Montanaro

Caught a couple last week on soft jerkbaits in a grass filled pond. Water temps in low 40s. Worked in aggressively but gave 5 second pause from time to time to keep it down and give followers a chance to swim up and grab it as it fluttered down.

Free spool? Naw. Maybe like 95% loose...just in case i need to make a skip or longer cast. Also brakes are medium to high depending on lure weight and my proficiency in avoiding backlashes for that day. The brakes slow it down just enough especially if you have to skip/cast. Braking wont limit distance if you set it right for the distance you can accurately pitch.

Itt: Where to buy high end gear for low end gear prices. If youre banking on a sale to purchase an item, then that item is probably not a realistic purchase, especially considering the hospice situation. If you want to find a deal keep checking ebay, craigslist, and facebook for a used one.

Ive seen pressured fish spit plastics super fast...means they know its a trick. Also have seen them engulf crankbaits and spit them and never felt a thing. Just means you need to retrieve them quicker or switch baits

If thats the case then switch to a lure they wont spit as quick!

Gambler ez with hollow point. Goes through anything. I skip them into overhanging bushes and briars all the time.

I categorize chatterbait as a single hook moving bait. That means it goes on a rod with a slower action. Not only do I hook more fish deep in mouth but if you play arou d in clear water you will see your bait hesitate when banged into cover and then shoot off which has caught me several nice bass. I have used an xfast rod in past that resulted in lip hooked fish that often shook off or missed fish conpletely. The action also caused lure to barrel right through grass and bushes like they werent there. A HIGH end rod is not necessary but a lightweight rod is important to me. Ripping and slinging chatterbaits can wear you out and having a rod that doesnt wear you out is critical in maintaining positive concentration

Soft jerkbaits on heavy gear in heavy vegetation

Depends on rod and line and bass size. Big bass on my heavy rod with braid will get skiied and flipped if I can. Skiing a big bass and flipping with a rod that cantnhold the weight will end in bass hitting side of boat and then digging into water and likely pop loose

Ive used okuma tcs apc 7' for chatterbaits and it kicked butt but I sold it. I like them a lot and Scott Martin uses them almost exclusively and won FLW with them

5 inch roboworm Zman freedom chatterbait R2S swaver 160 Spro Rat 40 Finesse jig

I was looking at cousins, alx, hammer, Phenix, kistler among others

Was killing time yesterday sorting through TW rod selection realizing that its hard to compare rods and find reviews. Some go by tonnage others IM and most list nothing. There is nothing to go by other than price and components. Just looking for a domestic rod company (not necessarily made in usa) with a diverse lineup under 200. I like phenix but most of their rods are fast to xfast. I like mod to mod fast rods for reaction baits and phenix only has their composite for that application. Promo team opportunities are also a consideration and phenix has solid social media influence

Can anyone post a list of rods that are 40 ton that they are aware of? Hard to find this info and some manufacturers dont disclose. I am interested in revamping my lineup with a domestic based rod company with rods at or under $200.

Gambler ace or paddle tale worm. Had most success with the ace (senko) and i see no reason to experiment with smaller baits.

Dropped on their heads as babies.

Gambler offers plenty of options...flappy daddy, mega daddy, and crawdaddy are a nice finesse option. Not to mention their otters

Prepare to lose tails. Bring a box of toothpicks and a pack of roboworms for replacements. Ive used 30 and 40...love the 40. 30 requires pretty light tackle as it wants to dive. Some days they just kill the rat and youll know pretty quickly aftrr a few casts....other days they dont want it at all. Ive caught dinks on the 40 and have caught tanks. Its exciting as you just never know

Lets get real SK is probably owned by some other conglomerate and Lews conglomerate saw an opportunity to expand into the lure market. If I was a CEO of an outdoor sports conglomerate you bet your ass Id be licking my lips at the prospect of signing strike king onto my team!

Honestly kind of a redundant product for them now anyway

Largely uncatchable in that situation. If you spotted her under a log or lily pads then she is in a feeding position. Can you catch a bass roaming...yes. Most effective way Ive seen and heard of is a wacky senko thrown far ahead in her path...preferably where the bass would be out of sight. Then deadstick it and hope she finds it.

Almost never with a plug knocker. Only baits I lose anymore are soft plastics and jigs

Can of worms... Opened

I use a recessed line tie jig similar to arky style with mustad hook in 2 sizes and one color. 3/8 and 3/4 black. Add trailer for color

Last couple years ive fished topwaters over pads/duckweed/cheese almost every single weekend. From my experience there are days where bass will NOT inhale the lure. They simply strike it with their nose out of aggression. Ive seen multipound bass fly completely out of water and never have their mouth open. It is usually a fishery wide phenomenon for the day/weekend. 2 options. Speeeed up and downsize...or slow down with punching or twitching soft jerkbaits and letting them flutter into holes. So...it isnt the frog or your hooksetting. Its simply the fish.