joshuaray83

Related, but also unrelated question for you, @Jaderose: I got a few scum frogs on clearance at Bass Pro (the original only cost me like $1.80). I got a few Scum Dogs. Have you used those? And, if so, how do they compare to the Trophy Series?

I've always had pretty low budget gear, so for me it's my Daiwa Regal LT. That thing is so smooth and casts really well. The drag also held up to me snagging a 25+ lb. carp in the tail with a chatterbait. I fought that thing for a good 10 minutes and it nearly spooled me. The Husky Jerk line would be a second for me. Though, I can't comment on hook durability as I haven't used them for more than one season.

That's fair. I wouldn't want to pour my own lead or paint my own jigs either. I just think buying the pre-painted ones and tying your own skirt is easy enough on time and skill to make it worthwhile. I've been meaning to learn to wire-tie my skirts. It doesn't strike me as something with a huge learning curve. Do you know what is typically used for wire? Just standard stainless wire from the craft store?

Sure, it takes time to paint hardbaits, but spinners, jigs, spoons and the like are basically just assembly. Get a pre-painted jig head and skirt, tie the skirt (or use rubber rings), cut it to your desired length, and you're done. I'm certainly not a professional. Heck, I wouldn't even call myself an experienced angler. I just think there are easy things we can do to save a buck while still getting quality tackle and you really only need to invest a couple minutes at a time. I don't think I'll buy another mass produced jig when I can put two pieces together and make 10 good quality jigs for maybe $10 and 15 minutes of my time.

Why aren't people making their baits? Especially things like jigs (and all the different types of jigs there are), buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and spoons. Go to Lure Parts Online, buy the parts, and assemble it yourself. Not only will it ship quick, but it'll likely be considerably cheaper. They also have hardbait blanks, you could simply spray paint and then seal.

That's a beautiful, wonderfully organized tackle room. Might have to get something like that when we but a house in the next year or so.

Made a lure parts purchase. And started putting together stuff. I'm putting skirts on pre-poured jigs. The shirts come with o-rings that hold then on. Is there any benefit to tying the skirts with something like braid instead of using the o-rings they come with?

That's where I'm at already, sadly. Hopefully this most recent lure parts order will help for a while.

Thanks for your suggestions and the picture. Visualizations help immensely. I like the bead too. I'm sure the glass acts a lot like those buzzbaits with knockers. I might try that.

I can relate...

I've built jigs in the past and I'm looking to make something slightly different over the winter, so I'm looking at building a buzzbait. Here are some of the items in my cart so far: Aluminum Delta Buzz Blades | Buzzbait Blades | Lure Parts Online 1441 Buzzbait Heads (5pk) at LurePartsOnline.com I also have skirts, rivets, and metal beads (for the blade). My question is: They also have a double-bladed buzzbait head option and they have 3-bladed and 4-bladed plastic buzz blades. Do you all have more luck with the double-bladed models and/or the single-bladed models with 3 or 4 blades? My concern is that I'll have to reel this 3/8 oz. head in really fast in order to get it to stay on top of the water with a standard blade. In addition, I'm planning on making my baits black. It seems like that is the most common color used. How does everyone feel about a black and purple skirt as a good all-around buzzbait color (I only want to buy one set of heads)?

Lots of awesome ideas. I never thought to walk around the lakes I frequent to look for lure. Great idea! I'm going to pick up some stuff to make a few more jigs and make my first buzzbaits too. That should entertain me for a while. We do have limited trout fishing around here, but it's mostly lakes/ponds. No streams. I am likely to move out to eastern Iowa in the next year or so, so I'll have more opportunity on that front after that. I'm thinking that hiking, lure hunting, and lure building are my best bets at the moment.

I started making jigs this year myself. I get all my stuff from LurePartsOnline. They're great to work with, responsive, and have great prices. That's a good idea as well.

That's actually a great point...

Our lakes here are officially frozen and I don't foresee them thawing anytime soon. With that said, I also only have three rods, all my tackle fits in a backpack, and I don't own a boat. I've reorganized tackle and that only took 45 minutes. I still need to clean the reels, but they're both less than a year old, so I'm not super worried about that. I'm missing the sport already. What other things do you bass fisherman do to pass the winter? Also, are there any hobbies that people pick up during this time of the year that are cheap (we have a new baby) and that I can work on throughout the day when I have a couple minutes to spare?

My Santa from Ridgewood, NY did not reveal themselves and their package, which should have taken 4 days took almost three weeks, but it made it. I haven't tried wacky rigging, so I'm digging the hooks and stick baits. That Rapala is also a completely new bait, so I'm looking forward to that very much. Well done and thank you so much!!

Every time you post something, Tom, I'm reading it with emotion. This brought a lot of joy. I hope fishing continues to be a passion and love for you despite the tough times it can remind you of.

I think there's a fair number of people who didn't order from TW. I'm in that boat as well. Got creative.

It's my name. Also, most people think it's the year I was born. I just liked to watch NASCAR as a kid and the Earnhardts where my favorite drivers.

Hey, @Luke Barnes! Army Veteran here myself, albeit not a very experienced angler. Serving as a Chaplain Assistant (Religious Affairs NCO as it's called now), though, I have a lot of experience with Veteran suicide and its contributing factors. I know you don't know me and I don't know you. I can't possible know what you're going through. What I can say, though, is you're not alone. There's Military OneSource, the VA, the Veteran Crisis Hotline, currently serving members who are A.S.I.S.T. trained (it's a very interesting course anyone can take), your Chaplain or Chaplain Assistant, etc. There are resources out there. As someone who's lost a few close friends to suicide, reach out to someone. That DOES NOT make you weak. You're a warrior. Hope you have good luck fishing!

I have some smaller finesse jigs and rage menace trailers myself, so I'll be trying your presentation tomorrow if I can get out on the water.

I would rank them: Location Timing Type/Presentation Color I would consider type and presentation to go hand in hand. My definition of presentation is how you put the type of bait in the water and how you work it. You can only put certain types of baits in the water certain ways. i.e. You can't - or have no reason to - skip a deep diving crankbait or throw that same crankbait in pads. Doesn't make sense. Certain types of baits can only be presented certain ways.

1994 Oldsmobile Achieva. Pretty unremarkable first car for sure.

When using a jig and craw deep, are you all typically downsizing the look of the jig for winter? i.e. using a heavier jig because you have to fish deep, but using a more finesse skirt and smaller craw.