primetime

I hope they kept the same profile and internals. Please do a review if possible since I know other guys on this site use the Flatt Shads as well. Thanks in advance. TW usually passes on carrying cheap stuff or stuff that they think is gimmicky etc. They probably would't carry them if they were like the action series since they were stuck with them like everyone else. I am sure they checked them out b4 buying so I am sure they will be good. Positive Thinking. They never carry lures like the Dragonfly from R2Sea or others which they know may cause complaints. They are good like that.

Damiki Air Craw maybe? They have super thick claws to keep them floating. I would check them out, can't think of any others like Damiki. I am now thinking Psychodad from Kinami and GYB....They were on sale for the past year and I forgot about that one but That probably is it, it is popular.

It depends, I use 12-#17 Mono the most on casting gear, 40-50 braid,Spinning - 6-12 Mono, 10-20 lb braid. Fluro Leaders at times. Dia matters more than LB test imo, So many variables, but I go as light as possible. #12 Mono can handle most Fishing except Flipping/Frogging.

I would love to know the answer. I looked briefly and it seems Pure Fishing has changed colors and only offering the 66mm & 56mm? I would check the size and weights vs. the older ones which are still on Ebay for $10 if lucky, most original Patrick Sebile Designed lures are hard to find now. Sebile name has not been the same since the Action Series as they were clearly just mass Produced Baits that were "Just another lure" I wonder if Patrick Sebile even designs lures for them anymore. I do not see any of his videos like he used to have where he would be all excited over a new lure, he had some odd designs, but also some winner's and at least you could see the thinking behind every lure, I always felt they made a mistake marketing expensive smaller lures to Saltwater angler's who generally do not pay big money for smaller Lures. Only Bass Fisherman including Myself pay $20 for a topwater walking lure, Saltwater guys are good with Spooks and Rapala. If you buy them please do a review, I would hope they still are the same as I liked the smaller one's but once you change paint and hooks odds are something else was lost Would love to hear any reviews.

The X-Rap is an agressive Jerkbait which is more slash than darting or rolling, so if they are smashing an X-Rap, they are active and I honestly think the X-rap line of suspending Jerkbaits is one of the best for aggressive fish since they have several sizes, good color/Flash, and I love the dressed rear treble hook. I would stick with the X-Rap's while they are hitting it, I know Rapala used to make the Max Rap which only dove 12-18" like a Flash Pointer but they are larger and thinner, may be to big. Sebile has a lure called the Slender Eel which is a thin aggressive suspender that only dives 18", I believe the Acast Minnow is similar. I love the Bomber Long A, the 13 & 14 size may be available in suspending, they are good jerkbaits but if you are talking about a small Jerkbait 2-3" long, I would go with the following if not the X-rap. LC Pointer smaller sizes will be aggressive, Matzuo phantom Minnow (Don't Laugh, it flat out works, make a 2.5" suspender for $3 that has saved days for me). Then The OEM Reaction Strike Small Suspending Jerkbaits in the v series, just make sure to change the Cheap OEM hooks, but the lures are good quality, I have a dozen of the smaller one's in a 58mm or 78mm? They make many brands of lures like Strike Pro, so check those sites for ideas. After all the writing I just did, I would say go with more X-Raps. You can find them for $4-$5 online if you know the overstock .net site. Only Tip I can give. Not Overstock bait and tackle. Home of the $4 Rapala and .99 bag of plastics of all brands. Here is the Reaction Strike Minnow I have been using for years. It is really good. Looks like 80mm

Does GYB make any soft baits that are not good? Serious Question, kind of like Strike King, Zoom Etc..I think they all have good baits depending on your preference/Fishing style. Whenever I find GYB baits on clearance on Overstock or Kinami, I buy them since I have yet to fish a GYB bait and think "These are junk". I regret some colors I order but I like the Stretch Grubs they make, 6" Grub which is like the BPS Swizzle Stick, Senko with a Curly tail on the back, works great no matter how you fish them, If you can find them I would grab a pack since they can be really good when a buzz worm is too much. I used to use the Swim Shad they make as a trailer on swim Jigs and Chatterbaits but for some reason I stopped, but I used to do well with the Shad body style baits they make. They worked well, but I would buy more Swim Senko's. You can never have enough of that worm especially the sizes, laminates, that is a winner that will catch fish on the toughest days.... I read good reviews on their Kut Tail worms, and I have noticed I catch more fish with GYB Kut Tails than the BPS brand. They make a nice 10" kut Tail worm. I have not used the smaller one's but would assume they are good like the bigger model

