Bass-Addict

That is a great point and makes perfect sense, people give fish too much credit

Is Hog Farmer considered the industry standard or top of the line?

Hog Farmer, Picasso, 6th Sense? What exactly are the key differences and are the premium brands really worth $20-30? What are you getting with those that you won’t with a 6th Sense or Flash Mob?

Which specific rod & reel?

Which exact rod and reel do you use?

Lake or river? What state?

How do those 3X Mustads stack up against Gammys?

Lol when I have ever given you the impression I adhere to silly rules?

I like mouse rat + Clearwater Shad for these conditions, painted chartreuse in the spring when it’s up and muddy.

Lol what

The vast majority of the company I keep does not adhere to this nonsense. I usually fish alone anyway.

I just placed my TW order as well, got the dummy heads too (Ohio 3 hook limit.)

This is a strange phenomenon I’ve observed, especially in certain types of anglers. This one friend of mine thinks there are all of these hard and fast rules with zero exceptions, some science based or at least logical sounding and some just nonsensical. I should mention this is regarding river smallmouth, I’m sure he has an entirely separate playbook for their lake dwelling cousins. Some examples, ranging from sensible to just plain moronic: - Never retrieve upstream, baitfish only swim downstream - Never throw moving baits after spawn until the fall bite - Never use snaps or snap swivels, fish can see these and you’ll lose bites - Absolutely NO mono except for topwater, bass are incredibly line shy and you must use fluorocarbon which is invisible - Smallmouth prefer sun and will bite better when it is sunny. The only reason bluebird negatively impacts fishing is due to barometric pressure, absolutely nothing to do with being ambush predators who prefer shade and cover. - ALWAYS match the hatch, especially when it comes to size and color. This would suggest that every strike is an actively feeding fish rather than reactionary, which we all know the inverse is usually true. There are several others that aren’t coming to mind but you get the idea. Do you think there is much if any legitimacy to any of these ideas? I can get behind bits and pieces of them but as a whole I think smallmouth are reactionary and nomadic (within the section of river they live) enough that timing and luck play as pivotal a role as anything. You can study and learn their behavior and habits obsessively and enjoy great success from the advantages this gives you, but at the end of the day I don’t believe bass are quite as predictable as some think.

So 90 degree hooks help prevent hang ups? I have read people suggesting painting one of your baits on the A Rig, ideally the trailer with a splash of red. Does this make a discernible difference, and if so would it hurt if I simply used a different brand paddle tail that had a realistic blood spattering infusion or do I want them all to have identical action? I use Big Joshy which I’ve been happy with, a local bait maker but Big Bite Baits Suïcide Shad has a very cool bloody Shad pattern available. I realize this is more for me than the fish, but this is a hobby after all 😉

But doesn’t front line tie cause them to track better? I realize both work.

Why does everyone say that’s preferable for A Rigs?

I saw those but they don’t have the front line tie, what about the Smart Mouths with the Mustad 3X would those be equally good? These have the 40 degree offset line tie: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Plus_Jig_Head_3X_Mustad/descpage-PSMP3XM.html

If so, is there a way to rig it similarly yourself for cheaper? If not, has anyone found a solution? I find myself having to adjust every cast when it bunches up. I superglue the nose end to keep that in place on the 4/0 gammy EWGs, would that work on rear end as well or would that interfere with hooksets?

Well see I’m trying to ensure that doesn’t happen by buying gammy or 2-3x mustads. You think these Picasso heads would be as sturdy or reliable as Gamakatsu 26s? https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Plus_Jig_Head_3X_Mustad/descpage-PSMP3XM.html

Ah yes good point, so will this cause me to lose fish or miss bites?

How exactly is the IRod overkill for 1/8-3/16 jigs and 2.75” baits, isn’t the overall weight of the presentation still enormous? It’s gotta be well over 2 ounces and heavier than any swimbait I throw.

This is the umbrella I’ve got: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/6th_Sense_Divine_5-Wire_4-Blade_Umbrella_Rig/descpage-6SD5W.html Is my setup still overpowered even if I bump the paddle tails up to 3.25?

How do these Berkley Fusions compare to the Gammies, are they risky on heavy tackle for breaking/bending out? https://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Fusion19-Swimbait-Fishing-Jigheads/dp/B07XYR6D8K/ref=mp_s_a_1_11

If I don’t have molds/lead what jigheads?

No weight?