ChrisD46

As an update , what are your favorite Strike Rage Tail baits to Rage Rig + hook size + weight size used ?

1/8th oz. shakeyhead of your choice ; Havoc Beat Shad in Pearl Silver ; Use a Spike It Dip-N-Glo chartreuse garlic marker and make a single vertical stripe on each side in the space where the beat shad body meets the paddle tail ... Cast out and let it get to the bottom (50% chance of getting bit on the fall) . Then alternate between short hops and drag several inches . Cheap experiment with great action ... As long as nearby bass are not in a coma or brain dead , you will get bit !!

I think #7 lb. Sunline Sniper for finesse applications is unique and amazing - my do everything FC finesse line for spinning ! For baitcaster set ups I use #12lb. Invizx for T-Rig and #15 lb. Abrazx for jig and C-Rig ...Once my spools of Seaguar are used up I will switch to #14 lb & #16 lb. Sunline Sniper on my baitcasters to standardize on one brand of FC line... On my braided line outfits I use Seaguar Red Lable for FC leaders and Sufix Elite for mono leaders.

All good choices - I live dangerously by having Kanzen #8lb. braid to #4lb. Seaguar Senshi leader ; Shimano 2500 series ; BPS L weight 7' spinning rod ... I use a modified Alberto knot to join the lines together . At the business end is a 1/16th oz. Gopher mushroom jig head with a #4 size hook sporting a 1/2 a Zinkerz which I tie on with a Trilene knot - Ned Rig in case you haven't guessed . Did I mention how loose I keep my drag ? ... Gentle sweep hook set and apply a little finger pressure to the spool to supliment the drag (as required) then back reel ... When the #8lb. Kanzen is used up I will move on to better braid choices in the #8lb. to #10lb. size range - but so far I'm holding my own if I remember to be smooth and keep shock to this line down to a minimum .

fishballer06 : While I don't have one (yet) a selling feature for me is the technique specific aspect of the rods and how much bend is in the tip 70% , 80% , etc.

For baitcast reel backing I like Zebco 12 llb. mono line from WM (inexpenzive and light) . For spinning reel backing I like Zebco 6lb. mono .

If DSG is what you have close by , I 2nd the Trilene 100% 15lb. (not the Vanish) ... Also give the Hi-Seas FC a try as I know DSG carries that which a few pros use .

smalljaw67 - as always , good suggestions !!

Besides the powder paints and perhaps a rugged brand of no - chip finger nail polish , what other sources of adding color to jig heads have you found sucessful ?

Seaguar Senshi Mono - #4lb.

^^This^^ ...ZMan ZinkerZ Stick Worm has less salt than the TRD ... Stretch it a few times , cut in half , rig as you would a TRD and your good to go OR just fish the TRD - the more it is in contact with water - the more salt leeches out and the more it will float .

I say the new series of Spro Rats in a Bass store I frequent recently - as unconventional as they look , the owner can't keep them on the shelf !! I tend to still go old school with Mann's , Bandit , Bomber Long A's or Bass Pro "The Egg" for wake bait duty .

^^This^^ ... Now - that's a nice 5 !

The Fuego is a reel I have had an eye on since introduced several months back - report back on the drag operation and overall smoothness of the reel .

4" ZMan Diezel Minnowz in Pearl , Blue Glimmer or Bad Shad ...Use a dab of super glue to secure on the swim jig - they have a nice action and longevity is not a problem .

^^This^^ ...Look for Pflueger spinning reels under a 2500 series size and you would be set !!

^^This^^ ... In my clearer Southern Reservours with less vegitation I'm fine with a lighter hook "Northern Style" swim jig in 1/4th ~ 3/8th oz. sizes ... In the Fall , besides white - a shad color and small swim baits such as a Big Bite 4" Cane Thumper or a Swimming Super Fluke 4" Jr. can work well as a swim jig trailer .

For those who are experienced at using a Shakeyhead Worm application - what dictates worm length as we move through Fall with lowering water temps ? Robo Worm (as an example) comes in 4.5" & 6" straight tail versions : Do you drop down to the smaller 4.5" straight tail Robo Worm in falling water temps , stay with the larger 6" straight tail worm , or feel it doesn't make a difference ? ... Mainly interested in what governs your choice between shakyhead worm lengths , season and water temps ? Perhaps water clarity or some other factor helps you decide between a 4.5" or 6" worm length for Shakyhead ?...Thanks in advance !

It appears the Rage Tail Lizard is worth looking into ...

^^This^^ !!

Great replies !

For those of you who C-Rig a lizard , what style hook do you use and do you rig the hook sideways through the lizard or up & down ? Also , I only really see the Zoom 6" lizards - any other brand lizards you like on a C-Rig ? Thanks in advance !

Thanks Tom & others - I'm going to try a small spool of P-Line CXX Xtra Strong #12lb. on my baitcaster to start for top water , as well as , various jigs , T-Rig soft plastics and the occasional C-Rig . Being that #12lb. CXX is similar in diameter to other mono / copoly #15+lb. line sizes it should fit the bill fine ... Later , I have a unused heavy baitcast set up which I will try with CXX Xtra Strong #17lb. for flipping soft plastics into vegitation and the like .

That answers the top water question - I often find myself with just one rod , so I'm liable to throw on a swim jig , T-Rig worm , craw , etc. on a baitcaster with #12lb. CXX , so hopefully adequate for jig hooks and worm hooks as well ...

I'm curious if anyone has used the above stated line as a main line for topwater applications such as : Poppers , Spooks , etc. with success ? My concern is whether this line used again , as a main line would sink too much to be effective for topwater applications ? ... Thanks in advance for your replies !