PaulVE64

Read as many threads in this forum as you possibly can.

I carry a very small assortment of lures and tackle so my prep is meticulous. I find it as therapeutic as tying flies and jigs.

I throw jig + trailer 80% of the time. Topwater, crankbaits, jerkbaits and worms/flukes round out the rest of my fishing. Occassionally I will throw a ned instead of a jig if the bottom is more mud or gravel than rock.

The new Ultegra has been getting a lot of great recommendations.

Crankbaits, spy baits, swimbaits, jerkbaits, topwater, and trolling applications But not bottom contact

#20 Big Game makes an excellent fly leader for bass streamers

Having asked this question myself I xan confidently answer YES!!! The biggest bass is always in that perfect spot. Usually

For the sizes the OP mentions on creeks and river bank fishing I'm throwing a 6' mlf Triumph and 6' mlf HMG The StC is the better jig rod, the Fenwick is slower Hope that helps Ps - the new Nasci is a great reel at your price

Basically you upgraded an axe with a shovel, neither one is good for bottom contact fishing. On the bottom is where the rod can teach you the difference between gravel, chunk rock, weeds, etc. Everything else gets an auto-hookset. You would be amazed at how many fish have hit and spit your jig and you had no idea you were even near a fish.

Going with the FJ knot braid to mono preferred.

Trying my 1st spool of suffix 832. I know, I'm slower then average.

I've had success with Hellgramites (hand pours) from Anglers Choice. I bought the first and last pack I saw. They work well enough to call them a confidence bait. And then I find out they stopped making them.

3" Pumkin green hellgrammite on a 1/0 EWG and a 1/8 oz split shot 8" to 12" up the line was on fire today. (With a 17# mono leader)

Today's count.... Wacky worm - 0 3" hellgrammite - 3 Surprising

1/8 oz black marabou jig with a 1" pc of a senko. I stack the tails and palmer the head and body. Usually 4 or 5 feathers. And it works

October is about the time of year when I can't find a smallie. But I'm on the other side of the border.

Weedless worm is like a 4 wheel drive. Sometimes when I fish alone I make engine revving sounds too.

We all fish our own conditions. So when I go fishing in a buddies waters I try to listen and absorb his tactics and rhythms. To each his own.

I bought a bag of GYCB senkos to wacky rig. But after a dozen casts the senkos were all torn up. Or so it seems to me now.

Geez. I'm throw as light as possible to keep snags to an acceptable level, usually 1/8 oz If I lose one jig every hour I am okay. But if I threw 5/16 oz I would be retying almost ever cast.

Once saw caterpillars emerging from a nest in a tree branch that overhung the water. Pan fish were gorging on the larva as it fell in the water. At times it looked like a feeding frenzy with the water churning away.

1/2 oz spitting spook. Thing is amazing even in current

I try to let any natural material hang to dry. Marabou jigs poof out like magic.

BassResource is the best forum. Thanks Glenn.

I pop them and they go where they will. Normally it's a nose down motion but I can believe a side to side "hunting action" would work. Fact - if you enjoy it and it works, you're doing it right Good luck