ChrisD46

Mono : 8lb. ~ 10lb. Suffix Elite Fluor : 12 lb. Seaguar InvizX Braid : 40lb. Suffix 832 Above brands are listed simply as a consistant reference point (line diameter) . If you want to go lighter than the lines listed above - go with a spinning rod & reel .

Research will indicate that the Splash - It and Yellow Magic definately have their loyal following - excellent colors too !

6'10" M fast action rod , 6:4:1 bc reel , 12lb co-poly, Big Bite Baits 5" Cane Thumper trailer.

BANG , Jack's Juice , Kick 'n Bass and Lunker Sauce would about round out the offerings in addition to what was listed above ...All are worthy of consideration !

Zoom Mag II , 4/0 offset round bend Gama hook , a 3/16th oz. tungston bullet weight - then what Jar11591 said .

Some folks have been known to sand the bottom lip of a Pop-R down just a wee bit so that it "spits" more than it pops or chugs . Next add a small oval spilt ring to the Pop-R and tie on with 10 ~ 16lb Mono ...When you pop it quickly throw a little slack line back at the lure to get it to dance a little and then repeat ... While it may not equal a Rico - it's little mods like this that can make a subtle improvement from a stock Pop-R.

+1 ...What BassinLou said !!

Just saw on Bassmasters web site their sneak preview of new offerings to be showcased at ICAST 2014 - mainly focused on crank baits , jerk baits and soft plastics ... I'm sure there will be new offerings which should be of interest to just about everyone ! I especially liked how existing baits like X-Rap and Twitch Stick (Rapala / Storm) are getting color make overs by Ike and others ... More to come I'm sure !

Be careful with the Z-Man soft plastics too as they are close to the Strike King elaztech worms I believe . If using the clear on normal soft plastics (like Zoom) - use a QTip and just dab around the head of the worm . For the JJ's chartreause - I just apply to the last 1/8 inch or so of the worms tail .

For Trick Worm - a offset round bend 3/0. A 3/0 EWG hook though is easier for those less experienced to rig a Trick Worm straight ...Rigging the hook straight may perhaps be the most important aspect of fishing any worm .

Thanks for the replies (plus earlier thread I missed - looks like I will have to experiment between the 3/8th oz and 1/2 oz. as well as trying double willows on the 3/8th oz.

If throwing a combo spinnerbait (willow leaf / colorado blade) with a soft plastic swim bait trailer (i.e. Big Bite 5" Cane Thumper) would you use a 3/8th oz weight or move up to a 1/2 oz. for the following conditions ? Conditions would be : Low to moderate wind in 2 foot to 12 foot of water depth during summer time with water temps of 80 degrees + . I would expect more of a "slow roll" bottom technique to be used but could also use a sub surface technique to see what the bass want that time of day . * Spinnerbait weights throw me off as some pros use a 1/2oz for EVERY water depth - even less than a foot ! Hence my confusion between 3/8th oz or 1/2oz weight as best for my intended usage ?

Would there be a time of year , conditions , etc. where the 1/4oz. size for a slower retrieve would be a better choice than the standard 3/8th oz. size ?

3/32nd oz : Robo Worms in light wind / shallow water to 10 ' . 1/8th oz. : Good all around weight in normal soft plastic sizes , light wind / mid depth water to 15 ' 3/16th oz. ~ 1/4+ oz. : Bigger worms , higher wind , deeper water , faster fall rate (power shakey head) .

+1 Booyah Pad Crasher is easily the best value vs. performance in frogs ...Pick up a couple of colors (one lighter / one darker) and then focus on your technique .

Hattrick7 : I normally drag and hop on the bottom just enough to achieve that seductive ribbon tail action of the big worm (3/16th oz ~ 1/4oz. bullet weight ) . By all means try swimming the big worm too with a short pause every now and then ...A Zoom 'Ol Monster is hard to fish wrong .

That's a cool deal ! What about a Biffle Head also ?

My bait monkey went to law school - learned how to launder money , set up shell corporations , etc. in order to buy fishing tackle and have it shipped to a safe house !!! Alas , my wife caught on pretty quickly so I had to let the bait monkey go back into the wild - but not before he promised me he would be back with a new fool proof scheme ... We shall see .

+1 ...The Skitter Walk is easy to get started with - good colors , action and construction .

Zoom 'Ole Monster 10" worm - Plum , Red Bug or Gren Pumpkin in the daytime and Black & Blue at night .

+1 ...Sunline FC Sniper 7lb. on a spinning rod for : drop shot and shakey head - just about perfect !

In the Summer a Zoom 10" 'Ol Monster ribbon tail worm in Plum / Plum Apple , Green Pumpkin or Junebug colors (depending on conditions) , 3/16th oz. tungsten bullet weight (unpegged) , 5/0 round bend offset hook of your choice and 12lb. fluorocarbon with baitcast outfit of your choice ... Slow down and drag / hop for best results - now that's living

Thanks - I will look into these options !

Thanks for the new replies !

Thanks for the replies to date (LMB King & others) : So far I have found a decent reel in the Okuma Large Arbor SLV series for $45. Next a TFO , Cabelas or *Redington would make the short list to consider . What brand of fly line are you using ? *Redington RS3 gets a lot of praise as a "best value" #7/8 rod but it appears to be discontinued ?