snake95

Right on! I paid my local store a visit and you're right - though I would argue its not that clear that they mean the 5 for 5 is only for the "no dot" stuff. I was told by one of the staff that it only was for terminal tackle. That was not correct - it was for all stuff without dots stuck on. At our local store the stuff on at 5 for 5 included Whopper Plopper 90's marked at 9.97 each, so with a $10 off 50 coupon and some small item, you're at $4 each for 10. But who needs 10 Whopper Ploppers? (joking)

I'm a huge Keitech Impact Fat fan, and like to fish them on swimbait jigheads. Lately I've been trying my hand at drop shotting. Anyone out there fishing the tiny 3 inch regular swing impacts on a dropshot or Ned rig? I'll drop shot or mojo rig these babies and report back.

That's beyond my experience, but personally I prefer a little more moderate tip for things like the rats or whopper plopper.

Maybe too late at this point, but I like a more moderate-fast action for ploppers etc.

Wondering if anyone is using this rod for drop shotting and how you like it? Noticed that it says "fast" and there are lots of MF drop shot rods in that size range these days. Interested in thoughts on this one.

Found what I thought was a great deal on a Zillion HD, and placed an order for a reel to do double duty for bass and in the salt. But then saw an Australian ad saying new Zillions for 2018. Anyone have any intel on whether these Zillions are about to be replaced by a newer model?

Yes I've encountered that, too. Yeah. I have to admit. That is somewhat complicated.

I didn't believe that you would ever benefit from constantly changing colors, until it happened to me with TRDs throwing into a school of little bass. They'd turn off a color, then turn right back on when you tossed them a different one. Based on observation: now I'm a believer.

@thinkingredneck in my experience, the main thing that is complicated is the inconsistency in signage from store to store. However, the sales are usually still there, in the system, and they ring up when you get to the checkout. So, if other guys are reporting they are having buy 5 get 5 for *.97 items, or Rapalas are $5 each when you buy 3 or more, etc., at DSG, but they don't have the sign up, try taking them to the checkout and you'll often still get the deal. The stores are not perfect at getting the signs to agree with the sales. That said, if the sign clearly indicates a sale, including the dates, but it still doesn't ring up right, it's worth asking them to honor the signage.

Wow, cool. I'm a YUM fan and toad fan, and was not aware of that one. I found some YUM paddle-foot toads in a Walmart box one time and they've worked great. Wondered if YUM was experimenting with them.

Honestly, I get it, I have little kids and one of those too. I've found going at night actually is easier to pull off once kids in bed. Wife can watch TV and nobody complain I'm using the same time to throw toads and buzzbaits instead of couch surfing.

If you want to know about drop shotting shallow water, you should read up on how Chad Smith has been doing this year as a co-angler. Drop shotting is his go-to. https://www.bassmaster.com/chad-smith/my-co-angler-win-norman

Agreed. Good time to head out with the black buzzbaits, black horney toads, etc. Talk about heart-stopping good times.

I don't have detailed records, but I would estimate that 8 of the top 10 largest bass I've caught were on buzzbaits, and at least 75% of those are on the Banshee.

Ditto. I use a one-hole punch - just about any plastic lid or strip cut out of a container will work. I love the DSG buzzbaits - super effective for me; and I use the point guards the same way.

I'm primarily a bank angler and for the past couple of years I have routinely mixed plastics in Plano boxes and carried them that way. I leave them in the boxes and almost nothing adverse happens. I carry a broad range of types and styles from numerous manufacturers. The main exception of course is Elaztech baits from Zman and some from Strike King. They just have to stay in their own bags. The other "issue" is that colors can potentially bleed as noted above, it really depends on the products. I don't know of a simple way to predict when that will occur between dissimilar baits, beyond experience. So, I deal with this by periodically re-sorting baits according to color within the Plano boxes. I find that most of the time, the colors don't bleed at all, and if you keep similar colors together, you won't notice it much (again it doesn't happen with all colors or baits). On the other hand, I have found that sometimes it is advantageous to allow some baits to mix colors and create new ones. A good example is packing white worms and paddletails with chartreuse lures, often resulting in a "sexy shad" color to the white baits. Very rarely I will have a plastic lure that reacts with an adjacent one or the box itself. But I find you can catch any melting before it gets out of hand by just checking the boxes once in a while. Again, it has been rare for me over several years, and I use a very wide variety of baits. Seems to me this happened more with plastic baits when I was a kid in the 80's - but as I recall the main reactions were with the hard plastic of the tackle box, not the soft plastics. But that's just vague recollection. I know, a lot of guys will tell you to keep baits sorted by keeping them in their own bags. I generally agree with this in theory. But sometimes if you are out for a few hours doing some experiments, it is convenient to mix them up. I've been leaving them mixed for a couple of years now. So - go for it! I really don't think you'll find that it happens very often these days.

If you search snap swivels you will be inundated with post after post of guys saying its a bad idea, except maybe for inline spinners. It inhibits the action of most lures. I used them as a kid a bit, but even back in the 80's we were discouraged from using them. The prevailing response you'll get is to learn to tie knots well. I want to emphasize what a good idea that is. With YouTube there are zillions of references on tying knots, and there are lots of great resources out there. I've been bass fishing hard for about 4 years, and I still enjoy experimenting with knots. Its just an essential skill for any angler and while lots of guys have their favorites, if you learn to tie several types, you will learn about what it is that makes a good knot good, and why different knots work better for different line types and diameters. Really suggest you make it a priority to get good with knots. I use snaps (no swivel) as do some other guys, when wanting to switch out crankbaits. You still need to re-tie periodically to get rid of abraded line and replace the knot throughout the day.

