ChrisD46

*I don't even think I own a black & blue chatterbait or black & blue trailers ? Here across the border in North Georgia it's primarily Green Pumpkin and Shad colors ... I may have to buck the trend and try a black & blue combo !

I have a 7' H/F Veritas bait basting rod (a true H action , last year's previous model - short for a frog rod as most are 7'3" ~ 7'4") for $79 ... I use it for bank fishing frogs as well as it doubles as my Biffle Bug rod set up - I don't think it's a problem (i.e. 7' length) to maneuver with or use from the shore . *I'm afraid a shorter H/F rod than 7' will be a shorter broom stick with less tip , harder to work the frog and ultimately you may end up not liking the rod .

A quick shout out for the Mike's Mini-Swim Jig : https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/shot-caller-swim-jig It's made from quality components , light yet strong Mustad 4/0 hook in 1/4 oz. and 3/8th oz. sizes and runs true . Great Bluegill , Craw and Shad colors to mimic what ever swims bass eat . For swim bait trailers - I like a YUM Pulse 3.5 swimbait , Big Bite Bait Cain Thumper 3.5 and for craw type trailers I like the SK Baby Rage Menace , Zoom Creepy Crawler 3" Twin Tail Grub and the mid size 3" NetBait Paca Chunk (thread it on) in various colors as trailers - essentially anything in that 3" ~ 3.75" range will work . You can also trim the trailer head back a little for the fit you want and trimming the skirt to just behind the curve of the hook will puff the skirt out slightly giving you that "jelly fish" look when you pulse it on the retrieve . A medium action 7' bait cast rod rod with #12 lb. InvizX FC line rounds out the deal for me . I swim it , slow roll it , hop it , burn it up top and pitch it for spotted bass and large mouth bass when a smaller presentation is the ticket. Lastly , granted it may be more of a niche deal - but doubtful you have much in your tackle box to compare it to when you need to go a little smaller .

*Wow - that is a big trailer ! ... I'm down in the 3.8" Fat Impact range for trailer consideration . It must work for you - or you wouldn't list it .

Good comments here - I happen to like Indiana blades on a spinner bait and do not feel indecisive at ail (I just consider it another tool option) . *Pros like Jimmy Houston have forgotten more than I will ever learn about a spinner baits - fascinating to hear him talk about spinner bait techniques as the man had it down to a science !

*By the time you remove the appendages from a SK Structure Bug - don't you pretty much end up with a Rage Menace - or is the action still different with a Structure Bug ? *What is your favorite size Rage Menace ?

Generally most agree a swim jig or bladed jig (chatterbait) trailer may be better with a tighter more subdued action versus a wider flapping action as one would use in warmer water ... The above said - what's your current trailer (3.75" ~ 4.25") line up for swim jigs and bladed / vibrating jigs in colder water? While I'd love to get by with the lower cost of a Havoc Grass Pig as colder water a swim jig / bladed jig trailer - I am realistically looking closer at the SK Rage Menace , KVD Swim-N-Shiner along with the Keitech Easy Shiner 4" as colder water swim / bladed jig trailers . Thanks in advance to share your current trailer favorites !

*This reminds me to stock a few more realistic / less action craws in my inventory as they can be equally as good as a chunk trailer on a jig (if not better) in clearer water .

Hi James - I saw your video on white bladed spinner baits , so I have started to experiment with your approach a bit : First I obtained 1/4th oz. thru 1/2 oz. all - white spinner baits in all willow leaf as well as willow leaf / Colorado blade combos . Next I bought pearl white spray paint , clear acrylic cover spray , small size aqua green and silver flake from a craft sore . I will experiment with both sides of the blades painted white as well as just one side of the blades painted white . Next , I will apply glitter (conservatively) on just one side of the blades and then possibly both sides of the blades to experiment with the flash of the blades . *Parallel to this - I am reviewing videos to see what shad look like in the water when viewed from underneath as well as from the sides (getting the right "flash" is key) . I'll reply back with some pictures plus I have reservoirs nearby which are primarily threadfin shad / spotted bass lakes I can further experiment in . One thing I can count on is the bass will not have seen hundreds before of what I plan to be throwing at them with this all white spinner bait set up !

