the reel ess

I have a spin combo with 20 lb braid that I'll use for jerkbaits, small cranks and also for some finesse stuff. It's sort of a catch-all rod for everything the MH combo isn't suited for. I never want to remove the weightless Trick Worm from the MH combo, honestly, but there are some small baits the BC combos won't cast well, like a Rapala Minnow. I'll admit it's not the best situation for some baits, but it's moderate medium and just feels right. I like the lower twist properties of braid. It has whooped some really good bass with this setup, even using trebles.

Sometimes they just slap it. It happens to me more during the mid day than in the low light periods.

Given that XL is thinner, probably XL. But I don't know how much difference you'll really be able to tell in the same lb test. I was using 10 lb XL for cranking and 12-14 XT for other presentations. You can tell a difference in stretch properties between the two and I would not want to be setting the hook hard, the way you do with T-rigged worm, with XL. Check the line often after catching fish, or even if you aren't catching. Don't want to lose that $6 or $7 crankbait to a really good fish.

I used to use 10 lb XL for deep cranking when I fished the big lakes because it was thinner and stretched well.. I liked 14 lb. XT for the T-rigs, spinnerbaits, etc. I no longer fish the big lakes so I don't need to crank much. A friend turned me to on to 15 lb. Berkley Big Game and I've been using it ever since for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and topwaters as well as the occasional crankbait. Big Game is so cheap you can afford to replace it a couple times a year (I don't). And it's so strong I got a trailer hook on a buzzbait hung on a log the other night and bent it out. It also stretches well for use with trebles and floats for use with topwaters. I had a situation once where a 6 pounder swam under the right side of my kayak and was thrashing around under a boat dock on the left side of me. I had to lock the spool down with my thumb and simply drag the fish back. No problem with Big Game. I use straight braid for most single hook, bottom-bumping applications and on both my spinning combos.

I ran across a very comprehensive chart with water clarity up one side and sky conditions across. a while back. But if you Google it, you'll find charts with guidelines based on these conditions. With black plastics, when in doubt, whip black and blue out. I can tell you in my neck of the woods where the water always keeps a stain, the naturals like watermelon and pumpkin do not work as well as darks and brights. Purple is very good soft plastic choice here. Black/blue as well.

I always tie direct. I've seen a few pros recommend the Rapala (loop) knot.

Any time. I use bubble gum colored Trick Worms wacky rigged and T-rigged and they work. I've probably caught more pond bass on this bait than any other in the last 3 years and it catches them in every pond. It's all my buddy uses.

Gold color works well where I fish. I've taken my daughter's art kit to some white or shad colored cranks and jerkbaits before with good results. I've also painted some small Bomber cranks with her hot pink nail polish because my buddy was catching bass on pink crappie size cranks. This had less stellar results.

Just use a trailer hook

I figured all they're doing is looking for a mass to direct their anger at the noise they're hearing.

Thanks. Zip ties are a good idea.

What's your favorite replacement skirts for buzz/spinnerbaits? I'm looking for some with no rubber bands. It seems by the time I need them, the band is already rotten. I could tie them with a wire, but that won't help while I'm out fishing. Also, it occurred to me later that i could have used a black/blue craw for a buzzbait body while I was out. Do you ever use soft plastics or something else instead of skirts?

They already have some decent hooks on them that won't affect the bank one bit. This is not something I feel the need to do unless I really love a bait and the hooks got dull or rings rusted. I recently caught a turtle on a Spook rear hook. I tried very hard to get the hook back but I broke off one prong of the treble with my pliers. I replaced it with a hook off an old BPS Slim Dog. I would assume these hooks are not the same quality since the bait is $3.99. It works just fine.In fact, it feels just as sharp though it was more than 10 years old.

I have one of the sunfish swimbaits. I haven't caught anything on it after hours of trying, even when bass were on the bed and guarding fry. It sinks fast and the action of it is unrealistic to me. It 5/8 oz but casts so poorly I had to use it on a spinning combo. But I know it'll have a time and place. Hey, what should one expect from a $5 jointed swimbait, right?

1 Spook Jr in Frog pattern 2. Rat L Trap in Gold/black. But really with the finish worn off from use and fish 3. Chug Bug in frog 4. Shadow Rap in Gold 5. Rapala Minnow size 13, Gold Honorable Mention: Rebel Wee Craw

I used it this evening. I got 2 bites but missed them. I think that fish was small. I caught 2 on the frog, 2 on buzzbaits and one on Hula Popper. I got this 5 lb'er on a white Hart Throb buzzbait.

Good job. You've had better luck with LH than I. I had to retire my regular LH. Couldn't get it to hookup, it filled with water and a leg came off. 3 strikes and it was out. It was a shame too because the action was killer and it drew vicious strikes. I wondered if the fish weren't even biting it, just slapping it. I have the pocket size and I'll give it a fair shot as well.

He could. And eventually, he probably will.

Using: Booyah Pad Crasher standard size Don't like: The one with legs-ya'll know the one. Fills with water. Fish will bite it, but I get no hookups even after tuning the hooks a bit. Lost a leg. Junk!!! and now it's in the landfill. Gonna Try next time out: Live Target Field Mouse And an older SPRO in black.And I may buy an H2O or two from Academy if price is right. The smaller and weedier the body of water, the better the frog fishing thru the warm months. Somebody gave me three Matzuo crankbaits as a Christmas gift. I looked them up and they're sort of el cheapo, according to most people who've used them. I'll find some kid to give them away to at our next yard sale.

I know nothing of the Banjo Minnow, but I wouldn't buy any on principle just because it was an infomercial. Zoom Super Flukes have worked for me at times. It's a decent bait for a weedy, shallower place when fish get active. I usually use them weightless on an EWG hook and just give them twitches to jerk them up and let them flutter back down into the weeds. They fall with a flutter like Senko-type worms. If you're on a lake or river with stripers and happen upon a school feeding on shad, the fluke slays 'em.

Ned rig, seems to me.

Weightless Trick Worm. Frog.

Here's what I have. Old Town Rockport 14'. There;s a hatch under the middle seat. 750 lb capacity, 3 people. You can see some river rash on the bottom. No problem for polyethylene and why I bought this one. It has the slight concave in front of the middle seat. I think that's from storing it upside down, resting on the ends. if you put a foot on it, it goes right back to shape. The trolling motor is an older? Minn Kota 36 lb thrust tiller with 3 fwd and 2 rev speeds. Small bend in the shaft near the top. It works fine. I just checked it with my boat battery.

I have a rod like that I use for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, Rat L Traps, cranks and a backup to my topwater rod. But if it's very sensitive I'd be tempted to use it for bottom bumping baits like T rigs.

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