ChrisD46

For me , it's between Lowrance and Hummingbird - I just can't warm up to the Garmin look / screen visuals.

*I was gifted a new spool of Hi-Viz #30 lb. braid and as I sit here looking at the line I'm trying to figure out what applications to use it for : Top Water Poppers , Spooks , WP110's , etc. with a short mono leader ? While #30 lb. Hi-Viz color braid is pretty thin , I'm concerned the line still may be seen from underneath by bass in clear water ? Swim Jigs & Chatter Baits with a short FC or Mono leader ? Probably the same concerns as #1 above . "Bubba Shot" , Heavier Shaky Head , T-Rigs , Football Jigs and other bottom contact line watching techniques with a FC or Mono leader ? Probably the best use for a high- viz braid on a bait caster . *Your thoughts ? - Now that it is Fall I mostly want to throw top water for a while but not sure if a Hi - Viz braid help or hurt (especially since you watch the lure instead of the line for top water applications ) .

I have used Gamble Giggy Heads , Buck Eye Spot Removers , Bite Me Shaky Heads, Mega Strike Shake2 and Owner Ultra Shaky heads ... I prefer non - screw lock shaky head designs (except with the Owner Ultra) . What are your favorite store bought Shaky head jigs ?

*Consider the Sierra 735 as well ! It may be the better option length wise for pitching ...

*White and Red too from HF - great for jig heads .

*Make sure the line does not overlap on itself when using mono , co-poly or even FC line with the Palomar Knot ... Search "You Tube Palomar Knot videos" and watch closely how NOT to over lap the line onto itself as you tie the Palomar Knot - This should help (along with wetting the line as you pull the Palomar Knot tight) ... **Also the Improved Clinch Knot , The Trilene and finally the Uni Knots are all easy , good , basic knots to use with mono line for bass . It would not hurt to check out You Tube videos for these knots as well (remember to wet all of these knots with mono and snug tight slowly !)

*Picasso Rhino Ned Head developed by Aaron Martens in 1/8 oz. 3/0 hook size would be a good starting point for the Big TRD.

I wonder if water color makes any difference ? Clear water reservoirs I fish sure love green pumpkin color soft plastic worms but if the water is stained or if its overcast then Junebug comes into play for soft plastic worms where black jig heads may be a better match .

*For shaky head jig users with soft plastics - they usually come in either Black or Green Pumpkin jig head colors : Do you prefer a Black , Green Pumpkin OR use both color Black and Green Pumpkin shaky head jig colors ? ... Please explain the reason for your choice - Thanks in advance !

*Choppo 90

The Fury 705cb is cited by many to be one of the favorites in the Fury line up - you can't go wrong .

*I would want to put foil strips on that stand up leggy jig and see if I could get better TV reception ! ... My MVL award goes to a shaky head with a Zman Green Pumpkin Finesse Worm on the business end .

* Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot Hooks : #1 size for the 4" Stick Worms and #1/0 size for 5" stick worms are my favorite - the VMC Neko hooks would work well in the same sizes as above followed by Owner wacky rig hooks , then followed by Berkley Fusion 19 wacky rig hooks in same sizes .

*My TW Wish List is up to the $$$ sum of our state lottery after no one has won in a month - I firmly believe the Bait Monkey manages the TW Wish List as well !!

I saw a new video on the new WP 60 size : Weighted well , rear prop is larger (like the WP75 which is good) , good hooks . *I could see one in chrome, Bone or I Know It colors in early Fall when bass are keying in on tiny shad . Otherwise the WP 75 is as small as I go and prefer the WP110 size as the sweet spot . Spotted Bass will hit a WP130 and as we get into mid to late Fall bass start feeding on the larger shad as that is about all there is left . Shad that are smaller or less hearty are mostly gone by now so I up size top water baits as I get more into mid - Fall and beyond .

*Sexy shad IF your waters have shad ... If up in MN. , WI. or other waters where bluegill are dominant - then "no" and you would be better off with a blue gill pattern.

Actually FC line I believe is one of the typical longer lasting lines as long as storage conditions are pretty decent . Mono tens to degrade first followed by co-poly ,FC then braid .

Thanks for the replies - I already have few of those choices and will try them . I even saw that Academy had some semi-clear Ghost Shad color crank baits that may work in clearer water .

Mostly you read how square bill crank baits are a stained or muddy water deal ... Anyone have success throwing square bill crank baits in mostly clear water reservoirs ?

YoZuri #12 lb. any better with KVD Line Conditioner ? Any Sufix Elite Mono users ?

*My shop teacher had missing fingers ! ... Usually the only thing negative people have to say about Big Game or CXX is a possible memory issue ? Lots of flexibility with braid + different FC , Co-Poly leader sizes .

+1 (the old Lightening Shock 7' MH rod - not the new one...) I also use the old Lightening Shock in the 6'6" M with braid and it is great with smaller 1/4 oz. crank baits .

Here are my candidates for an all - around bait cast line when I just want to grab a rod & reel and go : P-Line CXX #12 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid #12 lb. Stren Original #14 lb. Berkley Big Game #12 lb. *Which would be your choice (or another of your liking) for light cover to open water using crank baits , chatter baits , spinner baits , T-Rig worms , top water , etc. ?

*I saw Gary Klein throw a shad color lipless crank bait (if that counts) in Florida in June ! I took note because usually the tight wiggle of a lipless crank bait is more associated with cooler water .

It depends : I like to give a shot or two of BANG Garlic Scent to my Zoom Worms , Craws , Flukes , etc. to kill the Zoom factory plastic scent . On other soft plastics (Senkos, Ned Riig baits ) I like to rub in a little Megastrike to individual baits. Other soft plastics from Strike King or Netbaits I just fish those baits right out of the package .