GetFishorDieTryin

Lighter hard plastic JBs.

I caught 2 stripers last new moon in an inlet on 8lb test, both bottomed out a 15lb boga. As long as the knot is tied correctly, and you know how to set a drag you're not going to have issues with smallmouth.

Ive been using for 20 years without having had it break on a fish. I use it for sand eel teasers and have caught stripers to 25lbs in heavy inlet currents. The whole trick is cinching the knot down clean without burning the line.

Picasso sells replacement skirts, but they dont have a green glimmer, just a blue. They may have changed the name to gizzard shad though, it looks similar. Emerald shiner is pretty close too so look for that.

This knot is so much easier and more efficient then a palomar or uni. The hook stands out and perfectly straight everytime.

I prefer a connection knot to a swivel and just a regular hook to a spinshot style hook. Theres play in the bait because of the way the hook sits on the swivel. I do use the Trokar helix hooks when I'm walking the bank or in a jon/yak and can't carry more then 1 ML rod, it just makes changing baits a little easier. If you were fishing for pelagics or 20+lb hard fighting fish I could understand why limiting the number of knots would be advantageous. When it comes to DSing for freshwater bass on light gear with low drag settings I really dont think its as big a issue as long as the knots are proficiently tied. I wouldnt do it, but if it works for you thats fine.

The wrong bait in the right spot will catch fish, where the right bait in the wrong spot wont. Its location over color 9 of 10 times.

Anything where you're trying to cover water or pendulum a bait. Finesse swimbaits, hairjigs, spybaits, jigworms, neds, shad raps and so on.

When it comes to lighter baits there isn't a whole lot a ML cant throw, which makes it hard to pick just one bait. Hair jigs, Neds, SHs, Jig worms, DS, finesse swimbaits are all really fun, but my favorite way to catch fish is a jerkbait. Later in the fall little JBs really produce numbers as well as quality fish and MLs are perfect for them.

The 7'1 ML Tatula will do just about anything you can ask of a lightweight finesse rod. Depending on what you throw and where you fish would determine what rod to add. Either you find a stout XF ML or a M that can load with 1/8 or slightly less. Its harder to find a stout xf ML then a M and in most cases the M is probably the more versatile rod. If you want a killer ML check out the Orochi whipsnake. I was surprised at how stout that rod is, it has the backbone of a M but the tip and overall feel of a highly responsive ML. You pay for it, but you can tell why they were so hard to get at the lower price point.

In my experience thise JDM reels have come with shorter handles and smaller grips. I don't mind a shorter handle for crankbaits, but chatterbaits are another story. The Zillion G is the Zillion SV that came out a while ago. The JDM version has an AL main compared to the USDM's brass and i think the US version has an extra BB. Honestly I think most 150 size workhorse like SLX, Curado, Tatula work well given they have a lower gear ratio which is my preference. As long as can make a far cast and have enough line on it so you have a decent IPT to get tension and set a hook at the end of the cast it should be fine.

My favorite SH is the Gami tricky head, but the shank on the 3/0 hook is too long IMO for shorter thin worms. The Davis baits look great, but I've had trouble ordering them in a 1/16 through their site. The 2 heads that Ive found work really well are polar opposites in nearly every way. The Picasso Tungsten Takedown is available from a 5/0-2/0 the hooks run small so 5/0 is closer to a 4/0, 4/0 to a 3/0 and so on. They work really well, but they are expensive, because they are tungsten. The Bite Me Tackle is a small 2/0 that fits smaller worms perfect. the hook is light wire and sticky sharp. The keeper is really aggressive and holds really well. Unlike the Picasso they're dirt inexpensive, less then 1$ a pc.

3" Keitech Easy Shiner or Swing impact in the color Pro Blue red pearl with the lightest head you can throw, 1/16 is a good start. They arent very heavy so every cast you're trying to throw them as far as possible.

The one i use the most is a red and chart combo marker. If im in my small jon, yak or walking the bank it makes more sense to carry that instead of 2 different markers because I have limited space in a small bag. I dont this as much, but in the spring you should really have a blue dye marker. I dont know why but that little bit of blue on the tail makes a difference. Ive never seen craws around here with blue on them, however if the fish like it I wont question it.

It gets tough when the water really heats up, especially if you haven't had any rain. The water becomes stagnant and the fish become lethargic. Downsizing and slowing down will help. If you just want to catch numbers use a small 3" swimbait or even a grub with a 1/16 jighead and fish it as slow as you can without hitting the bottom.

