jonnyblazex

I have tried many many different stick worms, weightless, tx rigged, and wacky. For some reason the Senko has outperformed others when used the same way. I have had days where the other brands didn't get bit, and put on a Senko and started hammering them. Senko got destroyed, tried a knockoff again, figuring it dosent matter, and no bites. Took it off, and senko on, and game on! I don't know what it is, but you could buy one bag in the color you like, and try it out for yourself. I agree that the price is high, and durability is not real good, but if I can catch that big fish that make me happy, or wins a tournament, its all worth it! The Senko is the originator stick worm, all the others are rip off copy cats!

Thanks for the info on the hula stick jighead and keitech baits. I never knew they exisisted. There is such a plethora of bass lures it's mind boggling. You couldn't throw them all in a lifetime it seems. I'll have to check them out. It's not my go to bait, but can really produce heavily at times under the right conditions, and maybe in a last ditch effort. It's hard to find many of the bass baits around here let alone rods, I had to order most all of mine . It seems like when the new best thing is out in the country we won't see it for a year or two at least. Everyone fishes walleye and panfish it seems, but that dosent bother me, and I most always catch lots of bass, some hogs too. I used to go for walleye and such my whole life since a boy, like a "normal" person would, but I got really really bored, even with just the style of fishing. I love bass fishing, and everything there is to it!

Well when I think of the ned rig I picture the small mushroom head jig head and elaztek plastics. They really are nearly indestructible and float very well, also have a very subtle enticing action it seems. No other plastic could replace the trd in this jighead, if you still caught fish it would be one of those days you could throw anything and they would eat it. I would be throwing it a lot more if it didn't get hung up in the weeds like I said earlier!

Wow I never knew a crayfish snake existed! There's that black and blue, even the snake wanted it! I have had best luck here with green pumkin, or black and blue.

I wish they'd come out with a lighter brush guard jig head and a little bigger worm, maybe a 4". It would scare the dinky dinks away and catch a few bigger bass. Biggest I have caught on lil neddy is a 4.5 lb. then after that all 1lb or smaller. Even caught a 2 inch bass on it!! Bait was bigger than the bass! The problem I have is it really picks up a lot of weeds, even if you cast where you think there are none. Good fish catcher though, no doubt!!

I have caught more numbers and bigger fish on the black frog. Matter o fact, i caught my pb on the same frog, just a lb under the state record. You really need to throw it in the thickest, densest vegetation, that's what it's made for after all, and that's where you will get the most violent blow ups!

Jig and chunk Tx rigged worm Big topwater frog

I also have the same color lenses, but different frame. I am wearing the man o war, and can't notice any glare either. Good luck, and hope you figure it out!

Another tip is to not fish the dock if there are people near it. I got my lure stuck under the dock yesterday, and had to stand on the very edge of the dock to retrieve my lure. There were people having a Bon fire on the shore. Next thing I know here comes a guy ready to sock me, he's got a clenched fist and in my face talking crap. I told him I didn't mean any harm, just getting my lure. He didn't care what I had to say, except "there's a whole lake out there to fish. Don't fish by this dock!" Well I kept my cool trying to be a respectful angler, but just a heads up. There's always going to be that drunken a hole that needs to look like a tough guy.

Skip a jig under there and pull out the hogs!

I agree with the costa del mar glasses with the 580g glass being top of the line. They are unreal. I have tried every cheap pair of polarized glasses imaginable, and these blow them all out of the water tenfold. Crazy clear, and comfortable, and I never want to take them off! I use the amber lense with green mirror outside, and it works great, I can see great in and out of the water in any weather condition. I would never want another pair of shades, these fit all aspects for me. I even wear some dorky floaters when on the water, because I would probably lose these just like the other 5 pairs that fell into the water never to be found again. The thing that would hurt me the most is that I couldn't get them again for what I paid, got a steal on the auction site. Brand new paid $80, retail for new, (I tried the same pair on in the store) cost $250! Heck of a deal for that price!! Keep an eye out for later, the cheap ones will get you by, but in the end, they are the cheap ones, and you get what you pay for!

Hey guys, just wondering what is the best and most durable jig trailer craw. I have tried a lot of them, some off the top of my head are Berkley chigger craw, Berkley havoc, strike king rage, net bait paca chunk, zoom chunk, and many more I'm forgetting I'm sure. Anyways, I'm tired of the claws just ripping off, even if you barely knick a tree branch. On top of that, all these baits keep sliding down the hook, because they're wore out after one or two bass, even dinks. The best one I have tried so far for durability seems to be the Northland Tackle Slurppies craw, but it is no longer made! What are some of your top picks? I like pretty much all of the above mentioned and have caught fish on all, except the durability is terrible! I was thinking pork craw trailer, anyone use them? Or possibly z man, as I have had good luck with some of their worms, and sometimes seem to never wear out! Any input is very appreciated.

I agree that the nrx 893 is one heck of a nice rod. I own one, but wouldn't recommend it to you. For the price there are much better options out there, especially considering you could get a nice rod and reel at that price point. Just get the best rod that you can afford, especially if you can handle it in person before purchase and see what you like. I just started fishing tournaments this year, and have only brought the nrx one time. I'm always afraid of breaking it or losing it. Sometimes my rods take a beating, but I try my hardest to keep them safe and have not broken one yet. Knock on wood. Anyways, for tournaments, I wish I had bought another couple rods and reels, but blew it all on one rod. But it definatly is my most sensative rod by far, although you don't always need that, and I still catch fish on all my cheap rods. I caught my pb on my cheapest baitcast and flippin stick combo, and performed perfect. Good luck, and just pick what feels best!

