Junk Fisherman

What baits do you primarily fish with on a spinning combo? A 1/16th oz jig and a TRD is about an 1/8. A Ned rig is my #1 lure and I don't want my rod to cover it at its lowest range. I'll go a step further and that is that I wanted a light action rod, not a medium-light, for the 1/16th oz Ned. Before I got a Steez 761 (The One), I used a 741 Dobyns (1/16th lowest weight lure) over my 742 (1/8th lowest weight lure) because it was more sensitive. It has been my experience that the lure is more sensitive on a rod that has the lower power. Like I wrote earlier in this thread, I've had several medium action rods and I've sold them because they were not as sensitive as medium light action rods. A couple other things, you can use a lure on a rod above its weight range. I've cracked 1/2 oz tubes on ML rods with decent performance. I routinely use 3/8th oz sinkers on my dropshot rig and my Steez rod's (Utility Player) range goes to 3/8 oz. The rod handles the rig, and feisty smallmouths, great. But if you really want to stop thinking about it, just get this rod: https://www.basspro.com/p/daiwa-steez-ags-spinning-rod?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=BPS|Shopping|PMax|Fishing|HighMargin|NAud|Google|NMT&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20752768791&gbraid=0AAAAAD1TgtdbzNuliEhec2J5T-GtuihI-&gclid=CjwKCAjwo4rCBhAbEiwAxhJlCdXV-SQypEHTJHHP5_H0F1WTjVFhoPjpepH_SA5_eWXBVUmaL2FFuxoC8QIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds That rod will cover everything you want to throw with spinning. It's the best rod I've ever used.

Wow. This is one of the reasons I bought a couple Steez rods over the winter because of tariffs.

I don't mind the smell. I actually rub some Megastrike on my hands at the start of the day to mask my human smell when handling my bait. Here's a new one that happened to me last week. My bass thumb wasn't recognized by my phone for a couple days so I had to enter all my passwords manually. That's a good problem to have.

If the fishing season is catch and release only then you can definitely have a paper tournament but if it's closed then you cannot. Another benefit is that with a paper T you can establish your own keeper size. I just fished a tournament last weekend that had an 18" size limit on the lake but our keeper size was 14". Catch, measure, weigh, release. I had a limit with only of my fish being 18". When we have kid tournament we have a 12" limit. I'm not railing against traditional weigh-ins. As a boater, I don't like messing around with the livewell and keeping fish alive all day but I've done it often. Plus, I've been a release boat multiple times and I fear many of the fish don't last very long after being released.

Sometimes conversations on a public forum go on a little bit of a tangent and that's perfectly acceptable and even encouraged. Don't worry- you'll get your answers.

My club has gone to paper tournaments, except for our Classic, and I love it. No more messing around with livewells and filling bags with water and fish at the end of the day. Obviously, it is much better for the fish as well.

I saw KVD filming a show on Grand Traverse Bay. He was throwing jerkbaits. I've never been able to find the show.

I saw an over-priced tackle bag (Liv Fishing) and figured there had to be something comparable on Amazon from China for 1/4th the price. The types of containers I was looking at were clear cosmetics bags and toiletry bags. How about something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Approved-Toiletry-Transparent-Cosmetic-Toiletries/dp/B0BQVS2D3Z?pd_rd_w=F9xC4&content-id=amzn1.sym.ea1d9533-fbb7-4608-bb6f-bfdceb6f6336&pf_rd_p=ea1d9533-fbb7-4608-bb6f-bfdceb6f6336&pf_rd_r=M6KBVGEP5AEXWYTVWMMW&pd_rd_wg=Y3O8q&pd_rd_r=9f9e4b8c-db55-4c8c-b748-04c605ee358d&ref_=sspa_dk_detail_1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

I don't have the Power Pitch but I have 3 different Steez rods and I've had a variety of Champion HP rods over the years. The Steez rods are a whole level up from the Champion HP in terms of lightness, crispness, and overall sensitivity. They should be considering they are $200 more. But I love my Steez rods overall and has phased out my Dobyns rods over the last couple of years. If you pull the trigger on the rod, I will be very surprised if you are not very happy with the Steez.

Softwater and I fish the same water and that busted up concrete produces lots of snags. I lose a lot more gear locally than when I go up north and fish natural rocks. Check your line often. Sometimes I am checking it after every cast. I've gotten to the point where I barely throw dropshots in that stuff since breakoffs are so common. Neds, Nekos, and swimbaits retrieved right off the bottom are what I primarily use. Those jigs Softwater recommended are the best for busted up concrete. Good luck.

It doesn't take that long. And I'm not sure the color of the head cannot make a difference at times. Some finesse guys swear that a chartreuse jig on their Ned rig makes a difference.

I get cheap nail polish on Amazon in black, brown, and red. One bottle paints a lot of Ned rig jigs I make. Does it matter? Not sure but a brown jig on a green pumpkin TRD just looks a lot better than an unpainted jig.

