JWall14

Thanks did not expect that good of a reply! Those look very tempting! I am with you, I fish some water with big ones in there and I am really not interested in catching numbers anymore. I guess you could call my transition bait has been an A-rig but I am much more committed to throwing the big glides and softbaits. I agree with you in the sense that I should have some days where I only throw big baits. Not really concerned with the skunk as it will eventually get me a big one. Thanks for the input!

As someone who is diving head first into the swimbait game this year this is very tempting. Any input on these?

We’ll said especially if it’s deeper structure. They could be roaming up and down a drop off for long stretches of time. I would recommend a drop shot if it gets tough or you know fish are there. Deep diving jerkbaits and swimbaits would be what I start with. I would try to find rock in that depth zone as smallies relate to rock very well, especially if there is a lot of mud bottom.

If anyone is from the area or just interested, Purdue’s Bass Team (which I am a part of) is hosting a Big Bass event on May 15th on Geist Reservoir. Three weigh-in periods and hoping to pay out to 5th place per period. $100 entry per boat and it is a partner format. Should be a big tourney with around 50 teams. My partner may have also just bailed on me ? so I would be free to partner up if needed! Let me know if anyone is interested!

I’m going to be throwing magdrafts a lot this spring as for as big soft baits go.

When I can I ALWAYS throw a fluke on a M action spinning rod NOSE HOOKED. Obviously if the grass is too thick for it I go M casting on a EWG hook. Just use the same hooks you would use for a wakey worm and nose hook the fluke. Great action and the hook up ratio is insane…

Busse can be decent if u know how to hit it. Also a boat helps there. They got some crappie too.

Two types of glide baits: open water and cover glides. Open water are the bigger 10+ inch glides that have a huge slow s motion in the water. great for open water as the name suggest. cover glides are smaller (s waver) usually 8 inches and smaller that excel around cover. They have a tighter action and a great with rod twitches to draw strikes- this will help with “hypnotizing”. soft baits- either thru line or owner beast hooks usually. Weedless ones excel around grass where glides would be weeded up. Thru line usually excel in clear water and deeper- think rock bottom. this is a general “guide” and there are many exceptions. Let me know if you have any questions about particular baits or styles. that pulse tail is killer crawled on bottom like a hudd.

I use robo over z man when given the choice but both are great!

Hopefully that pulse til makes its way into the latest catch. Should be good once the gills are spawning up shallow.

Second part of my spring swimbait haul. Great timing with the weather. couple glides, a bluegill swimbait, spinnerbait trailers, and upgraded hardware. Anyone have experience with any of these baits? Hopefully I get my first glidebait fish this year if I can put down the magdrafts. I predict the magdrafts will be my favorite as I fish a clear water quarry lake most of the year. Anyway here's the haul.

I'm not sure if I'm more in awe, scared, or just in shock! That is CRAZY AWESOME! First quarter of TW order using the Rico Blems 20% and spring sale. I am finally diving into the world of big swimbaits as you will see in the other 3/4 which is coming on Tuesday. The monkey really wants me to grab a IMX 966 with a 300 tranx but I was able to resist... so far.

I would say the same. Especially in rivers, 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water. Find where the fish are and u will not have a need to cover water. This is why I only bring slow baits when wade fishing unless I want some extra pizazz.

Baby Bull shad should work great

Waders can easily fill if you fall. When I can i wade in swim trunks which obviously is a lot better. That being said always have a plan if you are near deep water. Most drownings happen because of panicking!

Yooo I’m from Chicago as well. My younger brother currently fishes the high school state series. I did them last year but am now on the collegiate circuit. Good to see another younger kid on here!

Dark sleeper rod is supreme for those (go figure) so I would look at specs and try and match it as close as you can. A jig rod is not really ideal as the hooks are on the smaller size compared to jigs but preference varies

Ned Rig is king!

SWEET! Those things are killer! Nice species variety too!

First half of latest TW order. This is split between 3 of us I’m not that rich ?

That inflatable was awesome! Hope you get some use out of them! Happy holidays!

Also I will be hand delivering my package either tomorrow or later this week. Sorry it's late I just got home from school and have been caught up with work.

@PotatoLake Thank you for the Fishmas Package! You are quite generous! You certainly did your research and quite well I would say! I have no idea how you knew I have been wanting to try the bellows gills for years but always forget to order them. I see tons of hellgrammites floating down one of my favorite rivers so those HD baits will catch me quite a lot of smallmouth! And If my suspicion holds true, I think you may have introduced me to a new favorite bait: that Mono jig and easy shaker. That thing will be awesome on a baby plugging and it still blows my mind how you knew I love JDM! Thank you again and Happy Holidays!

Delivering mine on Saturday

I became very excited when I saw that. Unfortunately I can only fish past the 17th.