Bdnoble84

This sounds like a perfect blank for the application. I have a lower grade mlxf bassx in 6’10 and that works well for small hair and marabou. I would imagine the huge stepup to the scv 7’6” would be phenomonal for a multitude of reasons.

Jigs for me is alittle different application. I am fishing finesse jigs and hair jigs in a rocky river. For that application i typically go straight braid 10lb powerpro. for my swimjig/ casting jig b rod i like to use 30lb powerpro to a 12lb invisx leader. Im fishing northern strain bass in moderate cover though so i dont need the heaviest stuff around.

The bollingbrook bass pro is decent. I think they keep their selection up alittle better than the cabelas in Hoffman Estates or Madison (its been years since I was at the Gurney Location). Ever since BPS bought out cabelas, its been downhill. They kinda have a monopoly in alot of ways. Selection sucks and I feel like they inflate their prices. You rarely come across good deals anymore because of the lack of competition. i like going and picking things out over ordering online if i can. If nothing else it keeps the bait monkey at bay.

It gets the job done but it is slightly hazy and takes several coats to build up. But if you are just starting out, not sure if you really want to invest. Its a very doable option. Plus its easy to apply and ready for use within a couple of days. kbs diamond clear or uv resin are typically what i prefer going with.

#10 husky Jerks. Paddletail on a 1/4oz head.i could see a 3/8oz spinnerbait with a #4 colorado or duel indianas slowrolled.

Awesome. I have an urge to dropshot the fenko

I know the yamamoto zako is popular as a popular chatterbait trailer, but are there situations when you rig it stand alone either as a swimbait or dropshot or trailer on jigs or spinnerbaits. In my mind it seems like a more coldwater option because of its tighter action.

Anyone having any luck with Walleye. I havent heard of many people catching anything at the oregon dam. I sure havent.

I tie/trim my jigs and spinnerbaits different. Jigs, when I tie them i try to have just over half the tab on top and the underneath is shorter. I then trim it from 1/2 an in to 1 in below the hook. Depending on trailer, i may take more off. I also like to thin out my weed-guards so they aren't so stiff. Spinnerbaits I tie the top shorter than the bottom. I want the top to umbrella out and reach just to the hook curve. The bottom I like to be 1 1/2 to 2 in past the hook bend. I do this because i dont often use trailers on spinnerbaits and i also like the pulsing action from the umbrella’d top spirt layer.

thanks guys. That conquistador looks awesome. I thought maybe the bait monkey was satisfied with my purchase of of some rolls of rubber skirting, but i think it actually made it worse. I’ll have to get acouple different trailers here.

I’ve seen good stuff about don iovino plastics. Next time i get somewhere that has UJ#11 I want to pick up a jar. I tryed pork frogs when i was a kid but never had any luck. I was only throwing them on a Johnson Silver minnow though. I never took them off and they would always dry out on the hook.

Sleestak?

This pattern has done very well around places bluegill are a main storage source.

Same reason a bucktail jig in brown or green actually resembles a craw moving along the bottom.

This looks like it could be an interesting neko rig option. What type of boyancy does it have?

Im talking 35-45 degree water throwing wither bucktail or living rubber on a small 1/8-3/8 oz head and 1/0-2/0 hook. Are guys going chunk, craw, beaver? Im fishing in a middle sized river with a ton of rock.

Just picked up a few packs of those this winter as well. Havent done much with em yet, but they look really good in the water. Zoom finesse worms and senkos are the other go to’s for me.

Gulp leach is a real sleeper. I dont use it enough.

Bassresource actually addressed this in one of their spinnerbait videos. If I remember correctly, he suggested playing with trailers to create more drag. I actually never even noticed baits were doing this until I saw that video. In my experience, blade size to weight can matter. My 3/8 oz baits with double 3.5 willows run flat, even when burned (thats what i built them for, burning in current). If i throw a big #5 willow on the same bait, the bait will run with a more vertical pitch. You will also experience more roll over at the same speeds. But conversely, the bigger blade provides more lift and you can keep the bait high in the water column at a slower speed.

I fish very rocky rivers for smallmouth and walleye. I bought a st croix bass x 6’10” ml/xf last year and absolutely love it for hair 1/16 to 1/4 oz. 1/16 is definitely on the light side and while it can handle 3/8 oz ok, i prefer to step up to a med action. 3/32 to 1/4 is definitely the sweet spot. I use 10lb power pro braid. The sensitivity is excelent. For your price point I hear alot of good things about the st croix avid series. I paired it with a 3000 size diawa in the $50 range (i dont remember the model but it does the job).

70 degrees for me. Thats when i can really power fish em.

Thats what i was using. My river is pretty murky so i dont think it matters. You can always do two swivels. 1 stacked on the other

Thats the idea, you are getting more action in the current because it can sway back and forth, much like a minnow. The 3 way is traditionally a walleye drifting or trolling. Typically they will use live bait. Its a great way to cover water in rivers without getting snagged the way a lindy rig or bottom bouncer would.

Anyone ever tryed this. Its a 3way swivel with a weight off one end and a line to a hook or lure on the other. Its very popular for walleye using live bait. Anyways, i tryed one with a bucktail fly and actually ran into a nice little smallie. Pretty cool. Its kinda like a drop shot in some ways but also different. As long as the fly has boyancy, it will stay off the bottom and dance in the current. You can fish it pretty much deadstick and it’ll look like a minnow holding in the current.