ChrisD46

Good replies !

The KVD Sexy Dawgs are one of the easier walking top water baits to work...

Thanks Tom - as always your tips are appreciated ! Also #6 lb. Sufix or CXX seems to be the better line choice along with the #1 size hooks (thinner wire = easier hooksets) .

If the first two hours after sun up are prefered times for top water baits - would the reverse not be tru for throwing top water baits two hours before sun down ? With water temps over 60 degrees and now being able to fish after work on week days when the lake isn't so crowded - how many use top water baits late in the day ?

Any love for 2 stroke engine options on the 170 ?

Wacky rig your Senkos on a 1/0 drop shot hook - then ML spinning rod would work fine !

While Bull Shot bullet weights are popular - it appears they have a "S" shaped groove inside for gripping ? I imaging if you crimp just enough to hold then no harm to line ? What I currently have to use are plain old Eagle Craw round lead shot in sizes : 3/0 , #7 , #5 and #4 . I'm fisihing shallow in less than 12 feet of water, so depending on wind the range of split shot sizes I have above should cover me . I believe the key is use just enough weight to hold bottom ? *For ref - I use a 7' ML fast action rod (my Ned rig rod) with #6 lb. InvizX FC line on a 2500 size President reel .

Tom - I'm trying out 1/0 hooks (Owner straight shank round bend finesse worm hooks , Gamakatsu offset round bend worm hook and Roboworm rebarb hook) My only bait is a Roboworm 4.5" straight tail worm in a few colors . Lake is a clear reservoir with mainly spotted bass. **Thanks for the Dick Trask and Don Iovino information ! ...Being here on the East coast in Georgia we just aren't familiar with the West coast innovators - shoot me a PM with any books you recommend from the finesse kings ... Thanks !! Great tips !

Tom - what about using two bobber stops with a tungsten weight ? One in front and one in back of a tungsten 1/16th or 1/18th bullet weight ?

I should have added handling rough water / best ride to the equation . Also Il'il open it up to not just discount lines but all lines - best value period ? That said , Phoenix appears to be a top choice in over all value in terms of what you get for your $$ - perhaps Ranger next ? Your thoughts and why ?

Great replies - I would imagine for those flipping / punching craws you are pegging the weight - for most all other applications dragging in open water the weight is left unpegged ?

Hard to find information on above , but I believe the slip shot rig is a modern version of the split shot rig where instead of crimping a split shot to your line you are using lead or tungsten bullet weights held in place with bobber stops - it may also employ the use of a bead or two ? ... Help educate me on the slip shot rig , how to rig it , fish it and the advantages of a split shot rig ? Thanks in advance !

While there are plenty of high $$ bass boats to be had - who do you believe has the "best value" in fiberglass bass boats in terms of over all quality , features , ride comfort and fishablity ?

Although I like braid to FC leaders - for drop shot I like straight InvisX #6 lb FC or #7 lb. Sunline Sniper - but here's the catch : I use VMC spinshot (swivel) drop shot hooks which prevent line twist . Less knots to tie , better line feel to bait and overall I feel I get more bites with a straight FC with my drop shot set up .

#12 lb. mono for walkers as anything heavier starts to imeed action ; #12 ~ #15 lb. mono for poppers and chuggers as you don't have to wroory about line size affecting action so much as you do with a walkers side to side movement .

I like : Black & Blue , Brown & Orange and Candy Craw . I use the Candy Craw the most as when the sun is out it has blue gill sparkles in the skirt and when it's cloudy it remains just a dull Green Pumkin color which looks like a craw dad - very versitle color !

^^This^^ - all you need to know for securing and mending soft plastics !!

Bluebasser86 : You speak the truth ...I may regret going down that low in test . I'm using a double palomar knot with the Ned with no leader - as thin as #8lb Gliss is and pink color there should be no line shy issues with the fish .

The new Gliss is an interesting line ... Most bass users will want to try in the #12 lb ~ #24 lb. line size range ... I went gonzo and am using #8 lb. Gliss on a Ned Rig I now call : "The Stealth Bomber" !

For those of you who fish a craw by iteself (not as a jig trailer) what is your rig set up (i.e. weight , hook , etc.) ?

^^This^^ - is THE definitive answer - always store ZMan soft plastics in their original bags !! Do this and you will have no worries ...

^This^ : Also called the Modiifed Albright Knot - always wrap using the main braid line about 7 wraps up and 7 wraps down over the FC leader.

Good replies ! ... The #6 lb. YZH is worth a try for shaky head - perhaps even dropshot . Yeah , knots can be an issue when I'm feeling lazy - I'm going to give the Modified Albright knot a try now for my Braid to FC leader as it may put less stress on the FC leader ... Looks like if I wanted to stay with a pure FC mainline then expensive Tatsu is still the only FC game in town for ultimate line managagability (I've tried KVD line dope , InviZx , Sniper , etc. and they all STILL have slinky / line twist issues until you get down to #5 lb. ~ #6 lb. line size - too light for shakey head.

For those Shakey Head users who switched to Braid + FC leader for their spinning set up , are there any new #7 lb. - #8 lb. FC lines recently introduced that would make you want to re-evaluate a straight FC line solution for shakey head rigs once more ? Sunline comes to mind with some new FC offerings reasonably priced - however the key question is whether any would be as good for shakey head as a #10 lb. ~ # 15 lb. braid main line + #8 lb. FC leader you are currently using on spinning gear ?

BPS makes a 7'6" telescopic baitcast rod which I use for flipping and C-Rig ... It's a IM-6 rod which does the job .