Big Swimbait

Definitely worth it to me. But don't make the mistake a lot of people do and buy big money baits up front. There are enough sub $50.00 baits that work out there to fill many boxes. Get your confidence up and then you can upgrade. WRB is correct on the Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo line. And don't sleep on the soft baits like the Magdraft.

This is what I caught mine on:

https://www.amazon.com/Zyyini-Fishing-Locking-Aluminum-Replacement/dp/B07VXCXRDT/ref=sr_1_85?keywords=fishing%2Breel%2Bparts&qid=1663719133&sr=8-85&th=1

I have used it a lot since they came out. My biggest fish have come in clear water when the bait is not moving at all - in other words a really long pause. That tells me the Flash Boost is doing something.

Whatever you do, never put a 4.5" Morning Dawn on a solid black finesse jig ?

You might try the football head Ned heads.

What is C6O2? C6 is the chemical formula for Carbon, and O2 is the chemical formula for Oxygen, a component of air. One of our initial testers of the blank provided in his feedback that holding this blank is like holding air – so the name “Carbon Air” stuck. C6O2 is not just a name. Its a new fiber and a new technology that holds the fiber together. Air Carbon is a combination of a pure carbon mesh that is so light, a puff of air sends it flying, (click on the product video to see!) combined with a fiber that is deemed “strategic” by our government and thus non-exportable and is provided by allocation to a select number of factories across ALL industries in the US. There is a benefit to being Gary Loomis and being in the composites industry for 50+ years – when a new material comes out, your name is on a “short list” of those to call to run some tests. The result? Blanks that are 30% lighter than our X-Ray and 50% stronger. For those looking for more stats: Blank Length: 7'2" Blank Weight: 45 grams /1.58 oz Butt Diameter: 0.53 Tip: 4.5 ERN: 21 Line: 8-14lb Lure: 3/16-3/4 Finish: Matte, Slightly Ridged THIS BLANK IS ON PRE-ORDER, THE PRICE ($150) WILL BE THE LOWEST PRICE THAT THIS BLANK WILL EVER BE AVAILABLE AT. DUE TO FIBER ALLOCATION/SUPPLY AFTER THE INITIAL PRE-ORDER, THEY WILL NEVER BE ON SALE. AN AUTHENTICITY CERTIFICATE SIGNED BY GARY LOOMIS WILL BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR ORDER, ONE PER BLANK. PLEASE ALLOW ABOUT 45 DAYS FOR DELIVERY MB 725-1 C6O2 More info on this please. https://northforkcomposites.com/product/mb-725-1x-ray-c6o2/?_kx=040BV_GqOp28Vij0Bmc01jEC1zsUtf2jyWnmFZT0zBxx971Hmi-t6OdzbTBILsAX.URtbg7

I had to get in on the pre-order for the new C6O2 blank. At 1.58 oz it could be an awesome Senko rod. I've been sitting on a Torzite guide set I scored on the auction site for $50.00. Add some CF grips and it will probably be the lightest rod I own.

Digitaka.com

Megabass Levante Brailist

I have only seen a difference if I'm using a beaver-style bait, or something that is wide. Those type of baits seem to glide side to side on the fall vs a worm style bait that just drops straight down like it would with a bullet weight.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Savage_Gear_Dragontail_Stick_Worm_5pk/descpage-SGDTW.html

I always fished it as a snake bait. https://lftlures.com/collections/lft-hissyfit

I can't wait to sling this beauty!

I am braid to leader exclusively except for frogging and punching which are straight braid. For me, it's a performance improvement but even if it wasn't the economy is unquestioned. Respooling is 20 yards now instead of 150 of high dollar fluro. And the braid lasts forever. I use the Lefty Kreh leader knot that I can tie in 15 seconds and have never had a failure. JMO.

Agree on the split shot but I hate crimping my fluorocarbon. So I just use tungsten beads and 2 bobber stops. Makes it easy to adjust the "leader length" if needed. Use 2 between the bobber stops with a little space and you have a rattle.

I really like SK Rage baits. The bug has worked well on a swing-head as A-Jay already noted. But my fav Rage bait by far is the Rage Tail Shad followed by the Menace. But back on topic, I had an epic day on the Baby D-Bomb a few years ago. I love scrounging through pawn shops and bought a bundle of 3600s full of hard and soft baits for $25.00. But one was FULL of the Baby D-Bomb in Desert Storm. I don't know if they even make that color anymore. I put one on a 3/0 Gammy jig head and was culling in an hour. I have never duplicated that on that bait or the big brother.

River2Sea Tactical Wake Swimbait

Here you go. The Bull Gill is easily my fav in this list. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mattlures_Hardgill_Swimbaits/descpage-MLHGSB.html https://thehookuptackle.com/products/explorer-gill-6?_pos=6&_sid=ab3dce0c3&_ss=r&variant=41771056169127 https://thehookuptackle.com/products/bull-shooter-160-floating?_pos=19&_sid=ab3dce0c3&_ss=r&variant=36347108851879 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Triton_Mike_Buccas_Bull_Gill_Slow_Sinking_Swimbait/descpage-TMBGS.html

A few that work really well for me: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Sleeper_Gill_Swimbaits/descpage-MBSG.html https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Savage_Gear_3D_RTF_Bluegill_Swimbait/descpage-SGRTB.html https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Smash-Tech_Custom_Baits_Bluegill_Line-Thru_Swimbaits/descpage-SMASBG.html https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Jackall_Gantarel_Jr_Swimbaits/descpage-JGANJR.html

For ponds, I personally would fish the swimbait. The swim jig comes in to play for me when I have to rip it through the grass or need a faster retrieve speed. Let the bass tell you for sure.

I lost fish too, but it was not the bait/hooks - it was my rod. Switching to medium-light rod made all of the difference.

Great rods for that perform way above their price point. You will like it!