ChrisD46

My shakey head set up : 7 M / F spinning rod , 2500 series spinning reel , #10 lb. braid main line , 6' FC #8 lb. leader , shakey head jig weight of 1/8th oz. (95% of the time) I also drop down to 1/16th oz. or 3/32nd oz. (depending on the jig head ) and on rare occasions I may go up to 3/16th oz. *The pro experts like KVD or the West coast guys believe you lose too much action if you go above 1/8th oz. on a shakey head weight and I am with them on that belief - lighter is better in 1/16th oz. , 3/32nd oz & 1/18th oz. shakey head jig weights (Owner , Strike King , Picasso and a host of other good shakey head jigs) . For worms - you have Zoom Trick & Finesse worms , 6" Bio Spawn worms , 6" Fat Robo Worms , Strike King Baby Fat Finesse worms , Z-Man 6" Finesse worms and a host of others . Watermelon Red , Green Pumpkin and Junebug will cover most conditions any where .

I have the powder paint jars , a heat gun (Harbor Freight) and a toaster oven . If I shake the powder paint jars real good to get the powder paint fluffy then I should be good to go with a quick dip & swirl . Heat time for the size jigs I use a few inches away from the heat gun I have will start at 15 to 20 sec. *I suppose the key advantage of the fluid bed is it keeps your powder paint constantly fluffy - with the 2 oz. jars I may have to stop and shake the closed lid jar every few jigs or so . P.S. Harbor Freight has 16 oz. tubs of : Black , White and Red powder paints for $6 each .

My jig heads consist of Ned Rig and Shaky Heads from 1/24th oz. to 1/4th oz. which I would like to powder coat in small quantities : Do I need a Fluid Bed set up or is there an equal method for powder coating small size / small quantity jig heads I described ? Thanks in advance ...

I believe I got a 50 or 100 pack (I forget) but do know it had the #2 or #4 size 'Lil Nasty Eagle Claw Hook (either will work for a TRD) . A drop of super glue gel after rigging straight and you are set . I even powder coat mine or use finger nail polish to add a little color or contrast . Also , I don't know if it's the weight or that the TRD is slightly larger than the 1/24th ball head jig - but I never get hung up in the rocks , rip rap , etc. anymore . Lastly , the 'Lil Nasty hook is a quality hook for the Ned rig - just reel set and ease the rod back .

For interested Ned Rig users - I've been experimenting with a either half a Zinkerz or a Finesse TRD secured with 1 drop of super glue gel using 1/24th oz. round ball jig with a 'Lil Nasty #4 or #2 hook size , #6 lb. FC leader (6') #8 lb. PP Braid mainline , 7 ML spinning rod and 2500 series Daiwa . *The result is a little slower glide than using the same set up with a 1/16th ~ 1/15th oz. jig head and with slightly less feel while fishing it at or near the bottom . I find 1/32nd oz. jig heads to be too light with a half a Zinkerz and not quite heavy enough to keep a Finesse TRD down well . I will also note that while using the 1/24th oz. jig head I have not got hung up in any rocks with a Ned rig (which has happened to me using a 1/16th oz. jig head ) . With the above said , my Ned rig jig head sizes are now : 1/24th oz. , 1/16th ~ 1/15th oz. , 3/32nd oz. and occasionally a 1/10th oz. ~ 1/8th oz. under special circumstances which may / may not include a Big TRD ... At any rate - just another Ned rig jig head weight option to consider between that 1/32nd oz. (which I consider border line too light) and 1/16th oz. jig head sizes to dial in that sought after, alluring , TRD / half Zinkerz fall rate . P.S. I'm happy for those who have used and prefer to continue using a 1/6th oz. ~ 1/5th oz. Ned rig jig head - I'm just operating in a different Ned rig space is all ...

EWG hooks have their place with thicker baits like Flukes , Senkos , etc. Hook up ratio is not enough of a problem to complain about . 2/0 to 4/0 RB offset for thinner baits such as finesse and trick worms .

I like a 6'10" ~ 7' ML spinning rod rated for 1/8th oz. to 1/2 oz.

*My wife complains that my fishing shows hog all the DVR space - I tell her that's a strategy so that all her DIY shows can't be recorded - thus it keeps me free of new projects when I could be out fishing !

A spinning rod is a tool just like a bait cast rod - use the tool the application calls for ... Nothing more - nothing less .

