primetime

I personally don't think the brand matters (Unless they are a garbage shape and material but that would come from overseas and likely not in states). Most companies on Tackle Warehouse make a fluke or multiple and size and color is really most important thing IMO. However, Certain styles have different actions which I am sure you know and you can rig so many ways to get the action you like. I like to rig flukes with an open hook, hook on bottom if possible, works great that way. The double fluke rig is a killer as well. Academy brand flukes look just like a few other brands, Almost as if BIg Bite makes plastics for them but not sure. They seem to work as good as Zoom. Strike King, Yamamoto are heavier in salt so they sink faster but buy what you like and try nose hooking, adding a split shot, pitching a fluke, can't fish em wrong....Make a great alternative to someone throwing a frog or toad.....

I try to be silent baits now and since every lake and pond and river is so pressured, I notice that "most" of the time I seem to do better with smaller and silent baits...Especially cranksbaits and Lipless crankbaits. A silent lipless crankbait is awesome......I use one knockers to find em and after they stop hitting, go to silent although they make a great search bait as well. I seem to never to as well with rattles except maybe in stained water on Carolina rigs with a bead.

I still have a bunch of old traps because when I first started fishing you really only had Bill Lewis and Cotton Cordell and then differernt smaller brands like Luhr Jensen etc. but those were only 2 we ever used. I just change the hooks because most are silver and look like saltwater hooks on my old traps. I like the color patterns and they seem to work as good as the new ones. You can often buy Rattle Trap bodies on Ebay & in Bulk really cheap. I would search buy rattle trap bodies without hooks in bulk from tackle shop.... I know a tackle shop purchased every bill lewis rattle trap he had in his factory when stopped making them. He still has 100,000's of thousands. I saw a video on you tube about it. Whatever state Bill Lewis is from, is where this place is and he had boxes and all Rattle traps were like 2 bucks. Now they come with triple grips so probably a good option to replace trebles with.

Dicks Sporting Goods has all Six Sense baits by 3 get 3, same with Mach. Yamamoto just ended I believe but they always have deals if download the app and search clearance....I picked up 2 Lews LFS RH baitcasting reels in Spring for $29.99 each, no joke....Also Grabbed Lews mach casting and spinning combo for like $45 each......

Mirrolure 17MR is most popular sinking twitchbait here in Florida on the flats for saltwater and is on the smaller size, they make some walkers that sink slow or suspend as well. They have a huge lineup of sinking lures. Website may be under L&S in Largo Florida. You can find Mirrolures much cheaper than what BPS charges..... Yo-zuri makes a few sinking pencil lures as well and some are on smaller size. I believe the karashi is 59mm so just over 2", I have seen a few at Dicks that look close. Twitchin rap as mentioned above is similar but I think they are gonna be same size as subwalk but will be light around 3/8. My best suggestion may not be a popular one.....I get all my BFS stuff from overseas, mainly Aliexpress and the pics below are branded as Leydun, come in a 2 pack for like $3 with tarriffs, BKK Trebles, and the paint job looks like it should be a $20 JDM lure. (Could be?) Comes in 59mm and 80mm. I purchased 2 of the sinking pencils and was blown away at the quality of treble hooks as BKK are crazy sharp, first cast to test, it sank slowly so figured it was garbage...Fast forward a couple years and now I get why, took it out a few times this year and it catches fish for sure.... I find alot of stuff is cheap quality with lures (like say Ozark Trail or Creme hardbaits etc.) but for BFS and topwater lures, jerkbaits etc.....if you buy brands made in good OEM's, you will be happy with what shows up. Brands to buy that can be .99 up to $10, but will make you question lure buying habits are (Kingdom, Noeby,Bassday,Bearking, Hunthouse, Top Tackle Industries, Go Bait, Chan Huang.....) and Greenspider for the little BFS walking lure. These are pics of the Leydun that come or came in a 2 pack. You can still find them super cheap and the paint job and hooks alone are worth more than the price paid.

