ChrisD46

Nice options !

Do you color the first several feet of yellow braid with a black / green Sharpee ?

I’m using Power Pro #50 lb. braid in dark green as my frog fishing line gif bass . It’s not a bad braid - but there may be better braids introduced for froggin’ . What is your current favorite braid for fishing frogs for bass and what do you like best about the braid ?

While the Yamamoto Senko has great action on its own - a number of other soft stick worms have little to no action on their own and I believe need a little help to get those ends stick worm ends twitching a little more snd adding weight may help … I will experiment with wacky jig heads and wacky weights such as : VMC wacky jig head 1/16th oz. , Eco Pro wacky weight 1/16th oz. and a 3/0 or #5 split shot near the hook . I like the Yum Dinger price , colors and durability but they lack action when wsvky rigged and to me fall rather stiffly down through the water column when wacky rigged with the ends offering little movement .

Quoting Tom here from past accurate logic : Pay attention to line diameter , not what pound test is printed on the lable ! Never exceed .010 inch line diameter on a spinning reel and you will be in decent shape with line handling - the rest is up to your individual preferences for line strength , line color , etc. I will end by saying that while I have to order it on-line , The Maxima Ultra Green is a wonderful line !!

Some lower salt content stick worms (Yum Dinger) have better action if you can add a little weight to them near the hook . Specialty weights such as Eco Pro wacky weights are available , assorted weighted wacky jig heads with hooks and lastly adding a small split shot or a pegged small bullet weight near the hook may work . What method do you prefer when needing to add weight to Yum or other soft stick worms ?

Some lower salt content stick worms (Yum Dinger) have better action if you can add a little weight to them near the hook . Specialty weights such as Eco Pro wacky weights are available , assorted weighted wacky jig heads with hooks and lastly adding a small split shot or a pegged small bullet weight near the hook may work . What method do you prefer when needing to add weight to Yum or other soft stick worms ?

For pitching soft plastic stick worms , beaver baits , etc. for bass into and around vegetation - what is your current favorite 3/0 ~ 4/0 straight shank hook with a good soft plastic keeper on it ?

I will still use a round (no ears !) split shot in sizes : 3/0 , #7 and #5 lightly crimped on the line . The more modern easy way is to use : small bobber stop , 1/16th oz. or 1/8th oz. tungsten bullet weight , followed by another bobber stop . This way you can easily move the weight up and down the line keeping the weight in place where you want it and never experience potential line damage .

The Cage Feider is one expensive jig ! Please explain (other than being tungsten) why it is better than jigs $2 or $3 less ?

I would imagine besides skipping jigs there are a fair number of jig fishermen pitching precisely to dock poles , dock corners , etc. ?

What are your favorite brand / model jigs for pitching around docks (this may include skipping as well) ? Also favorite weights, colors and trailers as well … I imagine a good starting point would be 3/8th oz. , green pumpkin jug with a beaver or craw trailer as bluegill are the usual bass forage around docks ? I’ve not been much of a dock bass fisherman in the past (except wacky rig) but now I’m looking to up my jig dock fishing game as jigs can often get the bigger bites .

So , in your case a ML long spinning rod for light lure weight / extra casting distance .

Still being curious - I read that spinning rods longer than 7’ are mainly for finesse soft plastics where extra casting distance is required in clear water - more likely finesse swim baits where you need “stand off distance” and want to cover more water .

Starting to see more 7’3” and 7’6” spinning rod lengths for bass fishing being mentioned in pro angler coverage - I believe mostly in Medium Fast / Extra Fast actions …. *When or what applications are these longer spinning rods being used for now with bass ? My longest spinning rod is a 7’0” Medium Fast (shaky head , wacky rig , finesse swim bait) , etc. , then a 6’11” Medium Length (Ned Rig) , a 6’9” M F , 6’ M XF (popper) and finally the more classic 6’6” Medium Fast do it all length spinning rods and actions . Thanks in advance for opinions and experiences .

Good replies - if you would like to add a Buzz Bait rod then please do !

Well , I see there is a better technique / quality difference between a cheap Free Rig weight and a simple catfish weight from Water Gremlin - thanks ! ... Now I can search with more knowledge !

I understand the principle of the Free Rig weight round swivel eye … What I’m trying to better understand is how is a specialized , boutique tungsten , Free Rig weight is better than a standard lead Water Gremin Dipsey Swivel weight ? The Water Gremlin Weights come in popular sizes and are MUCH less expensive !

The Launch Frog is best with short rod twitches - it's not really a walker but the straight-ahead head bob will still work well ... * Look up JT Kenney videos for the Launch frog as he had input on the design and how best to fish it.

What are your current three (3) top water rods for bass from lightest to heaviest ? Poppers Walking Baits Frogs

From experience - here is a public service announcement concerning proper sizing of the VMC Cross Over Rings (which VMC's web site has listed incorrectly (from my experience and opinion) : Below are VMC's recommendations (along with my notes in parenthesis) : Size Recommendations 3mm - 4" - 6" Finesse Worms, Robo Straight Tail (*this is correct) 4mm - 4” Yamamoto Kut Tail, 4.8” Jackall Flick Shake (* this is correct) 5mm – 5” – 6” Yamamoto Kut Tail, Yamamoto Cali-Roll, 5.8” Jackall Flick Shake (* use 4mm size for these applications ; 5mm for 5.8 FS) 6mm – 4” Yamamoto Senko, 6.8” Jackall Flick Shake, Zoom Trick Worm (*use 5mm size for these applications) 7mm – 5” Yamamoto Senko (* use 5mm for 5" Senko , 5" Yum Dinger , etc. standard 5" Stick Worms) 8mm – 6” Yamamoto Senko (for stick worms larger than 5" Senko use the 6mm size) My favorite size VMC Cross Over Ring sizes are the 4mm and 5mm . For Trick / Finesse worms save money and use Jig / Spinner Bait rubber skirt rings (BOSS Skirt O-Rings 50 pack) Hope the above helps ! ... Comments are welcome ...

Slightly off topic but a 5” Yum Dinger used with a VMC Weedless Wacky Jig Head (1/16 oz. ) hooked right through the middle creates a great action , tough , long lasting combo . The Yum Dinger REALLY comes alive on a weighted wacky jig head as without it the Yum Dinger 5” action is bland . I mention the Yum Dinger due to the attractive price and color selection . The Big Bite Baits Trick Stick also are tough , long lasting , cost effective and have a good color selection . *If you want a soft stick worm to have action on its own without a weighted wacky jig head - then the Yamamoto Senko , BPS Stik-O and Strike King Ocho are your best bets . I am getting the best value and results with the Yum Dinger + VMC Weighted Wacky Jig Head in 1/16th or 1/8th oz.

Ned Rig or 2.75” - 2.8” swim bait .

You could cheaply try a Strike King Rage Swimmer (5.75”) or the Keitech Fat Swing Impact (up to 7.8”) then match with an appropriate size Owner Beast EWG hook or the Owner Flashy Swimmer Beast Hook thrown on an appropriate size bait cast set up … No need to buy $100 special swim baits to catch big bass !!

For my spinning set ups I’m going to have to learn to trustthe Alberto for braid + FC leader . A smaller knot going through the guides is an advantage for casting.