doctorV

Thank you all! The eBay link is good - got some! And I do want them - badly or not I was buying a lot recently. Got some in that alternative "Lerch" pattern - they look similar. Side by side fishing will show this season.

Hi, Found out to my disappointment that a particular pattern was discontinued from the Smithwick Rogue Rattling Floating jerkbait - the Tiger Minnow. Almost unobtanium online. Anybody knows about some obscure/any sources to get it? So far there is one seller on eBay with a stock but they want about $20 delivered apiece. Thanks in advance if you know.

Thank you!

This topic is so close to my heart these days lol. To my disappointment, I found out that my most preferred Smithwick pattern - tiger minnow, floating deep rattlin' variant - was discontinued. As it was stated above, they call it now "lerch" and I will have to try it this season. I was scavenging the net, including used gear on ebay, trying to get all available. Can't forget myself for not stocking up a few years back. What is interesting, other patterns didn't work as well compared to the tiger minnow. It was the first lure my daughter got her first "real" bass, and it was trolling. Ten years fast forward, she still insist we troll and who am I to resist? We got some while casting as well. We use 7 foot medium/light fast St Croix spinning rod, 10 pound mono. So, that would be my favorite old school jerkbait, hands down. If anybody knows of any "secret" source for those - much obliged.

It seems there is no consensus after all. I found this topic because I felt that maybe my Mepps deserve a dedicated rod (not that I have to - I have a few 7 footers St Croix medium and medium light with fast tips and I am sure they will work as they used to before). Still, the spring is here and I wonder. ? Especially because of this “moderate” tip question. Besides, I consider something like 7’6” or even 7’10” (like St Croix Victory) which they say is great for spybait- but can it be also better for inline spinners as well?

Thank you all for suggestions. Vast, vast improvement. Oiled as recommended and with 12 lb mono, plus careful adjustment of the tension knob. I also played a bit with the breaks and used 2 off with lighter lures and 3 off with the heavier ones. I can tell now that the reel casts as good as I cast, which is to say it still has tons of unused potential. ??

Thank you! :) I did just that - applied some oil to the drum. I also spooled with a 12 lb mono just to be sure it wasn't braid-related. Can't want to try it later today. I will share the results.

Hi all, I tried my brand new Shimano Scorpion JDM today and I have a feeling something was seriously off with adjustments or my setup. These reels are notorious for super long casting but mine was anything but... I am a Daiwa guy - had multiple Daiwa baitcasters over the years and this Shimano was hands down inferior to all three I had with me today. The reel is pared with St Croix Mojo Bass 7 footer rated for up to 17 mono lb line and up to 3/4 lure. I spooled the reel with 30 lb braid and I was casting a 1/2 chatterbait with a trailer. Should be flying like a bullet, right? Nope. I ended up turning all breaks off and during casts I literally saw the spool stopping while the lure had tons of momentum and tried to fly further. It also was making squeaking sounds while casting unlike my other reels. And I attempted to release the tension knob as much as I could lest it begins birdnesting. Now when I unboxed it everything was in perfect order and when the tension knob wasn’t tight the spool wouldn’t stop spinning forever. Like no friction at all, silky smooth. Could it be that braid was a bad choice? I plan to try a 12 lb mono tomorrow just to see if it changes anything. Something was fishy (no pun intended) about that braid and the way it behaved on the spool. Ok, I am done with the rant. Thank you all in advance for your input. Take care, Val

You are a genius!!! Tiger minnow by Smithwick it is!!!! Thank you so much!!!

Hi all!!! I hope to find an answer here to a little mystery question. Here is a lure that has been over 10 years in my tackle box and the one that my kid used to learn bass fishing. She used it for more than 4 years and boy did it produce!!! :) As we all know, nothing is forever, especially fishing lures. Last week we lost it while fishing and she is inconsolable. I know, I know... :) I tried to find one and I started from Rapala's as I thought it was a Rapala. But I wasn't able to find a similar coloration/pattern in what they offer today. Then I proceeded to search an entire Cabela's inventory and also failed to find one. Anybody can recognize it? I can't even say how grateful we all will be if we find the source. Thanks in advance! Val