Black Hawk Basser

Same here, 100%

The weather was awesome, so I got out to the river on Saturday for a couple hours. I was trying small hair jigs and plastics. I was hoping for a smallie or two, but managed 4 walleyes. Possibly my last open water outing, as the weather is turning really nasty today.

I have a size 25 XT I use for river walleye and smallmouth. No complaints here, I haven't had any handle issues with mine.

My DIY Do-It mold poisontail jig would be the MVL, either ripping through grass with an action trailer, or flipping around docks with a bulky craw trailer. Bluegill-type patterns were best. Runner-up would be a weightless or lightly weighted Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Worm in white buzzed on top over grass.

Took my boy out to try his new Seahawks themed rod ( @Glenn ought to think that's pretty cool) and 4 casts in he got this 21" walleye. Once again, he put the old man to shame.

My point was is that they played like crap compared to their standards and still won.

That's scary for every other team when they beat a division rival on the road while sleeping.

I've used a classic crappie marabou jig before, and countless other plastics like tubes or twisters.

I still receive and love In-Fisherman. Everything else seems like a waste of time to me.

Hareline's X-Select Marabou is pretty darn good for these type of jigs.

Just FYI the Lake Fork craw tube is pretty awesome.

I have tried taking two, and that generally is a hassle. I have settled on using a 6'3" MLF Quantum smoke spinning combo. I like the shorter length to make it easier while under overhanging trees. I generally bring a lightly packed backpack, with just pliers, a few bags of plastics and a 3600 box.

Good on you for taking a young enthusiast fishing. The air may be hot but the fish don't care. The water temp is what's important, and they still have to eat when it's hot. Actually, they have to either eat more or move less or both as their metabolism is higher in the peak of summer.

Same here, except I use the 'Parasite Clips'. It has helped.

I prefer full grip from an ergonomics standpoint. The ability to add more decorative aspects to the split section is attractive to both the custom rod builder and buyer. Other than aesthetics, I see little advantage to a split grip.

I also use the Ribbit, and I use it more often than hollow bodies. I'd say with the Ribbit it's 70-80%. With hollow frogs, probably 40%. It used to be worse until I got a Booyah Pad Crasher. I've done pretty well with that.

I've done well with the Yum Vibra King. I absolutely love Lake Fork Craw Tubes, but they are not the most durable tube you'll find.

Go for it. I really like the Water Gremlin Bull Shot.

30 lb Sufix 832 with a 12 lb fluorocarbon leader. I don't always use a leader. Often, I can get away with just braid. I usually only use the leader if I am in fear of abrasive underwater objects.

There's no wrong way to fish these things! Same with the UV speed worm, IMO.

This one's been rockin all summer for me and my son. It's a rabbit strip tail with Arctic fox tail hair tied at the collar.

I generally don't have the same success in summer as I do in spring and fall, but I've done OK this year. I actually caught my biggest largemouth of the year in late June with a Booyah frog. I've sort of written off largemouth fishing for awhile now since the local lake is so chock full of idiots, and I've rejoiced in the seclusion of the river instead. Hundreds of walleyes and a few chunky smallmouths will work for me until the pleasure boaters, jet skiers and COVID anglers subside. To be totally on-topic, I really don't mind winter because it gives me a chance to do some fly tying, rod building, and ice fishing. A 10" bluegill on a wimpy ice rod is a heckuva fun time.

'Cuz it'll just look that much more awesome.

Try doing a noodle ice rod. It makes anything else seem like a breeze.

I hope you do some thread work in that split grip section!