I use the palomar knot 100 percent of the time with braid, mono, and fluoro. Havent had any problems with knot failure knock on wood. Its all about how careful you are about tying the knot, and getting it tightened evenly before the final torque down. With fluoro this is especially important.

Line dug into the spool from previous over run or bad snag where you pulled tight!

Hi guys! I have been skipping a lot of docks and low over hanging trees lately with some good results. The only problem Im having is that the hook always comes out of the bait. Im using a texas rig, 3/16 or 1/4 bullet weight and soft plastic, be it a worm or craw/creature bait. It seems every other cast the hook will come completely out of the plastic, leaving it for easy snag for any obstacle it comes across. I have tried screw lock hooks (owners) and gamakatsu ewg hooks as well as the worm hooks, and they also come out. I then tried the VMC and Trokar flippin hooks, and had the same issue. I tried gluing the bait on the flipping hooks plastic keeper, but still had the hook come out. It wouldn't be such a problem, but when I'm skipping into heavy brush, or a dock with nasty snags that are very hard to retrieve your lure, it gets frustrating when you hang up and have to snap off time and time again. I can skip with jigs quite a bit, and 80% of the time it comes out, even if I think I have a nasty snag. I like throwing jigs and all, but lets face it, sometimes texas rigs are more effective, and you have a lot more options. Thanks for any and all input!!

The first G Loomis NRX I purchased was the syr 822 spinning rod in green color. Most sensative rod I have ever tried. It is phenomenal for shaky head, as well as drop shot, and I would never trade it for any other rod for either of these techniques. I have it paired with a shimano stradic ci4 + 2500 and it is always a pleasure to fish. Also works great for any other finesse rig I can think of, like split shot, flick shake, ned rig, small weightless fluke, even jigging for walleyes. One rod does all, and it's a nice crisp light rod.

The TRD will sink as well. The Z man company seems to be putting salt HEAVILY into the batches that I have gotten as of recent. Salt is cheaper than plastic. Even the Strike King zeros will sink, regardless if its cut in half of not, but it is the same material, and I agree its durable. I have soaked these baits overnight in warm water, hoping they would float, and they didn't float when I checked them in the morning. Put it on a light jighead, and it will still tip over and not point straight up like you want it to. Bottom line is that I don't really think this makes a huge difference, although one worm in elaztec will last a really long time. They do hang up easily, and do catch a lot of small fish, but the big gals will also choke it down maybe if they want a snack. Try fishing it in a variety of methods, and see which works best for you is the best advice I Know,

Use the correct tackle is the most important factor. You need an elaztec worm, they float. That is the most important thing, any other worm will not float up at the tail, and tip over and not have the right action you want. Also, the mushroom head jig is the highest recommended. Other than that, go light on the jighead, and use light line.

If short and whippy is all you need, how about an Ugly Stick? I could get you a new one for $5. Heck for that price you could buy 10, and be set for life after spending $50!

One thing I noticed is that you should have the reel on its side when the side plate is open, so the open side is facing straight up. If you have it tilted slightly, or sideways like your holding it when fishing, the brake may hang up, rather the red centrifugal shoe so to speak. I noticed this with mine when first handling, and could get the plate closed, but then couldn't reel.

Thread back from the dead. So I tried out my nrx 893c yesterday. The ice is finally out, but water is still just as cold, I would be shocked if its above 40 degrees, and its been really windy. The rod balance didn't feel as bad as I thought it would (tip heaviness) after first handling the rod, but still wasn't perfect, or as good as I would like it. I did get a couple bites, and could easily feel each peck, but may have just been bluegills nipping at the senko. Was really just testing the rod out, and get the reel dialed in. After fishing, my thumb was stuck in the position it is when I palm my reel, hands were frozen! Cold out, and snowing again! Anyways, I figured Id try out a balancing system. I bought some rubber chair leg covers like a few others have mentioned. I bought the 1 inch diameter ones, and they fit the butt of the rod real nice and snug. I figured with the weight of the rubber, and 2 quarters, it is about perfect balance for me. It moved the balance point back (from balancing the rod parallel on your finger) about 2 or 3 inches closer to the reel. It feels about perfect for now, but will have to try it out on the water when I get a chance. Shame to have to do it to this rod, but man it really feels a lot better in hand!

I have tried a lot of fluoros, and viscous was one of the stiffest, highest memory lines. Had a few NASTY backlashes with it, and decided to try something else. Never tried it again.

Lighter wouldn't really hurt for backing, you just don't want much larger diameter monofilament than the braid equivalent, depending mostly how much mono you decide to use. In your case 20lb braid is roughly equivalent to 8 lb mono. So use 8, 10, 6, anything around there. If your filling a spool half mono, half braid, you obviously wouldn't want to use real heavy mono, like 17lb test or higher, and 20lb braid, as the braid is much thinner and will dig into the mono. If your just putting a real thin backing on the reel to ensure the braid dosent slip, I wouldn't worry too much about the differences in that case.

Its the black max. Try turning up the mag brake knob a little, maybe 1/4 way or more, and see what happens. When starting out with a new to me reel, I'll set the brakes pretty high, then work my way down to the point im comfortable. Remember to use your thumb!