Finessegenics

I have a pack in electric shad. I honestly don't think I've caught anything on them but they are buoyant. The nose of the bait is pretty thin, it can get torn up pretty easily on a shakyhead without a screwlock keeper.

He won the exact same way in 2021 without the forward facing sonar

I’m really happy for Gussy. Seems like such a great guy! I was listening to bass live all day at work and could barely hear anything as well.

I really thought Gussy's lead would be bigger. Lester isn't so far behind. Edit: Watching the weigh-in, and it looks like Lester might even have the lead!!

I didn’t realize he got 4! I saw the first 3 but it all happened so fast. And they’re saying he lost a big one very early this morning. Also, where in the world is Hackney fishing? I wasn’t expecting to see a little spillway

Gussy out of nowhere. 3 nice fish in a few minutes.

I’d like to see Cory Johnston win it

Lester Walters Robertson Gallant Huff

For 4.3” fat impacts I like this Dirty Jigs head but they are pricy (https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dirty_Jigs_Tactical_Bassin_Finesse_Swimbait_Jig_Head/descpage-DJTBF.html) For 4” easy shiners I go with something with a thinner hook. I have some 1/8 oz round jigheads with a 3/0 lightwire hook. They’re made by a guy who sells them locally but I’m sure you can find something similar online.

Definitely reminds me of the Neko Macho. Or the Fat Ika.

I always manage to get wind knots on freshly spooled 10# braid. I don't think I'm overfilling it, maybe just flinging it way too hard?

XZone Slammer/Finesse Slammer and ZMan Streakz. I don’t use them but I also recommend you get some 4” and 6” roboworms to rig weedless on a dropshot.

What size swivels are you using? I can only seem to find massive gold ones, which I can't help but feel makes the fish potentially shy away from the rig.

I use white, chartreuse, different combinations of both, and a silver-ish color (Aurora from War Eagle). I have tried bluegill type colors with nowhere near the same amount of success. I think changing the blade types is better at imitating panfish. Willow blades imitate small and slender baitfish while colorado blades can imitate thicker bodied forage such as panfish.

Why not go straight dropshot? I imagine with your three way rig, the fly probably has a lot more action.

This kind of question comes up often. “When do I throw X instead of Y?” Honestly, I never know what advice to give for that kind of question because it’s far beyond my level of expertise. But I want to say that a lot of the advice online complicates things for no reason. There are no rules in fishing. You don’t need 5 different styles of finesse jigs. You’ll fall down a rabbit hole of buying hundreds of dollars worth of baits you never use. Buy a finesse jig which looks interesting to you, buy some shakyhead worms and go fishing. When one’s not working, try the other. And if neither work, then try something else. It comes down to trying things out for yourself and seeing what works on your bodies of water. And what works one day might not work the next, or ever again. No rules!

I think they’re decently popular, a lot of people use them as a dropshot bait or on a round jighead. They resemble a goby.

I’m not picky with my braid. 50# is perfect for me, you can do 65# if you’ve already got it on hand. I’ve used 50# original power pro, 50# j-braid in the 4 carrier and 8 carrier.

Ned rig.

I would if I could. Sounds like a lot of fun. From what I’ve heard, the third week of June is just about the end of good trout fishing where I’m visiting. But as long as I catch any kind of fish I’ll be happy. The climate there is generally cooler because of the altitude, anywhere from 800-1200 feet. No clue how that affects the climate and the water temps. I’ll be going a few times throughout the summer so no saying how the trout fishing will be then!

@redmeansdistortion @Further North thanks for the input fellas. I do have a ML rod, a Mojo Bass rated 1/8-1/2 oz. I’ve found it to be a tad too heavy to really fling #1 mepps and size 5 and 7 floaters out there. I was using 10# braid to 8# mono. That being said I don’t need much casting distance in the scenario I explained above… Might try out my ML again in the spring and see how I feel. My trip is only the third week of June so I have a lot of time to think over things and experiment. Also, I don’t expect to run into any big trout but one must expect the unexpected. So I’ll heed your advice. The brook trout in rivers don’t get very big here. Ive heard rainbows are pretty rare altogether in the area I’ll be fishing but they are present.

I was looking at the Procyon, but I’d need a 2 piece. I know there is a 6’6 model which is 2 piece but haven’t been able to find it in stock up here. Edit: just found one, but seems a tad more expensive than everywhere else.

I’m looking at the 13 Defy Silver, it’s listed as a fast action. From what I’ve been reading and seeing on reviews, the UL fishes like a true fast which is rare with UL rods. Doesn’t mean much though because that’s subjective. Do you have experience with the rod?

Thanks. What does your line setup look like on that rod?

I’m going to take some camping trips this summer along small wadeable rivers where the main target species will be brook/rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. I’m looking at a 6’6 rod, which comes in both L and UL. UL is rated 1/32-3/32 while the L is 1/16-1/4. Lures I imagine myself throwing are: #0 and #1 mepps spinners F5 and F7 original floating rapalas 03 and 05 rapala countdown Various 1.5-2 inch soft plastics on 1/16 and 1/32 jigheads I think the L is the obvious choice when looking at the lure rating of the rod versus the weight of the lures. However, I’m worried about the floating raps as they are infamously hard to cast as well as the lighter end stuff such as the #0 spinners and 1/32 jigheads. What do you think? L or UL?