FishTank

Have the Daemos and have used it for all the baits you mentioned, except maybe a spook. I can't speak for the MBV but the Daemos gets the job done. My only complaint is that I seem to loose a few fish on this rod. I'm not sure if they are not hooked or if they are not getting pinned when I am bringing them in.

I get these really tiny tungsten bullet weights from a local fly shop. They don't have a weight on the package but they come in Small, Medium and Large. I think they are 1/64, 1/32, and 1/16. I have using the Medium 1/32 size for BFS Texas Rigged plastic.

Genius.

I noticed the 110jr +1 is going for $23.99 now. Crazy stuff.

They're everywhere at the lake (Eagle Creek) I was fishing. You usually see them on the rocks by the spillway but the fox snagged one in somebody's back yard by a dock. He tore the rear end off and took off with his prize. He was pretty big, maybe 20lbs. This is the only picture I could get of it.

I was using Hiuo but I also have had success with Real and Royal Gill in the 4in this year. I have yet to find a color that doesn't catch fish but I do agree that they are delicate compared to the other baits. The amount I caught today was more than normal but I would say I can get about 3 or 4 fish before they start to get mangled. One color in the 4in I want to try is Baby Bass. I was lucky to get a pack of the 3.6in Tournament Edition in that color and it's just cool looking. The fish hit it about the same. On the other side of the things, the 3in was my go to in spring. Neon Pepper and Albino seemed to be the colors then. I also need to try Albino in the 4in. Too many baits and not enough time.

I used the 4in on a Raid swim jig today. I caught 7 and lost 2 before it gave up and tore completely. This girl finally destroyed it.

The creatures were everywhere when I was out on my kayak. I saw a deer with a rack the size of a Volkswagen. Biggest I've ever seen. Also saw a fox eat a mink and this guy.

Another thought on this..... A lot of the durability in these baits is based on the hook keeper on the jig you are using. A super tough double prong wire will tare a bait apart if a fish pulls on the tail. It's better to find a one with a light keeper and glue it on.

The Mayor is probably the most durable that I have used. The Spark Shad is my favorite. Another to try though is from Cast Fishing called the Prodigy. It's just as durable as anything else but a nice bait with a built in rattle.

Nako and Woo Tungsten. I also use tungseten from omfishingsinkers (I think that's right). It's been a while since I ordered from them. They are pretty cheap and the quality is great. I also use the bean weights from Junglegym. These are a game changer. They are somewhere between a free rig/drop shot weight and a bullet weight.

I like their stuff too but to me it's kind of over priced. I always wait for a sale or something. I do have shirts, shoes, waders, and jackets from them and my favorite is a shirt that was $120 regular price. I found it for $60. It's a cooling bug-a-way hoodie that they no longer make. This thing is awesome. I wore it in 95 degree weather last week and I stayed comfortable as I could considering the heat.

I have the IMX Pro Deep Flex 866C and I have thrown from a 3/8oz to 1oz crankbait on it. It struggled a little with a 3/8oz but the tip is soft enough to cast it. I believe it has been discontinued but a few places still have it. It really shines with cranks in the 6ft to 15ft range.

I like the NRX+ 853C for big worms but I have also used the 894C for 3/8oz weights. If you want a softer tip, the 843C isn't bad either.

@GetFishorDieTryin I haven't tried Gosen. Ive seen it on a few JDM sites but I've been happy with YGK and Varivas for the most part so it hasn't hit my radar. Maybe I'll check it out one day.

@Tennessee Boy might be able to answer that better than I can. I think my buddy is using 40G. It seems slick and coated. For me, I like X-Braid Upgrade and Ohdragon but Sinji is on another level. Great line but not worth it.

Ryugi Pierce or Dagger. Can't remember which I used. The Dagger is thinner and lighter but still pretty strong. Just noticed its supposed to be a single hook.....not sure on this one.

San Diego Jam Knot is pretty much all I use anymore. No issues. For Neds I use fluorocarbon.

If you are looking for a US made braid, check out Fins. A store I regularly visit carries it. They claim their parent company BBS is now the last US manufacturer of braided line. Also, I have buddy that uses Fins and he really likes it. I have not tried it myself. To me the line he uses feels more like light cord rather than braided line.

Try a 4/0 or 3/0 screw lock hook with a 1/16 ounce belly weight. Depending on the frog material (floating or slow sink), you can fish some like a glide bait sort of like walking the dog but just below the surface. If you pause it, it will back glide. That will sometimes trigger a strike if they won't hit it on a straight retrieve on the surface.

I don’t have FFS on my kayak but I do have side imagine and down scan. I can use those and sinking trout minnows, either 50, 60 or 70mm. It can be a lot of fun. I could see these baits being great for FFS.

I use FC from 5lb to 20lb. It all depends on the application and these aren't set in stone for me..... For general use - 12lb Jigs - 14-16lb Crankbaits - 10lb Jerkbaits - 10lb Spinning gear - 6lb Light jigs, shakeyhead, and small swimbaits - 8lb BFS - 5 or 6lb Swimbaits and big moving topwater - 20lb

BFS Crankbaits and a Senko. These in the right colors and presented the right way will catch fish in any lake for me. It use to be a jig and Texas rigged worm but it ain't even close anymore when I look at numbers. Quality of fish might be a different story though.

Both are snag magnets around rocks. I would suggest a small swimbait weightless or with a light weighted hook, fished on a slow retrieve. If it stays on an even keel, it will snag less.