Luke Barnes

Now that is one thing I'm wanting is EWG ned heads for weedless purposes. I got a pack of Zinkerz and going to use them and the TRD and Ticklerz and leave everything else alone for a while. It seems like when I started using SK Ned Ochos and even the Zman TRD Crawz my bites went down unless it was a spot where they were actively feeding on craws.

Went to BPS just now and did exactly that. I stood there with TRDs in my hand looking at Zinkerz. Thought I can wacky, Neko, and shakey head a Zinkerz, plus cut it to ned size. TRD is just what it is. I got the bag of Zinkerz needless to say. Also picked up a pack of Lazer Sharp Ned heads in 1/16 oz. I liked the bend and plastic keeper better than zman and $2 cheaper.

Lately with all the new jig heads and soft plastics marketed as a ned rig bait it seems like i had the most luck on the original Finesse TRD. I still only use the zman finesse Shroomz but experimented with all sorts of plastics from zman and strike king. I like the Ned Cutr work but the ned Ocho is kinda bulky. The trd Ticklerz are cool with the little tentacles. But none of anything I have tried has caught more than a finesse TRD it seems.

Today its supposed to rain a ton. I see it didnt show that on the pic. But cold rain today so I thought it may cool the water off and make them locked. I'm still going whether I catch or not, just preparing myself that a skunk may happen. Normally I love clouds but after the first cold rain of the fall I wasn't sure.

With the weather is it worth fishing monday? Will be at a lake with all three species and fiahijg Rip rap. To me it seems like a skunk waiting.....

Ive been liking the VMC Rugby heads alot myself.

I'm really excited that I may be able to fish topwater all day. I have a SK Pad Perch in Sexy shad tied on my frog rod and can always bribf out the super spook Jr and Choppo. I know i will have to do alot of on site planning depending on wind, water color, activity. But I should have everything to cover any situation. I hope....

I do have SK Ochos in junebug and I think I may have Yum Swimmin Dingers in junebug. Will have to give it a try!!

Very true. I'm kind of worried about that. No electronics and from the bank so if they arent somewhere in the cove I'm at, no lure will work.

For me its availability. In oklahoma there are only a few lakes and maybe 2 rivers that have smallies. Closest to me is about 45 minutes, which im making the trek tomorrow for. But I can fish for large jaws within a half mile of my house. So for me its what's available. I dont always have the time for a hour and a half round trip when I only have 2 hours to fish. But I would rather fish for smallies if I could. What irks me, I grew up on the Delaware River. Right where the east and west branch merge. But i was young and wasnt into fishing. Native trout and smallmouth were the main attractions. Most of the time if someone caught a large mouth its because they hit before the smallmouth did.

Ive got tons of different ned baits but junebug is one color I dont have! Black and blue swirl is probably closest. I thought about that, but I wasnt sure if they would be feeding on craws or baitfish. A squarebill is getting tied on for sure. But I'm taking your advice and tying the craw one on first. Can always switch. Ive got a white and chart Thunder Cricket with a French pearl white Power Swimmer trailer tied on right now. Would a spinnerbait be better suited?

Just about everything. Im a gear addict and the only thing I dont have is large swimbaits. Which isnt really for Smallmouth anyways. I would think spinnerbait but its supposed to be bluebird skies and 5 mph winds and always thought they were a cloudy windy day lure. But again I'm a l argemouth guy and this is only my second time targeting smallmouth. I know it depends on the exact water what they are feeding on. I figured rocks equal craws, but coves and creeks equal shad and shiners this time of year I figured too.

Friday I'm going to a lake that I have fished for Smallmouth once before and caught my very first one! But that was back in March. I used a craw squarebill and banged it off rocks and trees to catch all my fish. But now its mid October and that is the one and only time ive caught or even targeted them. I will be on the bank in a cove with a riprap bank on one side, grass bank on one side and rocky trees and stumps on the other bank. My main question is what should I be throwing? Today was 88/65 Friday will be 65/47 temp wise. I figure they will be in fall transition and feeding like crazy, but I dont know what on. Chasing shad, shiners, or minnows. Snatching every craw they see. No idea. It's Lake Skiatook in Oklahoma if that helps.

Ive done a float and fly alot for Panfish and occasionally bass. When I do for bass I use a good size hook and 3.5" Gulp Minnows. Gills will nip the tails off so that's frustrating, but wont hook themselves. The gulp minnows look pretty real, move decently and have the gulp juice that puts out smell or taste. That's what I would do.

An idea I thought of is throw a shad pattern lipless and as you get it under the bait ball let it sink and maybe pop it some and let it fall. Sounds alot like how you work a spoon. Although ive never actually used a spoon, it sounds similar to how they can ne retrieved.

Replied.

Got the split rings and Mustad split ring pliers. Has anyone heard of Shaddocks? Saw them on Amazon but never heard of them.

The squarebill and lipless are pretty standard size. About the same as SK from what I can see. Jerkbait is about the same size as a Husky Jerk but with 3 trebles. Popper and walking popper are pretty small just looking at them. Smaller than a Super Spook Jr.

Thats a cool idea and concept. Never would have thought of cutting a tube. I agree that until they feel something pulling them or resistance is where they shy away.

I bought a 30 piece unpainted crankbait set for me and the family to paint as an arts and crafts project for my kids. I figured they might as well have fun painting some lures when they paint! There are 5 each: lipless, squarebill, 3 hook jerkbait, deep diver crank, popping walking bait, and standard popper. The kit came with split rings but I got the one with no hooks so I know I'm getting quality hooks. My wife is super talented at painting so she is going to paint some realistic ones but i told the kids I would try their lures haha. I know I'll need probably 2 different sizes. Just not sure which would be best and brand I'm good with Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp. I know they sell bulk packs and I use their single hooks so I trust them. I think on a few I'll add some feathered trebles just for the heck of it. But question is what sizes would be best for each?

I'm pretty sure they are 4/0. If i had one rigged up I would take a pic. But ive got the SK Tour Grade underspin hook tied on now

A buddy had some keitechs and I was using a Berkley Power Swimmer on a swim jig and I caught 8 bass on the same power swimmer. He got snagged once and tore the Keitech. Nuff said. I also like the rage swimmers too.

I use VMC Rugby Head EWG jig heads for anything bigger than a finesse TRD. I originally wanted them to use as a weedless ned head but the hook is too long IMO so I use them for shakey head type stuff. Stick baits and mini rage craws.

I'm not a Keitech guy so no worries there! I have some Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp belly weighted swimbait hooks with the spring keeper that I really like. They run pretty true and are sharp so I can't complain.

Ive never used Bandits and I don't really like the colors I have but they were free so I thought they would be perfect to test this out with.