Jake the Cake

First frog purchase!!! Picked up a Ribbit Top Toad in this exact color. Anybody want to give some opinions on other toads to buy? Do you prefer hard bait or soft bait? what has good leg action? Is it worth it to put some fish scent on it?

I'm hoping flooded areas have something in them!!! I'm putting on my waders this afternoon and hitting up the flooded park (Castlewood) down the road from me that's connected to the Meramec. I bought a Ribbit bull frog hoping something would hit the top in these shallow waters and cloudy skies. Might have to give AFISHIN's bobber and Senko suggestion a try as well.

I'm nowhere near the north (St. Louis) but I'd have to agree with PitchinJigz on the subject of poppers. I prefer a Rebel Pop R if I'm aiming for topwater small mouths. But I also don't fish the Spook (or any walking lure) very often so I can't really say if that's a good way to go or not.

Couldn't have put it better. And just like my jeans, every rod I own was probably bought for $30 or less or is a hand-me-down, lol.

For me, I think it's because that was the one and only rod I used for the first 15+ years of my fishing life so I'm comfortable with it. Didn't discover spinning rods and reels until I was in my 20's. Lol looking back on it, the only reason I had that pistol grip is probably because my dad gave me a reel that didn't suit his needs anymore.

Not going to lie, I'm freaking out a little bit here. The ONLY meat products I've ever used are Uncle Josh's and the sinew I get from our deer. Really not looking for something to fill the shoes of Uncle Josh's.

I have a pistol grip rod that's been with me since I graduated from a snoopy pole and I think it works great. I think the best use for it is accuracy. Don't get me wrong, all the new poles I have are great and accurate and perfect in every way but I can knock the wings off a fly with that pistol grip rod. It could also be that way because I've fished it for 20+ years!

Excited to try the new lure!!! If anyone is familiar with the Cracklin Crayfish I'd appreciate some pointers on how to fish it and how well it performs. right now I just kind of figure low and slow on the bottom should do the trick.

Another St. Louis guy! Agreed, these temperatures are impossible to resist, especially with all the high waters right now. So many trees and new foliage for everything to feed on. Wednesday and Thursday will be my fishing days. Possibly this entire weekend too, lol.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one that can't resist going out there this week! Just talked my buddy into taking off work Wednesday to explore a local lake that's real high right now. Tons of trees in the water that normally aren't, fishing calendar is right, temperature is nice...............This is lining up pretty well

I'm going with Smallies and Crappie on my local river. Mainly because it's 1/2 a mile away so those are my best chances to fish without being gone too long.

I was going to suggest these exact three but it appears RyneB has it covered already. Never tried the Falcon so I can't speak on that.

Anybody else tempted to go fishing on Christmas and day after Christmas? I'm a firm believer in the fish calendars and every single one says those are the best days this month. I'm not talking about skipping Christmas activities but I believe there's going to be my minimal tackle backpack and at least 4 rods in my car at all times this week for any chances I get to sneak away without ruining the holiday spirit!!! Lol, just wanted to see who all else can't focus on the holidays with all this good fishing and warm weather going around!!!!!

Challenge: Not spending my entire paycheck at Bass Pro or any other decent bait shop Exciting: Finding that one new lure that really does work as well as you thought it would

I've been having trouble patterning fish this year as well in the Midwest (Missouri/mostly Table Rock). The shad are still jumping but it doesn't seem to affect the bass, seems like they're still on the bottom and in the vegetation. Crappie fishing on the other hand has been great this winter/fall. They've been small, but when you catch 60 a day you're still coming out with a gallon bag of meat.

Darn good looking setup!!! Love the fluted willow on there.

Thinking about trying out some Black Nickel, Holographic, Iridescent, etc. blades to break up the monotony of what I typically put on a spinnerbait. I know things don't always look like they do on the internet when you finally get to see them in person, so I was hoping some of you could discuss what turned out good, what looked ridiculous, and what turned out to be favorites.

Anyone else getting slightly turned on by this thread? Great looking jig collections out there.

3" Powerbait Swim Shad

I'm going to have to try this. Is that a Sampo swivel on there? I replace every swivel on every lure with one of those. Fantastic product.

I love the bait holders on there. You put a fiber weed guard on there and you've got a customer for life!!!! Seriously though, 1/16 and 1/8 painted crappie jigs with a fiber weed guard AND a quality bait holder is impossible to find.

You just blew my mind. Does the big blade not get caught on the skirt or head? seems like it would be too close to the body to work.

Coming from someone who fishes a lot of muddy/cloudy water here in the Midwest, I prefer Gold Fluted or Ribbed Willow blades. I feel they have many straight ridges which will provide a flash from any angle the fish sees it. Haven't tried the Mag willows but these guys sound pretty excited about it.

Yep, TOTAL manual error. Found the piece laying next to the rod that tightens down the front foot. Not the first time I've been 100% wrong!!! Thanks for the help!!

I don't believe so. I'll have to take another look at it. Unless I'm looking at it wrong, the reel sits in a pocket on the rod then there's a bolt with a large head (to screw by hand) that goes directly into the reel footing and tightens the reel directly. I'm Googling images of it right now and can't find anything that would accurately show my dilemma. I'll come back tomorrow with some pictures.