papajoe222

Just a side note on rigging with a tube jig inserted into the tube; If you leave some space between the end of the tube and the jig head it will accomplish two things. First and the reason most guys will rig this way, it gives the tube a lot more action on the fall and second, it positions the hook farther back.

I don't know about snagging up less on rocks, but I like the Bomber square A in the two inch version and for the water color you mention, I'd likely go with something like a firetiger or chart/craw. If you're loosing a lot of fish or not hooking up at all on a solid strike, I'd change either my line or rod to something with more give to it. Not too sure if that's what's happening to you, but if you're using heavy (more than say 12lb.) flouro or a rod with a fast tip, that's where I'd start. The other thing I'd recommend is retying often as that last foot or so of line is being dragged over those rocks before the lure ever bumps it. Could save you loosing a good fish not to mention not loosing your bait.

Normally the size of the bill determines the depth it will run along with the angle of it. Long bills will generally dive deeper. Remember also that the manufacturer's stated running depth is determined using a set standard of line size and distance. The best way to determine the running depth is to tie it on the combo you'll be using and cast it out over an area you know the depth of.

With all the different body shapes, sizes, bill shapes, colors, material, etc. it can be confusing. When considering which crank to throw, you need to consider a couple of factors besides the depth you want to target. The type of cover, or lack of it, will help you determine which style lip and body shape and the type of forage and water clarity will help with choosing a color. These are basic considerations when determining which lure to begin with. Notice I said, begin with. What other factors will you be dealing with and exactly what do you want the bait to do , or not do. Just as with trying to determine where to start fishing on any given day or body of water, keep it simple to start with and refine your approach as the fish dictate.

My experience with bodies of water that have little or no cover is limited to strip mine lakes or quarries. What I've found is that fish will follow the forage, in my case they were schools of minnows and although they wouldn't feed 24/7 they could be caught with a vertical presentation that imitated a wounded or dying minnow. The other thing fish in these types of water do is suspend a lot and that will occur the majority of time at the same level of the first major drop off. They may be tight to the drop, or as far off as you can cast. A good suspending crank that will get to just above these fish can sometimes get the school excited and your livewell full. Also, with the lack of traditional types of cover, bass will migrate to areas of shade and transition areas where the bottom content changes, or the color of the bottom does. Just like normal cover, any change in shape or location can be a holding spot. If the water has any color, a change in water clarity can be an area of fish concentration. Don't give up, find the little differences and the bait and you'll be on your way to solving that lake.

On walking lures I'll add a little weight to the tail also, to get the tail of the lure down. This also hinders forward movement of the lure which is beneficial when target casting. The other thing I do is add an oval split ring to the eye so that it can swing freely. On all my top water hard baits, I add a splash of red on the underside and switch the front hook to a red one. Although it isn't actually doctoring the lure, I'll add a FrontRunner about a foot and a half in front of hard baits in the spring and again in the fall. On buzzbaits, I'll crimp down the rivet behind the blade to keep it from moving while the blade rubs against it and if the water is dead calm, I'll use a bait that I've drilled a few holes in the blade so there is more of a bubble trail. Hollow frogs, get added weight in the form of pieces of old plastic worms and if the weeds are matted or really thick, I'll add a jig rattle or two. I also like the legs shorter than most manufactures supply and if I know I'll be bringing it over a lot of open water, I'll add a split ring to the eye so I can walk it easier once it reaches it.

I don't fish all of my club tournaments, so I know I'm going to be at or near the bottom of point standings and likely won't finish in the money in the ones that I do. Our guys always have a big fish pot that, in a lot of cases is a bigger purse than the top tournament winnings. That's usually what I set my sights on from the get go. Picked up some nice gear winning those pots and the guys shooting for total points didn't seem to mind that I'd only weigh one or two fish for the day either.

I have two. The original floating Rapala and a Mepps Squirrel tail spinner.

I'll use cranks around wood and rocks or sandy bottom where I can deflect them off of something. The other time I'll use them is when I want to stop my retrieve and not have the lure fall. Some cranks will rise fairly slow and not at all on a short pause. Swimbaits work best for me for targeting weeds and suspended fish and it's mainly a shallow water presentation.

This, and I also look for flats adjacent to drop offs. They can be a key area for feeding and the deep water can hold fish almost anytime of year, especially if they're located on the north or east side of the lake. On natural lakes or lakes with a good weed growth I'll look for weeds in those areas if it's indicated on the map. If not, many maps will indicate bottom composition and I'll make a note of the areas that should hold weeds.

Thinking about pulling the trigger on a 100 model. Anyone have any experience with this or the 300 model?

I like the Cicada when I want a small bait and the Heddon Sonic or BPS's blade when I'm targeting deep water or bigger fish. The Cicada has wicked movement on the drop, but the other two can be ripped, jigged, swum, or even burned through the water for results.

