ChrisD46

If you had to pick only one color between the two above (GP or GP Magic) which one would you choose ? I am inclined to go with Green Pumpkin Magic because if it sunny you have a bit of sparkle with the added flakes that Green Pumpkin is missing to attract bass. If its cloudy , then the Green Pumpkin Magic is dull (i.e. no flake sparkles) and would simply look more like standard Green Pumpkin , so a win - win for the Green Pumpkin Magic color in both sunny and cloudy conditions ... Which one would you choose ?

Old school classic that still produces !

*I agree (snore) mostly - the slightly reduced Carbon Stick 2.0 rods are mildly of interest .

*Would say Gamakatsu and Owner represent brands that use the stronger Japanese hook forging process ?

When it comes to offset worm hooks - which of the above two are your favorite ? For reference , here are the two types : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_OShaughnessy_Bend_Offset_Worm_Hook_Black_5pk/descpage-GOSW.html , https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Offset_Round_Bend_Worm_Hooks_Black/descpage-GRBOBK.html . *After moving away from EWG hooks for worms (i.e not enough" hook point to line tie gap" - but a EWG hook rigs a worm extremely straight with no hump)) I have shifted my focus to these two styles of worm hooks for cast & retrieve T-Rig worms (I prefer straight shank hooks for closer target pitching / flipping worms) . From what I can tell , the offset round bend has the most hook point to line tie gap but rigging the worm straight is a little more of a challenge . The O'Shaughnessy offset bend hook is a little easier to rig a worm straight but you are giving up slightly less hook point to line tie gap . There are fans of each style worm hook - many feel the O'Shaughnessy offset bend worm hooks provide a better hook set due to the modified hook bend shape from hook body to hook point . *I'm not a hook scientist - your thoughts and experiences between the two types of worm hooks ?

Fishing a Speed Worm has always been under the radar for me ... The OG speed worm is the Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Worm in Green Pumpkin or June Bug in the 15 pack.

For your typical straight shank worm hooks (1/0 ~ 5/0) for trick worms , senkos , beaver style baits , etc. for general target casting - do you snell these hooks OR just use your standard favorite knot you would use for any other lure or hook (offset , EWG , etc.) ?

I appreciate the replies - I will teach myself the suggested set ups using a 5" stick worm , snelled 3/0 ~ 4/0 straight shank hook and a 3/16th oz. tungsten bullet weight for pitching in and around cover. I imagine every lure set up is different - a 1.5 oz. punch set up using a 4" Beaver style soft plastic will be a different set up than what I describe above with a stick worm .

With a normal bait cast reel set up I loosen the spool tension knob until the lure just barely starts to fall down vertically when the rod is held out at about a 45-degree angle (brakes set at 50%) . For short to moderate distance underhand pitches how are you setting up your bait cast reel (spool tension knob & brakes) without generating a "professional over run" (i.e. birds nest) ?

Yes , please post if you find anything on the Jordan Lee rod series ... In theory , having technique specific rods that don't break the bank should be popular - if the quality is halfway decent .

I usually pass on Pro named rod series - but the new Jordan lee line of technique specific rods has me at least looking at them : Decent prices and I have seen Jordaan Lee putting some of these rods into action on TV ... Might be worth a try in techniques that don't require super lightweight sensitivity .

Local Academy just had a sale (down to $3.79) ... The swim bait colors are consistent with good scent . They remind me of a cross between a Strike King Rage Swimmer and a BPS Speed Shad . The creature baits (baby brush hog imitation) are also good and look like Zoom made them - I'll pass on the fluke and stick worm HTOX soft plastics .... I will be trying both out this week .

Why , I just bought a Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap 1/2 oz. in Red Craw yesterday !

Good suggestions - used on a drop shot is one I would have overlooked.

I mainly know a Zoom Baby Brush Hog as a favorite for a Carolina Rig soft plastic - what are your favorite ways to rig a Baby Brush Hog ?

There are some big-name Pro's touting iait Fuel's virtues out there (not sure if they are sponsored by Bait Fuel or not ?)

I picked up a pack of H2O straight 3/0 shank hooks to try - found one hook completely broken in half in the pack . Upon looking at the two broken pieces closely , the metal just looked strange , jagged - almost like pot metal (not a clean break) ... *I'm with Tom here - after seeing that poor QC in the H2O hook pack I did not want to risk buying as I would always have that H2O broken hook image in my head . I never have seen a broken hook in the pack of Gamagatsu , Owner, Mustad or VMC before. Paying one or two dollars more for a pack of good quality hooks is not an issue when possibly hooking up with a personal best bass is concerned !

I'd try just applying to one or two soft plastics in a lunch baggie and see how your soft plastics respond to any color changes . The other option is to apply to one soft plastic at a time out on the lake and then immediately fish that soft plastic . Since it is a jell it should stay put .

I'm not far from where the 2023 Classic will be held in TN. The Southeast has had a lot of rain this winter which is sure to stain the water ... Delta Craw , Rayburn Red , etc. should be in play for cranks as Tom stated .

Theories on red cranks for cold winter water range from "craws are that color in winter" to "bass don't see so well in colder water" , so a red color crank mimics craws and helps poor vision winter bass find the lure. ... Water color and probably water temp also play a role . Some combo of solid red , solid orange , red and orange and orange and gold should effectively cover the red colors for wintertime bass crank baits topic (lol) .

Many Pros state they begin throwing red or red variation crank baits (mostly lipless or slender square bills) beginning Jan 1. The theory is in cold water , cold / stained water bass see red or a variation of red better than other colors . There are pure red , orange , gold OR a combination of these red , red / orange , gold / orange color crank baits which are all used in the cold-water months for bass . The only variable may be the amount of stain in the water from really stained almost muddy cold water to cold water being lightly stained ? I imagine having a red , orange and orange / gold lipless crank bait would be able to cover any cold-water condition - what goes into your determination which color red / red variation crank bait color you use in cold water conditions for bass ?

*Thanks for the replies - it appears dropping down to #12 lb. Yozuri-Hybrid would be best for what I want to do (no real heavy structure) with spinnerbaits . *Looks like CXX may be better suited for strong leader used with braid for flipping / pitching.

Both lines are .016" / .405mm diameter - which one do you prefer mainly for using with spinnerbaits / chatter baits ?

What is your set up for hard jerk baits - why did you choose bait cast or spinning set up for hard jerk baits ?

Curious if such a thing exists that are similar to a Keitech , Rage Swimmer , etc. ?