Im getting g ready to head out to the local Lake & figure Ill bring my dog & fish the deep canal near the spillway. It is fairly flat in some areas in 8-13' range & some drop fast into 2' to 16' plus. Bottom is weedy & key is finding hard spots, rock, shell, or "holes" contour changes. When I walk the shore, I almost always throw a c-rig in some form. You can fish slow or super fast and you can put any bait or lure you decide, heavy to cover water, and Its uncommon to not always get a few. I prefer 1/2-3/4 I use a mono leader or copoly since floats, plus I find it easier to handle still, big game 15 or 20lb. Like to use beads more than not although in full, silent may be best due to pressure. I suggest using whatever soft baits you have most confidence in. Lizards are the "standard" but I usually gravitate toward a rage bug, Senko, 4-5" grub or power worm. Flakes and swimbaits also great as are shallow diving square bills and hard jerkbaits once you know the area. C rigs, mojo, split shot....flat out catch fish & not sure why people say its for smaller fish...( I rarely catch anything over 4lbs yet pitching Ill catch bigger so maybe it is a numbers technique. I use fast action to feel bottom. Helps me.

Ill have to try the copper red Tsunami. Never heard of it. Need to keep up with latest frogs....Its possible I have the regular Gabot cause its not "Huge" or maybe on sale because was a bit smaller. Its not a king Daddy width wise. Awesome frog. I guess the Spro popping Frog is likely the go to for most guys for walking in lighter cover. Live Target frogs...standard & popping are still terrific. Nobody mentions them anymore yet the lt45mm casts far for a tiny frog, all soft, 55mm middle is perfect size & popper has plastic mouth awesome colors. Booyah tough to cast as far imo.

Cordell Big O. Even today's version. Great in any shallow cranking situation. Bomber makes good baits. I like the 2A? Not the fat one personally. First year using 6th sense cranks after buying on clearance & they are great. Berkley makes good value cranks as well. And...Bagleys since I like Balsa and Rapala is breaking on me all the time lately. Spro lil John awesome cranks as well.

I find my ratio is almost as good with a bigger frog (70mm size like new Spro pop frog) as long as I make sure they have it, skirts cut short, and I set hook steady but not crazy hard like I used to. I purposely purchased a "Frogging" rod since I used to struggle landing fish. As for King Daddy....I feel that's maybe so big at 90mm you have to hook less. Kind of like the big LT mouse....Gets crushed but smaller size hooks more. Bass can find a smaller frog just fine imo. Launch Frog plenty big and spro 65mm, LT 65.

I buy what's on sale (ball head, darter etc. ) and focus on type of hook & size. Love a lighter jig heads with bigger hook & I prefer companies like Owner, Gamakatsu, Sixth Sense, DOA, and VMC (certain ones).

Good one. I almost want to say producers the knock off company and Rebel craw cranks were big back then. I think maybe Bagleys?

I rarely purchase megabass lures since most have never performed as well as they should for the price. I understand they make top quality products and after using the popper (with cool skeleton paint for $25, Darkstar sleepers etc.)...I will die on my hill that a Rebel Pop'r or Rapala etc. Is plenty good. However, I picked up the Gabot Frog on sale a month ago & had to have it since it looks unique & premium like MB lures do. After 4 trips, It seems to catch fish better than any other Frog I have used & bigger fish as well. It's big, but casts a mile, walks amazing with that mouth & for some reason....I have gotten my best strikes letting this frog soak for a minute or 2. For some reason it will get demolished after sitting still for long periods unlike other frogs. Not sure why but my first day using it my 2 best fish hit while adjusting my reel with frog sitting still in open water. I now use long pauses and it has worked more than other frogs I have done same with. It walks so tight, spits and sounds unique, casts a mile & no legs must create curiosity as Bass have seen lots of lures by Oct. If you love fishing Frogs, I highly recommend. It's big but it will hook smaller fish just fine. I apologize for the long post but this Frog is one of the first new baits in years that has made me a true believer & excited to throw. (like when trying a roboworm, senko, power worm the first time). The sixth sense vega frog is the closest I have seen & priced well. Its more narrow and legs seem to mess up hook up ratio (theory, still great frog and you miss fish on all frogs). Its a solid frog to throw. If placing an order, buy this frog for $15-$20 and you will not regret it. I love my pad crushers, pro's, Jackall, Live Target, Perfect frogs. But.....This is killer compared to other JDM $20 frogs or $12 Spro's. Anyone not like this frog or have similar experience? Maybe I need some 110's now....

