iceintheveins

Since I often get out before sunrise, for me it's usually a topwater, at least whenever the water is warmer than the low 60s. If not a topwater it's usually a spinnerbait or crankbait, but I fish a lot of jigs and plastics if the faster stuff doesn't quickly start producing.

Bomber Rapala Strike King Bandit Spro

I can cast a 1/4 ounce swim jig fine with 14 pound test, it might be your reel.

Did they remove the bag limits on the Columbia? That has happened on all Western Colorado rivers because they don't want any competition for native suckers, chubs, and squawfish. It hasn't reduced numbers in our rivers, even though we have active "removal" programs for bass, catfish, walleye, and pike. And considering the Columbia is HUGE, four times of volume of the Colorado River (which is a very large river as well), I don't think it will ever seriously reduce numbers. Anglers won't cooperate, because too many don't here. Dams and water development are the reason for declines in native fish, but environmentalists team with water users to put the blame where it really doesn't belong, nonnative fish. The "science" doesn't have a leg to stand on, but since it's funded by big money from water lobbyists and the eco - left, it is allowed to stand.

Sadly they do, though it's not as bad as in Western Colorado where there are active and hugely unpopular programs to attempt to wipe out warm water fish in the name of, get ready for this, suckers, squawfish, and chubs. Western fishery managers are the WORST. They value trash fish and salmonids above all else.

Quincy and Aurora are good for largemouth, but both are electric motor only. Actually it's a nice thing because it keeps the pleasure boaters away. Quincy and Aurora both have smallmouth as well, with Aurora having some pigs up to 5 pounds. Quincy may be a little better for largemouth than Aurora but both produce some nice fish.

Of the ones I've tried, the Rapala Skitterpop, bar none. Have not tried the Ricos or Yellow Magic.

Crankbait, specifically a Rapala Risto Rap 04 in Green Chrome.

A 5 ratio, a must have.

Frogs, pitchin/flippin', buzzbaits. Also good for burning spinnerbaits and lipless cranks.

Lake Fork Tackle Live Swimmin' Slug, gonna have to buy some. Got a sample and they catch fish like crazy. Dang monkey riding my back.

There isn't a better way to fish it than a slow retrieve, twitching it once or twice, followed by long pauses. They almost always hit on the fall.

Zoom centipede on a 1/8 or 3/16 ounce mojo rig on 8 pound test spinning gear.

I have the 7' MH older generation with microguides. It's perfect for most jig and plastic applications, especially light to medium pitching. Only problem I've had is the guide inserts come loose sometimes and have to be glued back on.

I just got one, and will be using it to throw mostly 1/2 ounce and heavier cranks. Will one brake engaged probably do it unless the wind is howling?

I use power pro 50 pound braid in fairly sparse cover and 65 pound in the real thick stuff.

What's a good day numbers wise at Quail Creek?

I use a MH 7' crankbait type rod, specifically a BPS Crankin' Stick. Love throwing them.

Koppers livetarget 55.

Spinnerbaits and lipless cranks, as well as deep diving cranks. Big swimbaits too. Go bigger and heavier in wind.

Washington Bass are about the same size as Colorado bass, but the smallmouth are bigger.

Light pitchin/flippin - 7' MH Veritas Micro Guide Heavy cover pitchin/flippin - 7'11" H Veritas 2.0

The best all around IMO is a bomber 6A.

Flukes can be thrown fine on casting gear. Just get a higher end baitcast reel that casts lighter lures well though and don't generally go higher than 12 pound test. I guess you can throw them on braid though if you're around cover that demands line heavier than 12 pound test.

Stren Original or Suffix Elite.