Jig Man

What is down deep to you?

I fish a lot of Keithech fat impact swim baits. I have more success by changing hook size as I move up in length. I use Gamakatsu 114 hooks. Here is my method: (2.8 -1/8 or 1/4 head on a 1/0 hook), (3.3 -1/8 or 1/4 head on a 2/0 hook), (3.8 -1/4 or 3/8 on a 4/0 hook) larger ones on a 3/8 head with a 4/0 hook. My fish are 20-30 feet down and come barreling towards the top. I also keep my rod tip low and my drag light.

A friend has invited me to go to a highland reservoir in Northern Arkansas. I fished with him there in late winter. We had some good days with swim baits. We’ve been having a tough time lately on Table Rock and yesterday he suggested that we go back to Beaver and search for smallmouth. This is a 30,000 acre lake over 450 miles of shoreline. The water is very clear and surface temps in area lakes has been in the mid to upper 80s. Since we have been finding spotted bass in 30+ feet of water I assume smallmouth might be as deep or deeper. There is little to no vegetation. There are lots of rocks and standing timber. There are a few gravel areas. There are lots of boat docks. You guys with smallmouth experience, what would you look for this time of the year?

It is the Catalog Outlet that might have them not the regular store.

I bought a half dozen Shimano spools at the Bass Pro Catalog Outlet in the reel repair center. They were dirt cheap. I don’t know if they would have any but it might be worth a call.

If I had a dollar for every fish that I have caught on a whopper plopper I would have $2.

Good for you. Keep on keeping on. I’ve been down that same road. Mine was Jine 1, 2016. I have only a couple of residual effects left.

I’d be interested in 10, 15, and 50 but evidently one can’t choose.

I have a couple of 7.6’ mf casting rods. They work great for cranks and shaky but I have never tried them on spinner baits because I don’t throw anything under 1/2 oz.

I have never seen a rod with the tip broken that was acceptable for fishing after it was repaired.

My opinion is the guides will make a difference. If you have micro guides the knot might affect the distance of your cast. If you go this route I suggest you use the thinnest knot which I believe is the FG. I know it goes through the guides on my spinning rods easier than any other knot I have used.

It will probably be difficult to get a trailer to fit that boat. Have you called the Ranger factory to see if they can help?

I use the Pitzen knot with all lines and all baits.

Do yourself a favor and learn how to tie the Pitzen knot. It is similar to the San Diego Jam but easier. Double knots are not necessary.

I bought some from Cadman, good price and good paint. I have also bought some from Harbor Freight tools sales. It works fine.

Get food grade diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it where ants are seen. It is safe to use around kids and pets. Last year we were inundated with ants. I put a barer all around our house, along the baseboards of the sun room and along the garage walls. In a couple of days no more ants. My wife has hummingbird feeders hanging from the gutters. Last week ants were coming down by hundreds to them. I sprinkled some on top of the feeders and within 24 hours there were no more ants.

Split rings, clips, or direct tie really don’t make much difference if you know how to work them.

A white War Eagle is all they would hit in the murky 87° water on upper Table Rock this morning.

When you bake them, a toaster oven is standard but they are notorious for not being close to accurate. My garage sale $5 toaster oven has baked several thousand jigs. However, I melted some of the heads completely off before I figured out that it was very inaccurate. Mine works best at the 250° setting and baking for 10 minutes. Check it often until you get it figured out. When I decided to get a fluid bed I was making 1000 jigs each year for a customer and using the jars. Fluid beds were going for $400 each at the time. Mike Seibert sent me some directions and I built my own for about $30 with components from Wal-Mart and Lowe’s.

If you aren’t doing a bunch, the jars will be fine. Just keep it stirred so it remains fluffy.

They differ by brands. Like stated check your manual. You can also get some translucent red see through plastic and reduce the glare.

One suggestion: loosen your drag. It won’t hurt if it slips a little on a hook set.

Yep the neurologist threw mine away after I had a CVA.

I’ve noticed the same thing with other brands. Last month I wanted a light weight St Croix rod. They didn’t have it but would order it and charge me $20 to ship it 12 miles. I ordered it from St. Croix for $10 less than bps and had it shipped several hundred miles for $10. It seems to me that they really only want to stock their own products.

I had the same issue. It was treated with NSAIDS for a few years then permanently fixed with carpal tunnel surgery.