rangerjockey

I fished Zilla for several years and liked it. It looked like it should cost 89 bucks but it fishes well. I've heard the NFC blank deal too and I've heard Sage the fly rod builder. AA ain't talking that I've ever heard from the horses mouth.

Super spooks, Swimbaits, spinnerbaits and wakebaits

Yes.

I would check with BPS. The spring sales are hard to beat. Also, *** and the auction site . Just my opinion, but I'd sure look at a Ultrex.

I use the 15lb. Armilo . Good stuff and also good line for spinnerbaits and any moving bait that's not diving.

There's a load of swimbaits that were copies of the bass trix., Zoom being one but I don't think it's the best one. I had heard at one time that they were coming back but I haven't heard anymore. Personally I'd just buy Scottsboro.

The Expert always felt a bit too quick to me for a Falcon action. And the Fazalites on a $200 rod is no bargain. Heck, It's a spinnerbait rod, the Lowrider or Bucoo version would be fine.

Of those 2 I'd go with the Falcon. Although I'm not the biggest fan of the Expert.

The Tackle HD Hi Def craw looks as good as the MB to me and you get 5 for the same price.

Well, there's a time and place for them. Even here on Table Rock where they are nearly a religion. Once the water temp gets above 52 they are about done, not that they won't pick up a few but there are better alternatives. It used to be the deep little N for me but now me and a million other people it's the RK Crawler.

Just send the one you like along with a couple you don't to Mike Russell at bag five baits.. He can either match the one you like or paint V86 as it should be. I just got 35 baits from him, and his craw patterns are perfect.

I'm not sure about the G5. They first duplicated the wart and called it a Wart Hog and Storm had some issues with name. They also leaked. I have one of the Wart Hog versions of V36 brown craw that doesn't leak, and the thing runs really well. If you can find one, it's a good pick up. Really the best thing to do if you want to see for yourself is buy a Pre Rap. Don't buy a repaint and make sure the rattles aren't stuck. Some Bass.

In my opinion the biggest difference between the older baits and the Rapala baits is the sound. The old baits were made of different plastic called Buterane , not sure of the spelling , but it turned out to be cancer causing so they couldn't use it any longer. So that along with those lead rattles just made a unique sound. That will never be duplicated. Not every pre Rapala bait hunts and certainly the new baits will catch fish.

Thank you, I'll check them out.

They all have a seam( 2piece mold ) but it has always been more pronounced on the pre Rapalas. Correct on wiggle wart under the bill vs Storm on the newer ones.

The other option is to find a Pre Rapala V86. It's not going to be cheap but you will have what you want and hopefully it's one that runs good. Honestly, I have several dozen Pre Rapala warts but I throw the Rk Crawler more these days. The phantom colors are good . You may want to try one.

10lb. Sunline FC Crank. Has a just enough stretch and handles really well. Before I went to the Sunline I used 10lb. Invisx for years.

Some of the colors are BPS exclusives and designed by Tim Hughes, one of our local custom painters so they look different than the pre Rapala's. Also, the consistency of the Rapala baits in general is pretty bad They were probably both supposed to be phantom green craw, V86. The one on the left is closer to the original.

I fish the Zoom on a c-rig . Cotton candy and GP are the only colors I use. Back in the day I really liked the Flip Tail brand. The body was wider and thicker than the Zoom or any of the copies.

Never tried them. I think Baitwrx has them if you want to see them in person. Check the website.

I believe Halo is owned by Louie Zhang who originally started Ark before it sold. I guess he got involved with American Baitworks . I'm sure they are OK. I have heard of some guys using the 7ft. medium as a wiggle wart rod.

I believe that amateur boat driving lesson took place on our own Lake of the Ozarks years ago. I think the biggest reason LOZ outproduces Table Rock and Bull Shoals is because they don't get the pressure on them between Memorial Day and Labor Day because no one in their right mind would get out there among those jack Wagons.

Heck, I know there are guys using it that don't really like it but on my home lake this time of year it's pretty much self defense. Tournaments are going to be won this time of year with the A Rig off shore which is perfect for FFS. I don't have it yet. but it really doesn't suit the way I like to fish. I have heard from guys that I trust say that it seems they are having to get further off of them . Makes me wonder if they could be feeling or hearing the sonar and getting wise.

Great way to learn. A few unwritten rules like don't cast over the boater, offer to give some gas money, don't clutter up the boat with 10 rods etc . Money or not ,Derbies have a different vibe about them than a day out with your buddy. I've done it some at the FLW level and I always had my morning speech..."I'm here to stay out of your way and have some fun. Let me know if you want me to net em. " Everybody has horror stories about getting shut out by the boater but you learn to adapt. I had a guy spend over a hour on a bedded fish he had waypointed , I couldn't blame him it was a dandy but she never did bite. A shaky head is your best friend in those situations I don't mind letting someone else drive in those 200+ boat take offs anymore.

I'm sure it would work for a 1/2 oz. That's a good buy.