Kind of same as a baitcasting set up MH imo. I guess main difference is the pound test you have on so that eliminates hollow body frogs in cover but I would be confident throwing a standard walking bait 100mm on spinning gear if needed. I prefer spinning for throwing poppers and smaller prop baits. The devils horse is super light so that can be thrown on spinning gear. Same with the Red Fin as a big wake bait since super light....Also can throw all the Rapala floating minnow line. I would say the Rapala F-9 Floater floating jerkbait is probably my favorite to throw if just looking to get bit.

If I am throwing a fluke, I like the swivel 12-18" in front. I feel a gold or silver swivel not only helps avoid line twist but also attracts more strikes. I used to be anti swivel and always tie braid to leader but am now convinced in my own mind that a swivel gets more strikes.

I only use EWG hooks on thicker baits like a Gambler Big EZ type swimbait. I use offset or plain straight shank hooks the most. Once I start getting into the 5/0 and bigger sizes I will look at an EWG.

I probably throw a 7" Power worm or culprit as often as I do a Senko. Same with the old school curly tail worms (Love the GYB Curly tail worms). It is rare that a Bass will not grab a weightless ribbon tail worm after a missed topwater strike. Granted a Senko style bait is more popular but I believe by Mid Summer Bass have seen plenty of Stick worms. Culprit Fat max is a fantastic flipping and pitching worm as well. Thick body holds the hook well and shows a unique profile. I am a believer that fish see the same Black and blue and junebug senko's all day long here in Florida and I also like that I can fish the ribbon tail worm a bit faster and in more ways. Kind of can double as a swimming worm/Speed worm, Shaky head etc.

I agree, for swimming on a weighted hook or dragging, the rage bug and menace are tough to beat. If you shop around on-line you can often find them on sale at random tackle shops. Usually tough to find the colors you want for less.

Live Target 45mm size is super soft, great hooksets, casts far and comes in awesome colors. (Casts a mile) Spro has the really small poppin frog. 40mm and 50mm (Casts a mile) Booyah's small frogs are great as well (Good hook up ratio, quality etc.), only downside is they do not cast as far as the Live Target and Spro from my experience. I know the Jackall Kiera? Frog is popular but I have never used. Anything under 50mm is what I would consider small....The old school scum frogs make some really small frogs as well, casting distance is only issue. For a toad the baby ribbits are good.

I would maybe take a black sharpie and add some spots on a swimbait or any softbait....I have some seconds of stick worms and one of my better colors is white with dirt that was molded into it. I have always wondered if it looked like a baby crappie since they are 4.5" stick o's.

Spinners catch fish. Just not always fashionable for bass fishing.

When I was a kid I fished the Creme Midget crawler in Earthworm color and purple with white dots 6" finesse worm, 2 hooks rigged and a propeller blade. I would cast it out and just reel it in slow.....Used to catch tons of fish on that rig. Believe the worm is actually a scoundrel.

I use all my baitcasters for fishing frogs as long as the gear ratio is at least 7/1 to pick up line and keep up with fish that swim toward you. I believe some of my Okuma's and Old President are only 6/3 and they work fine. Plenty of power and have never had a problem picking up line for a hookset. Can't go wrong with anything Daiwa or Shimano even the entry level.

Gambler Burner worm 7" is a killer swimming worm and versatile as well. It's a big bait and works great for swimming or pitching.

Zoom 4" Dead Ringer on 1/8 oz and 1/0 hook is great on texas rig...Can fish it like a Ned rig, swim it etc.

I like the BPS Speed Shad and Skinny Dipper & Bass Assassin Die Dapper. I also throw alot of 4" Swim Senko's and the Charlie Brewer Swimming Grubs up to 4". I throw a ton of different shad style bodies on jig heads and also like the Ripple Shads and Big Hammers.