GoneFishingLTN

I live in an area where our main baitfish are bluegill and crawdads. I’ve tried using minnows with LiveScope and have caught a few, but nothing with great consistency or success. That said, this post isn’t just about minnows—it’s about choosing the right tool for the job, especially now that LiveScope has become such a dominant factor in how we fish. I still keep my “old school” baits—like spinnerbaits for spring—but I’ve found that “new age” baits like the Magdraft have mostly replaced them, mainly because they’re easier to track on LiveScope. Of course, in dirty water or heavy wood cover, a spinnerbait is still the right tool for the job. The issue I’m running into is deck space. Between all my forward-facing sonar baits and my traditional baits, I’m running with 12 rods on the deck at all times. What’s the right system for managing this? Are other anglers starting to eliminate the old-school baits completely, or is there a better way to streamline and balance both approaches?

Not worried about price but worried about not getting the correct action or buying something so similar to what I already have

Do you think the bc2 is to stiff for just casting lightweights and dragging I’ve heard it’s more a football jig rod second thing I’m worried about is it to similar to my ags hvy 7’4” Daiwa’s sorta wanted to stick Daiwa

well I'm torn on rather to get both or just get the bottom contact 2

I was thinking of the utility player I have tons of daiwa tatula elite ags 7'4" hvy and 7'6" hvy ags would you still recommend the bottom contact

What’s the best Texas rig rod — or even two options — for fishing 1/4 to 3/8 oz setups with a 10-inch worm? I’ll mostly be throwing around 5/16 oz with a Rage Bug, mainly dragging around rock or stumps. I’m not looking to pitch, more focused on casting and dragging ok with g loomis or steez money but nothing more lol

What does his shine for?

I’ve noticed a pattern in myself—I’ll figure out what works, start seeing success with it, and then I catch myself wanting to change things up or chase the next shiny new idea. Even when I know what I’m doing is working, that urge to tweak, add, or switch things up kicks in. How do you stay disciplined and avoid falling into that mindset of constantly wanting to change your style or add more, even when your current process is getting results?

In the Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS rod lineup, I’m considering the 7'3" Brent Ehrler model or the 7'5" Cory Johnston model for Texas rigs. Which one would be the better choice for that technique?

The Free Rig is a setup where the weight slides freely on the line above a hook tied directly with a knot (usually an EWG or straight shank hook). A drop-style weight (often a tear-drop or cylinder) is threaded onto the line before tying the hook, allowing the bait to fall more naturally and slowly with minimal resistance. It excels in pressured waters and when fishing around light cover, giving soft plastics a very natural, fluttering presentation. Now my question is if your using a worm that requires a 4/0-5/0 hook like a Yamamoto cut tail what action rod/line do you think would be the best for this technique?

I don’t have enough reels to dedicate one to every technique. When it’s time to switch from something like 18 lb fluoro to braid for topwater, would I risk damaging the line if I hand-spooled the fluoro back onto its original spool to reuse later?

I've fished a long time. Believe it or not, I don’t have any medium-heavy fast action rods for Texas rigs—only moderate action MHs. I do have plenty of heavy rods, including the 7'4" Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS frog rod, the 7'6" AGS, and the 7'0" medium-moderate-heavy Brent Ehrler rod. But I’m missing a true medium-heavy fast action rod specifically for Texas rigs. Based on the rods I currently use, am I missing out? Would you recommend the 7'3" AGS Brent Ehrler MH rod to fill that gap?

Des Moines, you?

Spinnerbait in 75 degree water?

It was the day after a rain. Water clarity was less than 2–3 feet, so it was more stained. I fished in less than 5 feet of water and caught one bass. The main issue was the grass—there was a lot of it, but most of it was dying due to the heat. It wasn’t quality grass, more like pond weed. What should I have done differently? I used a Texas rig with a 5/16 oz weight on a heavy rod and also threw a frog. I tried a squarebill, but there was too much scattered grass for it to be effective.

What’s the starting weights on the Texas rigs?

sorry if this is not the place to ask but are these bagleys close to the old rare squarebill ones

How long do you monitor wind direction? How many days in advance do you start? How do you interpret changes when checking it multiple times?

If your flipping ant pitching a Texas rig. Does that statement also mean your “pitching” to a 75 foot away brush pile? In 15 foot of water or strictly visible cover targets?

I guess that’s what I’m doing wrong I usually never fish my Spinnerbait that deep. I’ve fished my chatter bait that deep but Spinnerbait usually 5 feet or less. that’s all I need to do is let Spinnerbait drop through 10+ what range and slow roll it. I’m assuming this will work just fine with no trailer.

any tips to do different?

I went to a lake expecting to throw a squarebill and spinnerbait but got there and the water was 10 foot clear. So I did not think they would work at all this is a heavily pressured lake with largemouth/muskie/walleye/bluegill/crappie NO shad what should I have done?

I currently have some nice high-speed (8 gear ratio)reels.. I was thinking about using one for squarebills, but I’ve noticed that most people recommend a 5:1 or 6:1 ratio for that technique. That said, when I look at what some anglers in Japan are doing, they’re using much faster reels—sometimes 8:1 or even 10:1—for squarebills. So I get that it comes down to personal preference, but can you guys share some insight on how much gear ratio really matters when fishing squarebills?

I've never had luck on the speed worm which is so odd my five would be Minnow crush city Megabass jerkbait Megabass jerkbait plus 1 Kietech 3.3 Senko

I've fished them a few times, but I just can't seem to get bit. I know they're supposed to be effective, but for some reason, I'm not getting any bites—and I’m not seeing many fish on the scope either. I’m wondering if it’s just something you check every time you’re out, or if there’s something else I’m missing? Guess I should mention mainly creek channel swing banks is my issue