Canyon explorer

For use on the front deck of a 14' aluminum boat I would use the Minn Kota Edge 45 lbs. 12 Volts.

For heavy cover I use a 84" HVY G-LOOMAS GL-2 With 30 lb. P line For Laydowns, docks, etc. I use a G-LOOMIS GLX MH with 2" chopped off the butt end.

Senkos, PoP-R's, and Horney Toads.

Try using a Trokar hook, reel down and use Carolina Rig "Sweep Set" while reeling at the same time. I use this for deep brush piles where you have to set the hook and get his head aligned with the line instantly.

I stopped using vicious years ago for that and other reasons.

BB396, I use a propane torch on the inside to jump start my molds. Works like a charm.

Clayton I am working with an old mans memory but I believe The Mud Hole sells an alignment tool for but wraps.

Rob91 Sorry R~91 but I have never heard of a custom hook fabricator.

The best fishing in Baldwin Lake is off shore from a boat. A natural creek bed winds its way thru the lake. Some areas are better than others having stumps scattered along the old channel banks. You can find them with a depth recorder then use ranges on the buildings to return to the area. Takes patience. I do not consider it a big bass potential lake. Baldwin is like a big dish, kind of boring as related to scenic views. Drive another 30 minutes to Kincaid and the overall fishing is much better; including Muskie.

I fish jigs year around because with specific adjustments you can tune the jig to the seasonal pattern they are on. Very basic examples of how I do it are as follows: In the winter ( water temps 32 –39’) a bass’s metabolism is very low as is his activity and feeding efforts. I favor a 5/16 oz. –1/2 oz. brown or black/blue jig as you can fish it very slow. I use a #11 Pork frog trailer as it stays pliable in cold water and slows the fall as you barely hop and work it on south facing chunk rock banks and points. In addition to jigs I also use Mega Baits Vision 110 jerk bait very slow in the same locations. Pre spawn bass begin to move to staging areas at channel swings and points out from pea gravel pockets/banks. I use the Eakin’s style 5/16 oz. Jig with a Chomper twin tail trailer and ½ oz. Football jigs with a pork chunk. In addition I also use Carolina rigged lizards and suspended jerk baits with a quicker cadence. I do not use jigs on bedded fish. (white Gitzit tubes and lizards are best for me. From post spawn to summer, in the Mid West, bass begin moving to structure e.g. ledges, points with structure, (usually man made) and especially brush piles around docks. I use 3/8” Arkies and ½ oz. Football jigs with with the back end of Zoom Baby brush hogs and other creature baits. In the Fall bass move, (follow the shad) towards the back of creeks. I like to fish those creeks that are windblown. I swim light colored Arky jigs down the sides and tight to corners over brush. I also use spinner baits on this same pattern if the fish are aggressive. Position your boat as far off the docks as you can and pitch jigs to the shady areas of walk ways. If I could use only one bait it would be a jig workable in the three best places e.g. the Top, the Bottom, all the water in between. Not many other baits can do that.

I like night fishing brush piles at LOZ with 10" Power Worms

Does the lake have turtles and or gars?

I can't speak about majority but I can assure you, you put yourself at a distinct disadvantage only fishing calm water.

I fish the windy banks much more often than lee banks especially with spinnerbaits,crankbaits etc. Wind will gradually move schools of shad to the windy side. Wind causes ripples which provides less light and more dark areas. Wind causes current which can move bait to and under docks. Heavy wind can roil the bank exposing crawfish, tadpoles, frogs and glass minnows.

I'd go with an 1/4 oz Arkie jig and change trailer with the depth; from twin tailed hula grubs in the column and power worms on bottom structure.

I'd stick with the first tick and try say'in "Gotcha" on the set.

With one post he may not yet know how to post pics. Chaz~, If it is a rash type looking disease on the skin it could be from a bacteria brought about from handling if some of the fish have been caught and released. If it is a injury looking cut or puncture it is often caused by herons or racoons which are one step up in the food chain.

F~4~B, Little more info would help e.g. lake size and how far off bank. Carp make a big disturbance when they spawn only and very near the bank as they are not feeding but knocking the eggs loose. Black bass jump and break the surface when they are feeding schools of shad. The fish that have a habit of rounding up bait fish on a schedule in the evening for a period of about 15-20 minutes are white bass, stripers and or swipers that are a cross between white bass and stripers. If you are in a small lake/pond it could be blue gill working insects or a hatch. Try a small Rebel Pop-R, or a glen evens 1/4-3/8 oz. Sheister. and a 3" 3/8 oz. lucky Craft Pointer jerk bait that dives 3-4'. Deep baits will not work well as the fish and bait are up.

Nah, In the south we don't use mickey mouse motors, or 2" bobbers ever. :-)

Re read the first sentence. Yes you can consistent with with STL BB published rules. All other tournaments usually have their rules on the back of entry form.

The darker it is the better I like it. I like 1/2 oz. black spinner bait with a #9 Colo blade slow rolled along a chunk rock bank; and or a 10 " power worm in deep hardwood brush or stumps in 10 to 15 ' water

Such as?

Your friend is a very smart guy.