. And yes, you could fish a spinnerbait on an 854.

No. But if you have a jig with enough hook gap it could work,

I started with Trilene 100% . For the last 10 years or so it's been Tatsu ,Invisx or sniper. All good lines. I've been trying the new Spro Gouken and it's really good as well. I have the 10lb. on my finesse jig and smaller T-rig rods and so far so good.

To be fair to Kistler they were using 3 different NFC blanks for the KLX Helium and Zbone. These days the Helium and Zbone share the same blank with a different guide train. If you bought a NFC X ray blank for 80 bucks you got a deal.

I'd prefer clouds and some wind but really the most important thing is bait. If they start herding shad they will usually bite a topwater. Even if I'm dragging a jig it's smart to have a topwater of some kind ready if you see them start to bust .

However the manufacturer sends them is how I fish them. I never use a snap or split ring on a spook. Back in the day the line tie was in the nose before Heddon moved it under the chin. Lot's guys, of including myself would move it back to the nose and epoxy the original hole shut and also put split rings on the old style hook hangers in a effort to keep them from throwing it. I don't do it anymore but I still have a bunch of old Spooks with epoxy on them.

They are a custom builder in Texas. I assume it's the JB rods from years back. Looks like the Outlaw has a retail of $ 249.

Slab spoon

I think the smaller size works well in slick conditions. With much chop they kinda get lost and the 125 is a better choice.

Some wind and clouds would be ideal around here. Or, when you can see them chasing shad.