blckshirt98

How are you holding your rod? Are you in-line with the bait or do you have it angled down and out to the side in some weird way like when you're trying to fight a fish in? Try sticking your rod right in front of you in-line with the bait, that lipless or crankbait should vibrate right away, and, don't be shy about sticking the tip of your rod down in the water to get more depth.

Here in Norcal I seem to get bit more/have more confidence in, plastics in Morning Dawn and dark purple. Green pumpkin/watermelon have their time and place but I always grab those other colors first.

I've gotten a few rods from Sierra Trading Post - great deals but they ship in flimsy boxes, one rod was a two piece that had turned into a four piece, so be sure to check it as soon as it arrives.

My swimbaits - too d**n chicken to throw them from the shore.

Yamamoto Kut Tails - don't see them mentioned anywhere but they're one of my go-to plastics.

I've looked long and hard and they're all pricey. I suspect they all buy in bulk from overseas and re-brand/re-sell. Unlike people who can melt and pour their own lead, I read that making tungsten weights requires specialized equipment that makes this all but impossible for someone to homebrew Refer this thread -

+1 to omfishingsinkers, would buy again in a heartbeat Another option is to search alibaba.com for "tungsten fishing weights" and work out a bulk purchase from one of the vendors.

Square tupperware sandwich container, keep spinnerbaits in individual zip loc bags when storing to avoid blade rust.

The Elites are headed out there next year so you can try to follow them and waypoint their spots if you're looking for where to find them ?

No need for more buoyant baits, I've used everything under the sun and I've found smaller/lighter baits work the best. I nose hook all my baits and use a fairly long FC leader (eyeball roughly 30 inches) on braid mainline, with just over half of that leader between the hook and the weight. Since you're casting from shore you're going to both have your casted line at a sharp angle, and, the incline of the bank to account for, so say 18 inches from hook to weight will really keep your bait maybe 5-6 inches off the bottom. No matter what bait you use always always always test the bait in front of the water in front of you and see how it reacts to your rod twitches, and how fast the bait falls down to "limp" on the hook. Usually the slightest twitch, or even barely tapping the handle with your thumb, will spring the bait to life and back to horizontal (any current will also help with this). Remember that cadence after your cast to keep your bait looking like a clueless lost baitfish in open water.

I'm a 100% bank angler and dropshot 90% (or more) of the time, and I feel like I catch just as many fish, if not more fish, than anyone else except the guy I see who's always using live minnows.

Keep them in their original packaging and put those into a gallon size Zip Loc bag that you can put in your tackle bag.

The 10" Power Worms are the easiest to source and find on sale somewhere.

Hi's is one of the better, and few remaining, mom and pop tackle shops in the Bay Area. I believe they sponsor, or at the very least have close ties, with Chris Zaldain.

Fish could care less what rod/reel/line you're using. If it sees something that can fit in it's mouth, it'll eat it.

Thanks! Can never have enough hooks!

omg

Google Express is running 25% off again (max $100 discount) using promo code EXTRA25 and it's good for new and returning customers. https://express.google.com/u/0/promo/2018salesdealsgg I stocked up again on Trokar hooks from Wal-Mart, and once again the Google Express search feature is kind of busted, but basically if it's carried by Wal-Mart or Target, you have a good shot at finding it.

This drives me insane, I avoid walking near that area by about 20 yards.

Megabass Orochi Swingfire (composite) - amazing rod for KVD 1.0-2.5 size crankbaits.

The $23 Okuma rod rack is surprisingly the best rod rack I've used in terms of keeping rods in place, and that's including some of the large wooden retail racks.

No Academy stores out here, I like the KVD because they're easy to find and replace when I lose one, and someone usually has them on sale somewhere. If the Academy squarebills are catching you fish, I wouldn't feel the need to spend the extra money.

In the 4" size the Top Hook and Weedless Huddleston Shads can't be beat. Also like the fall on the California Reservoir Lures Weightless Slim Thrashers.

Losing 1-2 lures in a fishing session of several hours shouldn't be stressful. Golfers can pay $50-300 for cart and green fees for a 2.5 hour round of golf. Even an hour at the practice range will cost you $20. Fishing is a relatively cheap hobby so enjoy it and don't fret over lost lures.

95% spinning, 5% baitcasting. 100% shore guy and I don't like taking more than 1 rod most of the time because the shorelines I fish aren't too friendly about laying rods/reels down (lots of dirt/dust). Spinning lets me fish finesse, and smaller sized reaction baits.