ChrisD46

*Not to thread jack - but what are some of the better quality / value Bluegill imitating swim baits now available ? I definitely see more of them offered now ?

*I was incorrect about size - the VMC Drop Dead is a little larger in size , so the WMC Drop Dead 4/0 is really a 5/0 in other brands of EWG hooks .

I'd have a 4" Senko Green Pumpkin and Watermelon Red on hand as an insurance policy . I'd also T-Rig on a Gammakatsu 2/0 EWG and wacky rig on a VMC wacky jig head (1/16 oz. weight) to get the ends flapping a little better .

Good idea ! ... I'd start with the VMC Drop Dead 5/0 size in 3/32nd. oz. which definitely has a wide enough gap for any toad . The 4/0 size is a maybe size in the same weight (depending on the toad length / thickness) .

*I ordered some 1/2 oz. Scream'n Eagles to try out ... I also will experiment with reducing the back willow leaf blade from a #4.5 down to a #4 for faster speed without roll over.

I'd start with Berkley Big Game #15 lb. mono line from Walmart which would work well for your MH rod . Inexpensive , strong , good quality line that won't break the bank . Later you can experiment with Sufix Elite #14 lb. or Berkley Triline XL #17 lb. mono lines All are .381 line diameter which is about right for a Whopper Plopper application providing the right stretch for the rod you are using . If you were to use braid you would want a MH moderate action rod or else you risk pulling the lure out of the bass's mouth on the hook set .

Net Bait T-Mac or Zoom Trick Worm.

I use the smaller sizes but either rig them on a swim bait jig head with eyes or on an Owner Flashy Swimmer weighted hook with a willow leaf blade.

Either in a Lipless Crank Bait or a Top Water Walking Bait - when do you choose a one knocker hard bait versus a hard bait with standard rattles : Water Color , Temperature , Season , Light Conditions , etc. ?

Thanks for the replies to date - I also like the fact there are War Eagle replacement skirts I can use on the Screamin Eagle as well .

This category of spinnerbait is in a same size "package" as a 1/4 oz. spinnerbait frame and blades size but offered in larger weight 1/2 oz. & 3/4th oz. weights . I predominantly want to use the Screami'n Eagle for Spotted Bass where a fast reeled reaction bite (you can't swim a lure too fast for spotted bass !) is desired . The design of the Screamin Eagle is similar to the old "Mini Me" spinnerbaits (now offered by Spot Sticker Baits) using a smaller frame and smaller willow leaf blades again in larger 1/2 oz. and 3/4th oz. weights for fast reeling without the spinnerbait rolling ... *Anybody have experience with this type of spinnerbait or any tips they wish to share ? I'll be gearing up for spotted bass when they start aggressively chasing shad in clearer reservoirs in the Fall to feed up for Winter !

Another quality video Glenn - gives bass something different to see .

I'd say the reason for so many colors are : 1) Yamamoto either experimented with or was asked to make specific colors which later became part of the colors offered . 2) Because they can make just about any color you can think of ... A black & blue , green pumpkin , oxblood , junebug , watermelon and pearl white shad color - with varying glitter colors added as well as laminate colors covers most of the available bases .

Based on the price point and positive reviews - both InvizX and FC Sniper should be better FC lines than Seagar's new Basix FC line , but have you tried Basix yet ? The #12 lb. and #15 lb. Basix on a bait cast reel get positive reviews and I'd say the #6 lb. & #8 lb. sizes (.010mm or under line diameter) would perform well on a spinning reel ... Definitely see no reason not to at least try Basix as a FC leader when using braid .

Ski provided good information - the VMC Neko hook may be the most popular ; use a 1/0 size for a 6" stick worm , for a 5" stick worm use a #1 size and for finesse worms use a #2 size : VMC Ike Approved Weedless Neko Hook 5pk - Tackle Warehouse (*if zero weed concerns - use the standard VMC Neko hook : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Ike_Approved_Neko_Hook/descpage-VMCNH.html

Here is what you may be looking for as explained by Bass Pro Gerald Swindle : *Light spinning set up with #1 or #2 wacky hook , pegged 1/32nd or 1/16th tungsten bullet weight .

*Strike King should have named it : "Megalodon Dawg" - that thing is huge !

Thanks Tom - I can understand if a walking bait sits level a bass may not always get a glimpse of the contrasting top spine color but when a top water lure hangs down tail first a bass will often get a better look at the top spine lure color .

I saw two identical Yo-Zuril 3DB 135 Pencil Poppers today and the only thing different was one had silver foil sides with a black top spine and the other had a silver foil sides with a blue top spine ... *I will take an educated guess that the one with the black top spine was for overcast conditions while the other with the blue top spine was for blue sky / sunny day conditions (i.e. similar to Rapala balsa floating minnow colors) ... Your thoughts and experiences ? Thanks in advance for replies !

I hope you and the Mrs. are currently wrecking the bass on top water !

*If it gives you confidence - then that is a good thing . BANG garlic scent does similar for me ... Conversely , apparent "non - scents" such as Mega Strike and the newer Bait Fuel use a different approach and may be the better choice .

Gamakatsu Finesse Wacky Hook : Size #1 or #2 VMC Neko Hook : Size #1 or #2 Owner Mosquito Hook : Size #1 or #2 Gamakatsu Octopus Hook : Size #1 or #2 Stick Worms : Size #1 Finesse Worms : Size #2 I previously used Size 1/0 hooks for Stick Worms but found I would get hung up more and that size 1/0 hook would at times not stick the bass as well as I would like . By dropping down to the size #1 hooks I listed above it is easier to stick the bass well with a Stick Worm using a MF action spinning set up with braid + FC leader.

"Citrus" is a very popular color for deep cranks .

Before giving up and changing out expensive spinnerbait ball bearing swivels : How many try to clean them first (i.e. soaking them in lighter fluid ?) Visually looking at a small #2 size ball bearing swivel on a spinnerbait - it's hard to understand why some turn more freely than others ? I can only think to clean them by soaking in lighter fluid first to see if that helps remove any internal debris the eye can't see ? If that doesn't work - then I suppose it's simply time to throw out the ball bearing swivel and install a new one ... Worth a shot to try cleaning my #2 size ball bearings first as I have quite a few spinnerbaits !

Ditto for Kayaks I predict (although not as bad as bass boats) ... The economy is looking a little shaky .