WI_Angler1989

I have very little experience with "brick and mortar" jigs, but its still good to hear! My (limited) experience is mostly with Dirty jigs and Santone jigs. I have some Northstar jigs as well, that I got recently. I may have a bit of a jig problem...cuz I want to get Siebert too now....d**n monkey.

I may be missing something here but........ every recommends Siebert jigs? Hahaha just kidding, sarcasm is hard to convey through typing. I can't believe how good the pricing is! If the quality is even half as good as their reputation, it's an amazing deal.

Well? Did you test it? Let's hear the review, and don't skimp on the details!

Easy to see why, that's an awesome fish!

I've never topwater fished for smallies specifically, not many spots around her it's the brest choice, but it sounds like I'd better get on it! Pretty much most people say top haha. Better get me a couple spooks

Good info on here. Anyone else have lesser known favs for dropshot? I'm new to it too. I like the look of the jackal crosstails, kid dreamshots, and 4" roboworms.

Theres only scheels and gander mountain here in central Wisconsin. All sale items are things I wouldn't get/want and all the other nonsale stuff is ice fishing....how's a guy supposed to spend all his money?!

Either fj or fk. I saw a sweet deal on the fj but missed it.

Thanks for the input guys, it's much appreciated!

Alright everyone, I'm searching and researching (a lot) for a new higher end spinning reel. Higher end meaning the 200$ range. For some that isn't much of a hit to the ole bank account, but not for me. So I wanna get it right. I've head how great Shimano stradics are, I use pfleuger presidents now so the Patriarch is on my radar as well. Sadly, no where here has them to handle and get a feel for which makes it HARD to know what feels right, ya know? I'd like to get one of those 2, they just call to me for whatever reason. So what say you?!

Just got these awesome jigs in the mail! They're notoriously productive in my neck of the woods and designed specifically for swimming grubs and worms. I'll be throwing some 4" kalins lunker grubs on these allllllll year.

Mepps Aglia #3 with brown fur and a silver blade. Easily my best fish catcher.

I'm in West central WI, so it's not exactly the same but there are similarities to your water. Don't be afraid to use "old school" stuff and throw just a kalins lunker grub on a 1/8 jig head and reel slooow. That works EVERYWHERE. A Mepps Aglia is also another multi species lure that kills em all here. Tubes are another great. Hoice, especially if there are smallmouth.

Got me some tube jigs and PROvider tubes! Oh and bacon and coffee helps too....

Just got this same rod a month ago or so. Can't wait till ice out here in WI!

That's a good point, I'm gonna have to give Rooster tails a try when the Aglia isn't working. I never thought about it as more finesse but willow vs big Colorado type blades....makes sense. You gotta love the multi species ways of an online spinner! Throw it in a river and catch anything at any time

I'm a Mepps Aglia man, myself. That is EASILY my most productive lure ever. For all species. Partly because when I was young it was my go-to confidence bait, partly by how awesome it is haha. I've caught literally at least 1 of each kind of fish I've caught on it: smallie, largemouth, pike, muskie, walleye, rainbow, catfish, crappie, bluegill, northern snakehead.... it'd be my "only 1 lure forever" choice I see guys posting about.

Jerkbaits are my second most productive lure by a long shot. I like fishing then but it can get frustrating using then in river and snagging. Fishing more Wacky rigged senkos is one of my main fishing goals next season. Dropshot is my other big one.

I've had some awesome jitterbug bass too. Lots of good ones on a black right before sunset

Just pay close attention to your bait. Make sure it isn't too shredded at the hook to stay weedless. That saves me a lot of snags and lost weights too.

Very nice, that's a walk the dog bait, right?

Sweet! Idk why but I've had very little success with topwater smallies. I hope to change that this year though!

I've been wanting to try one of the rebel craws for years. May as well buy some now haha fight the winter blues a bit.

Easily my second favorite plastic for smallmouth. It's hard to beat a craw in my WI rivers.

Alright guys, when you go fishing for Smallies what's your absolute FAVORITE way to catch them??? I don't wanna know the "best" or what has worked recently, but what you personally like to do the most. Me, I love me some tube fishing! I love the slow and steady retrieve and the feeling of a big fat Bronze back slamming my tube jig when it's sitting still. Nothing beats the thrill of a solid hooksets after coaxing a big bite! It's a great combo of patience and thrill at the same time for me. Well, let hear 'em!