ChrisD46

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 .

Here is the best value I have found : Go to WM and look for the larger size quantity packs of plain round head jigs in 1/16th oz. to 3/16th oz. weights . With side cutters cut the hook off about 1/8th inch below the jighead barb , place a small drop of super glue on the jighead barb then insert the cut off jighead into the end of the soft plastic until the jighead is flush with the bottom of the soft plastic (the straight cut off hook wire below the jighead barb will get the hole started nicely) . I even go so far as to paint the round jighead to match or contrast with the soft plastic I am using . I think you will like this approach best as it is inexpensive , easy to modify , easy to use and the round jihead at the bottom of the soft plastic looks like the head of a critter scrounging around on the bottom . Since I stocked up on plain jigheads in the sizes I use for the Neko rig I don't botther with nails , screws , or the expensive Neko Rig weights . * While of course this technique is most known for using with soft plastic worms - mix it up and try it with your favorite soft plastic craw or creature bait for a classic defensive posture on the bottom which bass will distroy !