Aaron_H

One more order couldn't hurt....right?

Thanks for the reminder, summertime the 6" Zoom lizard in junebug/chartreuse used to absolutely wreck for me. I haven't thrown it in years, maybe I should tie one on here soon....

This is the scale I've been using for a bit now. My old scale would only do lb/oz or kg and was often hard to photograph in the sun. This screen doesn't have that issue and it also gives me the decimal lb/oz option which I prefer.

You could always jump up to the SLX XT or (IMO the best reel in the SLX line) the 70A. Both have an external brake dial for finer adjustments if you prefer it.

The Lews is a good deal, and probably the choice to go with. I have a handful of SLX reels, the internal brakes are super easy. 3 on, 3 off, set your spool tension just enough to eliminate side to side play and you're good to go. And like it was already said, if you did want to change them it's very quick.

Negative. Before I started using the Decoy snaps, I was using the Mustad Fastach clips which was stock on some of the chatterbaits for a while and I never noticed a difference between them personally. Some of mine still have that clip on them, actually.

I've had them open up on some of the less expensive Z-Man offerings like the Elite Evo and CrossEyeZ, but I don't recall having any Jackhammers open up on me. I replaced all of my less expensive ones with Decoy snaps and I do crimp the ends on them and the Jackhammers so that has likely helped.

Starting out with them I just threw some 5" Zoom swimmin' super flukes. That 7lber I posted in another bladed jig thread the other day was actually on that trailer in baby bass. Breaking Bream produced a lot for me, as well. Switched to the Zako and been a convert since. This past season I have been trying out those pin tail trailers like the Crush City Freeloader and the Spunk Shad. The Freeloader is okay, I've caught fish with it but it seems very stiff. I like the Spunk Shad a lot, far more action in the water than the Freeloader or the Zako, but I haven't seen the success I get with the Zako so far. It does seem to hunt easier with the Spunk Shad but time will tell.

That is a good looking trailer, though.

I have hardbaits with huge chunks of paint missing that still flat out get bit. If it works, why does it matter if it's pretty. I'm out there to catch fish, maybe we have different goals.

A terrific lure well worth its price?

I haven't seen any evidence that it matters to the bass. 🤷‍♂️ YMMV

Dead heat of the end of July got me this 7lber, at the time my biggest bladed jig fish. Parallel to a vegetation line fished slowly. Work it around cover, work it deep, work it slow, give it some erratic action, and hang on because the bites will not be subtle.

For stock hooks (and split rings) I replace them on most hard baits. I use a file to sharpen them, but if they bend out more than a smidge, or it's getting harder and harder for it to hold a good point, I swap it. Quality hooks aren't a crazy cost IMO, a couple of bucks and they will last years. The peace of mind alone when hooking into a plus sized bass and knowing that I don't have to question "mystery" hooks is worth it. For single hook presentations I just sharpen as needed. I've never needed to toss one for hook issues yet, but I guess end of life could happen to one before I snagged it or something. As for "how dull," the fingernail test works well for me. If it doesn't bite and just drags against my nail, I sharpen it. I use the 4" Dr. Slick hook sharpening file. It's nice and small so I'm able to manipulate it really well with those tiny trebles while still attached to the lure.

Smells like fish. And it's strong, you can't miss it.

Even most MH may struggle to really drive the hooks home on a frog. There's a reason most people throw a Heavy or XH for frogs with 50-65lb braid. I have caught fish in open water on frogs with a MH and 20lb braid though, not saying it can't be done. Braid floats, outside of specialty sinking braid, you should have zero issues with topwater. I'll add another voice to a M or MH being much more versatile than a ML, and also repeat that there are limits to its universality in that you may be able to throw a wide variety of lures on it but will not be particularly dialed in on many of them and will have to accept losing fish because of it. Jack of all trades master of none and all that.

The lack of stretch on braid can be murder on those wires and reduce the longevity of the lure. I'm in the 6:1 camp on reel speed. I can slow down a faster reel but I find myself absentmindedly speeding up more often with it. Not a super slow reel like a 4 or 5 speed but easier for me to maintain the speed I like with it than my 7:1 reels.

Not a St Croix, but I would take a look at the Expride 7'2" MH/MF glass. I use that rod in the Intenza line for bladed jigs and it has been very dialed in for me so far.

This is one type of clacker. Some buzzbaits are designed to knock against the top of the jighead as they spin and also produce a clacking sound. I don't throw a buzzbait a ton, but none of mine are clacking.

I bank fish, I always have a day box with me. 😂

Nice watch! I'm a bit of a luddite in this arena, quartz beater for my fishing/hiking watch and automatics for typical daily wear. I would say I don't like that I have to charge a watch, but it's a bit moot since I still have to manually wind a couple of my watches every few days....

I fished 30lb braid to 12lb mono leader for my jerkbaits, and that line setup landed multiple bass over 8lb. However, I bent out a lot of hooks even with the drag super light. Switched to straight mono (12lb, but using 10lb currently) and the hook bending disappeared and my landing ratio skyrocketed. For most of my topwaters I'm still using braid, though.

I've retired a few. 1/2 oz bladed jig that had the hook bitten in half by a softshell turtle. I keep it hanging in my fishing workspace as a reminder to keep my fingers away from them. A Yo-Zuri Live Bait Shallow Vibe solid body lipless. Retired because I can't find any more of them and I have replaced my silent lipless needs with the Thunderhawk Sergeant. A RES that I caught my at-the-time PB of 8lb 9oz on, still remains the longest bass I've caught, she had a crazy huge head and shoulders so thick I couldn't get my hand around her to land her, it was my dream to catch her prespawn instead of the dead of summer when I did. Two H2O Xpress Ultimate Jerk Shads that I caught my two DDs on. Eventually, I'd like to get replicas made of both fish and have them mounted to a piece of driftwood and have the baits in their mouths.

Very happy with the Curado 151 MGL in 6.2:1 for my chatterbaits.

Shimano Expride is amazing bang for your buck.