Ive never used the blockhead EWG, although i reallt like the 1/32 standard blockhead with the 1/0 for jig worms. It looks like the Owner has a long offset which would make it longer then the Flatlands or Lifted EWGs. The Zman nedlocks with the #1 hooks is the one you want for TRD sized baits IMO.

There not cheap, but they're excellent hooks Ichikawa 84S Light wire or Owner St 36

No, the 1/0 VMC on the Lifted head is slightly smaller length wise then the 1/0 Gami on the Flatlands. When I say slightly I mean it, 3/16" or less. The 1/0 is just a little big for a 3" bait in general your better off going with a #1 if possible. The smaller straight shank hook allows the bait to move and just has a more natural profile. That big EWG hook taking up more then half the length doesn't help with action. I really cant say for sure that a ned rig with a small hook will get bit when one with a big ewg wont. I theorize that there are times when its true, but I can honestly say Ive done well with the EWGs as far quality and numbers go. Once the fish bites I think having the EWG is advantage as far as landing percentage goes because the bite is so much bigger you can make mistakes and still land a good fish. There isnt as much room for error with a small hook, however once you get used to them they have a high landing ratio as well. Just like anything else it comes to confidence and preference. If it works well for you don't let some guy on the other side of the country get in your head when he says you're doing it wrong.

The 20th and 10th are #2 and the heavier heads are #1

I've caught lots of fish on the 1/0 EWG heads but even the smallest 1/0 EWG hook which so far has been the VMC on the lifted jigs ned head is just a little big. Perfect for hula sticks and 4" baits though. A #1 just fits a TRD or 3" stickbait much better. Zmans EWG uses a #1 and Owner makes a finesse ballhead EWG with a #1. I still think a #2 or #1 open hook is the best way to fish them if it's possible.

TFO flies somewhat under the radar, but they make some quality gear. Their inshore and surf rods are better then more popular brand rods that sell at a higher price range. I never have seen the rod in question but I'm pretty sure Deebos Fishing had a video saying it was best bang for $ by far.

Right now the best rod for the money is an Ark Lancer which is on sale for 65 usually 100$ or an Ark Catalyzer which is on sale for 40 usually 60$. The Catalyzer feels very similar to a St Croix Bass X blank wise, never had the lancer in my hand but there 40t blanks are pretty good and outstanding for the price when on sale. The only thing I dont like about the Lancer spinning rods is that the threads above the locking nut that fastens the reel down are exposed. That's just a personal preference of mine because all of fingers are forward the reel stem when I hold a spinning rod. Worst case scenario you have 80$ for a reel. Daiwa is your best bet at that price. Either the Exceler 3000 or or the Regal 3000. The reason I recommend the Regal over Revros or Laguna is because it's as light as their 100$ Fuego. If you get the Catalyzer instead of the Lancer then the 2 reels to get would either be the Shimano Nasci 3000or the Daiwa Fuego 3000. The nasci is built a little more solid. Its metal instead of a carbon composite, but your going to feel that extra weight. The Fuego is lighter and has a bigger main gear although it made of zinc not AL like the Nasci. That bigger main gear gives you a little more torque not that you really need it, but it's nice to have. Although the Fuego isnt made of AL it's a tough reel, I've abused mine for a few years and it's still going strong. You have this option as well which you may not like but you have a good opportunity with a sale so I'll mention it. If your serious about fishing, especially snakeheads consider getting a baitcasting outfit. You could get a MH Catalyzer and a Shimano SLX and have a great starting combo. That would give you options you just dont have with spinning gear. Yeah, you have to learn to use a bait caster, but it not hard and if your serious fishing your going to get a baitcaster eventually anyway to fish those bigger baits in heavier cover. My niece is 12 and she doesnt fish. She was proficient with a baitcaster in about 3 hours. I just brought it up because you have a good deal on a good rod now at Tackle Warehouse, just a thought. PM me if you have any questions. Good luck.

If your using a bigger SB try going with either the war eagle finesse sb or Picassos thunder sb. I've found that blade to be the perfect balance of a col and willow blade which makes it really versatile. I generally prefer a chatterbait, but I found a sb to be more efficient in really muddy water when the fish are tight to cover and when it rains. It seems like just a little bit of rain will dramatically increase the effectiveness of a sb.

I really like the DMT pocket sharpeners for touching up a point or smaller hooks. In a pinch you can draw out a bigger rolled hook but your better off using a file.

Haven't really used too many creature baits other then brush hogs and game hogs. Craws on the other hand I've used quite a bit with a good deal of success. If the baits not round and you want to have something solid to run your hook through you could try the wacky hook hangers.