Drew03cmc

Yes and sometimes. When they miss, I don't stop the retrieve. When they hit and it pulls the bait, I stop and give a quick jerk with my wrist. I fish my walkers, in creeks, on my M spinning rod with 15/4 Super Slick and an 8lb mono leader. I've just begun to fish these baits this summer and I'm hooked, as my topwater box shows.

Thanks guys!

Hey all, on walking baits, on creeks, I missed probably 10 hits in an hour. I caught 3 small smallies, but missed 10. I don't know what I need to change, but seeing the strikes is awesome anyway.

Honestly, this is my first year giving walkers a real shot and I have amassed 13 of them, ranging from the Zip'n Ziggy to the Dog X Diamante. My favorites are probably the Damiki Dolphin 90 though. It walks super easily and smallies in creeks love them. I find it easier to toss walking plugs on spinning gear though, so until I find a good MH spinning rod to toss the Zara Spooks, Diamantes, etc, I'm sticking to the smaller stuff for now.

See @Dwight Hottle comment below mine. You may be able to get away with 15# Hybrid, but make d**n sure of your knots. The 168 is still 1-5/8oz. There are crankbait rods you can use, but again, they aren't the right tool for the job.

I'd go Irod as well, but I'd ask why 7'2"? Is it for storage reasons or any practical reason? My choice would be the Irod Jr Swim 7'8". For a reel, try a 200 size Shimano loaded with 20lb Hybrid.

Honestly, if Daiwa made the Aird in 6' with the same power, taper, etc as the 6'6" M, I'd be using it for creek work. The Aird is, quite possibly, the best $55 rod available. I've used and abused a 6'6" M.

May have to do that. Thank you!

96 Ranger 2wd, 5spd. Gets my butt to and from work, fishing and wherever else. Hauls the yak well too!

Not when everything is set up properly. I've used 20lb PP without a single issue on casting reels. The drag is a big issue, if it's cranked down, it will dig. Without that, it'll work just fine.

Yes, the Smart comes with a shallower spool. It's currently spooled with light braid. I'm pretty thrilled with Haibo products as I currently have the Smart, 2 Piscifun SAEX Premiers and an Ardent Apex Tournament. All are aluminum framed baitcasters and pretty nice reels, especially for the dollar. Anyone who says a ML won't set the hooks on any Texas rigged bait, hasn't used much spinning gear I presume. I have used a ML to fish 3" cigars, Trick Worms and light jighead baits. The key is the hook. It needs to be a lighter wire hook.

Thanks guys. I'm not wedded to that budget. The goal is to have a rod for my Pop-X collection that can also toss weightless Trick Worms, Dog X Jr, etc. It'll have a new Haibo Smart 150 on it with 15/4 braid.

I'm looking to pair a good, affordable (sub-$70) ML casting rod with a casting reel loaded with 15/4 braid for weightless plastics or small poppers. Any recommendations?

Tom, pm sent.

I'm looking to acquire or make my own 1/4oz twin spins, probably a wider V, shorter arm bait with twin Indiana blades. I've found a few components at lurepartsonline, but can't determine which size of anything I'd need. It'll be for shallow water in creeks and rivers, targeting smallies. They have the Guppy Twin Spin head/frame, not sure how big a blade to use, probably pretty small, swivels, split rings. I'd also need the round jaw pliers to twist the wire. It sounds like it would almost be cheaper to have someone make these for me at this point, but I'm a glutton for punishment and don't hate the idea of doing it. Any suggestions on sizes of components I'd need? In this picture below (stolen from another site), something like the bottom bait, but I'm not convinced I'd need the wire out front of the eye.

Floroclear is junk. Give me CX.

Do share, so I can live in jealousy.

We keep going, at least every 3 weeks. He loves it. The problem id the 2.5 to 4 hour drives.

I have a Pop Max that I'm not a huge fan of. I prefer the Pop X, and the more I fish it, give me a medium spinning rod.

@Sam, how did the trip go with the poppers?

@TotalNoob I've got some frogs I'd come off of. PM if interested. I really like the Booyah stuff. It's great quality and a good price.

Guess I need to toss my Punker this week for lake fish. It's a mouthful!

Ahh, ok. I only asked because I can't walk baits with my off hand on the rod. It has to be my dominant hand.

The rivers in normally on get the smaller baits due to the overall size of the waters. There's a few that will definitely get these bigger baits, along with a Zara Spook and probably an Ima Little Stik. Now, do you use casting gear or spinning gear?

I just acquired a Vixen and a 5" Punker. Anyone else use big walkers like these for river smallies? I've had success with small walkers, Dog X Speed Slides and Damiki Dolphins.