I would second the vote for the president for $50, but right now I would maybe look at the Cabela's reels since they are being absorbed by BPS and they probably have some reels that are half off and Cabela's has nice reels. I have the ugly Orange Sorrano from Shimano which I think I paid $35 in a clear package for an extra rod and I have actually been really happy with it. It is the 4000 size and it handles 12lb mono really well, smooth drag, and I think you may be able to find that reel for $30. I would check out the new Kast King Stuff From Eposeidon on Long Island.They are making high end reels, getting all kinds of awards at Shows, excellent reviews,and I have a casting reel that is as nice as some of my top end stuff that only cost $50. They have spinning reels for $30 that get reviews on several sites ahead of reels that cost over $100 and they are located in the USA and have great customer service...I plan on getting a spinning reel from them for my next purchase because I have been blown away with the $50 7 oz casting reel which is now the reel I use most and I honestly like it as much as any other reel.... The President is probably the safest and most known choice for $50. If you do a google search you can find some great breakdowns since companies like Pinnacle who are known as an OEM make some really nice reels for retail....good Luck. Good time to buy fishing tackle right now. You should be able to find a bargain on a really nice reel.

I like the concept of "Pond Trading" We have so many lakes and ponds in Florida that do not have names, not private, and luckily there are plenty to go around, but I do have a few that I like to keep secret and only show certain people if they are willing to show me an equally good spot. I find that works best but I usually like to take a new friend I have never fished with to an OK spot just to see the reaction, but on the bigger lakes, I share as much as I can because if other people did not explain how to break down big lakes to me, I would still be lost..... I never give up spots that a boater takes me to when I am a non boater. I don't feel comfortable going back by myself unless I get permission. Some people take this stuff really serious, and I like exploring anyhow. The lake I fish most often is 9 Miles Long and full of Canals and hidden Brushpiles, so if I am at the ramp and someone asks for advice, I will always point them in the right direction, kind of give them an idea like "I would fish the Inside Weed Edge, Points, Hit the canals, or Look for birds and bait, but I am rarely concerned on big lakes because I tend to find new spots on almost every trip since bait moves. Small Water is a different deal, especially if you have worked on the forage base,culling, and are trying to grow a Lunker. I have a few ponds I work on and for those I only take my closest Imaginary friends.

I have never gone fishing any time of the year and not tried a floating Jerkbait.....I have had days in winter when the top layer of water warms and the sun is out, slightly stained so it is even warmer, when a Floating Jerkbait barely moved works well. I also fish mostly shallow water so saying I did well in January can be deceiving but I feel a dying baitfish is always in play any day of the year. I also like to use the smaller sized Flat Rap on 6lb test Mono in winter and barely move it or fish it like a shad rap....but The Flat Rap on top is good all year in Florida if conditions are right....I fish alot of stained water/Structure as much as possible and if I see any swirls or bait near the surface I always go to a floating minnow. When it works it works, or use a very shallow suspender/Slow Floater....

Strike King makes a rat very similar if you have issues finding these. I saw them at BPS and they were inexpensive and looked very similar...Hope you find the version you are looking for.

I would love it if Rage made a Menace Worm kind of like the Zoom Ultravibe Speed worm only with that Menace Tail on the back....I like the Rage Cut'R worm, but I could go for a 4.5-5" Menace Worm..... Strike King...Please read this. You need a paddle tail/Burner worm in the lineup...This would sell. 4-5" Menace Worm would be the perfect Compliment to my favorite grub and I love swimming soft baits...I am glad Havoc has the Devil Spear but it just does not work as well for me....

