GetFishorDieTryin

It might be a good idea to get some EWG ned heads, especially for ponds. I avoided them thinking the EWG wouldnt allow a TRD to stand up as well, but surprisingly the bait stood up just as well. You dont have to constantly clean nearly as much and snags are greatly reduced. Ive tried the finesse bulletz, Flatlands EWG ned heads and Lifteds EWG ned. I found the Lifted head to be the best for the TRD sized baits. The Flatlands is a good head, but the 1/0 is a little big IMO for TRDs but good for hula stickz and other 4" baits.

I agree

Riots tungsten jigs are pretty good for the money, but IMO the brand that has impressed me the most by far is Queen Tackle. I only have tried the finesse peanut jig, but everything about it is high quality. Its got a good hook and a great hand tied skirt. The silicon is high quality and the skirt actually has a potent coffee scent, really hard to beat for 5$.

Right on, these things are fire. I get more bites with them then bigger spinnerbaits and the quality of the fish is just as good, not to mention they have a higher hookup ratio. Theres 1 thats completly red, I think its called fire ant and this time of year its deadly. I prefer the single colorado over the tandem willow. If you want 1 thats closer to a standard size but still somewhat compact its tough to beat Zorros long arm Aggravator.

I did the same thing with a bunch of my original chatterbaits w/o a keeper. Instead of wire I used 60 lb mono and it works pretty well.

I saw a video where KVD was talking about a particular tourney where he was paired up with a Japanese angler. The water was chocolate milk so KVD was throwing baits with vibration like most people would and he caught some fish. The Japanese angler was using a tiny translucent colored soft plastic on a DS and handily out fished KVD. Point being our perception of muddy water is very different from that of the fish, which makes it really difficult to say this bait will always be better then that 1 in a given situation. Ive caught fish in frigid muddy water on trds with a rattle in them. Not sure if the rattle made a difference or not.

I love Shimano but IMO Daiwa has them beat when it comes to budget reels and its not even close. Once you get into the 200$ range then Shimano has the edge.

I like the shorter handle for moving baits with trebles. Ive used the JDM Met for mojo rigs and chatterbaits, but the combination of the slower ratio model I have and the short handle makes me feel like I always trying to catch up to the fish for the hookset. I think the JDM XG handle is longer then the HGs, but if its too short its really an easy fix.

ACB makes a bait called the weed pig, its essentially a hand poured baby brush hog so it has a little more buoyancy.

The Lizards, tubes and other elaztech baits with a low salt content are really vulnerable to warping, especially the appendages. Ive also noticed that lighter colors like watermelon will melt faster then darker colors like bama bug or black. Ive had limited success trying to straighten them with hot water. You have to heat it and cool it down ASAP, and I ruin as many or more then I straighten out. If the baits are to warped to be of use you have nothing to lose, but if they are fishable I your better just using them as is and or getting a new pack.

The ML 6'10 Mojo is a great rod, you can do just about anything with it. I use mine to throw 1/2oz tins at bluefish in the wash. It can throw light baits (1/20, 1/16) under the suggested weight really well because of the XF tip. I dont think you would be disappointed with the ML.

Thats a good bait, its like a JB, CB and lipless all in 1

I use the same 6'7 and 7'1 M F rods that I throw my 3/8-5/8 JBs on. A lot of people like XF, but prefer a F. A rod with a little tip helps to keep the trebles pinned. The fish dont feel the resistance as fast either IMO. I like the actions of SC and 13.

It just reduces the amount of salt so it makes the bait more buoyant, with elaztech anyway. I prefer soaking them in water overnight to achieve that. If you've ever had a bass grab a bluegill or crappie that your reeling it, after the bass lets go of it, it looks like someone took a brillo pad to the fish. I guess that roughing up a bait could achieve that same look in a sense, at least from our perspective.

Spybaits can work when nothing else will

Too heavy, go with a M or ML. Length is ok unless your trying to get max depth. Go with a 6'6 in that case

Thats a good point, usually its the white toothpaste.

Its like a pumice, put a little bit on the blade and scrub it with a toothbrush. Its good for getting rust stains off hard baits too.

Toothpaste works pretty good

Cranks, spinnerbaits and bladed jigs are great. Neko rigged craws do really well in rocks. They dont snag as much as shakey heads and the line doesnt take as much of beating either.

I use spinning rods for JBs up to 3/8. I feel like I have more precise control with my dominant hand. I like a ML F or XF, which gives you flex in the tip, but at the same time its crisp. I have a ModF and it works, but I think I get better action with faster rods. Check out SC and 13

Check out the Twin Power, you get most of the advantages of the Stella, but its a little cheaper

I like a M for lighter cranks, JBs, finesse jigs up to 5/16 (lighter wire hooks) and poppers. I even use them for mojo rigs and 1/4 chatterbaits early in the year before there is a ton of grass everywhere. I go to a MH when I have to, like around cover or when Im throwing baits make a M feel underpowered. Rod power isnt universal either. Some MH feel closer to M and some feel closer to H. Ms are generally lighter in overall weight then MHs. You can get a lightweight M for about 100$. If you want a MH that is as light a M your going to spend more the 100$ for sure. Dont forget your the one who is going to be using the rod, so get what you want, see how you like it and go from there.

I used a friends MH Curado a few years ago and it felt pretty good, but hes right on the money suggesting the Zodias. This is one of the situations where you spend double and get a rod that's 2 times better.

Self Defense