snake95

I once cast a nice one knocker spook off into a pond. Found it 3 years later washed up on shore. It was very distinctive so I'm certain it was mine. Plus the hooks had completely rusted out.

Takahiro Omori caught a spotted bass early on Day 3 and along with the fish was a crankbait he broke off at this spot on Day 1 of the event. This was a pretty amazing example. https://video.bassmaster.com/detail/videos/lake-martin-2018/video/5730835687001/takahiro-s-lucky-catch?autoStart=true

Have caught other people's lures, including a spinnerbait and a jig with a curly tail bait. Buzzbaits are good for snagging floating lures that were cast off. I sometimes use a deeper fishfinder and have contemplated putting a Tile or similar tagging device in it in case I cast it off.

You have my son and I hooked on a new rig to us. I appreciate it. I have a feeling Catt would throw a lizard on this rig, so... I think I know the next bait we will be trying out.

Another question to add to the mix... I can see using a full-sized Carolina rig in deeper water in a lake, with bigger baits, etc. I don't see why you would use a "dragging" rig like this with weights over about a 1/4 oz fishing ponds and small lakes from shore. What are your thoughts on that? Also... any favorite baits for this method? I am thinking about trying some Yum craws next.

Mo I want to thank you for this post. I have read about the mojo rig for years and your post motivated me to get my act together and try it for the first time. My son and I went out to our closest pond with a couple of mojo rigs last night and did pretty well. To get technical, we used: - 6-10 ML and 7 ft M spinning rods - 10 lb+/- power pro with 8 lb floro leader - About 8-10 inches between weight and hook - 1/8 oz tungsten cylinder weights - bobber stops on each side - Owner rig'n hooks - 4" keitech swing impact (alewife, I think) We used a rod sweep and reel retrieve. Found it worked well. Next time will slow down the retrieve. I have never fished the rig'n hooks before, I found them in a clearance bin. I also did not realize until after we fished that they are intended for this method. They were awesome. I also tried a YUM vibra king tube with an earplug inserted to make it float, but didn't get to try that much. Looking forward to trying other baits to use this method to cover some water. What do you think is the advantage/disadvantage of the mojo rig over regular texas rigging for dragging pond bottoms? (I can see where T-rigs are much better for targets and cover, but they can also be dragged). I guess the main thing is your bait doesn't get pulled right to the bottom?

I fish that rig a lot.

@bitsandbass I bought the Kast King 24 rack two weeks ago and literally the minute I finished putting it together opened Amazon on my phone and ordered a second one. I wasn't thrilled about the price at first, and frankly, it was not as easy to put together as I'd like. However, it looks good and is reasonably sturdy. When you put it together, put the screws and nuts that slide down the columns in first, then put the crossbars on. I used to have the simple foam Berkley rack that screws into the studs behind the wall. The Kast King upright rack is vastly better because you can move it around. I respect the guys that DIY. But I don't have that kind of time (or don't make it). You won't regret the Kast King. Edit: I just re-read your post. I'm sorry I see they are sold out. Well, if they come back, I would recommend it. I see some on Amazon with ridiculous brand names. They look identical. It it were me I'd order one of those.

Just to add to this, 90% of my fishing is for largemouth in Georgia ponds and small lakes, and buzzbaits are a big fish bait by my standards. I don't have detailed records, but I would estimate that 7 of my top 10 largest bass in the past 5 years all came on 3/8 or 1/2 oz buzzbaits.

Buzzbaits and toads remain vital alternatives to treble hook topwaters for me. Even in open water, I still fish them over ploppers sometimes.

Tons of possibilities on here. I for one don't think the problem is your hook, unless it is dull. I am in north Georgia and in our ponds we have seen a lot of bass either on beds or protecting fry. Last weekend we had lots of bites that were clearly about bass exhibiting protective behavior, not feeding behavior. In fact, even got to watch bass attacking some baits but not inhaling them. Catch rate is usually close to 100% but only landed about 25% of the bites on two separate days. I think the odds are high that it has more to do with the bass than what you are doing. I would go with Tom's answer first.

