LrgmouthShad

Back at ya! Welcome! We can try to offer some help for your rough fishing, lots of guys very knowledgeable here.

Zillion is a small reel for me. I have small hands but like the size of my larger reels. I really, really like the Tatula 200 the little bit that I used it while working through this injury. I've also said before that I gravitate towards heavy rods for some reason. Maybe I'm compensating for something? I have no idea. I'm like one of those guys who drives an F-250 or a lifted truck for no reason. My most comfortable reel though is curado mgl 150 and that is just a little larger than zillion I think, and not by much.

No. That's a piece of equipment I absolutely did not need so I will talk about it in the hopes that bait monkey will leave my house and head to yours. He's looking through the window with his arms crossed.

I'm okay with frog hookups. Some days they just ain't eatin it good through the slop. Other days they just need a second chance. A good number of fish I catch on a frog are first-time missers. They strike, and I never feel pressure so I never set hook. I let it sit a while longer... no bite, twitch it forward a couple times and they will usually take another stab at it and for some reason they have a greater chance of getting it the second time.

This is the best (in my eyes) I could find. Very cost effective too. BOSS Gary Klein Heavy Cover Flipping Jig, but the name is misleading. The weedguard is not too thick and the hook is stout but not super heavy. Ready for field testing

I’d like to add that my current plan for the JDM zillion 1000PL (5:5 gear ratio) I got is to use for spinnerbaits 1/4oz and under with light line and a lighter rod. After giving it its fair due of trying to toss heavier spinnerbaits, of course. But in all likelihood, I’m going to use tiny baitcaster to do small things that are big in their own way and let big baitcaster do big things.

Think most people here are going to say no. We’ve had some discussion on this recently. I’ll be interested to hear more opinions. I’ll be trying the zillion for the same thing but I do not expect it to replace the Revo Winch. Reason is simple. Revo has much more line capacity, made for cranking for hours, long handle, powerful and a reliable drag, smooth casting. If you are looking at a spinnerbait reel you should look heavily at the Winch. Think it is on close out sale. If you like left-handed models though you may have to wait and see if gen 5 comes out with one or go for other options. I saw in an article recently that Terry Bolton - a spinnerbait wizard- uses a setup very close to mine. 6’10 rod and REVO Winch. I don’t even think he is sponsored by Abu.

To me the fundamental lures are Texas rig, jigs, spinnerbaits, frog, and buzzbait. Take your pick. You even could narrow it to the first three. Some ponds are difficult with a jig, though. Heck the fish in ol muddy pond back home in NC will not eat a spinnerbait no matter how hard I try. Dunno. Learn your fish but those are what I consider the foundation.

Hey ya’ll, Anyone use em yet? Got a bunch of blanks in the mail yesterday that I can build up from. Really intrigued by these guys. Kinda different from Nichols usually offering things really eye-catching. The pulsator is a really pretty bait, but these seemed more geared for function over form. Hook is an owner and it has a different point to it; I think Siebert uses the same style on some of his jigs maybe? These come with a trailer keeper, which I am very happy about, as the pulsators do not. Cool baits Photo showing sorta arrowhead hook design:

Thank you guys. Didn’t send photos because I done have much helpful at the moment, until I go out again. This is all I have, photo of bark and it ain’t all that good a pic

Are you a scaredy cat?

Fraid not. It's on my list now!

T-rig fine too!

That’ll fish fine. I hate to admit this, especially since I recently posted a thread trying to find a great all-purpose jig, but a jig is a jig. You can hop your swim jig along the bottom or swim it or drag it; it doesn’t make much difference whether using a “swim” jig or “casting” jig or whatever. They are all jigs albeit some cover suits some jigs better. But swim jigs are generally pretty versatile.,Only thing I’d be careful of is heavy wood since swim jigs tend to run with lighter weedguard. Pair it up with your favorite flappy style craw or grub bait and you can do a lot with that. It’s just one option.

Jigs and spinnerbaits

☹️ That is discouraging. Guess I’ll cross check with what I can find

My current guess is that it is in the white oak “family” but not a “white oak”. I have an app to help me ID it next time. I know, I know. Youngsters havin to use technology for everything. and thank you!

Nope not brand loyal. Reels own Shimano, Daiwa, Lew’s, Abu Garcia, and Kast King. I’ll say I won’t buy another Kast king but any of the others are green lights. Rods, sure, I own 4 iRods but a few that are not ?. Ya’ll that think Daiwa or Shimano in reels is it, or even Daiwa/Shimano/Lew’s need to try the REVO Winch. The gen 5 one coming out looks sweet but who’s to say. Not sure if a left handed version is going to be offered? If left-handed Winches are being phased out then I got them before gone ?

First scouting trip surprisingly successful. Found plenty of white oaks near a creek with a ditch nearby. Very nice looking. However, found evidence that I am not the first to find the spot Just one possibility Edit: Questioning they are white oaks now? Trying to determine what the tree is. Regardless, tons of acorns on the ground, looked like from last year.

We all need something to look forward to. For outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen it’s the next outing. The subtle tug on the end of your line. The sound of careful footsteps in the woods. I accept it’s in my blood

Not looking to catch the panfish for use as bait ?. I could, but that ain’t the goal. Rather eat em or just learn where they are

I was looking at those the other day. Look really nice. Later, later I will try them. For starters I am working with living rubber with accents and then later on I might try lumaflex. Using animal hair is also intriguing to me

Well, I did want to start fishing for bait more, so that would be great.

What species are good to start with to branch out?