Dypsis

I want to start throwing light swimbait jigheads (1/16-3/16oz) on spinning gear. Probably a Medium Power. Looking for advice of some jigheads to try as well as what size baits pair well with them. I throw a Keitech for example a good amount but am throwing the 4.8" alot on a lightly weighted swimbait hook. Does a 3" or 4" size pair better? Any baits you like better than others or the normal Keitechs, skinny dippers, etc. I will be targeting grass lines in less than 5' of water primarily. Is 7lb FC too light of line with the grass edges they can dart into. If it helps 3-5lb fish are fairly normal, not pulling any 10lbers out, maybe one day! Thanks!

This was the deciding factor that I went with mono in the first place. I fished Armilo and Defier on different rods and for different techniques but I truly feel that I liked Armilo better. Maybe the rod, or technique used for each line factored in, but I did enjoy the Armilo more.

I figured as with most things in fishing (A-Jay and I have discussed this many a times - what works for one person - rod, line, etc may not work for you) this is the case. Just like to hear others that have been through the trials and changes to hear why they ended up with one over the other.

Of course all are welcomed!!! With my time here on BR there names keep coming in jerkbaits threads or I've seen alot of thier pictures of smallies that were caught on jerkbaits clears throat A-Jay. By the way, thanks for the response, makes a lot of sense.

So with the off season now upon us (well some of us) its time to look back and evaluate how each of my combos, rod, reel, and line choice worked. 2 things I am really focusing on this winter is FC vs Mono (for both shallow and medium diving cranks) as well as this topic - jerkbaits (hardbaits). I know this has been discussed a lot, but I searched and didn't see a thread that was too recent. Last year I used 13lb Sunline Defier in 13lb test. While I liked the line I am debating changing it to either Sunline Armilio (used on my lighter cranking rod and loved it) or FC, probably Sniper. At minimum I would switch to 11lb test as I don't think 13 was necessary. I am leaning to mono as it treated me well this year. FC sinks - mostly a pro, but I fish pretty shallow so not a huge issue. More sensitive - pro for slack line bite detection. Less stretch - con but I think that 2 things can help with this - using the right rod and trying to horse the fish in. I will be using an appropriate rod and am also working at getting better landing and reeling in fish on various rods/techniques. Mono - more stretch - pro see above, so possibly not too much of an issue. Finally, which will affect suspension and the erratic action more? I would also respectfully, appreciate your thoughts on why you use one over the other, not simply Mono or FC and leave it at that. Maybe it is just a preference thing, but I would like to hear your personal thoughts to help me decide. I am hoping to hear from some, in my opinion, top jerkbait fishers on the forum (obviously there are more than this). @A-Jay @smalljaw67 @Lucky Craft Man @Dwight Hottle

I bought a few packs of the Zako at BF from TW and I will be using them as trailers, not a stand alone bait. They are pricey (as with most GYCB) but cheaper than the Lake Forks I've been using. So we shall see. I also use plain old flukes as trailers for my chatterbaits and do just fine with them. I'm interested in seeing how they preform (action wise) on a swimjig. The beaver I will not give a chance on, I LOVE the Flappin Hogs, but they are again, just way to pricey for me. I will always have a pack or two with me as they are a confidence bait, but there are other, cheaper, options that work as well.

Let me know how you like these, I've had my eye on them for a while JDM plastics just get sooo pricey.

Can this be fished shallow as well? 6-8' what about even shallower? Same sort of idea presentation wise. I bought 2 silver buddies on my BF TW order what will be here tomorrow might try it. Never fished them before. Finally, what type of rod are you throwing them on?

Um, Yeah, Tom if you could go ahead and not say this again, that'd be great!

I've toyed with this bait over the last year or so, but only seem to throw it on days I tell myself I will throw it. That being said I like reapers, tubes, and baby brush hogs primarily. I also throw finesse worms and soft jerk baits from time to time.

I ordered a 92mm ZPI for mine. My only real complaint about the reel was handle size.

I certainly will!

I use the Alberto but this winter my goal is to try and learn the FG knot.

Thanks Tom, I'll give it a try.

I purchased a few of these and have caught maybe 20 or so fish on one of them, but now it runs to the right and kinda of at a weird angle. Is it as simple as tuning it like a crankbait? Thanks

Why don't you like braid for buzzbaits? I, for whatever reason don't throw them a lot but when I do its on my chatterbait rod, which has braid. Again, I haven't thrown them enough, but curious as to why.

Greg is the man at jig fishing (among others). He's a favorite of mine!

Thanks I'll check it out. Don't have any of the supplies and would really prefer just to have it done and over. Family time and fishing take up as much time as I have as is. Maybe someday as that would be awesome to get into.

Anytime you are solo let me know man. I am boatless and always looking to get out when I can. Especially for those brown ones!!! Send me a PM sometime and I can give you my number.

No one yet, but would love to change that. @Logan S isn't too far and fishes alot of the same waters as me so that's a possibility. If @A-Jay doesn't stop posting all those pictures of huge smallies, I'll probably show up at his front door and make him take me out .

Thanks all, it sure was exhilarating. I love Fall!

I know that there are literally hundreds of places that do custom paint. I have some beat up pre rap warts I bought cheap and looking to have them repainted. Can anyone suggest a few places you have dealt with before and would recommend. Side question - any reason why re-painting them would be a negative (affect the action). Thanks

Went out on this morning and with-in 10 minutes had a new personal best! 6lb club here I am (barely)! While I know others have double that or if you are @WRB triple it. But it feels great! I caught it on a 1/8 shakey head with a Berkley Shakey Snake in GP with Chart tip. Very odd bite too. At first I thought I was hung up in some grass as I was hoping it along and all of a sudden it got heavy, in my head I knew it was something different cause I hesitated before popping it free. Then it tugged back and I reeled down and set the hook and drag went a screaming. I kept my composure which is not like me and got him in! This may sound odd but I shoved my whole fist in his mouth just because. Funny thing is I rarely carry a scale but had it today, thank god.

Practice plugs in different weights and a park.

My main jig rod has 55lb Daiwa Samurai Braid on it.