ChrisD46

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

There are some good alternatives for FC lines which are good for spinning set up leaders - a few of mine are : Maxima Ultra Green #5lb. ~ #10 lb. , Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6 lb. & #8 lb. and P-Line CXX Crystal Clear #6 lb. & #8 lb. For a bait cast set up I would use the same , I just increase the line size to #12 lb. for leaders .

Most any 6'10" ~ 7'3" ML / fast action spinning rod with a 2500 series spinning reel , 10 lb. braid + #6 lb. ~ #8 lb. FC leader .

The Yo-Zuri DB and DR series top water poppers and walking lures look identical to me - what is the difference between the Yo-Zuri DB and DR series ?

*If using an O-Ring in any finesse worm / stick worm , always catch a bit of the worm soft plastic (like 10% ~ 15%) as you go under the O-Ring with the hook which for me makes any wacky worm last longer . If I simply slide the hook under the O-Ring without passing the hook through any soft plastic at all - then worms don't last as long and at times the worm will completely slide off all together .

I will keep an open mind regarding the new Yamamoto Ned offering ... Here is one that gets a fair amount of attention that I find a bit underwhelming for the money : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Powerbait_Maxscent_Lil_General_Worm/descpage-LGN.html .

*Sweet ! *Use a loop knot instead ?

Scum Frog Launch series & Booyah Pad Crasher frogs (so far) for me ... With Booyah frogs I open those hooks up a couple of degrees which results in more solid hook ups .

Here are my Dobyns rods (Sierra Series) : Casting : 733C, 734C , 735C Spinning : 702S , 703S I use the above casting rods with different reels loaded either with straight FC , Mono or with Braid + FC leaders. For spinning I only use Braid + FC leaders . *The Sierra series have a slightly slower tip and fast rating (not XF) which I prefer because I can dial in the performance I need by changing from braid to FC or mono lines. When I bought the Sierra's - the Kaden series were not released yet . If I were going to do it again the 734C & 735C would probably be in the Kaden series for jigs and bottom contact baits . If you have more money to spend , the Champion series would be a no - brainer . I don't throw crankbaits much but if I did , one of the "CB" designated rods from the Fury on up would be in my collection . *Regardless of the series , the Dobyns rods all have a similar balance point and feel in the hand and are all spined properly before guides & reel seats are added . They just use better blanks and components as you go up to the higher cost series rods.

For post - spawn bass , what is your favorite bluegill imitating top water popper ?

That Veritas ML rod is closer to a medium action with other rod makers ... Use #10 lb. Power Pro braid main line to a # 8 lb. FC leader and you would do just fine . Set the reel to the appropriate drag setting and go fish it !

Yes , familiar with the wobble head but in this case was thinking more of a Shaky Head which for me at least was always more of a straight tail finesse or trick worm approach.

I've seen more and more Pros fishing a ribbon tail worm on gravel bottoms using a jig head to fish what amounts to a Shaky Head ribbon tail worm . I always considered a ribbon tail worm to be used with a bullet weight T-Rigged . Nothing says you can't fish a ribbon tail worm on a jig head - how many fish ribbon tail worms this way ?

*Curious if you run the hook through the heat shrink tubing perpendicular to the Senko OR run the hook underneath the heat shrink tubing parallel to the Senko ?

*The Berkley X5 and X9 braids deserve a look - the Hi-Viz line are very bright as compared to Power Pro I use .

*What do each of these nails weigh approximately ?

InvizX or AbrazX as main lines with Red Lable my go to leader line . Still , I'm willing to try this new 101 to see how it runs and if knots are strong .

Wacky rigging a Roboworm 6" in Prism color with a Gamakasu #1 size Finesse hook , 1/32nd oz. lead or 1/16th oz tungsten bullet weight held in place with a bobber stop with a #8 lb. FC leader in clear water is a great , subtle dying shad imitator ... Let it fall and then give your rod tip a couple of short twitches on the way down .

Top water rods have always been a bit of a challenge to select : Too x fast is not the best action in a top water rod (poppers / walking baits) neither is a rod that is too long ... Rods that are fast , M/MH and from 6'8" to 6'10" seem to be the sweet spot for many using braid + leader for top water .

From smaller poppers to larger walk - the - dog spooks - what two top water rods will you be using this late Spring into Summer ?

If in FL. I would start with 3/8th oz. chartreuse / white spinner bait with a willow leaf / Colorado blade (one blade silver / one blade gold) . Also same but with two willow blade set up . Cast near cover and give the spinner bait an occasional twitch during the retrieve . If this proves difficult strictly fishing canal - s then I would wacky rig or T-Rig a Senko in Junebug or Green Pumpkin .

*Totally agree !! ... If you are a senior basser getting up and down in a standard kayak is a real pain and not especially comfortable or stable and too low to the water ... The solution (not cheap new !) is what I saw Jimmy Houston do cart wheels and squeal like a kid the first time he ever fished out of one : https://jacksonkayak.com/blue-sky-boatworks-360-angler/ . I know all the haters will push a jon boat on you for similar pricing (been there - done that) . If I wanted a "kayak" this is the only solution I would consider ! Get up and down easy , stand any where you want , it moves well and it's stable - enough options to make anyone happy and gets in and out of skinny water well .

I do not believe there is a single , correct answer - both ways may produce . I will suggest to try casting a swim jig parallel to the bank which helps keep water depth more consistent for the retrieve when you experiment with running depth of the swim jig and what bass may want on a particular day. I tend to use Swim jigs more in the upper water column when fishing shallow to mid depths .

Another good video Glenn - useful tips for a boater as well fishing swim jigs in shallow water .

I should have stated : I fish clear water highland reservoirs with predominantly threadfin shad for baitfish . The Gold / Nickle willow leaf combo is more of a cloudy conditions combo but might be ok in sunny conditions as well , while the Nickle /Nickle willow leaf combo is more of sunny conditions combo I would think ?