*That depends in what you are looking for in the way of a bladed jig's action ? The Foggy starts up fast , has a wide wobble and hunts well (both attributes it shares with a Jack Hammer) . Some people say a SK Thunder Cricket is inferior to a Jackhammer - however the Thunder Cricket has a real tight wobble that I believe may be more ideal for cold water . Lose the skirt band with #24 AWG wire skirt tie at home and the Thunder Cricket is improved ... Think of it as the difference between a SK 1.5 square bill and a 1.5 flat sided square bill (wider wobble / better for warmer water ; tighter wobble / better for colder water) .

*Just about every one can benefit from a 6'6" ~ 7' M/F casting rod . You can use mono , FC and braid with this rod and get a different action and hook set (delay) with a number of lures .

*For those who use the Zoom Z-Craw as a chatterbait trailer : Do you use the standard size Zoom Z-Craw and cut it down to the desired length & profile OR do you use the Z-Craw Jr. instead ? I'm thinking the Z-Craw Jr. may be a tad short as a chatterbait trailer (but I could be wrong) ... Thanks !

Also check out the Daiwa Aird - X for a similar price as the Sellus . I have hand picked Sellus spinning specific rods (small jig , drop shot) and am happy with them for the price .

Tom : Do you feel a smaller 1000 series spinning reel casts small diameter braid any better than say a 2500 series spinning reel ? Curious because I have never considered a spinning reel smaller than a 2500 for bass fishing and all my spinning reels are braid main line + FC leader (even for the Ned Rig) .

I believe for shaky heads , wacky rigs and Big TRD Ned Rig - the YGK SS112 Sinking Braid may be the best line going . On my 7' ML Ned Rig I am running PP #8 lb. Hi-Viz Yellow to InvizX #6 lb. leader and I like that set up a lot ... I could easily substitute #10 lb. PP as a main line for my Ned Rig and still be happy with it .

I believe in that $45 ~ $75 range it's hard to go wrong with a Daiwa Spinning reel as they give you a solid reel with nice features for the price . I have some older Abu Garcia Cardinals , Shimano Sierra's , Pflueger Trion's / President's (with wooden knobs) - all have a lot of soul . But if starting from scratch today , it would be Daiwa spinning reels in Exceller and Legalis models .

Say , what about NorCal / Oregon / Washington coastal areas ? Doesn't get much below freezing but remains damp and never seems to get much above 50 F. much of the year ?

I have side cutters and also went to a craft store and bought #22 AWG copper wire ... * What about the tube / curved tool skirt "puller" ?

I'm looking for a good source just to buy the skirt tying tools I need for wire tying skirts to jig head. - not a whole kit which includes a bunch of skirts , rubber skirt bands , etc. I may or may not use - your recommendations ? ... So far I have a small Harbor Freight suction vice and needle nose plyers - what else do I need ? Thanks in advance !

*Good to know ! ... I did hear Jordan Lee comment about the new all white Veritas rods saying at the price point he was really impressed with the quality , action and feel of the rods - if you catch them on sale you might see below the list price of $99 ~ $119 (depending on length) . Justin Lucas uses the winch casting model for top water baits pretty much exclusively . If possible , I like to pick out rods at this price point in person to ensure the rods are straight (when holding them up like a rifle) and that all the rod guides line up properly and not bent) .

I like 3.5" ~ 3.75" craws and usually use them as jig trailers . The Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw is great in colder water on swim jigs (tight vibration) while the YUM Jason Christie Craw is my go-to on Football jigs year round .

*What applications / techniques do you plan to use this new combo for ?

Jan. in FL. followed by Feb. & March in the SE ... As you move further North it becomes an April & May deal .

*Thanks I will speak for myself : Dobyns Sierra 733C. , 734C. & 735C. open water reservoir where I am bombing casts -I don't need to be super accurate . That said , much love for 6'6" and 7' rod lengths (depending on cover and applications in waters you fish) .

Seems 7'3" is the "new" 7' in bait cast rods .