Don't care for: 1) St Croix and Dobyns (owned many of both; definitely not bad rods but I feel they are both overrated and there are better options) 2) Knock-off Senkos and TRDs- I know that Senkos and Z-Man plastics work extremely well, why try anything else especially to save a dollar or two? 3) Swimjigs- I know they work and know excellent fisherman who have them as a staple bait. Give me a XChatterbait or a spinnerbait any day over a swimjib. 4) jigs/crankbaits/jerkbaits- they just aren't confidence baits for me. I know I am missing out at times. Underrated Baits I use 1) Fat Ikas- love them when everyone is throwing Senkos 2) Gamma Edge- 6 lb line is the best leader line I've found. 3) Big O- that little white one flat out catches fish.

Not sure yet. I'll let you know in a couple weeks.

I just turned 51 and the cold doesn't really affect me any worse than in the past. I think a big part of it for me is figuring out exactly what I need to wear when it's cold. I fish a lot during the early and late season and the weather rarely stops me. However, I don't fish unless the highs are in the mid 30s or above (I don't want to mess with icey ramps and ice in the guides). This is what I wear in those conditions (35-50): 3 layers on the bottom: 2 pairs of thin, thermal long underwear (Cabela's polar weight and a lightweight pair of Marmot bottoms) and pair of pants- usually cargo pants 6 layers on the top: 2 thin pairs of the thermal underwear (Reebok polar weight mock turtleneck and an addidas spandex top), a looser cotton long sleave T-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt or sweater, fitted Columbia vest with Omni Heat (this was something I added a few years back and makes a big difference), and either a soft shell jacket or thin insulated coat. I started wearing a thin insulated Kuhl jacket this spring and it has kept me warmer than the windstopper Marmot softshell that used to be my outer layer. I still opt for the softshell if it's supposed to rain since it's waterproof. I often bring a heavier coat that I stow in the boat if I really get cold but I haven't worn that in years. Guidewear uninsulated bibs. Hiking boots and heavy socks. I used to wear heavier boots but I've learned the heavy socks and Merrell midweight hikers is enough. Plus, it's a lot easier to work the foot pedal with the hikers than with bigger hunting boots. I also wear a baklava scarf/hat/facemask that I will adjust for how cold I am. I prefer to use latex gloves with a hand warmer in the palm but sometimes I'll need to put on my batting gloves or I have a pair of thin bow hunters gloves that are relatively warm that I can still cast with. The key is experimenting and finding what you need for the temperature range you want to fish. I know I have a hodgepodge of different brands but a lot of different ones will work. I've got my layering down to a science and I know I won't be cold in that 35-45 range temps. Fishing when you're cold sucks!

I use 20 lb Flouroclear for A-Rigs. I like casting that better than braid.

Thanks A-Jay for your videos on the 1875 Pro-V Bass. The Lund is on my short list of boats I will consider next time around and the only aluminum boat I will consider. (The Basscat Cougar and Phoenix 19 PHX are the others that I will shop.)

Youtube I saw someone making a silicone mold and I figured a silicone ice cube tray would work (it did). It does take some time to thread all the skirt material.

This is what I made from an old pack of Zoom grubs and a 25 year old jig that I took the purple skirt off. I like green pumpkin/purple for smallies. It cost me $6 for a silicone ice cube tray and $4 for some sewing needles and I'll be able to make as many of these in as many color combinations as I like.

Wow- melting down some Zoom baits puts off a lot of smoke. Definitely do it in a ventillated area. I'm going to wear a mask and do it outside.

My times have gone down over the years. I used to spend 8-10 hours on the water but nowadays 6-7 is all I do unless it is a tournament. I am almost always fishing from daylight so 1-2 o'clock is about as late as I'll stay. Part of it is also that I don't want to go to sleep by 8 PM if I put in a 10 hour day so I'll come in a little early and often take a nap. And if I'm on a fishing trip I don't want to burn out too early. I've learned the hard way to pace yourself especially if you are prefishing multiple days in a row before a tournament.

I'm making mine as well. Ordered a couple silicone ice cube trays as molds and bought some large sewing needles for the strands of skirt. I've already added strands of skirt material to some baits but haven't had a chance to try them out yet. I'm definitely not buying these baits from Tackle Warehouse.

Yeap. I only have 1 medium action spinning rod and it is for a very specific purpose (5'9 MXF for skipping docks). I've had a few medium action rods over the years but they are just too stiff for finesse fishing so I ended up selling them. I have a much greater use for a light action rod (Neds and ultra-finesse swimbaits) than I do a medium action rod. With that said, I do have 2 Steez, The One, rods which have a lure range of 1/16 to 3/4. So while they are crazy light, sensitive, and strong rods which I use for very light lures (1/16 Neds, hairjigs, 3" swimbaits), I can still use them to crack a 1/2 oz tube or 5" wacky senko which are about the only lures I'd want to use on a medium action spinning rod. I feel that most bass fishermen should swap their medium action spinning rods for medium light action rods. Medium light action spinning are easily the most versatile spinning rod action for finesse fishing.

Spool capacity is different- I don't want to have a reel with 240 yard capacity of 8 lb line. I also look at the weight of the reel as well. Aren't most spinning reels in the 5.5 range for gear ratio?

I was going to post the same thing. I couldn't even tell you what the gear ratios are for my spinning reels.