the reel ess

This has been my jig experience. By the time I know they have it, they're gone. But with a Chigger Craw, they'll swim across the lake with it and refuse to spit it out. And I seem to catch big fish with it. So I have pretty much stuck to it when the occasion arises to choose between the two.

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PB1RFG?keywords=RAPALA%20SCALE&qid=1445603004&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 I tested it with some weights. Seems pretty accurate. It was off a tiny bit on some weights, but these were really cheap cast iron dumbbell weights. I doubt them more than the scale. I also use it from the kayak and it gets wet with no trouble. But some reviews say that salt water can corrode it.

Chart/white with hammered gold blades. Or a combo of gold/nickel. Always hammered if I can find them.

If a bass is charging a buzzbait, he's not looking at me, the boat or anything but the bait.

Landsford Canal St Park is a wader's dream. When the water level is normal to low, you can wade and walk from rocks to rocks. When it's above normal, I wouldn't try it. Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNieJlVSw4M

Just Google the top 10 bass baits and buy them. Then do a lot of study on season, times and conditions to use them in. Then do it. It helps a lot to have access to a place where the fish bite easily like a stunted pond to try things out and gain confidence.

If you have rods in rod holders behind you, don't forget and make a straight overhand cast. It will ruin your BC reel for the rest of the day. And we all forget it sooner or later.

Used to try to use an anchor. I ran the rope thru a D ring in the bow with a cleat to tie off on right beside me. But it was as big a hassle as paddling in the wind so I gave up on it. I just look for areas where I can avoid some of the wind, back the yak up till it's touching bottom and fish away from the bank or go to a pond I have access to that's in a low-lying, mostly wooded area. On really windy days, I'll see if my buddy's going and tag along in the back seat of his Bass Tracker. He has a killer variable speed trolling motor.

One must assume it's due to low sales. I understand that's the color of a bird that's very common in the Cali Delta. Snag Proof calls that color Tweety Bird.

It's a lot for one lure. But not for a box full. I'll bet I carry $500 worth with me whenever I go. I gave a bunch a way to a local kid along with an old tackle bag and boxes a while back to make some room.

Or you can go for reds, flounder and trout.

Santee Cooper lakes are just up the road from you. There are a lot of good guides there if you want to increase your odds. They have trophy bass and blue catfish as well as a striped bass fishery that's on the rebound. The striper and catfish limits are strict. Here's the dividing line for fresh/salt licensing. It's a long way up the rivers. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/dividingline.html That doesn't mean you can't catch bass farther down the river. If you hit the right brackish area, I hear you can catch bass and redfish in the same place.

I've made a kayak crate from a milk crate. I zip tied 4 rod holders around the inside of it and I bungee it to the back well. The kayak came with one holder so I can carry 5 combos. Just be careful. The more you carry, the more you can lose. I start with several things I think I'll need tied on-whtever they "should bite" for the season and location. Then I throw a few bags of different plastics behind the seat. If they won't bite those, oh well, it wasn't meant to be. I can say I've only been shut out completely twice all of 2015. But I was run off the water by a storm once.

It is different. I used a Chug'n Spook, Jr a lot this summer. You just hold the rod up instead of down because you have a lot of line already in the water. If it starts diving you have to let it settle back on top and start over. Using the Chug'n model added another dimension to the action so I don't think it needed to be wallked continuously. It looks like it's struggling more than swimming. Someday I want an SUP so I can stand and fish. That's not something I feel comfy with on my kayak.

All I can tell you is the fish will fight you for a Powerbait Chigger Craw. Even when they feel your resistance, they'll hold on and try to yank it away.

Don't stand up! Wear your PFD. Be careful and have fun. It's a good time.

At least you know if they swallow one, it'll dissolve in the belly and not block up the stomach like soft plastics. It might help them get fattened up too.

I just checked again. It looks good to me. And it doesn't twist line either, which leads me to believe it's working properly.

I have one with the black handle. All I've used on it is braid. I've had it since December and no groove.

You can get an absolute STEAL of a spinning reel for $40 in the Pfleuger Trion. I'm gonna buy another as soon as I wear out my old BPS special. BTW, I got that BPS reel (Viper) on a matched combo about 7 years ago for $70 and it's been a great one too. I've even stepped on the bail. I think it improved the operation!

You caught 4 after a strong cold front. I *** you.

Here's an idea. Use the same type rod you would for a jerkbait like a Rapala floating minnow. That has the right action/power for a lure with trebles.

I sometimes use a 7' Lightning Rod with a mod/fast tip for topwaters as well as Rat L Traps in a pinch. It works well. You don't NEED a lot of sensitivity in a topwater rod. In fact, these day, there are people recommending a 'glass rod so you don't yank the bait away. If your intention is to spend a lot of money, go for it. But I doubt I'd spend over $100 for a rod for this purpose. weight, action and power are the driving criteria here. Primarily, I use a Med 6'6" BC with a mod-fast tip and 15# mono for topwaters, with a 7:1 reel for when I use buzzbaits, etc. If I was going for a spin combo specifically for topwaters, I might go up to a MH because spinning rods tend to run a bit lighter in action than BC rods. Find one with spring in the tip, but about 80% backbone in the rod. I'd go to Cabela's to compare if I could. A spinning reel with a bigger spool (a 2500 up to a 4000 size) can help with casting distance using heavier mono. If you use braid, it won't be that big of a deal.

I've made the same mistake with those dirt cheap Rebel and Cotton Cordell jerkbaits out of the WalMart discount bins. I've tried using Smithwicks while my buddy used a Rapala. If I caught any, it was usually 1 to his 3. I finally gave up and bought some rapalas. Good investment.