I like them during cold front conditions when most guys are using finess gear. I'll opt for a BitsyBug with a good sized trailer that will give me a really slow fall and get it up against some form of cover as it falls. Also, in the fall, I'll swim a white jig with a shad style trailer through the upper water column with some bone jaring results.

If it's a Mepps, it's likely a squirrel tail hair treble and would be difficult to tie even with the material, for someone inexperienced. I'd fish it like it is with the replacement. Think of it as a spinnerbait. When would you add a plastic trailer to one? That would be the only time I would see an advantage to having a dressed treble. Their Aglia series baits come with a treble with only a small piece of red tubing on the shaft. You might try adding something like that as an attractor.

If you're using a fast moving lure, you can get by with camouflaging the braid, but if you're throwing anything other than a reaction bait, I'd opt for the leader. If they have time to look over your offering, they have time to look at the line too.

Anytime I can get a few days of stable weather, be it cold, rainy, or whatever, and their activity level is fairly active, I'll break out the surface lures. If I can get a couple of fish to bump the blades of a buzzer, I'll switch to a Torpedo or a DevilsHorse and can usually pick off a few on one of those. I'll normally wait on the PopR's and Spooks until I know they're looking for or on beds. Until that time, I don't put much faith in fishing on top.

The more you throw a jig, or any lure for that matter, the more you become accustomed to how it feels when retrieved under different circumstances. That is how you learn what isn't normal. Feeling your line being dragged over the limb of a tree before a tap is something that only experience can teach and the old adage that a tree limb won't pull back isn't true. Your line can run to the side as it slides along a branch and if the jig hangs even a little on any part of that limb, it can feel like something pulling. My advice is to use some sort of fish attractant and/or a trailer with multiple appendages that will get the fish to hold on while you determine if what you feel is indeed a fish. Just adding a little tension will often get a reaction from a fish that has taken your jig, but there's a good possibility the fish will also drop it before you can distinguish what's going on. Use braided line even if the water is fairly clear. The branches of the trees will break up the outline of the line and you could also add a few dark spots to the last couple of feet of line with a Sharpie if you're concerned about line visibility. The added sensitivity is a good trade off to missing a few fish.

Caught my first bass (sm) fishing for walleye from a rip rap shoreline. That fish went airborne at least three times and of course I was hooked. A gold/black Rapala accounted for that and many smallies since. In fact, when I wade the local river for smallies, a #7 in that color is the only thing I bring.

Make sure the replacement is the same height off the rod blank as the guide directly below it and that it's a snug fit to the blank before attaching. To remove the old one, heat the base of it lightly with a lighter while holing the tip with a pair of needle nosed pliers. Just a second or so and you'll feel the glue break it's grip and you'll be able to pull it off. A couple of small slivers of the rod tip glue placed inside the replacement are all that is needed. Again holding the tip with a pair of pliers and the rod with the guides facing down, heat the shaft until the glue melts completely, place the tip over the blank and seat it, release pressure on the pliers and the weight of the tip will center it on the blank This is why you set the rod with the guides directly under the blank. Allow to cool and you're done.

You could also contact the current distributor, Spike It, and ask for a copy. They may even have one available online.

An older couple is driving down the road when they get stopped by a trooper. The man asks why and the trooper informs him that he was doing 60 in a 45. I don't know how, the man replies. I had the cruise control set at 45. 'OH Harry, the wife interjects, You know this car doesn't have cruise control" Harry shoots her a look as the trooper continues; And I noticed you weren't wearing your seat belt. Well, I undid it to get my wallet out of my pocket. 'Oh Harry, the wife interrupts him again, You know you never wear your seat belt." Harry turns to her and says; Will you PLEASE shut the f%#* up!!! At which point the trooper bends down and looks across to the woman and asks if her husband is always that belligerent to which she replies: Oh no officer..................ONLY WHEN HE'S BEEN DRINKING

It's Friday and Ben, 82yrs. old, has just finished his physical. 'I'm pleased to say that you're in excellent shape' the Dr. informs him. So Ed asks the doc to give him three * pills. 'What in the world are you going to do with three of them the Dr. inquires. Well, My new honey is coming over tonight and I thought I might show her a good time. 'And the other two?' Well, my landlady is stopping by on Sat. to collect the rent, and I thought I might be able to knock a little off, if you know what I mean and on Sun. my ex will be coming by to collect her alimony and I thought I'd show her what she's been missing. The Dr. thought about it for a minute and agreed, on one condition. First thing Mon. morning, Ed was to stop by so the doc could check him out. The doc went home and didn't think about Ed until Mon. on his train ride into the city. When he got to his office, Ed was already waiting there. With his arm in a sling. 'What the hell happened to you" the doc asked. NOBODY SHOWED

I really expected to see some humor in a few responses. Come on guys. How about; "On a very tiny leash, or I can't get mine to crawl let alone walk."

LOL my mistake, although if you add enough SuspenDots to the tail area you might get it to.