ChrisD46

When casting horizontally - say from the bank in shallower water , do you believe a Neko Rig could be worked properly or do you prefer a Shaky Head , T-Rigged Senko or even a Ned Rig in such circumstances ? I always thought a Neko Rig needs a bit more water depth (ideally from a boat) to be worked properly casting horizontally while a Shaky Head , T-Rigged Senko , Ned Rig , etc. can be snaked along the bottom in 6" of water if you had to while fishing horizontally ... Your thoughts ?

With the Bullet Pop you have the 60 , 70 & 80 series (from smallest to largest size) . It really all depends on the size of your forage - Ghost , Shad , Chrome and Bone colors could work in all three sizes . The Blue Gill , Bone and Baby Bass colors would be most popular in the middle 70 size . The 80 series largest size would be best best for the Frog , Black and Blue Gill colors (unless the water is muddy and you need to up size to the 80 series just to have the Boss Pop to become visible for the Bone color to show up) . *Interesting to note that with competitors who offer more than one size popper - more often than not it's the smaller size 60 series popper that is sold out (2.25" ~ 2.50" size) while the largest size 70 and 80 series remain in stock . Since my store only had the 70 series size - I bought Baby Bass , Bone and Ghost Bluegill to try as my waters are clear to slightly stained . There was no Maverick (Black) in stock but I imagine that would be great at night in the summer time to throw .

To me it's more of a decaying fish scent ... Like trying to describe the Berkley Powerbait smell .

The VMC crank bait snaps in the size #00 or #0 are small , light and will not kill the action of a top water popper or walk the dog lure . Many split rings found on poppers weight more than these VMC snaps : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Crankbait_Snaps/descpage-VMCCS.html The VMC crank bait snaps in the size #00 or #0 are small , light and will not kill the action of a top water popper or walk the dog lure . Many split rings found on poppers weight more than these VMC snaps : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Crankbait_Snaps/descpage-VMCCS.html The VMC crank bait snaps in the size #00 or #0 are small , light and will not kill the action of a top water popper or walk the dog lure . Many split rings found on poppers weight more than these VMC snaps : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Crankbait_Snaps/descpage-VMCCS.html

I am now experimenting with the Gamakatsu Octopus Circle hooks in sizes 1/0 (wacky rig Stick Worms) and #1 (wacky rig Trick Worms) . Set up is a medium spinning outfit with #10 lb. ~ #15 lb. braid main line + #8 lb. ~ #15 lb. FC leader .

*Ultra Cool and again , Well Done !! I imagine the front hatch holds the trolling motor battery ? I always believed that for a larger person who wanted a solid platform to stand up on to fish - the Big Rig was the best kayak going (perhaps still is) . The issue is I did not want to paddle or pedal a Big Rig as they are a bit large for that . I want to get on a Big Rig , crank up the trolling motor and get to the bass waters I intend to fish quickly where I can stand and fan cast . A Power Pole (or two) would seal the deal !

*Nice Jackson Big Rig Kayak !! ... That is a nice set up with the trolling motor and stand up assist bar - two thumbs up and well done !! Please elaborate more on the trolling motor and mount you used ?

*Research on the interweb indicates the 6mm size is most popular on the 5" Senko , the 7mm size is most popular on the 6" Senko and the 8mm is most popular for the 7" Senko . I believe that would hold true for the BPS Stik-O soft plastic stick worms as they are close to the same size as a Senko . If these sizes hold true - then I would say the 5mm size is good for a 4" Senko and the 4mm size is good for Trick Worms / Finesse Worms . Lastly , if using Yum Dingers (which are a smaller diameter than a Senko) then I would go down one size for each length ... I hope this helps !

*At times it is amazing how large of a lure a small spotted bass will attack ! As has been said , they don't have a mirror in the water to know how small they really are as compared to the prey they will try to eat .

*20 lb. braid on a bait cast reel ? If so with no digging in line issues - then you are doing well !

*What is your preferred braid size for top water poppers & spooks - I'm trying to decide between #30 lb. & #40 lb. braid Power Pro ?

Megastrike , Gulp spray , Bang spray & Procure gel all play nice with Elaztech ... JJ's will melt Elaztech down to a science experiment in several seconds .

Braid main line + 1 or 2 rubber bobber stops on the braid main line snugged up against the nose of the popper . Keeps the braid just stiff enough pointing straight ahead to prevent line from getting into the front treble hook . *Especially good option for walking baits (spooks) .

Cranks , Jerks , Wacky or T-Rigged Soft Plastics , Chatterbaits and Spinner Baits in open water would indicate it would not be a bad size FC line to use with at least one bait caster .

I find #12 lb. FC line to be a bit of a "tweener" FC line size you would probably consider for using on a bait cast reel for cranking , jerk baits (soft & hard) , a small 3/8th oz. football jig , used with a 5" Senko wacky or T-Rigged and as a light weight T-Rig with / without a small bullet weight for Trick Worms or Craws ... Additionally most of the above applications could be used either with straight #12 lb. FC main line or with braid main line plus with #12 lb. FCline as a leader line . *What are your favorite applications using #12 lb. FC line for bass ?

https://www.ragetail.com/the-rage-rig/ : Looks like anything from 1/16th oz. to 1/4th oz. would be about right (depending on fall rate / glide rate required) .

I like Daiwa and Shimano as both offer great reels at various price points ... For under $125 I like Daiwa better and feel they provide more value for your money . Over $125 Shimano has some nice spinning reel options and Daiwa is right there with them as well .

Thanks for all of the suggestions - more often than not in such conditions bass will be holding tight to cover or bottom except during lower light periods . The wild card is a top water to bring the occasional bass to the surface .

*How would the Mojo 6'8" med xf do as a top water rod for poppers and walking baits ?

What are your favorite Spring bass lures when faced with a string of several "blue bird" days in a row ? ...Bright sun , not a cloud in the sky , steady warm temps , little wind and clear to light stained water ?

Too many times people ask : "What is your favorite top water rod for bass" ? If you use smaller poppers as well as larger walking baits and buzz baits - it's difficult for one rod to be used for all top water (again , minus frogs which is a different top water category altogether) . I propose that for smaller poppers and top water prop / twitch lures a bait cast (or spinning rod) in the 6' to 6'8" M/F ~ XF is ideal while for larger top water walking baits and buzz baits a 6'6" to 7'3" MH / F is ideal ... *What are your preferences for a top water , two rod set up ?

*Nice ... What trailer is that ?

*I guess that's part of bass fishing - trying to figure out what they like on you body of water(s) ... Just like where I live the motto is : "All colors work - as long as it's Green Pumpkin" !!

VMC Wacky Jig Head (1/16th oz. to 1/8th oz.) + a Zman 5" Zinkerz : The set up allows you to hook through the middle and due to elaztec stretch / durability , you can use the same Zinkerz all day . When the middle gets a bit ragged just use a VMC drop dead 3/0 1/16th oz. EWG hook and fish the same Zinkerz T-Tigged for a week or more ... When that set up gets too ragged - reverse and switch ends ... When that set up gets too ragged to use - cut the Zinkerz in half and now you have two of the perfect , pre-chewed Ned soft plastic for a 1/16th mushroom head to use with the Ned rig !! ... One Zman Zinkers will last 2.5 years used in the above way (lol !)

Worth a try - having the Goody's hair bands in different diameters will be the key to fit more worm thicknesses.