HawkeyeSmallie

I've barely fished crankbaits but with the summer here and some fish in deeper water I figure it's time to throw them. To me, it seems like you can break them up into 3 categories? Squarebills, medium, and deep. Right? Can you get by with one or is two really ideal, or heck even three? For right now, I'm just looking to purchase one. I know it's almost an impossible question to answer, but what would you recommend? Do I get one that can throw squarebills and mediums? Mediums and deep? I do have a dedicated rod for jerkbaits that I threw a 3XD on the other day. It seemed to work fine but I normally always have a jerkbait rigged up so that rod is normally in service. I'm probably leaning towards the medium/deep, for some reason I don't see myself throwing a bunch of squarebills. Probably because I never have. But would a rod that throws squarebills also be good for treble hooked topwater lures? Sorry, I'm rambling. Thoughts? Makes and models? I've been buying high end rods lately but I doubt I need a $650 rod for a crankbait. Maybe a step down from that? THANKS!

Thank you!!! Exactly what I was looking for.

Well when I say I land 9/10 fish. That's 9/10 that get hooked up. So 1/10 after getting hooked up will throw it. I don't land 9/10 that "hit" it. However, most don't just hit it, they slam it. Ask anyone that fishes a swim jig a lot and they would probably agree.

Idk, I bought a CA swim jig online and have had tremendous success with it. Catches fish and I land 9/10. Figured why change.

I don’t have any. The only reason I’d get some is for sun protection. Some days I’ll do a good job of protecting my skin but the tops of my hands get red.

Thanks. Even though it’s less than a year old, I’m looking to replace it. Was thinking 30-40 lb.

Well made, big beefy single hook swim jig on braid, that hook is buried in the top of their mouth normally. I think the weed guard helps as well. They normally slam it. Big ones as well. By far my favorite bait this year.

I always find it funny when guys wear hoods, facemasks, and gloves. While wearing shorts and flip flops. lol

I was wondering. But normally with this jig they are hooked VERY well and my landing percentage is in the 90% range. Hope it’s out. It’s like 20 some acres, I’ll catch her again.

I know. The problem is this isn’t some huge TX lake with a ton of 4 lbers swimming around. Very possibly the biggest fish in this SMALL Iowa lake.

It isn't so!!!!!!!

Sorry to bother, but how do you guys post your pictures. I'll try to attach a photo and it always says the file is too big. How are you attaching smaller sized pics? THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Long story short, I lost a bass Friday night due to line breakage. I'm figuring it was a 4 lb+ bass. 20 lb braid (that's a different topic, ugh). The lure was a 3/8 oz swim jig with a 4" plastic trailer. It's a very strong, beefy hook. Dirty Jigs CA No Jack hook. Do you think it will throw it? I know she was trying to throw it because a large splash happened a couple of times afterwards. If she can't throw it, rate of survival? Makes you sick losing a nice bass. Even more when you lost it with a big jig in it.

I don't mind but my wife DOES!!!!!!!! LOL

It's funny, every non-fisherman always give us fisherman a hard time about all the "one that got away" stories. But it's TRUE. Friday night I lost I'm about positive my PB. It was getting later in the evening and throwing my favorite swim jig. Not dark dark, but getting dark. Hooked up and right away knew it was a good one. Fought it for a good 15 seconds and next thing you know my rod is about bent in half and I'm trying to keep it from going into the water. I see a brief glimpse of her swimming away from my kayak and the next thing I know my line BREAKS. I'm sitting there with a lifeless rod in my hand and my jaw touching the bottom of my kayak. Just speechless and in disbelief. I was using a MH rod with 20 pound, little less than 1 year old braid on it. This rod has NEVER bent like it bent Friday night. I'm almost positive it would have been my PB. So that's my "The one that got away" story, just a few days old. What's YOUR story? I know everyone has one.

Well I gave them a quick visual inspection and they looked fine. I NEED to do the qtip test one of these days. I don't really have a crankbait rod so I threw this particular rod on Friday with a medium sized crank. Didn't have any problems. I bleed black and gold. Go Hawks!!!

Yeah I haven't tried them yet. I'm about sure I don't have any hooks that big, Omnia here I come. In fact, I've only tried a free rig once last year using an old bell sinker but I caught a pretty nice bass on it so I thought I would really go "all in" this year. Thought wrong. LOL There's just soooo many different techniques/baits nowadays you can't do them all. Another bait that I bought for free rigs that I'm excited about trying is the DoLive Beaver. Looks amazing. I would think Smallmouths would go bonkers over it.

Perfect timing as I'm looking to purchase one myself. I've just been measuring my fish but one 18" fish can have a totally different body than say another 18" fish. Anyone weigh their fish in a net? Wouldn't this be the best for anything say 3 lbs and up? Don't they say holding a big bass by the lip bad for them? I figure it would be easier to weigh other fish in a net as well. Walleye, pike, etc. I guess you just need a scale that you can zero out the net.

This year was going to be a big free rig year for me. Nope, swim jigs and Neko rigs mostly. Haven't even tried it yet. No excuses, need to get out the 4.8” Bullflats I bought. Can’t tell me a big bass wouldn’t love those things!!!

Anyone know if Omnia has a 7/4 sale?

I’ve been using The Mayor as a swim jig trailer with great success this year. Specifically the 4” version. I know many swim a jig with a craw type trailer but I’m mostly mimicking panfish. The only problem is they don’t seem super durable. It’s not terrible, I'm just wondering if there’s something better. I think one of the reasons is that there are slots in the top and bottom of the bait. So, I’m wondering if there is a better replacement. Basically looking for a 4” paddle tail trailer for swim jigs. I’ve had such good luck with it I’d like to keep it similar, maybe just a solid body hoping it stays together longer. Thanks!

I keep them all separate until it’s time to join powers. I prefer to keep my plastics in their original package.

JMO braid - palamor mono - improved clinch fluoro - double pitzen Those are my personal favorites and would definitely work with a ned rig.

All depends on the line you are using.

I’d never weigh a fish with a hook. I wouldn’t want to be picked up by MY lungs. I have too much respect for the fish I catch. They are like my friends. I normally talk to them and give them the “Thanks for playing” and “See you next time when you’re bigger”.