fishballer06

That's great to hear!

The fish are slapping at the bait because it's moving so fast and they're reacting to it. Since you're using only a single hook, you're only going to hook up if the fish gets the hook point inside their mouth. A few suggestions: 1 - Downsize your bait. Drop down to a 2.75" Rage Swimmer. It's easier for the fish to get a bait that size in their mouth. 2 - Change baits. In that shallow of water, a Mann's Baby 1- is perfect. 3 - After a bite, throw a follow up cast immediately with a different rod. I'd recommend using a Senko or a Fluke in a similar color/size as your Rage Swimmer.

Braids: Suffix 832 or Pline TCB 8 depending on whats available/cheaper Fluoro: Sunline FC Sniper or PLine Tactical Mono: Defier Armillo or Big Game

Packed my box up this morning and mailing it out this afternoon.

Wiggle warts don't listen to the rules (in regards to what works in what temperature water). They just flat out catch fish!

I can't comment on the rod, but a 3/8oz chatterbait with a 4" swimbait trailer on it is about 3/4oz. So you'd be right in the sweet spot for that rod.

Keitech Swing Impact Fat

Haven't used one, but I'm sure it's just like any other DD 1.5 squarebill. Probably 4-7' depending on line size and length of cast.

https://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product-list/52 Hedgehog claims these fit the 2000 model Scorpion, which is the JDM version of the Bantam Curado. I hope this helps.

Great job on finding some December bass. Our local lakes and ponds all crusted over this past week. However, it's supposed to be in the 40's all week, and even over 50 on Friday and Saturday. Hopefully it melts that crust off the water.

Just a thought - might be hard for most guys to research, place an order somewhere, receive it, and then ship it out, in just 2 business days. I know for me personally, standard shipping from TW takes 5 business days to arrive to my house. I know we're getting short on time here. Maybe assign names on Thursday or Friday?

Welcome, my neighbor to the west.

Shad Rap and a DT

Generally speaking, I like a 7:1 for most topwater presentations because I want a faster retrieve and I want to be able to pick up line quickly to keep fish from getting down into weeds/wood, and I generally go 8:1 for frogs. However, I have found better success with the Cavitron buzzbaits when using a 5:1 ratio Chronarch E series. The holes in the blade really allow me to slow that bait down and it still stays on the surface. I've noticed the sound and bubble trail that the bait makes is totally different between a 5:1 reel and a 7:1 reel. Moral of the story - use whatever ratio works better for you. Everybody is going to have a different answer because everyone's successes and failures are going to be different.

Only a few more days left to sign up. A few of the normal players haven't signed up yet. Be sure to get signed up and join the fun.

We're missing a few of our usual players from years past. Lets go guys!

Yep, that's 100% an SV103. Excellent score.

Thanks for the update, John.

Shad Raps, DT's, and Wiggle Warts are my go to's. I've thrown the Little Johns and they're nice, but I have more confidence in the aforementioned baits.

I'm not positive on the internals. I've never been much of an Abu guy. I know quite a few guys on TT bought them, thought they were way too small to be practical, and had a few other issues, and they all ended up dumping them. I thought it was odd how the ALX was on sale for half price after only a few months on the market. I figured it was a flop for Abu.

The ALX had a lot of promise when it was released, and it was quickly found to be disliked by the masses. I've read many stories of guys buying one and immediately regretting it for various reasons. I personally haven't owned one, but I know if you search around the internet you will see many stories about the ALX. As for the Smoke, I don't own that one either, but I did just pick up the Tour S3 which is the upgraded Smoke. I haven't been able to use it on the water yet, but from what I can tell so far, it's a very nice reel for the money.

I'd ask around your local club and see if anyone has those models that you're looking for. Otherwise you might be traveling a little bit to handle that expensive of a rod in person. Not many shops stock too many rods over the $250 price point.

I just saw this thread. This is so scary. I have Clayton's phone number and I was just texting with him in October whenever I was up in his area salmon fishing about meeting up but our schedules never aligned. I hope he has a speedy recovery and that God is looking over him.

Just a reminder guys that time is running out to sign up for the annual Fishmas exchange here on BassResource. If you aren't familiar with how this works, it's basically a Secret Santa tackle exchange program that we run. It's a lot of fun, fairly inexpensive, and the more people we get the merrier. Sign up in the thread above ASAP.

Those Boxer jigs from VMC and Trokar are great. I'll also give Siebert Outdoors jigs a nod as well. I love that he offers some oddball weights like 3/16, 5/16, 5/8, etc. as well.