Shakes

Seems like farm pond fish are actually kinda stupid. Some have never seen some of the crazy things we carry in our tackle... and for that reason the fishing is just that much better. Ah... unpressured water. Favorites: Sunrise - Black Buzzbait... insane. Rest of the day - white weightless rigged super fluke.

I fish Lake of the Ozarks several times each year. If you have specific questions, let me know.

A really FAT worm binder that I actually carry while fishing... and several shoe boxes at home for storage.

Haha. Well said! I agree.

Gimmick... You ever see Ike or Duckett using a "Laser Lure" when it really counts? Or at all for that matter?

I don't think that any other style of fishing is more exciting then seeing the fish you're about to hook into smash your bait on the top of the water... get ready. Buzzbaits, buzzbaits, buzzbaits. Black buzzbaits have produced probably 3 times the hits on top water then any other bait I've used. Can't go wrong. As for frogs, the spro frogs are great... but I've come to like the Snag Proof Perfect Frogs a lot more. Something about the body shape/size just seems to get more bites overall. Not to the mention the double hook is painted red... I'm all for red hooks! Also try throwing a weighless Zoom Super Fluke. It's not topwater, but fished just under the surface gets hits like no other and you still get a taste of those awesome topwater strikes. Good luck.

The Original Chatterbait in White/Chart This bait quickly became my favorite. From the first time I tied it on and saw its extraordinary action in the water all the way up until I caught my PB 10.4 lber last year, this bait will always have a special place in my box.

Xcalibur Xr50 in Chrome/Black http://www.***.com/XCalibur_Xr50_Rattle_Bait/descpage-XCRB.html#pImage

Frog it! Tie on a frog and drag slow across the tops of the pads in the summer. Big bass can't stand it. Make sure you toughin up the line a bit... maybe a 40 lb + braided line. One of my favorite techniques is running either a spinnerbait or chatterbait through the pads, ticking the stems. It's fairly easy to remain weedless as long as you stay out of the thick thick... leave that to the frog. But for edges, and small patches of lillies, through one of these. Can't wait til lillies grow here this year!

Wow. That's actually really amazing. Dude was tyin his knots with his teeth and crankin in fish with his chin! Makes me thankful for what I have too.

Lipless Xcalibur Xr50 - Chrome/Black Strike King Red Eye Shad - Sexy Shad Pattern Lipped Strike King Series 5 - Gizzard Shad Pattern Rapala DT - Bleeding Olive Pattern

I believe its important to fish the entire water column. I only carry 2 rods, and switch it to cover all areas. I'd go at it like this... Buzzbait Super Fluke Lipless Crank Sweet Beaver Best of luck.

KVD hands down.

I've used both. The Lucky Craft was originially a friend's, in ghost minnow. Fished several outtings with it catch nothing. (I"m glad I didn't pay for it!) Switched over this Xcalibur Wake and got results immediately. Great action on the LC, but the Xcal was catchin! In this color

Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver - best flippin bait there is

Lucky Strike Bass Magic

I once fished with a guy who had 1 worm hook, and 2 trailer hooks on a floating pink worm. It almost seemed as a hard bait b/c it had 3 hook points sticking out at all different areas of its body. I'd imagine it would most likely effect the action of the bait, not to mention the hang-up ratio.

Soft plastics is all I can get 'em to bite. Sweet Beavers, Lizards, & Worms...

Here in Missouri, the air temp has been 40-80 degrees off and on for the past couple of weeks. Water temp is just getting into the 50s. The only way I've been able to catch 'em is on a Reacton Innovations Sweet Beaver 420 in watermelon red. The crawfish-simulating bait is worked slow around cover just off the first depth drop-off from the bank. Been catchin' 'em 2 or 3 casts in a row. They can't seem to resist it. 8-)

I've never used red line before. Most days its clear of moss green. I've been known to use clear/blue for other situations. I have noticed that on my frog rod I've got braided line (50 lb. Power-Pro.) It'll catch the hell out of 'em on top water, but as soon as you tie on a spinnerbait, crank, or anything that is submerged, its almost like the fish can see my line... and refuse to bite. If I switch rods and tie that same spinnerbait or crank to clear or translucent line, I'll usually see a difference.

Hot summer days here start out at about 65 degrees. Its usually over 100 before noon.

Xcalibur XR-50 lipless crankbait in Black/Chrome

The important thing, is that you need to experiement with all different brands, shapes, and colors until you find what works for you. Once you do, you'll have more confidence in soft plastics then any other bait in your arsenal. Another thing that is important is to be PATIENT! The biggest problem I see in most amatuer fishermen is that they'll tie something on, cast it 5-10 times and change it up. What they need to change up is their return. Be patient with the bait, cast it in alot of different spots before you give up on it. And remember, one day a bait will just kill it, and the next day you won't feel a thing bitin' on it.

Its true. I have. I've seen the term "Magic Bait" used quite a bit on this forum, and after seeing it, I'll usually have it in mind for the next trip to the bait shop. Never any luck though. Guess everyone has their own "Magic Bait." Any way, I suggest you give it a try, its killin' over my neck of the woods. - Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver - Watermelon/Red Flake (Matches local vegetation on bottom of lakes) - Red 2/0 EWG Hook - 1/16 oz. worm weight I cast it out, and let it sit. I'll pop it once or twice like a jig, let it sit, then twitch it like I would a worm. The key is to slow down and be patient. The last 5-10 fishing trips have been no more than 2 hours, and I've caught at least 10 bass each outing. Give it a shot.... you never know what may work for you.

The ideal conditions in my opinion is usually on a hot summer day. Early in the morning when the air is wet. The sun is just starting to show its face, and fog covers the water. A moist 65 degrees with warm water from the day before, and no breeze at all until you see the sun. Water like glass. I hope I die fishing in these conditions.