rtwvumtneer6

I will say I've learned what works for me and my fishing style, and most of my purchases are replenishing baits and tackle and not nearly as much trying new. It may sound boring, but it's enough to scratch the itch with minimal impulse buys. Installed a peg board a couple years back and it's really helped to see how many of a particular item I have left at a quick glance.

Yep. As the weather gets colder and colder the monkey gets louder and louder.

No experience with Daiwa, but I think I'd be making a few more phone calls before you send them any more money. Hopefully you just caught someone on a bad day. If you find out that is their standard business practice, it's worth making some noise over. Coming from a sales/service background people are generally willing to help as long as you don't attack them personally. Just my .02¢

Another vote for Curado (any).

^^^Dragger I, Head Turner & Eye Crosser (Christie's frog rod)

Squarebills design is to deflect. You're going to hang some but you will get a feel for working them through various cover. They will work in open water, but you will want to create a change in speed or direction with varying retrieve speeds or pauses or rod twitches. It's all about a reaction bite.

Frog and Flip/Pitch/Punch vegetation with 50# braid. Prefer fluoro for jigs, mostly 15, 17 and 20#. Moving baits are fluoro or copoly anywhere from 10-20#. Braid as a main line on my spinning reels to a FC leader.

You're on to me...?

Oh man, had to throw some awesome colors at me ?

Any particular model? I'm seeing a half dozen or so choices...

Fair enough. If you come across the video where he shares his modifications, I'll be needing that... And I'm not just talking about changing out hardware ?

Not familiar with this one, but it looks like the rattle is a 3/4 oz and the 1/2 oz is silent. Is that right? Only did a quick search on TW.

In search of a lipless that will flutter when falling on a yo-yo retrieve. Essential trying to slow the rate of fall a bit, but still heavy enough to throw on a M/F or MH/MF casting rod. Suggestions?

Welcome!

It works. Humble pie doesn't taste so bad if you're catching fish. I've got the drop shot with me and it works. Would be a Ned but my bottom composition better suits a bait that is suspended slightly. I've got to do what I can before the water gets hard.

I was going to say something very similar. They each have their own personalty. Some might spook, but it may also trigger a reaction strike. In close quarters a soft entry is desirable. Keeping the lure low to the water and stopping your spool at the right time, but if I'm bomb casting across a pond I don't worry a ton about the entry when distance is my primary concern. There are a lot of natural factors (weather, birds, trees, etc) that drop things in the water all the time. I've got to think they are accustomed to it on some level.

On a trip to Florida last spring I was introduced to Gambler Lures. They were common place down there, but not so much here in PA. Since you're also from the north, maybe they're new to you? Here's what I've used from them: The Burner Worm is very versatile... Swim it, buzz it, pitch it, drag it around. The Burner Craw is a good pitching/flippin bait and would also make a good trailer. They use the Big EZ (5") down there. You can swim it subsurface or burn it over/through vegetation like an all-terrain buzzbait. I brought that home with me and found the EZ swimmer size (4.25") on a 1/8oz swimbait hook with a centering pin works well on my water. The BB Cricket is a small but mighty flippin bait. I think it gives them something different to look at than the usual craw or beaver, and it doesn't have any flappy appendages to get hung up while punching thick vegetation.

What are some techniques you're looking to explore or dial in?

Did the SK work like they claimed? The "Never Chips" that I use aren't painted. The process they use turns them black. Not sure if that could be achieved in Green Pumpkin?

Food for thought. I know you ruled out the 7' rod but... I was using the 7'4 heavy cover jig rod for frogging. I also wanted a shorter rod, and a shorter handle for walking the bait. The LowRider model in the 7' Heavy (Lizard Dragger) has a shorter 13-1/2" handle. Agree with @Derek1 give them a call. Everytime I have, I could tell the person I talked to fished and wasn't just reading off specs. Both BuCoo or LowRider are great sticks at their price point. They are starting to take over my arsenal and I'm a long way from Oklahoma.

War Eagle Double Willow 3/8oz is what I would consider my "standard" spinnerbait. Spot Remover is my jam. I also use a lot of the 5/16oz Finesse and 1/2oz Screamin Eagle. Sexxy Purple Shad, Blue/Green Shad and White Silver.

Agreed. We catch quite a few here by accident. They hunt in the same places a bass would and seem to like anything black and blue (especially bladed jigs). The ones we catch hit like a ton of bricks, and after a few handle cranks they feel like you're reeling in a wet shoe. They also stink. We do what we can to keep them off the carpet in the boat. Either way, fun to catch a new species!

Sounds like you're set on braid. I agree, especially with the MH rod. As far as walking the frog, I was guilty of overworking it when I was learning. I neglected working the reel handle and plopped the frog along. Once you figure out the line management, or necessary amount of slack, the rod tip only needs to move a few inches to impart action on the bait. As far as pads, you can drag it over. I like to pause it when it falls off the pad before walking it again. My opinion is if they are tracking it and it disappears, they take their shot when it comes back into sight.

I would take into consideration that you are using your own fuel and rig, but it is still a service. You are paying for his time and knowledge, and I would tip accordingly based on the experience.

Black/Black White/Gold Black/Red White/Red I don't get too hung up on the blade color but the skirt is going to be white or black.