DSTN

I haven't given the jigs enough time to get any fish on them yet but I think it's only a matter of time till I do.

I picked up a pack of those jigs. Haven't used them much but I did opt for gluing in the brush guard. It's pretty light so I dont think it should cause hookset issues. I would say these are definitely smaller than a bitsy big jig, especially the hook. For a trailer I've been using the Tiny Paca Chunk and I think it looks like a pretty good combo.

I second all the recommendations above. They are all about shad around here so pretty much anything white or chrome seems to a solid bet. Good luck, they are an absolute blast. They just pull and pull. They can be a handful when trying to remove treble hooks because they are so strong and feisty. Would recommend having a fish grip and pliers handy.

I'm the opposite of th OP with crankbaits, haha. I'll throw flat sided crankbaits but the minnow shape ones like the Rapalas just don't click with my brain for some reason.

I've been lucky with the few rods I've had shipped from Dick's. They all made it ok but man is there method of shipping rods sketchy. I cringe every time I open one from them. The Falcon Lowrider I got last week didn't even have any packing of any kind. Just a rod loose in that same flimsy box like the pics above.

F&S does have the Quantam Tour KVD casting and cranking rods showing as $99.99 when added to your cart plus you get 20%.

That Swimon looks pretty good to me.

Thanks for sharing! Pretty cool to get a glimpse inside.

Glad to see Savage Gear have some more rods in their lineup. I have one of their Browser rods amd really like it, especially for the price.

Dick's also has the Quantam Tour KVD casting and cranking rods showing as $99.99 when added to your cart. Add on the 20% off for today and you get them for $79.99 each. Should mention they only have a couple models of each on their site.

I have a few WPs and really like them. I have one Choppo and as said above I'm not sure the hardware is quite on par with the WP but the Choppo's hooks are plenty good and it sounds good on the water. Definitely think it's a suitable option if you want to save a few bucks. With both baits the key for me has been finding the right speed where they run best. Usually it's pretty slow - just fast enough to get the tail plopping and then hold on.

Haha @Choporoz, I wa just thinking the same thing. Whatever happened to that Christie guy, wonder if it's true he could only win at Grand... Hindsight is 20/20 but this thread has aged...uniquely.

@TotalNoob Looks like a Green Sunfish to me. I catch them fairly often on the main lake I fish at. They have cool coloring and will seemingly bite just about anything at anytime that passes the piece of cover they are tucked under.

I have yet to catch a fish in a popper or jerkbait. Until this spring I hadn't caught anything on a Senko/Dinger type soft plastic stick worm. Took care of that one and then some.

I love throwing a shallow crankbait and had a few good outings with some cheaper flat side crankbaits late last fall and early this spring. I like the Berkley Diggers and other hard baits of theirs I have used so far. I saw these pop up in some "Top Lures" articles for I think BASS and MLF this spring and was intrigued. Berkley has a video from the Classic about them on their facebook page you can find if you search for it. Hoping to pick a few up for the fall.

I bet the rage ned bug will be a killer finnese jig trailer. I've been patiently waiting on the Berkley Frittside crainkbait. Hoping it hits shelves after ICast.

Ned Rig (TRD on 1/16oz head) has caught the most fish. Squarebills, spinnerbaits, and weightless stick worms are not too far behind. Still waiting for the topwater bite to fire up...

Crappie plopper...decent crappie hit a 110 WP. Wasn't much of a fight on a heavy casting rod.

Most of my ned rig fishing has been using a 1/16 oz ball head crappie jig with a #2 hook. Has worked really well and since the heads aren't marketed for the ned rig they aren't $1 a head. I tried some if the Berkley half-heads in 1/16 and really like the keeper on them. Works really well. Just wish the 1/16 oz came with a #2 hook instead of #1.

That thing is a brute! Congrats!

I second the Yum Pulse 3.5. Haven't had a ton if time using it but has worked well by itself or as a spinnerbait trailer. Berkley Grass Pig Jr on a small swim jig has been good to me in the past too.

My take is a combo of a couple responses already. If the water has some color to it and the water isn't glass smooth then I'm starting with a chatterbait. This is the case the vast majority of the time where I fish. If the water is clear or calm then I'd favor a swim jig or possibly willow bladed spinner bait.

If you use a plastic trailer like a toad the kicking legs tend to help keep the buzzbait riding at the surface even at a slower retrieve, at least in my experience.

You'll get the hang of it. More seat time and it will feel like second nature. The biggest thing for me when I started kayak fishing a few years ago was just getting used to the feel of being on the water. There is a lot odd sensations like rocking or swaying and just moving with the water that happen constantly and just take time to get used to. My best advice is to try to stay relaxed and not over react to your senses, especially when doing things like tying lures or fighting a fish. Doing that helped me a ton.

BPS has the Choppo on sale for 5.97 right now if it helps anyone was on the fence of trying one like I am. I've been hesitant because I'm partial to my WPs and still havent picked up a 75 size yet but for 5.97...