lbriggs

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MF/XF spinning low 6' range MF baitcaster 7' MHF baitcaster 7'. I fish everything but deeper cranks on these 3 rods mostly from the bank, sometimes on a boat.

I like 1/10 ounce for ned rigs . 1/8 ballhead jigs for grubs and small swimbaits. 1/4 ounce for finesse jigs and shaky heads.

I wouldn't bother trying to catch a state record spot out of MacBride...fished there for 10+ years bass fishing and the biggest Kentucky spot in there was about 14 inches.

My favorite cheaper alternative for ned jigs are the arkie gopher head. They are half the price and the 1/8 ounce version is great.

Pretty thorough thread but I'd add two things. A top water toad like a Stanley ribbit will cover water faster than a frog and give them a different presentation. You can also kill it and let the toad sink in open holes. Another technique I like as an alternative to a frog is a weightless Texas rigged tube on top of the mat. I never see anyone doing this, but it's caught fish for me when the frog bite is off and they want something even more subtle.

3" gulp minnow in pearl or smelt on a 1/8 drop shot, or a 1/10 ned rig head will catch them anywhere in Iowa for me.

I vastly prefer in line spinners for the fast current I fish in for smallies. Mepps are my favorite. I like the size 3 and 4 sizes, black fury or a silver blade with a squirrel tail dressing. It's also nice as a multi species lure and big crappies, pike, perch, drum, and even rock bass will hit them too. I stay away from traditional arm spinnerbaits because unless they are a heavier willow leaf make they tend to roll in the water. In line spinners remedy this perfectly. Also don't count out a small panther martin as a perfect finesse spinner, which can be the perfect bait for smaller rivers and creeks. Caught quite a few 2 and 3 pound smallies on a size 0 or 1 panther martin for trout.

Been ice fishing as much as I can, but it's hard with spring classes starting back up at college. Picked up a new Fenwick HMX ML ice fishing rod (great spoon stick), paired it up with a 1500 series shimano sienna, and got on a few walleye this past week with my dad. They were hitting pretty good in 30 feet of water on fathead minnows and Swedish pimples tipped with a minnow. No panfish yet but I can't wait to catch my first lmb through the ice!

1.)(4.2) 3/16 oz drop shot with 4" green pumpkin chompers work or 4" bold bluegill roboworm 2.) (6.0)1/10 oz ned rig new money color trd 3.) (4.5) 3/8 oz bitsy flip black jig green pumpkin rage chunk trailer 4.) (4.1) 1.5 Squarebill chartreuse black back 5.) (3.3) Booyah pad crasher bullfrog color

Saylorville, Big Creek, or the Des Moines river

Smallest mini-mite cubby jig. It's a 1/64 jig with a skinny straight body and boot tail, maybe an inch long. They're panfish killers, green sunfish love them. I like the chartreuse head with a white body.

Go to ffotackle, check out their combos. Berkley lightning casting combo, or get a pfluger trion and put it on one of their discount abu Garcia vengeance rods.

Dropshot roboworm in bold bluegill.

Drop shots work year round. The forage is more based on shad or gills and not so much craws in the fall, so try baits to imitate that.