Grim_Reaver

I use a cd wallet. Compact and easy to access all my spinnerbaits. If you don't have any lying around, you can get them at Walmart for cheap.

15lb Assasin FC

I agree with ten. Nowadays I use most 5-6 for all lure weights but I started out with 10. The magforce z breaks seem to like more of a sweeping cast then a whipping cast. If it backlashes at all, it's probably gonna be in the first part of the cast. Once the spool gets going, the brakes are very good at preventing backlashes.

A while back I took a ruler and measured the stock size of split rings on a variety of my hardbaits (topwaters, crankbaits, jerkbaits, etc.). I believe that the universal size I came up with was a #3 for the Owner Hyperwire split rings.

Round bends should (in theory) give you a better shot at hooking up if they slap at the bait. EWGs are better at keeping fish pinned after you hook up. St-36 or Gammy EWGs get my vote.

I don't have any plopper style baits but I might need to invest in some now that you mention it...

Now that's what I'm talking about. Tight lines my brotha!

With fall fishing on the horizon, is anyone else excited about pulling into creek arms with a spinnerbait/swimbait? I might also try this spook fishing for schooling bass witchcraft that I keep hearing about. Never had any luck doing it.

Say it ain't so. My favorite soft plastics are the rage craw and rage bug. I'll keep buying but I might shed some tears when they jack up the prices.

I've never bough Shimano stuff from TW but I've heard they do a backdoor thing for Shimano during their sales.

Imo you did the best you could and yes the fish will probably die. For future reference, fish can survive being out of the water for a little bit. Better to take your time and work the hook out. Might take a little longer to revive them but that's just the nature of the beast.

You don't really need a sealed reel unless you are fishing saltwater, which is a highly corrosive environment. If fishing solely freshwater, unsealed reels are perfectly fine.

Anybody have experience with the 7'3 H Bucoo SR or JC Signature Series rods from Falcon. Looking for a new rod for flipping/pitching, frogging, and small glide baits.

Better reel components and smoother operation is more important than rod sensitivity for me. Cheaper rods tend to have softer tips so using a longer rod and watching the tip has helped me detect more bites with bottom contact baits on cheaper rods.

I personally have never tried a craw trailer on a swim jig. I did have a bass crush a 1/4oz BPS rattling jig w/ a rage craw trailer while I was buzzing it under the surface years ago if that counts for anything.

x2. Never understood the waiting thing. The fish can spit it just as fast as they inhaled it.

How versatile is a ball head on a skirted jig? I mainly fish shallow water and I'm wondering how it will come through a mix of rocks, brush, and some sparse vegetation.

I'm going to echo the other guys who only use 3/8oz with a swimbait trailer.

What he said. If smaller largies are peeling drag, it's set way too lose. In general, drag can slip a little, but it shouldn't peel off. I haven't caught a northern, but strain doesn't matter as much as the environment they live in. Lake bass in general, even down here in Florida, are pretty lazy fighters. River bass however fight harder due to the constant current. They have to be stronger to navigate that environment.

Give them a spinning reel and 3-4" swimbait/grub. All they have to do is chunk and wind. Not complicated to fish but still active enough to keep their mind preoccupied. Quite possibly the easiest thing to fish and will catch anything big enough to eat it. The popper idea is also a good one.

Most if not all reels $100 and up are good and will last if you take care of them. What matters more imo is finding what feels best in your hands. For me, the Daiwa CT frames fit best, for my buddy the Shimano frames fit better. As mentioned above, it's really personal preference. Shimano reels are very high quality and you won't regret buying one.

I too am following this in case someone answers.

Absolutely. Strike King Rage Toad is excellent in open water.

I've been thinking about this for a while now and it's definitely some food for thought. Interested in hearing some other opinions.

Every buzzbait I get, skirt comes off, horny toad goes on. Easier to skip, easier profile for the bass to grab. War Eagle Buzz Toad comes that way straight out of the package and it's ?. Use a buzzbait that was a wider head and you won't have any problems getting it to plane quickly and the drag from the horny toad let's you creep it along the surface.