ChrisD46

I’ll talk spinnerbait trends in clear to very clear water : Pale , natural , translucent skirt colors . Down size spinner bait blades one size (twin willow leafs or willow / small Colorado combo) or use a newer finesse spinner bait (Siebert Outdoors) in same configurations . I experiment with standard silver blades but will add small size glitter in gold , green , pink , blue , white , etc. to one blade side or even both blade sides depending on bass forage, water clarity , sky conditions , surface wave activity , etc. *Historically spinner baits are best used in stained / dirty water where color , flash , thump , etc. are very helpful . If you go the spinner bait route in clear water - you need a more overcast sky , some surface ripple , transparent colors , downsize & muted blade flash and most likely faster retrieve speeds to overcome the clear water conditions . If you want to add a trailer - use a 3.3” Strike King translucent color swim bait (Ghost Shad , Smallmouth Magic) and remember to cover water !

The Spunk Shad tail depends on movement from something in front of it creating movement (such as a chatter bait) OR changing your reel speed with start - stop action . *Reeled in a straight line on a buzz bait - I'd rather use a Zoom Z-Craw / Z- Craw Jr. or a Z-Man GOAT with better (yet still subtle tail action) for buzz bait trailers and not a Spunk Shad .

I'd give up knot strength slightly and drop down a size or two main line and leader size line for a smaller size knot - just to have a knot easier and faster to tie than the FG knot !

Seaguar InvizX as a bait cast main line for me.

There is a school of thought that says using any sort of soft plastic as a trailer on a spinner bait helps a bass suck in the spinner bait taking it better and give the bass something more substantial to bite down on (i.e. soft plastic trailer) . If it gives you a second more time and helps the bass take the spinner bait better - then I'm all in with a soft plastic trailer ! There is a school of thought that says using any sort of soft plastic as a trailer on a spinner bait helps a bass suck in the spinner bait taking it better and give the bass something more substantial to bite down on (i.e. soft plastic trailer) . If it gives you a second more time and helps the bass take the spinner bait better - then I'm all in with a soft plastic trailer !

Good quality #8 lb. ~ #10 lb. FC leader , Owner Mosquito Lite #2 ~ #1 size hooks , Robo Worm , a proper set drag and a "reel set" hook set are your friends !

The Zoom "The Fluke" 4" (not the Super Fluke 5" !) will serve you well ... Please kindly do a search here on Bass Resource and you will find many posts on the subject .

This VMC "Drop Dead" weighted EWG hook in a 3/0 size for 4" Senkos and the 4/0 size for 5" Senkos - all weights work well depending on the sink rate you are after for the season / conditions : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Drop_Dead_Weighted_Hook_4pk/descpage-VDDWH.html?from=gshop&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5aS9ucmEggMVmzHUAR21tAxuEAQYASABEgL0ZvD_BwE

Who has taken the plunge with the new BFS set up now becoming popular with bait cast rod & reel makers ? List what you have now please (including line and line size) ... Thanks - the Bait Monkey's little brother is after me saying : "The BFS is better than Finesse Spinning" !

I'm always game to explore new 2.8" ~ 3.5" swim baits ... Currently only tried the SK Rage Swimmer , ,Keitech Fat Swing Impact and Easy Shiner .

I like the replies - great stuff !

Small 2.75" ~ 3" swim bait with Seibert Outdoors Morel Jig Head 1/8th oz. size .

Jigs in the winter ? Absolutely - football jigs and arky style jigs in black & blue or green pumpkin variants .

What are your top five top water lures (plus colors) for Fall bass fishing?

Will have to buy flame green X9 online (no local stores carry) .

I ran across this Seaguar / Lefty Kreh knot on you tube for joining Braid to FC , Mono or Co-Poly leader - very easy to tie and strong :

Great replies and new suggestions !

If limited to bank fishing (assorted lake conditions) - what do you pack in your tacklebox to handle a wide variety of situations ? ... So far , I have : Ned Rig Senko (T-Rig , Wacky) Trick Worm (T-Rig , Wacky) Spinnerbait Vibrating Jig Arky Jig Football Jig Top Water Popper Walking Bait Lipless Crank Bait / Shallow Running Crank Bait

Glenn recently posted a new video by John Crews on fishing a wacky rig in the Fall (you will definitely learn something new) : Wacky Rig In The Fall | Video | The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide® LLC (bassresource.com) .

I've been trying the "Crazy Alberto" or modified Albright knot with braid to FC leader but have had the knot slip a time or two . Never had any knot slippage with the Double Uni knot when joining braid to FC leader .

Any cleaner/wax for vehicles : https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Cleaner-Wax-Liquid-Protects/dp/B0002NYE5M/ref=asc_df_B0002NYE5M/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312168126179&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16324841900555967641&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010755&hvtargid=pla-402631676809&th=1

Best value poppers to have in your arsenal : Berkley Bullet Pop (Ghost Bluegill, MF Bluegill) , Booyah Boss Pop (Pearl Melon, ZShad) , Strike King HC KVD Splash Popper (Black Lab, Oyster) .

A cleaner / wax for vehicles like this works great and offers protection after applying : https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Cleaner-Wax-Liquid-Protects/dp/B0002NYE5M/ref=asc_df_B0002NYE5M/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312168126179&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=166390787482043665&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010791&hvtargid=pla-402631676809&th=1

Interesting - what type and size hook ?

My current favorite drop shot hooks : Owner Mosquito Lite #1 , #2 for nose hooking and Owner Cover Shot Worm Hook 1/0 , 2/0 for T-Rig drop shot . I prefer to nose hook like Aaron Martens had demonstrated (not free swinging) . *Lastly , you think you know most approaches to drop shot fishing ? ... Wait until you see KVD fish fast with a horizontal drop shot technique for a reaction bite (lol !)