J.Vincent

Strike King because of the wide variety in both Lures and Plastics...and because they also manufacture lead and tungsten...to my knowledge there isn't another big brand who manufacturers everything ....except maybe BPS

There are a lot of good poppers on the market; I like the Storm Chug bugs and also Hula Poppers. As for poppers in black ....I used black nail polish to darken the belly of poppers if I don't have any in black. It's a tip I read in BASS over 20 years ago. It seems to hold well but does leave a subtle odor the first 24 hours.

Lots of good info in this video

Zara Spooks early, 7 inch Texas rigged worms and Live Shiners until dusk

Yes I agree

To answer your question. Yes, Ive also been doing strange things while casting for a long long time. I've actually started casting with my feet while blindfolded. This way I don't have to switch hands and I can use my powers to guide the lure where I want it to go. Plus I can avoid the debate about LH vs RH. It's second nature now but requires many years of tedious and grueling training on the planet of Dagobah. It's not cheap either, I had to pay some green goblin creature with hairy ears to teach me the true powers I hold within. But it was the best money I've ever spent in this Galaxy.

In my opinion Florida, Texas, California, Alabama and Michigan....I put Florida at 1 because there are places you can be fishing quality Largemouth in the morning and drive 5 minutes up the road and be catching Snook , Reds or Tarpon in the evening . But I suppose Louisiana should be thrown into the mix also, after all it's called the Sportsmans Paradise. But to say Midwest fishing is the best for Bass is just simply not true; unless we are exclusively talking Smallmouth Bass on the Great Lakes.

Yes do this, it's good advice. You may also want to go up in line size during the learning process; it's easier to pick out a backlash on heavier line.

The qualities found in braid are not beneficial when fishing Spinnerbaits; but some anglers may disagree. I suppose if it solves your line twist issue or allows you to spool Heavy pound test on a small capacity Spinning Reel , then go with it. But I'm willing to bet you aren't manually closing the bail of the Spinning Reel after each cast and this is creating line problems. Or maybe your spinnerbait blades consistently get tangled in vegetation and during the retrieve the lure is rolling over. Or you are casting to hard and the Spinnerbait is helicoptering in the air before reaching the water. If any of these are the case, using braid with Spinnerbaits will usually only make matters worse. Also I recommend monofilament on a baitcaster, for Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits; it's more efficient .

Why would you want braid for a Spinnerbait in mild cover ? Have you explored any high quality durable monofilaments or copolymers ?

If they are indeed Bass; then a Wacky Rigged stick worm should do the trick.

Yes, of course you should compete and see if you enjoy the tournament scene. It's not for everyone but maybe it's your time to try !

You can put the odds in your favor and spool up with 40 or 50lb braid and consider an 1/8oz bullet sinker pegged. This adds weight and reduces loft, but it can also help the worm deflect better off pad stalks.

The majority of pros do use the same store bought equipment anyone can purchase off the shelf. Just Fast forward to the 50 second mark and have a listen. Do you think Swindle would straight face lie to the consumer ?

Love is to will the good of another.....if you Love fishing, then you must focus on how it can become a good for others...everything else will be determined with time.

Abu Garcia Veritas VTSC79-7 is a 7ft9 Rod rated for 3oz. but it could easily be customized by trimming back the butt end and adding a new rear grip. That's the shortest Rod I know of rated for 3oz.

The Shimano Casitas is very precise and well controlled; it has a very accurate dual braking system and works great for Bass fishing. This is one of the easiest casting sub $100 dollar Baitcasters on the market. As a bonus, it's also rated for light inshore saltwater fishing and is a perfect solution for anglers on a budget.

Lucky Craft Sammy

Fenwick Lunkerstik LST68MH-MFC-2 I think it's an $80 dollar Rod, but they they are currently out of stock on the Fenwick webpage. The only other moderate 2pc I know off the top of my head is the Veritas 9 footer. But that's probably not an ideal Rod .

Without doubt....the Yum Christie Craw on a 3/0 hook with a 3/16oz bullet sinker pegged. I've caught fish throughout the entire water column consistently with the Yum Christie Craw and will even venture out to say it's the most versatile plastic in my arsenal.

If you are sold on the Duckett Ghost then buy it, they are good rods and are very popular. However, I wouldn't recommend Crankbaits on that specific Rod, it's a fast stick; although it will work great with the other techniques you mentioned. As for the reel, I own Abu, Shimano, Okuma, Daiwa, Cabelas and the number company. I actually like every reel I own, but for multiple techniques in the $100 dollar price point, I don't think you can do much better than an Abu Garcia Revo X 6.6 to 1 gearing. That reel does a lot of things very well and will allow you to crank, jig and worm.....and it performs well above its price point. If you are just going with a dedicated Jig/Worm setup then I recommend the Revo X 7.3 to 1 gearing.

Good ole fashion Hula Popper or Chug Bug after dark on a full moon (July 27th, 2018 I think)....Chug and pause for 5 seconds....Chug Chug and pause for 3 seconds....repeat. If you don't catch one on July 27th with a Full moon on this technique, in an unpressured pond, I'd encourage you to never throw a Topwater ever again on that pond : )

Jumping Carp or Jumping Bass....sounds like a good monocular would help, or you could always throw a 4 inch wacky rigged Senko into the ripples. If those are Bass jumping, I'd say there is a 80% chance they will eat the Senko fluttering down from the surface. With a few presentations you should know definitively.

Savage Gear Lily Frog, Booyah Pad Crasher or maybe the Lunkerhunt Froglet

In 2018: Favorite : Sammy or Zara Spook Most Productive: Texas Rigged Yum Christie Craw or Texas Rigged Havoc Pit Boss