JayKumar

Uh...there's another good one, very good in fact...!

Should have no issue with fishing it with weedless hooks as long as it's on the right rod/line so you can set it hard.

+1 to a different hook, or a wacky rig with a "weedless" hook

eBay?

Smallies can keu on bugs sometimes, would not surprise me if largies do too.

Agree with bankbeater. Tubes are killer baits and you can fish them almost anywhere, anytime. Same with T-rigged worms, although it is tough to beat a shakey head.... Spooks are great on top, still my favorite, and some folks like spinnerbaits and buzzbaits -- they still work -- though I've never really bonded with them.

The advice to just fish one technique/bait (hair jigs, in this case) is great...but it takes some discipline and time. Worth it, though.

Believe if you find them, they will eat. Good luck!

+1 on wacky-rigged Senko. Also a 10" or 12" Power Worm, or a frog or Spook Jr. Swim-jig might work too.

That's cool! How do they fish?

Lots of possibilities depending on what type of fishing you do or want to do. But would go for at least a medium-heavy action if fishing for bass. It's all about the hookset and that makes it easier. An Ugly Stik is a whippy type of rod, not the greatest for bassin' imo.

If the water's up and dirty I would steer clear of the Delaware unless you know EXACTLY where they are and how to catch 'em. Also would stay off any high river unless you know it!

Absolutely they work. Contact Dan Brovarney at this link, great jigs and he will know everything you need, tell him I sent ya! http://brovarneybaits.com/

That's the best place to hook a bass -- tough for the hook to come out of there. Congrats on some good hooksets!

Drag a weighted wacky-rigged Senko, see if that works. And be prepared for light pickups.

My 2c: smallies are sight-feeders from distance, so you won't catch them on top til the water clears. Just had the exact situation you describe on the Delaware River here. We caught some on single-Colorado spinnerbaits (black, use a trailer hook!) and weighted wacky-rigged Senkos, sometimes just dragged behind the boat. Crankbaits may work too, we didn't try them. Bites were subtle, fish were not aggressive, fish were not deep but were on the bottom and in eddies. Hope this helps!

Seem to be usually deeper, cooler water around rock, kind of like a smallmouth, but I am by no means an expert on spots.

Where are you fishing (type of water), from where (boat or shore), using what?

We really need more info. What type of lake are you fishing? Where in the country?

Holy cow you actually caught one on it? Cool. Tried for years as a kid, got some blowups, never a fish. Congrats!

What water body type are you fishing and in what state? Re: type, is it lowland reservoir, upland rez, river, natural lake, etc.

Most of the Elite pros use only braid (often with a fluoro leader) or fluoro now -- partly because they get free line (fluoro is expensive). Mono still works just fine. A basic rule of thumb is to use line that's strong enough for the cover and size of fish you are fishing for. In other words, a crank might work great with 8-lb line, but if you're fishing it around deep wood for 6-lbers, get ready to lose some baits. Braid will increase your sensitivity big-time, so it's great for bottom stuff like jigging and T-rigging. Just know that depending on what you're using, spinning or casting, braids act differently so be prepared to experiment. Hope that helps a little.

Sounds like they were chasing bait. Next time, if you're getting topwater strikes, have a follow bait ready to cast, usually a Senko or Fluke-type bait. If you miss on top, quick reel in then pick up the other rod and throw the soft plastic to the same spot. Works!

WRB, that was awesome! I might have to borrow that for the Blaster. Brian, I agree that a cheap depthfinder would be great, but if not don't forget to throw out a buoy when you find something, and either mark it on the map or maybe GPS it with your phone.

If you are an unknown, first win tournaments and make a good impression...on everyone. Then take that resume and explain how you can help those companies in ways/areas they are not already being helped. Be persistent and polite -- do not pester them. Big help if you can find someone already "in" with a company to vouch for you.