Smbass19

Do you guys prefer the rattling version of the 1.5 (only available at BPS) or the silent?

Great tips, thanks! When you work parallel to the banks, something I like as well, how deep are you fishing and do you try to maintain contact with that rock bottom? I have fairly steep drop offs and I would probably only be hitting bottom for about the 1st 1/3 of a cast.

I have had success using squarebills for largemouth. I've never really used them for smallies. Most the smallmouth waters I fish are fairly deep, clear water. Crankbaits need to mostly be bounced off the bottom, usually rock. I'm wondering who has had success with them for smallmouth and how exactly you use them. And of course, what are your preferred brands and colors. For largemouth, I like Strike King KVD 1.5's a lot. Mostly natural Shad and bluegill colors.

RIVET RIG..... I found this method last year. Haven't tried it, seems like a good idea if you're fishing open water. Zona says he uses this rig for both caffeine shad and for swimming style plastics. Little complicated, but I think it would definitely increase your hook up percentage. https://1source.basspro.com/index.php/component/k2/237-fishing-info/3681-fishing-zona-and-defoe-s-riveting-rigging-secret

Follow up, similarly related, size issue. I just watched Facts of fishing with Dave Mercer. He was using a Jackall Cross Tail Shad, which was designed specifically for drop shotting, but he found another use. He was rigging it on an 1/8 oz swimbait jighead and just slow reeling it along the bottom. It looked amazing in he water and he crushed the smallmouth. Couldn't really tell if he was using the 3" or 4". But I can't imagine the 4" could possibly be "too big" for good size smallmouth. Any thoughts?

From northern Illinois, but I fish mostly in Michigan, UP, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Which brand swim bait do you like? The Swimming fluke? I've done pretty well with the strike King swim n shiner. I typically use it with a classic 1/8 oz ball jig head.

I was wondering what everyone's favorite fluke style bait is and how they rig them, specifically for smallmouth. Mine is a white pearl super fluke weightless with a 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook.

Outstanding. Thank you.

I was planning on cutting off the old hooks and adding split rings to the hanger, with new short shank hooks. I was planning on attaching the split ring to the original hangers, along with the new trebles. I don't feel confident screwing the new eyelet into an old bait. Fear of the strong smallies ripping them out.

I fish a shallow river sometimes as well. I like xcalibur XR100. They're discontinued but you can find them on eBay and other sites. Bandit 100 also excellent. Also, check out the rebel humpback. They were discontinued for a long time, but they just brought them back. Run very shallow, but are great for smallies. Strike King Pro model Series 1 are very similar to bandit 100.

I'm looking to replace the garbage hooks on jitterbugs and baby torpedoes. I was wondering what size/brand/style treble hooks and split rings people typically use for Topwater. I'm leaning towards Gamakatsu short shank with #2 VMC split rings. Any advice is appreciated.