HawkeyeSmallie

Never heard of them until a few weeks ago when a pro was using one in a tournament.

Old thread but have a question on this jig. Does this have a bait keeper? If so, what style? A picture would be great. Thanks!

Well I just got back from my first “night” outing of the year. My wife came along and sat and read in the truck. Was getting close to 11:00 and I knew she was getting tired/bored. I think I had been fishing for about two hours, not a sniff. Figured I was going to get skunked and then bam, fish ON! Got it to the bank and went to lip it but there was nothing there to grab. I thought this is not a bass! Wiper? Catfish? Come to find out it was a Smallmouth! My old best friend. It’s been a long time since I caught one. The lake was stocked with them back in 2017. 15 minutes later I caught one more. Then the wife made an executive decision that we were going home. Lure of choice was the swim jig/trailer I’ve been using at the other lake. Next time I go out I might get there at 11:00 and stay much longer. Was a successful trip. When you are 98% ready to call it a night and then end up getting a couple solid fish, makes it an entire different trip. The two smallies had chunky bellies from all the crawdads swimming around. They were everywhere. Now I’m just trying to figure out my next outing in pursuit of my once cherished BROWN bass.

Well, it COULD have been worse. That's what I try to tell myself when life throws you knuckleballs, not even curveballs.

Good point. I was mostly thinking about changing for the lake that has less visibility. The places I'm also currently throwing, which has decent clarity, are somewhat lit. I'm throwing off of a dock and also by a beach. I didn't know if I went off the beaten path more if color made more difference. I'm just going to have to get on omnia and buy some stuff. Even though my wife is complaining about the THREE packages coming today. LOL

Dang they got out late. School has been out around here for a good 2 weeks.

Awesome, I'll take a look. THANKS

Don't you think heat shrink would be better? I use O rings but I'd like to buy some heat shrink. Just need to find the right kind/size, I prefer clear.

That's an understatement! I purchased a NRX+ after 2 P5's and I was disappointed when I pulled it out of the shipping tube. They work good but the looks aren't even comparable.

My wife actually asked if I wanted to go fishing last night but from shore, no kayaks. She would mostly just sit in the truck in read. It's 10 minutes away and a little over 20 acres big. I think I've fished there 3 or 4 times in the last week or so, all from the shore. I told her I probably have fished it too much from shore lately. Stayed home. Should have went because you can't catch your PB sitting on the couch.

Well summer is approaching, which means more heat and more boating/camping/people activity. Some of the lakes I fish I feel like night fishing offers the best opportunity to catch bigger fish. Cooler temps and less people causing disturbance in and around the water. The last couple of times I've gone out in the early evening, I've stayed well beyond dark and have had good success throwing a swim jig. More specifically the Dirty Jigs CA swim jig in SXY Guntersville Shad with a 4" Rapala Mayor on it. I think it's the Albino Shad color. I'm really enjoying this right now. They knock the socks off of it. I'm now wondering about switching colors. The lake I've been fishing has decent clarity but a different lake that holds much bigger bass has less visibility. Would a black/blue jig and trailer work better? Both companies offer this. Does it make much difference at night? Thanks!

I'm pretty sure it's even. My first baitcaster that I bought around 20 years ago is pooping out on me but I'll just replace it maybe this year. If I had a bunch of extra rods or reels laying around my wife wouldn't let me hear the end of it. She already complains about all the stuff I have.

Biggest mistake was putting away my poles and picking up golf clubs. Lasted a good 15 years. Had some good times and raised some kids that are pretty good including one playing D1 currently. But I'd sure like to get some of those back as I don't think I'll ever golf again and don't miss it.

Oh I've seen a pic. I saw one of a canoe with what looked like a good 5 rods all with chatterbaits on them. LOL

Soooooooo looks like I need to buy something to sharpen hooks. Suggestions?

I am certainly not an expert, but I think I'd rather get 2 $150 combos vs 1 $300 combo. For example, one for single hook baits and one for treble hook baits. IDK, maybe that would be difficult to build for $150. I'm sure there's a lot of guys that do it.

Let's say you have your favorite jerkbait with over 20 fish on it. Or you're throwing a wacky worm and have caught a good 10 or so on it. What about a bladed jig? How dull are those hooks getting? Do you replace them? Obviously you can swap out the trebles on a hardbait. You're gonna toss a single wacky style hook. What about a bladed jig or like a swimjig? Do you sharpen it somehow? Keep using? Or toss them? Lures are so gosh darn expensive now but the thought of losing your PB from a dull hook makes a man ponder. Thoughts? Thanks!

I've never tried it. A couple of the smaller lakes I fish have softer bottoms, one having a ton of weeds. Doesn't sound like a good fit. Another lake there's potential I just rarely fish it as it's difficult to fish. But it's much deeper and harder than the other two. I know dragging 10" worms can catch big bass. Not from first hand but my son's friend.

Went out last night. Caught at least 10. All bass except 1 bluegill and 1 crappie. Of course there's always "The one that got away" story. I was showing my wife how to fish a neko rig and wasn't fully paying attention. It was definitely a really nice one. Ugh. The majority came on my two favorite ways to fish currently. Jerkbait and a swimjig. The swimjig might be my favorite right now. Seems to be working good in the dark as well. It's just fun to throw because they always smack it good. Seems to be a pretty high hook up/land percentage. These two were back to back casts. Looking at the pictures the tail was even missing. LOL I'm wondering about throwing a black/blue version for the night.

Is the Zillion you are all talking about the 22 version? That seems like the latest version I'm seeing. DAIWA 22 ZILLION TW HD

They haven't been bad yet but they will. I don't like spraying chemicals on me so zero bug spray. I fully cover up, sometimes a head net. Last year my hands did get slaughtered a few times so might have to get some fishing gloves.

I have the 110 Special. Love it. The butt grip is small but I guess you just get used to it. Someone with big hands might hate it. The P5's are drop dead gorgeous.

Oh dang, my wife would KILL ME. LOL

Crankbaits are one thing I have ZERO confidence in. I might be able to count on one hand how many bass I've caught on a crankbait. Because of this I rarely throw them. But you can't catch them on it if you don't throw them. I need to do a better job this year. Probably even catch some bigger bass since it's most likely deeper water. Still learning (trying) every day.