river-rat

Either black-blue-purple and orange or junebug depending on which one gets the most action on that particular day.

x2 I carry the same weights. If you want a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait, get a 1/4 oz. rubber core sinker, remove the rubber core, and then pinch it on the shank of the hook of a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait. I've done this many times and it does work.

I started making my own spinnerbaits in 1972 and still do so. I have 4 different molds with weights from 1/4 oz. to 1 oz. and I bend the wire with a closed loop. I started doing this because in the early 70's there were not a lot of choices to choose from. And being in south Louisiana, the spinnerbait is still used to a great extent down here. I not only make them for myself but I've got a few friends that also ask me for some every year. I really like the thought that I can make something that catches fish.

I've had good success with a Sweet Beaver rigged on a 1/4 oz. arkie jig head (with a brush guard) and dragging it on the bottom to mimic a crawfish. I use this as a casting presentation rather than flipping/pitching.

Absolutely true. One of the first lures I ever purchased in the early 60's. And they still catch fish.

I'm assuming you mean Texas Rigged. If so, then either a Rage Bug or Sweet Beaver.

I never found a situation where the Gator Spoon was a better option than a Silver Minnow. In fact I don’t even carry the Gator Spoon any more.

I've tried them and found they did not do any better than the Johnson Silver Minnow (which I use quite a bit). Like Catt said, be sure to sharpen the hook. Don't get me wrong, the Gator Weedless Spoon is well made and will catch fish under the right conditions. It's just that I've been using the Silver Minnow for 55 years years and see no reason to change. I rig it with the spinner bait skirt like Catt is showing and it is one of my primary lures in heavy vegetation this time of year.

I recommend a 9" Fliptail worm as a replacement. I've been using it at night with the same results as the Mann's 9" worm. YOu can buy them online now - https://fliptail-lures.com/

I still use a Musky Jitterbug at night. I don't catch many, but usually it is a very good fish.

1958

This time of year I would have the following on the deck Flipping Tube Texas Rig - Worm 1/2 oz. jig with trailer Spinnerbait Crankbait

1st choice - 1 oz. Oldham's Max-Eye jig with a Rage Bug trailer 2nd choice - 1 oz. slip sinker with a Rage Bug or Sweet Beaver

I used the Scorpion when it was still in production. I now use a Stan Sloan Short Arm Aggravator spinnerbait in certain situations and don't notice any difference in success rate. You can purchase them at Falling Waters Outdoors. The link below will take you to the page where you can check it out. https://fallingwateroutdoors.com/product/short-arm-aggravator/

1 oz. Oldham's Eye-Max Jig with a Gene Larew Hawg Craw Trailer

I can't remember the last time I didn't have a jig and a texas rig on the deck.

I live in South Louisiana. I'd have to pick two - a spinnerbait and a 1/2 jig

My top 4 this year so far. Strike King Rage Craw - Blue Sapphire Strike King Rage Bug - Swampwater Blue 1/2 oz. Spinnerbait - blue, chartreuse, and white shirt - Single Copper #5 Colorado Blade with a 4" grub trailer in silk chartreuse color 1/2 oz. Oldham's jig - Black/Blue/Purple Skirt with a Strike King Rage Craw trailer in Junebug

I still use the Big N and Little N for shallow cranking. For deeper cranking I'm partial to the DD 14 and DD 22.

15-20# Stren Hi Impact. Never had a problem.

I'll throw a spinnerbait regardless of water temperature.

Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill for $24.00.

I use the Brush Hog during the summer and winter as a backup to a jig. I'll use the Baby Brush Hog year round.

Everything mentioned will work. I have also had success on floating jerkbaits such as the Cordell Redfin, or Smithwick Rogue.

Either a jig with a screw lock like Oldham's or a small drop of super glue gel.