J.Vincent

I sort of think that’s what happened, if only I had kept the original packaging

Simple Firetiger color with a white Zoom Fluke is an absolute big Bass magnet during pre-spawn. Works great on Lake Erie, but can catch them anywhere Bass target Perch or Bluegill.

6 and 8 Monofilament - Drop Shot, Split Shot, Ned, Neko, Flukes 10 and 12 Monofilament- Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, Small Topwaters 15 and 20 Monofilament - Brush Jigs, Worms, SpinnerBaits, Chatterbaits, BuzzBaits, Spooks, Ploppers 40 and 50 Braided Line - Toads, Frogs, Flipping, Punching, Swim Jigs, Some Texas Rigs

That’s seems really cold for TN this time of year….what kind of water temps were you dealing with ?

Is this the type of plastic in the Luck-E-Strike American Original G5 Crankbaits ? On the Tackle Warehouse site they mention these are constructed from a “butyrate plastic” which will produce a dull thumping sound ?

Sounds like Michigan weather ?

What are the chances this derby is won on the same area where Gussy fished; or are current conditions more favorable for the shallow bite ?

These are not my favorite, but last season they were the fish’s favorite: Berkley Gulp Leech (Early Spring) Zoom Finesse Worm (Spring/Summer) Zoom Tiny Fluke (Summer/Fall)

Are the water levels higher than when Gustafson won on the Tennessee River with all Smallmouth ?

I have a few Pre-Rapala and I agree the seams are usually more visible on them but both cranks pictured here are new from big box tackle shops.

I think Do-It Freestyle Jigs with a 2/0 or 3/0 Owner 5313 hook or Victory 10313 Hooks are nice with 3 to 3.5” Paddle Tails swimmers, especially when fished with 8 to 12lb. test line. Should be available somewhere in the sizes you mentioned ?

Caiden24, These are the Finesse Jigs I keep on hand and when I like to throw them. Keep in mind, I consider finesse jigs to be 3/8oz and smaller; which may not actually be true for everyone, but I do think these 7 styles of finesse jigs are worth having to cover the bases: 1/8oz Do-It Midwest Jig or similar Ned style Jig (In 1 to 8 feet of water drifting just above the bottom, when the bite and conditions are tough and Bass are pressured) 1/8oz Do-It Wacky Jig or similar Flick Shake Jig (Deep isolated structure or within a few feet of shallow isolated cover) 1/4oz Do-It Shaky Head Jig or similar Shaky head jig (In 5 to 15 feet, usually when Bass are relating with gravel or hard bottom) 3/16 Do-It Freestyle Jig or VMC Mooneye Jig (Suspending Fish or anytime Bass are actively roaming around and predominantly feeding on Shad or smaller baitfish) 3/16oz Strike King Bitsy Bug Jig or Booyah Baby Boo Jig (When Bass won’t bite larger profile skirted jigs in and around lighter vegetation) 3/8oz Terminator Pro Brush Jigs or similar Brush Jig (Shallow Pitching cover situations, all seasons in and around vegetation) 1/4oz Internal Tube Jig Heads (Drifting in 5 to 10 feet of water, when Bass relate with the bottom or when feeding on Crawfish or Gobies. This is mostly a Smallmouth regional technique on the Great Lakes) This is not an exhaustive list of every jig style available but for $40 to $50 dollars it’s a good finesse foundation to start with.

Cotton Cordell Super Spot is available in both 1/4 ounce and 1/2 ounce. It’s a classic and well known fish catcher !

Thank you for this info, and in fact, the one on the left is the color I’m looking for; but I can’t seem to find that version of the Phantom Green anymore . I’m probably just splitting hairs here and it maybe won’t make much of a difference to the fish, but it’s a confidence thing.

All of those fishing rods are very good performers and I’ve owned the St Croix Mojo (the 7ft Medium Spinning) and a few of the Veritas (6ft6 and 7ft Medium) . The Mojo was slightly more sensitive and balanced slightly better, but the Veritas is more than sensitive enough and far more durable in my experience (which is always a good thing when fishing from shore) .

Maybe they inadvertently smell like Crawfish when they feast on them. But can they exude a smell to intentionally draw Crawfish into the open ? Probably not, but I don’t know and it would be one heck of a Science Experiment ?

Okay , Was the Veritas your first choice ?

What kind of Finesse Fishing (Drop Shot, Split Shot, Flick Shake, Ned Rig, Neko Rig, Hair Jig, Spybait ?) and Will it be your only Spinning Rod ?

Any Wiggle Wart experts here on bass resource? I’ve been looking for color codes for these two Phantom Green Craws without any luck. The first one (Left) was purchased around 2018 or 2019 and the other was purchased in 2023. Are these completely different Phantom Craws with different color codes ? or was the color scheme for phantom green craw modified at some point ?

I’m surprised nobody showing any love for the Yum Christie Craw as a Swim Jig trailer ! They are good options on a Swim Jig to achieve more action or lift in the water column !

The Berkley Driftwalker is a very good finesse walk the dog style Topwater that has been very good for me in the calmest of water and high pressure situations. I think it’s lesser known because in more than a year I’ve never seen anyone else throw it or even talk about it. I like it because Its very subtle compared to most WTD lures and gets bit a lot in clearer water and in current breaks and slack water. The triple hook design also has an extremely high hookup percentage.

Parts arrived quickly from the manufacturer with surprisingly good customer service; and I replaced the Pinion Gear and Pinion Yoke to match the previously replaced Main gear. Now the reel is smooth as butter on the retrieve, with no zippy sound or gear meshing issues. The whole reel just functions like a brand new reel again. So as you said, changing both gears together is the correct solution ? Thank You

Not sure but it’s probably only a few dollars but I haven’t asked the parts department yet.

I understand what you are saying and it makes sense; I think I’m leaning towards replacing the Pinion Gear. Do you think replacing the plastic Pinion Yoke would also be a good idea ?

Thanks and the Pinion Gear is what I’ve been considering replacing next, but I haven’t only because it’s not actually a rough retrieve but more like a very zippy sound; like when Zipping up a jacket quickly and hearing that Zip noise.