Thanks, Croakhunter. That's a really easy knot. Ok, Darren, I'll try it on a few different hooks to test it out.

I have never tried to snell a hook, but thinking I might give it a shot. I have read that snelling is used for flipping and punching. Two questions (plus a few): 1. What other applications do you like a snelled hook for? Any "surprise" applications you might not expect? 2. What is your favorite and/or strongest snell? I have a good app that shows three: the uni snell knot, "traditional" with loops around the shank, and the "easy version." The uni version looks really easy to tie. Have not found any tests/ratings on snell strengths. Interested to hear what snell designs guys have confidence in, and why.

@pauldconyers Obviously a lot of opinions and experience on this. I think I can relate to your situation. I am an avid bank bass fisherman and really got into it about 4 years ago. Most of my fishing, along with my school-aged kids, is in ponds. At the time I got into it, I only really knew the "old-fashioned" plastic and metal tackle boxes like I think you are talking about. After only a few months, I started looking for something more efficient for bank beating. I almost tried a dedicated fishing backpack. I got a nice one in the $100 range from Cabela's. Looked sturdy and was very well organized with great straps. I think it would have been a "decent" bag, but I wound up taking it back after getting it home and thinking about it. I didn't like the level of effort required to reach in and dig out the plano boxes. And, it really didn't hold as much gear as you'd think. The many compartments seemed like a good idea at first, but I thought the bag was over-designed when the main gear would be in plano boxes, and only other spaces I needed were for a hook remover, line cutter, and a few other gizmos. I felt the many compartments just added to the bulk and complexity. And yes, it seemed way overpriced for what I needed. So I took it back. What I have found work well for me in the 3-4 years since then have been the open-top shoulder bags similar to the one Greentrout is showing from Walmart. Here's what I like about them: - Big enough to hold all the gear you typically need. Small enough that it forces you to think logically about what you're carrying. - Easy to sling over a shoulder and carry. - Big open top provides really easy access to your stuff. To me, that's a really great benefit. - Simple front compartments great for the hook removers and few other items you need. - You configure the space the way YOU want. Put in 2-3 plano boxes, or 1-2 boxes plus a mini box with hooks and a few bags of plastics. If you're going T-rigging and that's about it, stuff it with bags of plastics. - Most of the bag material is needed, there is little "filler." Drawbacks: - Haven't found them to be super-durable. They have a lifespan of a couple of years of hard fishing. But that's a small price to pay. - They get wet in the rain and you have to remove gear to dry out. Backpacks aren't any better. I know, some guys are also going to say you are carrying too much tackle if you are bank fishing with a bag. I'm all for simplicity, but I say why should only guys with boats have all the versatility of having gear at hand, and fun of trying out different gear? I really enjoy that aspect of fishing, but rarely have time to get out in our little boat. Plus, a tackle bag becomes your "go bag" - you just grab it out of your trunk and you're ready to fish any condition you will encounter. Sometimes I will just grab one rod, a couple of plastic worms, a pack of hooks, and pair of needlenose pliers, and then all I need is a pocket. But day in and day out, the tackle bag is the way to go for me. As for the dedicated, fancy backpacks, I'm not against those either and can see how guys like them. But I'd rather sling two of these than one dedicated backpack. Why? I like the easy access provided by the big open top and flat bottom. If you are really on a tight budget, Plano-type boxes in an inexpensive backpack or shoulder bag is all you need. But consider that you might really like the wide top opening of an over-the shoulder bag to access your gear. Works well for me and the small cost is worth it to me.

Darn, just posted about my newfound appreciation for the FG knot on an old thread, then came upon this one. I think the FG is remarkably easy to tie, and don't think you should feel intimidated by it. It's way harder to explain than to do, I think that is the issue. And yes, I hear the knot clicking against guides as it goes through. I think that is normal, and just retie periodically. The rule of thumb I've heard is to prevent the knot from passing the eye closest to the reel. Not sure if that is true, but I stick to that and have not had a problem.

Just wanted to bump this thread and throw a comment into here about the FG knot. I started with the Uni-uni and found it to be understandable for a newbie, and strong enough. Then learned the Alberto and loved it for two years. Also pretty easy to tie. Was VERY intimidated by the FG knot that seems both very popular, and dreaded for complexity. This month I committed to trying it. I reviewed the Saltstrong video a couple of times and then gave it a shot for about 15 minutes. So far, the FG it is vastly easier and faster to tie than I feared. I mean vastly. Just keep in mind you are doing a simple stitch with the lines. Keep 'em tight as you wrap. If you've been hesitant to try, watch the video a couple to times and give it a shot. Before you know it, you'll be braiding lines together into a fingertrap in under 30 seconds, finishing the knot in a minute.

I like them, I've used the bullfrog color for largemouth. I seem to do better with them when the bass are very aggressive, late post-spawn when they'll hit topwater readily. I've also found the pink ones work great for stripers inshore fishing, but that's another story.

this is simply not true. the 2nd biggest bass i ever caught was on the hook like this. if not the white perch wouldve easily stolen my night crawler in seconds.. Agreed. I'm surprised by this thread - as a kid that's the main way we caught most types of fish in my hometown: crawlers on a snelled hook or a jighead.

Yes fly lined as WRB says or split shot are the preferred methods when I take kids with crawlers.