Mostly 5" but I also use 6" a lot, even in small ponds. The 6" is great for long casts to hit distant targets.

In the Atlanta area at least two stores have been affected. One eliminated fishing altogether. The one closest to me reconfigured where the hunting stuff used to be. I liked DSG for fishing, because for me they were close at hand, and in our area had pretty good prices on tackle. They occasionally had super clearance prices. However, I see the reconfigured store has jacked up the prices to match more expensive stores. I always though some guys were nuts saying DSG sold senkos for over $8 a pack. As of this month, our store’s pricing is now in line with a NY DSG, bass pro, etc. $9 pack for senkos. There is now a real emphasis on Googan baits. To each their own but that doesn’t excite me any. Lots of things aren’t helping DSG’s fishing department, jacking up the prices certainly won’t help. Say whatever you want about Walmart, but hopefully what I’d call “standard” gear: Power Pro, Big Game, KVD 1.5’s, basic rattle traps, trick worms, flukes, and senkos etc will continue to be sold at a competitive price by Walmart. I hate to think that the average working guys and gals who love to fish will have to pay Bass Pro prices for everyday fishing needs.

I assume the reason is that their paint isn’t as good? The seller is listed by lucky craft as a major dealer in the US and they are a huge source for Lucky Craft on amazon and other platforms. I wouldn’t think they’d jeopardize their standing by selling knock offs. It is strange they come unmarked in a Plano box, but maybe there is a good reason. Been meaning to email and ask them...

Picked up the 4.9 lefty for crankbaits. Some won't care for the pink components, I think they look great. The biggest downside is the line capacity is fairly low for a cranking reel: about 160 yards for PE2, which equates to 110 yards for 14 lb test. I haven't had line capacity ever be an issue, but hoping to try deep cranking this year and this might not be enough.

Big Bite Baits Jerk Minnow. Casts great, looks convincing to me and to the bass.

As an engineer... load is force/area. Increase area, decrease load where the line contacts the eye. 2 passes = larger x-sectional area, larger contact area against the hook eye. Knots are complex so it isn't exactly that simple, but it has to be a contributing factor.

Great tip, thanks. I might start with the brushes but at that price will also consider the air brush. She's genuinely hard core about art so it might not be overkill.

@Catt do you mean the round 3600 from a while back or the more recent low profile?

I emailed them after I got off the phone with them and realized no one took an email address to ask them for an order confirmation. They sent me the tracking number of my package. So I would say just email them Guys, folks from Dobyns have been answering this question on the Facebook forum. Bottom line: they are completely covered up with all the orders. Suggestions: if you want a Kayden, call them. If you were charged, you will get your order.

This thread is killing my bank account lol I wondered if this was legit based on the fact the lures are loose in a small Plano box. So I tested it the only way I know how: ordered a kit. They don't come with any LC packaging. However, they certainly look like LC 1.5's and they come from ILoveHardBait - a legit LC retailer listed on LC's website with very high ratings. So... buy with confidence.

Have used the Keitech swing impact 2” on a light sinker (1/8 oz) in shallow water (not really open water) with great success - the proverbial “catching them consistently when nothing else would work.” Even at night which amazed me.

I have a young daughter who is an enthusiastic and prolific artist that I'd like to paint some crankbait bodies with. She has creativity, patience, focus, and commitment well beyond her years. She likes to fish for bass with me. That said, she is only 8! I'm not at all looking to produce great crankbaits like I see on the board. Not even necessarily looking to fish with the baits we produce. Just looking to have a little fun with her, and maybe in the process further encourage her interest in bass fishing. Any suggestions on what gear to get for a relatively simple painting setup to have a little fun painting crankbait bodies?

Awesome guys. What kind of anchors are you using for this?

Sure, you can fish just about anywhere in a kayak. However, it seems to me that deep cranking - in the 15+ foot range - would not be common. Anyone out there deep cranking out of their yak? Any special considerations?