Siebert Outdoors *Morel Jig Head in 1/16th oz. , 3/3nd oz. or 1/18th oz. ... All use a high quality Owner #1 hook which fits the Keitech 2.8 perfectly ! *While the Morel jig head was designed primarily for the Ned Rig - it also is outstanding on a Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact . You also have a choice of color selection with the Morel Jig Head : I like a red color jig head with the Sight Flash , French Pear color Keitechs , Black & Blue color jig head with the Blue Gill Flash color , Green Pumpkin color jig head with the Ayu color , Cobalt Blue color jig head with Electric Shad color and Black & Silver jig head color with the Silver Flash Minnow and Shad color Keitechs . I will also use a chartreuse color Morel jig head on any Keitech if I need to add attraction in stained water or over cast day ... *Shameless Plug* : You can spend more time and money else where on a ball head jig hoping the hook will fit , hoping the jig maker used a high quality hook etc. With the Morel jig head form Siebert Outdoors you will have no worries - I've never had a bad jig head from Mike , every one is perfect and the color options can't be beat ... Did I mention the Owner #1 hook which is used ? P.S. If you think a 2.8"Keitech Fat Swing Impact can't be beat - then you haven't tried a Z-Man Slim Swimz 2.5" or 3" in Bad Shad color on the same Morel jig heads ... Equal to or better than a Keitech (specially at slow speeds) and 50 bass days on one soft plastic are common ... Try that with a Keitech !

Similar to a B10 S 1/0 would be a VMC Neko 1/0 hook .

Dobyns is pretty good about showing the suggested applications for each rod . I have the following Sierra's (but want more) : 704c : Football Jigs , T - Rigs , Spinner Baits , Chatter Baits , Swim Jigs 705c : Frogs , Flipping , Pitching 703sf : Shakey Head , Senko

*It's called a Strike King Red Eye Shad - best shimmy on the drop / fall going ... All kidding aside , I don't think Flukes are especially known for any shimmy qualities - for soft baits a Yamamoto Senko rigged wacky style is about as good as it gets for shimmy on the drop / fall .

Spinning reel comparison : Daiwa Regal vs. Pflueger President : Both cost about the same (2500 / 3000 series) ... What would your preference be as the better reel ?

*Hard to go wrong with this rod - sensitivity is not as critical for cranking , so this rod gets the job done .

Are you saying the Rage Swimmer has MORE action at slower speeds than the Keitech Fat Swing Impact ? ... I would think the opposite would occur ?

The 7' H makes an outstanding Biffle Bug / swing jig set up for banging and deflecting off of bottom structure using #15 lb. FC line . True - the rod is a broomstick but that's what you want for that instant Biffle bug deflection that triggers strikes .

The 705CB , 733C and the 702SF would be on my short list to buy next ! ... I am likely to end up in Florida the next few years so I may forgo the 702SF -however it is such a nice finesse rod for drop shot or light Ned Rig applications (Finesse TRD using 1/16th oz. jig head with #4 or #2 size hook) that I may have to have one any way !

*Nicely stated ! ... Straight green color braid though for Frogs on top of the salad or flipping / punching into the spinach .

^^This^^ or same in willow leaf blades ...While there may be better spinner baits , you can find Booyah spinner baits just about any where in a multitude of sizes , colors and blade type to suit your needs . Spending $5 for a more than decent Booyah versus $8 or $9 for other brands means I'm less concerned where I throw it - which is usually where the good bass live . The only thing I do is reinforce the skirt with a small wire tie to the hook or bend back the wire frame if it gets bent with a pair of needle nose ... Once it's ready for the "spinner bait burial grounds" - I save the blades or skirts for a future use . Conversely , if I see a Terminator , Nichols , Stanley , War Eagle , etc. on sale or in a color combo I just have to have (low IQ / shiny objects are my downfall) then I will buy with no hesitation.

Next time I see a sale I will be picking up a 703c for those applications where a 704C may be a little too heavy . I see no reason why a 703SF could not be used with a slightly heavier set up for drop shotting around structure and vegetation - something like #15 lb. braid plus a #10 lb. FC or P-Line CXX (if water slightly stained) leader and a strong #1 or #1/0 drop shot hook .

^^This^^ ... If I don't get bit - I reel in quickly and cast to another spot - I believe it is a waste of time to work a senko all the way back to the boat .

The new Terminator shuddering bait concept with the "half moon" , cupped front piece looks like a viable alternative to a chatter bait . At around $7.99 it's half the price of a Jack Hammer and comes in decent colors ... Anyone used one yet ? Your thoughts on it - as well as hook quality ?

*Great rod , however the 702SF is a ML finesse rod for things like a Ned rig or drop shot . You could wacky rig or nose hook a 4" ~ 5" Senko (drop shot) , however for weightless T-Rig using a 3/0 ~ 4/0 EWG hook you would want to move up to at least the medium power 703SF to drive that larger hook home ... I'm afraid the 702SF would be over matched in that scenario .

TRD = "The Real Deal" ... A lot of folks just like to say or call it by the other name .