river-rat

If you're settled on using Rapala floating jerk baits, I've used the F11 and F13 since the 1960's. Can't go wrong with either.

I have used the Stan Sloan short arm spinnerbait for years when conditions call for it. You can order them online at the link provided. Stan Sloan Short Arm Aggravator

Dipping the tail of a Watermelon Red Baby Brush Hog in blue dye has been very effective at times for the areas I mostly fish.

It darn sure beats the alternative!

I still have a good supply of #11 pork frogs in several colors and continue to use them. I wish Uncle Josh would start making the Spring Lizard and Spring Lizard Pup again. I have caught some really big fish when using it as a jig and spinnerbait trailer.

Junebug Junebug/Blue Claws Black/Yellow Claws Black/Powder Blue Claws Sapphire Blue Pumpkin Pepper/Green Glitter Plum

My buzzbait choices are very simple. These are the only three I carry and they have served me well. Black Blade/Black Skirt Gold Blade/White Skirt Anodized Green Blade/Chartreuse Skirt

Many moons ago I was fishing an oxbow lake during the spawn. I came across a large bass on the nest and began to try to catch her. I could get her to react to a Smithwick Rogue but she wouldn't really commit to it. I tried everything else I had but no luck. Finally, I took a bell sinker and ran my line through it and then tied the Rogue on. I then cast this out and reeled it into the bed and stopped. I then began to give some slack so the Rogue would float upwards and would then jiggle it in place. After about 5 minutes, the bass finally took the bait and I was able to get her in the boat. Only time that has ever worked for me.

Thanks guys for all your suggestions. I need to order some more jigs from Oldham's Jigs and will see if I can get 6 of the Little Gator Skirts. I had forgotten that I was able to get a few extra skirts from Terry Oldham in the past. I'm also going to order some of the skirt pads suggested and try to build the skirt myself. I really appreciate all the feedback.

I'm partially color blind and need help in determining what skirt pads I would need to build a skirt color called Little Gator by Oldham Jigs. Strike King makes one called Gator Craw which would work also. Any help would be appreciated.

I never have less than $250-300 cash in my pocket along with a debit card. I use a credit card for all my online purchases and I pay it off as soon as the payment is posted so that I have a $0.00 balance.

Back in the 1970's and 80's there was a local guy who dominated tournaments here in south Louisiana. His attitude was never change a winner. He would fish a spinnerbait until the skirt was almost completely gone. Same thing with a crankbait. If a crankbait consistently produced he would fish it even if all the paint was gone and it was a plain bone color. I was fortunate to fish with him quite a few times and I have to admit I will do the same thing.

I never cut classes in high school but when I was attending college at LSU I would schedule my classes so I could go fishing in the mornings or afternoons. If the fishing was really good I would not hesitate to skip class.

A Creek Chub Jointed Darter in Ice Cream Color and a Rogers Lures Hawg Hunter accounted for some hellacious stringers in a live Mississippi River oxbow lake called Old River near Deer Park, LA at one time. We would fish the flooded willows when the water started falling after the annual spring flood. Unfortunately all the willows have died out for whatever reason and although the fishing is still decent it's no where near what it was in the 1960's and 70's.

I give them away to kids who are always fishing in the lake in my neighborhood.

I use a 1/2 oz. the majority of the time. I use one that has a large blade and can reel it as slow or slower than smaller versions.

I always rig the dark side up.

Other than a couple of rods I have set up with braid, I use monofilament for everything else. I've been using Stren Hi Impact for years for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crank baits, and topwaters and have never had a problem with it. I don't have to worry about water clarity in the Atchafalaya Basin so for jigs and plastics I still use clear blue fluorescent monofilament, either Stren or P Line.

I am also 69 and live in south Louisiana. I have been around alligators all my life and have never had a problem. But at the same time I should mention that I have a healthy respect for them also. Just pay attention and don't try to crowd one, especially a large gator. They will usually try to stay as far away from you as possible. If a gator doesn't move out of the way it's usually because it's guarding a nest nearby.

Do a Google search for Gar Rope Lure. You can find them on eBay for under $4.00. You could just as easily make one yourself. Years ago I used one similiar and they work fairly decently. The best part is you don't have to worry about getting the hooks out.

Pretty much any day on the water is going to be a good day for me. I'm 69 and getting up in age also so I'm moving a little slower and it takes the broke parts longer to wake up in the morning but I still enjoy every minute I'm fishing. It really doesn't matter if I catch anything, I just really enjoy being outdoors.

We got power back about 2:30 this afternoon. Spent the rest of the day draining gas tanks on generators and picking up extension cords. I'm leaving tomorrow morning at 4:30 to go to Houma, LA with my cousin who owns a catering service and food truck. We're going to cook hot meals for whoever needs one and to provide whatever assistance we can to those that need help of any kind. Please pray for everyone that has been affected by this storm.

I'm in Baton Rouge and we had minor damage to our house. Power went out this past Sunday evening but we have a whole-house generator so power has not been an issue for us. I've been helping six elderly couples in our neighborhood since Monday morning with getting their generators started and maintained while the area is without power. The main thing is finding gas to keep everything running. I've had some help with keeping up with fuel needs. Basically my days have been non-stop for going on 4 days but I don't mind. I thank God that I'm still physically able to help those in need. Thankfully there are 11 power company trucks working on our street at the present time. Hopefully we'll have power restored by tomorrow. These guys are from all over the country and working as hard as they can to help us. We have family from the New Orleans area that arrived on Tuesday. It could be weeks before power is restored to their homes. We'll get through this just like we always have. One thing about the us folks from south Louisiana, when times get tough we all pull together to help each other out.

Assessing the damage this morning. Limbs and trash everywhere. Looks like we lost a few shingles and some siding is showing a little damage. We have been on generator power since about 7:00 PM yesterday so at least we have lights and A/C. Cell phone service is down in my area right now. My son lives in New Orleans and we can't get in touch with him since we have no cell phone service. Last we heard he was doing okay. Just have to pray that everything is okay with him. About to head out to my church to see if anyone is requesting help. Overall we're blessed that it wasn't any worse than it was.

I still use the Johnson Silver Minnow and Snagless Sally which is technically an inline spinner.