JayKumar

Yep, color. Don't forget they don't see in air, so what looks red (or whatever) to us might not look red to them, depending on the depth.

MegaStrike, Smelly Jelly. The gel-type attractants stay on the best.

Here are a few tips from Pete Gluszek. Tips were in our BassBlaster newsletter fyi. Hope it helps! > Pitch it straight into grass, even with an exposed hook. > Rip it out of the grass. Use braid and snap your wrist [heavy-action rod] – that lets the braid cut through the grass and pops it only a short distance. The bait stops and the skirt flares. > Never set the hook right away. For some reason, fish almost always hit a Chatterbait from the rear. So when you feel tick-tick, reel down, take the slack out and then hit him. Same with a swimbait. > Use Krazy Glue with a brush applicator (key) to make sure your swimbait [on the Chatterbait] doesn't rip off. > He uses Gamma braid with a 5' fluorocarbon leader, even in dirty water. He finds he gets more bites that way, doesn't know why. Knot is an albright knot. "You have to practice that knot. Because if you cross lines or twist it, it's not going to perform for you. > Spend some time sharpening your hook. > On a black chatterbait, black blade, with a white swimbait: "It looks ridiculous to me – I don't know why it should catch them so good, but it's a killer combination."

We did it in 2005, back when I still owned another site. Called the Cabela's Top Gun Championship. Invited the best from the another site World Rankings (both trails), plus the championship winners and AOYs. Held it in TX, and WE PAID EVERY ANGLER TO SHOW UP. That is called an "appearance fee" in sports, and is distinctly different than an entry fee, where they pay to show up. Great event, televised, tried to show the big two how it could be done, never happened again (I sold another site....). Would love to see someone pick up the ball because I agree it should happen.

The Jr. is my favorite size spook. For sure the Full Size or the Super could attract bigger fish, but just for fishing I'm going with the Jr. Casts well, walks easily, what's not to like. Try one! Don't know where you fish, but if clear water, would suggest chrome/blue back or anything with a white bottom. Dirty water a yellow or dark bottom.

No doubt it works/helps. Same principle as all the soft-plastic bait makers putting scent in their baits. Sure guys want it, but for sure it helps. Glad you decided to try it.

She will be there again, no doubt. Recommend a huge plastic worm (10" or 12" Berkkley Power Worm is my fave big worm) or a swim jig or big jig with chunk of cours. Black or gr pump. Has worked for me. Other than that, are you sure you set the hook in her? Sometimes those big fish just clamp down so hard on the worm, the point doesn't penetrate. Learned that the hard way in Florida...more than once. On that note, if you think there's any chance you could connect with the fish of a lifetime, make sure your rod and line can handle it. Imo the most important piece of that is the rod -- uber-stiff to get that hook to penetrate. Just my .02...learned the hard way!

If it's your passion stick with it, but it's a TOUGH road.

Majors are overrated imo, but don't take that as advice. I majored in psych...was borderline worthless for me (apologies to any psychologists out there).

The Speed Trap! I love that bait for smallies, almost no one I know throws it. Nice!

Black/black or black/blue swim-jigs early spring. For me they just work.

Cool, tx for the comment,s always been curious about that book. Hopefully it's not all live bait?

I can see how folks could get cynical, but us fishermen are skeptics anyway. Try what you want, see if it works for you. We might forget that there are more great baits now than ever in bass fishing, so when a pro says he uses X, Y or Z bait he actually does and it does work for him. Do they use other baits too? Sure, if they need to. Bet you would too in their position. Not defending anything or anyone, just calling it like I've seen it.

Having had the good fortunate to fish with many of these guys, can say you will learn several key things from any one of them and have a good time with virtually all. Z is a more intense fisherman than you might know. Honestly can't pick one. Catt, I like the storm line, man!

Classic: If it's mild-ish at Grand, some of the fish could be much shallower than most folks realize. Check the piece I'm writing for Bassmaster.com, should be up next week. However it goes, will be awesome!