I only use big worms in the fall when Bass are shallow and active like after rain when they are feeding on a variety of forage, but for the most part I stop using the big worms once November starts, not sure why but I just have always done that. I know some people who are extremely accurate pitching to isolated cover, and they have a 10" worm on all year and sometimes that is the best bait, but I have never done well with bigger worms after cold fronts when you have to be able to pitch into the perfect spot. I think it is a confidence thing. If a Big Bass sees a 12" Worm come flying in front of his face,I am sure that is more enticing than a BB cricket, or if presented slowly, I know that they are used in the cold water in the spring often since the tails come through cover easier, not sure why I never use my bigger worms in fall? Good Question. I would think that really slow/suspending fall from ribbon tail could be good on some days. I use big punch rigs or a big creature, so why not a big worm? Try it out....I had a good day years ago by accident after tossing an 8" lizard in the winter just testing out rigs and for some reason they wanted a lizard in December and it has never worked again....But I make 3 pitches and switch. Hard to say.

I am not sure of why the price is different. As mentioned in the post before, the less expensive model is 17mm larger and has a slightly different profile which I actually think can be good, but I think Lucky Craft maybe wanted to just make a less expensive model in less colors in order to get some new customer's? They offered it this year and in 4 colors, and I purchased one and it does have a different profile since it is in the middle of all sizes, but yes, Chrome is a good color. I tend to fish Silver/Blue, Silver/Black, as my first color choice for topwater since all forage bait fish have a silver type flash when they move even a Golden Shiner/Bluegill etc...It is always good to have another bait in a darker color, I would maybe consider a darker color Chug'n Spook to go with the Gunfish, but every lure TW carries in Topwater section is a good choice. I think 100mm is 4" and standard, I know the most popular sized Pencil Poppers in Florida are usually the 115-135. The 135 is big but you still catch numbers on it at times, I would not worry about 17mm imo.

I like using white when I have some light out, even just a dock light, If bass are keyed on shad, I just figure shad are still white/silver, but I like to add some flash or contrast like some chart/white....Sometimes it will work better than black, or the same, or it is not what they want. I always try 3 colors at night..Black, White/Silver or white/Chart.....Or Black/Chart....Kind of use those colors the most to start, my friend likes to use Glow colors, Pinks, Electric Chicken, Lime, brighter colors and sometimes he does better... I find a black and gold Rapala is almost always good at night but I just think it is because it is 2 toned and matches shiners which are the main forage, plus Bass rarely will pass up a rapala at night barely twitched or waked. I guess I like 2 tone colors....with flash or without. But I don't buy the "Night = black since everytime I take someone new fishing at night, they think I am messing with them by suggesting a black lure, they always want something that is bright, and sometimes they will start killing bass on a UV bait or just a chartruese type color.... I use same colors at night and day...I always like contrast whether flake or two toned.

Strike King likes to say the flat sides on the worm give it more flash since it has defined edges...I use both, and for some reason I fish the Ocho like a Sluggo, but I tend to prefer the Ocho since Strike King makes awesome colors with great flash that are dynamite in stained water....I am not sure if it is the flash or the shape, but they are 2 different baits imo.... Not sure about wacky rigging, but I always carry a few packs of Ocho's with me at all times, I think fish do not see them as often maybe? Watermelon Red Ocho is just an awesome color here in Florida.

Last few nights, pre Hurricane, Active Bass...Color didn't matter in fact white skirt with black and blue swimbait was working really well..I like using a contrasting skirt in front of swimbaits at night for a bigger profile and I like to have 2 colors that contrast... I am not sure color mattered since my buddy was throwing an Electric Chicken Colored Sluggo and was catching them as well as any other lure we used...White is often good at night, shad never turn black, at least that is how I see it. Color does matter but the issue is how do you really know the best color since you rarely try 30 different color worms in a day? The only day in my life I ever really out fished by older Brother growing up was one day I will never forget. I was catching Bass after Bass on a Pumpkinseed Culprit worm, and the normal tequilla sunrise we would always use was not getting him any strikes...When he asked to borrow one of my worms I was kind of surprised, and then we both started hammering them. We were both so excited at how awesome the day was, so we went back to the exact same spot the next day and could not get bit on a pumpkinseed worm, same conditions, but they wanted the darker purple and red shad which were are standards....If I never had a pumpkinseed worm, I would have never known, but it for sure made one HUGE Trump sized Difference.

Spro Frog in baby duck Color.....Killer....or a bone colored spook with yellow feathers on the side painted on. The Hooks look like feet.

