ChrisD46

Always appreciated Glenn ! … What get out of reading such articles is to re-visit a bass technique I have not used in awhile or explore a new bass technique I have not tried before. There is always the opportunity as well to learn the finer points of a technique I am already familiar with as you never stop learning .

There are some rumblings that ICAST is not what it once was in terms of being as necessary , interesting or viable as it once was. Those same naysayers have the same negative arguments for bass tournaments being on the decline . I don’t work in the industry, so I don’t consider myself to have a dog in the fight. As an amateur bass angler I enjoy seeing the recaps of the ICAST shows introducing all of the new equipment , lures , etc. being released soon. It’s about the closest thing to Christmas in July for bass anglers while some years for ICAST new product releases are understandably better than other years.

What is your current favorite FC mainline for your bait cast set ups in that 12 lb - 20 lb. typical bait cast set up range ? I still use Seaguar InvizX or AbrazX (bottom soft plastics) but there may be better now with other brands for the same price as InviX or AbrazX .

My walking bait / top water color collection tends to mirror this above collection . Bone / White , Black, Translucent , Bluegill and Perch colors cover all the bases. As has been said before “color doesn’t matter - until it does” .

I believe swim jigs will continue to evolve into more categories. The large 5/0 “tuna hooks” came about from the need for winching big bass out of vegetation and not bending out the hooks - but not every situation needs that over the top hook strength.

I appreciate the replies as well as suggested finesse swim jigs I had not heard of before (options in the swim jig category are endless). I’ll start with Siebert finesse swim jigs as at least I know what I will be getting in build quality.

While I have larger “off road” swim jigs tied on a heavier bait cast set up , I thought about showing bass something a little different. - A smaller swim jig with a smaller swim bait or craw with a light skirt , a 1/4 oz. head and a lighter wire hook to thread or finesse your way around cover hovering in the strike zone longer for bass.

Yes , lighter wire , sparcer skirt , 1/4th or even 5/16th oz. swim jigs could work . My previous supply of Tom Monsoor lighter Northern style swim jigs are gone and unfortunately the newer ones have changed (along with the quality).

Most swim jigs are built for power fishing on bait cast set ups using larger 3X strong hooks to go through heavier structure / vegetation . However, for lighter cover or more open water conditions using a spinning set up - there are much fewer options for fishing a more finesse built swim jig with a lighter 3/0 or 4/0 hook size suitable for a 3” - 4” trailer . *For those that fish a swim jig on the lighter side with spinning equipment what more finesse built swim jigs are you currently using ? Also , I believe these used to be referred to as “Northern” style swim jigs due to their lighter designed construction.

Site sponser Siebert Outdoors makes a top shelf quality Ned jig head (Morel series) which I have used successfully for a long time … Just say’n.

For Braid + FC finesse applications (Ned , Drop Shot , FF Sonar) - what new finesse braid main lines + FC leaders have you tried say at 15 lb. or under braid + 10 lb. or under FC leader that you are finding good success with ? … I have a unused spinning ML fast rod & 2500 size reel that I want to repurpose for the above set up / tactics , so willing to try some newer lines with improved technology out.

You could also try a Robo Worm T-Rig drop shot hook using a Robo Worm or comparable drop shot T-Rig worm .

I bought a large clear bottle of Bait Fuel a couple of years ago that was clear in color when purchased. The bottle was kept in a cool , dry place with the cap screwed on tight , now two years later Bait Fuel has turned to an amber color ? Not sure what’s going on here with Bait Fuel - has the effectiveness changed with the Bait Fuel color change ?

I have considered using main line FC lines as leaders from Invisx , Abrasx or Sniper and see what differences I may notice (versus a dedicated leader line).

I remedy the slow sink of the Fluke with a couple of #7 small split shot on the hook or usd the VMC Drop Dead screw in EWG hook (3/32nd oz.)

Pegging a (heavier) bullet weight on a soft plastic bait is mainly preferred for flipping or pitching in or around cover or key reasons. For a T-Rig worm I am casting out in open water , I prefer to not peg as I like the weight to be sliding freely on the decent as well as separating from the hook while fighting a fish.

Good point to remember : If you have proven success with a hard bait of soft plastic - buy some to havd in reserve as you never know when they will get discontinued !

I will add that is you have Shad in your waters an Electric Shad , Pearl , Crazy Chrome or Blue Glimmer can be in play.

These videos Glenn posts are invaluable - keep ‘em coming ! … I either learn something new or I am reminded of a time tested technique I make a point to re-visit from watching these bass fishing videos. The cool thing is that there are newer , improved terminal tackle that can be used making up a C-Rig such as The Carolina Keeper , various size brass or tungsten weights , more sizes of beads , swivels , brass clackers , bobber stops , improved hooks / hook coatings , more abrasion resistant FC or co-poly lines and lastly a large variety of soft plastics that allow a C- Rig to be creatively set up for any depth and situation … Often “old can become new again” as John Crews demonstrates .

Great resource - thanks for sharing ! Many bass fishermen (especially in the South) elect to fish only at night or only fish early but Glenn shows bass will still eat in the day time mid - summer if you know where to look for them. Also remember not all bass go deep in the summer as there will always be resident shallow water bass in or near cover. Even without a boat you can pitch or flip in or near cover with a sturdy set up using a weighted t-rig Senko , craw or creature soft plastic and find big bass lurking.

The Spike It Markers are great . I also like the small plastic jar of Chartreuse color Spike It . I shake it up good , remove the cap and just barely drag the tip of a worm around in just the liquid in the lid to cover the last 1/8” of the worm tip. Many of the already factory dyed chartreuse worm tips extend too far up the worm for me so I apply this way for a more subtle touch. ** Caution : If using the Spike It liquid bottle or markers - dye your soft plastics at home in advance with a paper plate or a piece of foil underneath the soft plastic at the table. DO NOT USE IN YOUR BOAT !! If you spill the Spike It or the markers make contact with anything in your boat - it will stain it terribly and it’s darn near impossible to remove ! Dye your soft plastics in advance and keep Spike It far away from your boat interior (you will thank me later !)

I use: “The Boomerang Tool The Snip” … Search this name on google - it works great !

A new leader material I was not aware of - thanks !

In order of longevity : 1) Braid 2) FC 3) Mono