HawkeyeSmallie

Before I bought some "official" weights, I was cutting my nails with a Dremel tool. Works pretty good if you have one.

Maybe I'm the odd man out. I keep mine in all of the original "bags".

I'm not a fish, but I'm eating that thing. Especially after seeing a million spinnerbaits, crankbaits, etc.

Well I made an order. I bought a pack of 2.5" Mayors, some 2.8" Keitechs, and some Dirty Jigs underspins and guppy heads. After doing some more reading, it sounds like the Keitechs don't hold up the best. One person said 1 bait per fish. I sure hope that's not the case.

I upgraded a rod that I mostly threw wacky senkos on. So now it's mostly collecting dust. I've been wanting to get into the soft plastic swimbaits and underspin fishing and now I figure this rod can do the job. It's a spinning combo, medium power so I'm mostly looking to throw 3" or even smaller. I figure that size can catch anything from bass to big crappies to walleye depending on the lake. What's a good head size for something this size? I probably can't have anything huge if I'd like to catch crappie as well right? Good swimbait? Lastly, what's a good underspin to go with this size? Thanks for any thoughts/input!!

I hold the opinion that yes it's harder to catch fish if there's an abundance of forage. You have to get a reaction strike vs a I'm hungry strike. If that makes any sense.

Baking soda, coffee grounds, and ketchup has been my last try. Seems to work. LOLOLOLOL

Good question on the budget. I have some high dollar reels but I don’t think it’s that necessary for throwing a spinnerbait. So not looking for either cheap or top of the line. Maybe $200-$250? I was also wondering about size. 200?

Just got some 3.5" myself. I'm in.

I put together my very first baitcasting combo about 20 years ago. The reel is now junk but the rod I feel is a really good fit for spinnerbaits. It's a Gander Mountain Tournament series MH fast action. 6'6" I think. I've been throwing spinnerbaits on it and it seems to work. I've been throwing 20 lb braid with it. Not sure if that's ideal or not. Anyways, I need to get a new reel for this rod, mostly for throwing spinnerbaits. Thoughts on a reel? Stick with the braid? Thanks!

I'm NOT an expert but the rod I have is 7'6". Built for 3/4-3.5oz. Works perfect.

Quick question: Is there honestly much difference between UL spinning vs "BFS" with a baitcaster? I LOVE throwing micro cranks for panfish and the occasional bass.

About 2 hours east of you. Cedar Rapids area.

I’m just guessing but probably because a lot of people don’t throw 6 ounce baits and can’t chime in on gear required. JMO.

I agree, they are bulldogs once hooked. It's a local lake, 10 minutes away. Big bluegills, redears, and crappies. Tons of bass but my guess is overpopulated. Nothing huge. I think I can get 10" on both panfish and a 13" crappie from this lake. Those are the Master Angler award lengths here in Iowa. I don't have any yet. EDIT: Dang, redears are 11" I guess. Second EDIT: crappies are 14". This is getting harder every second. LOL

Always have to be careful with flouro. I'd say change your knot. I'm a double pitzen fan myself.

I bought one of those silver bars like a decade ago. Never worked.

I would have tried a spinnerbait. What part of Iowa are you from?

I'm on a quest to catch a 10" bluegill this year. I came maybe a 1/16" or so last year but I'm not going to cheat the system. Has to be legit 10". Off to a good start. Last night I thought I had a decent sized bass on at first. Come to find out it was a 9" bluegill. Based on the body I really thought she was 10". Dang it. So fun on UL spinning. It was dark and they were eating bugs off the surface. I was tossing a tiny little crankbait and twitching it back. 10" here I come.

I tried ketchup last night. Helped some. Took the wife with me as well. She won't even take weeds off her lure. Told you she's a city slicker.

At least in Iowa, the DNR gives you access to their samples. Huge resource.

Well, I shouldn't even admit this. Ban me if you have to. Make fun of me if you need to. But, I hate the fish smell on my hands after a good day of fishing. It's weird, I even grew up on a farm. You get home and you wash and wash and they still stink. I'm also trying to get my wife interested in fishing but she REALLY doesn't want that smell on her hands. She's a true city slicker. I've tried toothpaste which just masks the smell a bit. The other night I tried vinegar as well which didn't do much. Any "secrets" out there?

Hell I didn't even know I made a point!!!

Used to go up to Canada with some guys and they always had to have lures with red eyes. They would find one and buy a case of them. LOL Almost seems like they were trying to mimic a smallmouth. Can't remember.