Just like Bass Archives proves......If you want to follow tackle trends, look at the lures made every 25 years, you will see they all come and go...painted vs. non painted is all preference, no right or wrong answer imo.

If you like the Keitech Shiner try to find the Bass Assassin Version on sale. It is identical to the USA Keitech Version as far as I can tell. SK makes one Dicks has on the clearance rack, same bait, size, just different colors and scents.... I buy most of my stuff in bulk so I have no idea who the manufacturer is but when I do by bags, I buy Gambler Ez swimbaits and now the Yum Pulse. Price is best and they are just good...But I have a box full of speed shad, Sizmic Shad, Keitechs, all the versions of that swimbait, same with skinny dipper. However, the Zoom Swimming Fluke is really good and some days hard to beat....

llYou can buy a new Lucky Craft Gunfish 117mm which is a good size since most walking baits are 100mm as the standard. The new 117mm is available at BPS and Dicks sporting goods for 7.99, they are offered in 4 colors instead of the normal amount, but I would buy the LC version since the price is so close. I have done well with the academy version and other's, but I always use the Gunfish first so hard to say which are better. They all kind of fish the same, only difference is color and sound really. Then Hooks...I actually like the saltwater Pistol from Academy since it comes with much stronger hooks to use on heavy line. The Boyd Duckett lures are probably made from the same mold, and they make quality stuff. I am not sure of the internals, I would hold each side by side to hear the sound, and look for anything different then buy the one you like best.....Every company has now made a good version of the Gunfish, just like they all made a good version of the Zara Spook. Also check the weighting especially to see how it sits at rest. If it has weights in the tail then it will land upright and push more water but will be tougher to walk quickly unless you adjust it with adding weight to the front. The Gunfish is available in 3-4 sizes, tons of colors, but if the color you like is available in another brand, I would not hesitate to buy it. The Gunfish is a nice looking Pencil Popper but I don't think they are all that expensive, even online these days.

When they work, they work, when they don't, they usually flat out don't....But more often then not, you can find fish willing to hit a spinnerbait. I think that is all Jimmy Houston ever used in tournaments, maybe a spook a few times?

The bass may be chasing Shad in different parts of the lake and the bluegills are feeling bold and in charge of their turf since the Bass have moved on to different areas to chase Shad and they are feeling safe and think that Spin Bait is trying to move in on their areas..... Sometimes Bluegill can be aggressive and hit large lures, I have had average bluegills smash topwater lures like large bass. Kind of strange but some panfish spawn at odd times of the year or group up.

I am not sure I could name a soft bait Company that I could say "I would never use those baits"..... Except maybe Burke? If they still make baits. I have some odd preferences....Charlies worms for Motor Oil Ribbon Tails and Red Shad.... Producto soft baits, but I use an awful lot of Gambler and Culprit stuff lately and Strike King, and the standard baits... The only bait from GYB that I think works better for me compared to copies is the swim senko. They are expensive but I could never not have several bags with me at all times. I have tried the Yum versions, Cane Sticks, only 2 worms that work close are the Cut'r and Bass Pro Swizzle Sticks....

I wonder how Gander Mountain is doing? We have one in Tampa and the fishing section is smaller than the smallest Dicks Sporting Goods. We have several Dicks that carry an awesome selection of tackle, With Academy, BPS, all the liquidators and manufactures, I don't know how they do well here in Florida at least. I guess Hunting is bigger than I realize.....

You can use that bait as a topwater, swimbait, trailer. punch bait....have the option of seperating the tail which changes the fall rate and action from a glide like a baitfish to a craw... One of the best baits on the market imo....I use them on jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, split shot rigs, shaky heads, swimbaits jigheads...2/0-3/0 EWG I believe is the size, up to 1/2 ounce depending on what I am using them 4 but some days they will catch more fish on the surface than a frog, or sideways fished like a curly tail grub... It is probably one of my favorite soft baits overall, I keep one rigged with a light weight and one rigged as a swim jig trailer/Jig Trailer period. I use that as my trailer 90% of the time now. I like the small profile on top since it kicks up alot of water and you hook most strikes....Probably panfish hitting it, Bass usually hit them to kill.