Big Swimbait

As said above, the original Classics were very good. I've still got my original WR1 worm rod plus another new one I found on ebay. I know there are lighter & more sensitive rods now & I own some of them. But the WR1 is always rigged in my boat. It just works for me.

Using an o-ring, I have not had any issues. They are soft, but that's what makes it work for me. I also use it on a spinning rod, so I can flip/pitch it instead of a 30 yard cast.

I love the Cavitron. But sometimes I want to throw into some areas that I know I won't get it back. That's when I switch to the D&M Buzz Saw. The wobble head EWG hook let's me rig it weedless with a trailer. http://www.dmcustombaits.com/the-buzz-saw-2/

Can;t speak for the casting models but I bought the M spinning rod for finesse fishing that I am trying to convince myself to do more. Very light, sensitive & seems very well made. I bought mine using the TW holiday discount "just in case" I didn't like it. No worries with that - I would repeat.

Great find. A few years ago, I was in a local pawn shop & noticed at least 20 Berkley Series One rods, with tags in different sizes standing in the corner behind the counter. I asked the guy how much & he said $20.00 a piece or $200.00 for the lot - CASH only. I tell him I will be right back & head to the ATM. I got delayed about 30 minutes with a work problem & by the time I got back, they were gone. Not sure if my enthusiasm caused him to pull them off the floor or someone bought them.

I've switched to Penetration Hooks almost exclusively. .http://penhooks.com/collections/all

My "Fred's Frog" rod is awesome. Very light for the rating.

The DSG in my area had several Veritas 7' MH Micros for $49.95 today. Had a $10.00 coupon so I couldn't pass it up for $40!

Until recently, all of my combos have been ***/Lews with no complaints. But I was looking for a swimbait rod & kept seeing recommendations for the Okuma Guide Select Swimbait rod. I was extremely impressed with the rod, especially for the price. One day while surfing the auction site, I saw an Okuma Serrano reel with a C3X40 rod combo with a high bid price of $90.00 with a few hours left. Since I liked the swimbait rod so much, I did some research & found the TW price was over $300.00 for the combo. So I threw a max bid of $125.00 & forgot about it until I found out I won it for $110.00. I fished it for the first time last month in a club tournament & was more than impressed. I found myself cutting & re-tying instead of grabbing another rod.

Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw Twin Tail Grub Baby Rage Craw Baby D-Bomb

+1 on Flukes.

I recently came across an All Star 6' MH Pitchin' Rod at an Academy in a town I was in for my job. It was marked down to $25.00 so I thought what the heck. It is now my go to rod for pitching. Being a pistol grip, my accuracy has improved considerably. Now back in the Dallas area, I can't find another one. All Star still lists in on their web site (ASTC726PN) so hopefully Academy will carry them again at some point.

My favorite too, but I'm out. I heard somewhere they might bring it back - hope so!

I just tried these recently & must say I was very impressed. http://penhooks.com/

I bought one of the deep Bass Mafia boxes for crankbaits. It is black on the inside & although it held more crankbaits than I would ever use in a day, I did not like it because I couldn't see the bait without pulling it out part way (openings are vertical). This wasted a lot of time looking for a specific bait so I quit using it. Then I read where someone used a Dremel tool & notched the movable dividers for spinnerbaits & buzz baits. This is genius as now it holds an enormous number of baits that hang close enough to the top to see easily. And the adjust ability makes it easy for the bigger buzz baits.

Rego Tackle is making the front spinner/bead rigs (like the old Creme) with an EWG hook. Very well made with the majority of the bites for me coming on the fall.

Whatever you do, don't rig about 3/4 of one on a Scrounger head....

Back in the early 90's, I was fortunate to be invited to a private lake on the Gulf side of Mexico near Tampico. The lake was "run" by a Federali Game Warden who protected the locals food source by only allowing the lake to be fished in December & January of each year. I was warned to bring a batting glove which I ignored & paid dearly for, for about 2 weeks afterward. Lipping 200+ fish per boat per day ripped my hands to shreds (no net available). The lake was almost impossible to navigate due to the Hydrilla. The boat runners who were provided could go about 50 yards, then have to stop & reverse the prop, then repeat the process. Only the repeat fisherman were prepared, so the night time poker games were fierce for purple-white tail worms. I brought 5 packs & was out at the end of the first day. I can only imagine what that lake is like now.

I understand the theory & principle of using a leader. But the Alabama Rig has been outlawed by BASS & FLW & it looks like a couple of twisted coat hangers coming through the water. IMHO, I think lure presentation & action make far more of a difference.

I, like most here, have upgraded my rod & reels over the years. It stands to reason that the technology has improved with weight reduction & sensitivity. That being said, I can honestly say I've probably caught 10 times the fish on my 7' MH Lightning Rod than any other I currently or have owned. It just works for me.

My local Academy has a small selection fitted with Trokar hooks. The package labeling has the Trokar logo near the top.

I will sometimes use Gene Sisson's Dangleberry Rig. The sliding weight on the hook shank gives the bait a different darting move with every rod movement. Google it because the forum won't let me post the link.

+3 on the D&M. They didn't get sued by Z-Man because their baits sucked. The new design looks just as awesome.

I exclusively use in-line buzz baits for the reasons you list. Plus with the added benefit that some employ of the swing-head feature make them virtually weedless. I also prefer the head/hook to be inline with the blade. To me, that makes it easier for a good hook up. The only downside to me is the clacker/noise maker some of the traditional baits have. But even that's being addressed with Molix's new in-line.

D&M Buzz Saw - the free swinging EWG hook lets me rig it totally weedless. Whatever you do, don't put a Fluke on it http://www.dmcustombaits.com/the-buzz-saw-2/