deadadrift89

Smallmouth Berkley Powerbait Pro Twitchtail Minnow Largemouth Bass Magic Shakey Tail Worm

Check out yesterday's podcast from Bass Talk Live they covered it, also had a great interview with Gerald Swindle a couple of days ago

I have 1 Fenwick Elite Tech Bass 6'10 ML and 2 Abu Garcia IKE 6'10 ML Finesse Series Spinning Rods. The Ike is a tad more sensitive but not enough to matter. The IKE I prefer the action more and reel seat is also better in my opinion on how it locks down the reel. I use both IKE's as dedicated dropshot rods for the past two years and love them. I use the Fenwick for neg rigs mostly and a backup drop shot https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_IKE_Finesse_Series_30_Spinning_Rods/descpage-ABIKES.html?from=basres

The 2500 size Shimano is great for lots of techniques. I use it on my medium and medium/light bass rods. 1000 size reels I only use for my ultralights with smaller trout and panfish rods.

Lucky Craft Sammy 100 has been my best topwater. Spent the last 2 Summer's in Minnesota and they crush it. Aurora Ghost Shad is a great color in clear water. http://www.luckycraft.com/luckycrafthome/Products/topwater/sammy100.htm

Around here water at 58* is what I look for, it seems to be the trigger that starts the pre spawn. My favorite time of year when bass first start pushing toward the banks in Spring

Caught a boat load of fish on that exact worm. When I lived in Florida that color and size killed them?

Tackle Warehouse made me get one with 20% off. Doesn't show until you get email receipt.

X3 on the Texas rig. A 3/16oz bullet weight, 4/0 Gamakatsu ewg light wire hook and Zoom 6.5" trickworm has caught me more fish than any other(Google texpose it will increase your hookups). The second technique I'd learn is a Zoom super fluke on 1/8oz bellyweighted Gamakatsu hook(use a twitch-twitch-pause on retrieve) to mimic a wounded baitfish. This is a tough time of year so don't get discouraged. Pre spawn is a few months away but worth the wait. Around Mississippi when water temp hits 58* it's like magic. Your alot further North so someone from your area could help with that?

15-20# braid for me with 8-10# fluoro leader

It works just got a Orochi Shakyhead for $239.20 ?

Megastrike Shake2 Pro Model is my favorite. Been using it for several years no problems, good hookups and they stand up baits better than any others I've used.

Humminbird apparel sale. Hats $5? https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com/apparel?jo-page=3 ** Update $12 minimum shipping- No way **

Daiwa Tatula 7' Medium Shallow Crankbait/Jerkbait/Topwater rod I can highly recommend this rod, I have one dedicated to 1.5's and another I use for Sammy 100's and Spook Jr's. Great action and sensitivity. It doesn't have the fast action you stated but it's perfect for squarebills and smaller walking baits. 1/2oz treble baits are in this rods sweet spot

Another couple of options are Fenwick Elite Tech bass and Abu Garcia "IKE" series both are 6'10" ML rods. I fish both of those techniques. Prefer the Fenwick for Ned rigs and the IKE for dropshoting with 1/4oz weight. Loved the IKE so much I've got 2? If you only fish a dropshot vertically or less than 1/4oz weight the Fenwick would be fine, it's got a softer tip than the IKE

Sunline Sniper 14# on both for me

X2 good reel for money. If you want a DC reel I'd step up to Curado as NorcalBassin stated.

I spent 1/2 my Summer dropshotting in Minnesota and only retied if leader got to short, using J-knot never had issues over several days at a time.

I fished with the same guy on most Fridays over about a 3yr. period. He never used scent I always did, never noticed a difference in catch ratio between us. Definitely made me rethink using a scent. If I keep a jig tied on that's been in rod locker I'll give it a shot of spray but soft plastics fresh from bag I don't anymore.

X2 Also swimbaits in forage size/color.

No fore grip and on my jig/worm rods I do same with index finger under blank.

Texas rigged soft plastic unweighted/weighted ex: fluke or worm

Texas rig down South Swimbait and dropshot up North

That really would be something, Strike King Lures is hanging in many retail stores and definitely a very recognized brand.

For me it's based on target depth,water temp and fish activity. If I'm fishing less than 3' or water temp below 55* no weight, deeper I'll use weight as needed to get it down in water column where fish are unless its cold and fish are lethargic.