FCPhil

5 pounds 7 ounces on the whopper plopper this fall. Broke my PB and my rod tip...

Poppers have worked for me in colder conditions than other topwaters. If there are big bass though you got to throw a whopper plopper some though. I fish topwater all the time and they consistently produce bigger fish on average in my experience.

I enjoy watching his videos and have gotten some inspiration for my own luremaking.

Not sure what all is new in 15 years but I’ll take a stab at some things to try: -WHOPPER PLOPPER!!!! -Glide baits (start with smaller ones) -Line-thru swimbaits -Hollow body frogs (not new but now so many different options) -Decoy X-S21 hooks (my secret weapon on larger topwater lures, a lot of people write them off but on certain lures they are killer at keeping fish hooked...hard to find though...)

I was shooting for $75 max and maybe 4 inches longer than usual. Most I have seen are 13-15 inches.

I’m looking for a 6’6” to 7’ budget casting rod that has a longer than normal handle. I often feel the handle is too short on casting rods and want a bit more leverage while fishing. I’ve been searching a bit but trouble finding anything longer than average. Any suggestions?

I’m looking for an affordable baitcasting reel that will last a decent length of time. I have two Abu Garcia BlackMax reels that have worked well but they are wearing out after a few seasons. I want to get a reel that will last longer and I have narrowed it down to three reels: Abu Garcia ProMax $80 Abu Garcia Revo X $100 Daiwa Tatula CT $130 I know these reels are not equivalent in price but I am trying to decide if the more expensive reels will be worth their price in terms of lasting longer. Which should I choose?

I tried getting into bigger swimbaits two years ago. I heard a lot of people talk about not being afraid to throw them because smaller bass still will strike larger baits. I got a few bites but nothing bigger than I was getting on other lures. The big thing for me is I was limited in how much time I can spend fishing and I was catching so few fish on the swimbaits that I got burned out on them. Unless you have a ton of time to sink into fishing bigger baits, I would start off with some smaller swimbaits and work your way up. I really like the 5.25 inch Shine Glide from Savage Gear, it doesn't cast the best but it caught my second biggest fish. You can work it a bit more like a jerkbait if you want too (which has worked better for me). I have seen the Osprey Tournament Top Talon produce pretty well as well. If your targeting bigger fish, I would highly recommend the Whopper Plopper 110. It caught my PB and more larger fish than anything else I have thrown. You could try up sizing to the 130 also. Jigs in heavy cover also has produced bigger fish for me.

A topwater walking lure I made has been my most productive lure this season. By far my favorite technique.

Today I caught my PB with a whopper plopper 110. 5lb 7oz and 22.5”. Keep throwing it!

110 size or the new 75 size all the way! (The 75 is fatter and planes better than the 90 I hear)

I favor strict catch and release laws (for bass) on public waters. I think it is within the government’s jurisdiction to pass such policies (especially on manmade ponds and lakes not naturally created). From a social standpoint I advocate everyone should catch and release (especially large bass) for the sake of the sport. I respect people’s right to disagree with me just as I have a right to tell them they should leave the fish.

I’ve been looking for a super shallow jerkbait too and the Damiki slim jack is all I have found. There really seems to be a hole in the market for super shallow (0-1 foot) SUSPENDING jerkbaits. Im very intrigued by this style of jerkbait though.

I’ve only tried the sprinker frog but I’ve had a nearly perfect hookup ratio with it. The first day I went 6/6. I know this is counter intuitive for frog fishing but I just lean back on them as soon as they strike, like a crankbait or a whopper plopper, no pause like a normal frog. If it is plowing down in the water make sure there is no water inside.

Poplar. Not sure if that is the best choice but it has worked for me.

On a review I saw they said you can thin it back out with Acetone, never done it myself though.

I have a Abu Garcia Black Max 3 that is about three seasons old. I have used it pretty heavily and this season it no longer casts smoothly. It has lost about 25% in casting distance and you can hear/feel the spool vibrating each cast. I'm considering opening it up and oiling the bearings with some machine oil I have but I don't want to make it worse (I never have worked on a reel before). Does this sound like the bearing just need cleaning and lubricating or does this sound like the bearings are simply worn out?

I’m looking at purchasing some “Mustad KVD Elite 1X Strong 2X Short Shank Treble Red” They are a little cheaper than the black nickel version named “Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble Hook” They appear identical aside from the word elite in the name. A review says that the red hooks are not as sharp as the black nickel version and that red hooks generally are not as sharp. Anyone know if this is true?

Some more that recently caught their first bass...

Here is a few more that have produced, the walking bait has really been working.

I used to use spinning reels and I only fish from the bank. One I got a baitcaster and learned to use it I never touched a spinning reel again. I know they can be great for certain presentations but I just enjoy using a baitcaster much more...and I never have issues with line tangling anymore.

Walking baits and poppers...try to find ones without rattles.

This is what I carry in a backpack along with one baitcasting rod fitted with 30lb braid and a eagle claw snap to swap out lures...has been more than I need and have really liked it. Most of the lures are home made but you get the idea.

If their are bluegill around try a topwater walking bait by the bank. In my experience there is something about walking lures that really work around the spawn/post-spawn and bluegills. I’ll throw stickbaits, jigs, swimbaits, etc to no avail but something about the erratic splashing on the surface triggers the bite.

ST-41s are the best hooks I have ever used. Scary sharp and keep the fish pinned better than others, including the ST-36s