river-rat

I've been using this jerkbait since the early 70's and have most of my success in the summer months fishing it around any type of vegetation early and late in the day. I can assure you it does work.

When faced with muddy water I rely on two baits 1/2 jig with a black and yellow skirt and use a Biffle Craw in black/chartreuse claws for a trailer 3/8 or 1/2 spinnerbait with #5 and #6 copper colorado blades and either a yellow/chartreuse/white or black and yellow skirt with an Uncle Josh Pork Frog for a trailer.

I've had success with the 7/16 head using a steady retrieve with either a Biffle Bug or a Netbait Kickin B.

I've been using the Grip Pin Max for pitching in heavy cover and punching mats for about three months and have been very pleased with their performance.

I use the Zoom Super Speed Craw, Rage Craw, or the Gene Larew Biffle Craw. But I can tell you from fishing the freshwater marshes below Morgan City, LA all the way over to Venice, LA at the mouth of the Mississippi River for over 30 years, a T-Rigged Gene Larew 4" Salt Craw in black/blue claws has been my most productive bait in that area by far no matter what time of the year.

I've been using the Ultravibe Speed Worm for a couple of years and have been impressed with the results. I use it mainly in murky to heavily stained water during the warmer months. I've also had good results using the black - red glitter at night.

I always have two spinnerbait rods rigged and have one with a single colorado and another with tandem colorado/willow or colorado/colorado blades and let the bass tell me which one they prefer that day. The murkier the water, the more I use the single colorado or the tandem with two colorado blades.

I've used the Wind River Converta-Mitt Windblocker Gloves for the past 6 years and think they're great for fishing during the winter time. They have a windproof, waterproof membrane between two layers of fleece. I can fold back the finger and thumb covers and hold a rod or tying a knot with no problems. You can buy them online at the Wind River site. http://windrivergear.com/index.html

When it comes to a grass jig, I've used Oldham's Jigs for many years with good success. They are a first rate product. You can buy them direct from Terry Oldham. His contact info is on the Oldham Jigs site -- http://www.oldhamjigs.com/ .

I do a lot of night fishing and have used the Zorro Bait Co. (Stan Sloan) Piggyback model for over 20 years. It has a flourescent black light and an LED white light. This unit has a built in rheostat that lets you control the amount of white light. I find that when adjusted to its maximum, the white light will illuminate up to 35-40 feet away from the bank/cover which is plenty for the way I fish. Also, try using a head light or cap light with red LED lights when you have to re-tie. The red light will not affect your night vision.

I use two types of craw trailers depending on the mood of the fish. For years I've used the either the 4" or 6" Gene Larew Salt craw when the fish seem to prefer a more subtle presentation. When I want more action, I'll use a Zoom Super Speed Craw, Paca Chunk, or a Rage Craw.

I mainly use 4 basic colors depending on water clarity. black, blue, and orange (stained water) black and yellow (muddy water) brown, pumpkin - green glitter, and orange green pumpkin - green glitter, and watermelon

I use the Culprit 10" worm quite a bit this time of year. I use a couple of different presentations. When I use a t-rig us9ing a 4/0 or 5/0 Mustad Denny Brauer Flipping Hook (straight shank) and a a 1/8 to 1/4 oz slip sinker. I also like to rig them with a 4/0 or 5/0 keel weighted hook I get from Moaner Hooks which gives it a more horizontal fall.

I've been using the Oldham's Screw-Lock jig for years. They have a built in trailer keeper that is very effective. For jigs that don't have a built in keeper, I have used super glue gel to glue the trailer on the hook shank and also making sure to apply the glue to where the hook shank exits the trailer. Earlier this year I ordered the Tour Edge Lures Chunk X Sling from Tackle Warehouise and have found it works extremely well on flipping jigs and swim jigs. You can check it out oin the Tour Edge Lures website - http://www.touredgelures.com/ .

The #450 and #550 A.C. Shiners has been my favorite floating jerkbait for years. They are a little "pricey", but definitely worth the expense.

I always have one rod with a 1/2 oz jig and another rigged with a 3/8 oz. and will switch back and forth to see if the fish have a preference.

A crawfish colored crankbait works almost year round in the Atchafalaya Basin.

When I wqant to use a craw worm for a jig trailer I use either a Gene Larew 4" Salt Craw or the Bitter's Bait and Tackle 4" Craw. I have found both to be very effective and quite durable.

I use a split-tail trailer or a 4" grub mostly. But I also still use an Uncle Josh #11 pork frog quite a bit when I want a bigger profile.

Generally speaking, I tend to catch a larger average size when using large baits. However, with that being said, I can also state that it's not unsual to catch a 12" fish on 10" or larger worms. What's most surprising to me is that from late winter through pre-spawn I use a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait with a #4 Colorado/#7 willow leaf blade combination and have an Uncle Josh Spring Lizard Pup for a trailer and some days catch more 12" - 13" fish than anything else.

I started using the Biffle Bug as an alternate to a flipping tube this past spring and was very impressed with the results.

I've used a Norman Little N and Bagley BB1 or BB2 in black with an orange belly for too many years to remember in the Atchafalaya Basin with very good results.

I've been using scent on my plastics since the early 70's when we would buy anise oil and apply to the bait. For the past few years I use either Kick'n Bass garlic scent or a mixture of 1 oz. mineral oil with 10 drops of pure anise oil.

I started using the 7.5" Original Worm from Bitter's Bait and Tackle about 3 years ago and have been very pleased. It's a duplicate of the Culprit worm but it the plastic is more durable and holds up better. And at $2.50/pack, the price can't be beat - even with the shipping. This link will take you to their site - https://www.bittersbaitandtackle.com/75-inch-original-worm.html

I just started using them this past spring and had really good success using them for punching mats.