lynxcat

I typically default to a jackhammer. If the water is really clear then a stealth blade or swim jig. One nuance is I use a paddle tail on a swim jig. I like that extra action on any otherwise do nothing bait. I use subtle trailers on the jackhammer.

I’ll be trying a Seibert’s 1/4 oz…I think the name is Gold Shad. It’s white with gold shiny material. I’m using a small paddle tail in white. Water has 2ft of visibility or so and varies depending on where I am standing at my ponds. We’ve had some cold snaps so water is still hovering in low 50s

Challenge of conquering the foe. It’s built into our wiring to survive and becoming the apex predator. It’s far from required in today’s modernity however this is really a very recent reality in the span of human existence.

Mike - Would these work for a 3” Zman Minnowz or a bit too large? 3/0 hook seems like it is better fit for 4” swim baits? https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/locked-up-jig-head

$6 for a 3 pk seems like the average going rate….seems super pricey on a per unit basis. Has it always been this way or is in a recent trend?

I don’t need this at all but I’m very likely to buy one of these this year. Thanks for the update!

Cleaner water: Swim jig; albeit I am trying the stealthblade in these circumstances a bit more (since the thump is so weak) Average/Muddy: Chatterbait My new technique: Wakebait/super shallow diving crankbait. Have a small one that goes about 0.5ft deep...perfect for the shallow ponds I fish. I think this will be highly effective in the fall.

I have caught a few nice 5lbers in this pond last year and been told “there is a ~9lber in there” my a neighbor. I think this is likely that bass…but no way to tell. It’s a small neighborhood pond but guys stocked it with some big ones over the last 15 years. I thought this one was a large catfish at first. Long cast and it was quite the fight to land her…jumped twice. At first thought it was another one of he 5lbers (had my scale on those!) and then realized “oh Lordy, this is NOT one of those!”

I couldn’t believe I had it in my other bag. I’m going to buy another so that this doesn’t happen again!

And one more. I am 6’4 260.

I typically find ponds (at least in the south) still have a lot of grass and are shallow. For someone starting out, it’s a pain to pick grass off after each cast and can be disheartening. If OP has deeper areas he is fishing or rock bottom with minimal grass, then cranks and jerk baits may be feasible.

Recommend staying away from crank baits and jerk baits. Lipless can work from the shore. Chatterbaits are what work in my ponds so I fish those throughout the year (strangely, even fish them during TX winters albeit I have been using the stealthblade).

I tried some X Zone lures because I follow Brandon Palaniuk on YT. Muscleback Craw and Adrenaline are the ones I am testing out now.

I bought a gift card earlier in the week to stack some additional savings on the 25 days of Christmas sale at TW. I fish small ponds exclusively so dipping my foot with wakebaits. I can NEVER fish standard cranks so hoping that one of the 3-4 options I purchased here will be able to stay just sub surface. Love the quiver worms at this price...really nice for Neko rigging in the winter. Never used Tatsu before but winter is upon us so might as well use the best...hoping it works well for drop shot leaders. 6lb is the lightest I've ever purchased. Product Name Order Price Total Seaguar Tatsu Line 6lb 200yd 1 27.99 27.99 Yo-Zuri 3DR Wakebait Real Gizzard Shad 50mm 1 4.99 4.99 Yo-Zuri 3DR Wakebait Real Glass Minnow 70mm 1 4.99 4.99 Gama SuperLine Offset EWG 4/0 25pk 1 16.09 16.09 Xzone Lures Muscle Back Craw Black Blue Flk 4" 1 3.49 3.49 Xzone Lures Muscle Back Craw Houdini 4" 1 3.49 3.49 Dirty Jigs M.A. Swimbait Head Blue Shad 3/8 3pk 1 4.19 4.19 Dirty Jigs Guppy Head Tennessee Shad 3/16oz 1/0 1 4.89 4.89 Red Eye Shad Tungsten 2 Tap Albino Craw 3/4oz 1 5.58 5.58 Missile Baits Quiver Worm Cherry Blossom 6.5" 6pk 1 2.79 2.79 Missile Baits Quiver Worm Fisholicious 4.5" 8pk 1 2.79 2.79 Missile Baits Quiver Worm Goby Bite 4.5" 8pk 1 2.79 2.79 KVD Shallow Squarebill Clearwater Minnow 1 3.90 3.90 Z-Man Chatterbait Custom Chartreuse White 3/8oz 4/ 1 4.89 4.89 Z-Man Chatterbait Custom Citrus Shad 3/8oz 4/0 1 4.89 4.89 Yo-Zuri 3DR Jerkbait Real Glass Minnow 1 4.99 4.99 Z-Man Eye Strike Chatterbait Black 3/8oz 4/0 1 5.89 5.89 Z-Man Batwingz Jig Trailer Green Pumpkin 2.75" 1 3.99 3.99 Strike King 2.5 Wakebait Chart Blue Black Splatter 1 5.98 5.98 PowerPro Spectra 300yd Moss Green 20lb 1 18.89 18.89

Im thinking about loading up on TW gift cards for 10% off. BF next year at 20% off means a guaranteed 30% off on basically anything if you can justify locking up the dollars in gift cards for that long.

Never use a debit card online. Ever.

There shouldn’t have been CVV information stored…

I have minimal marginal benefit to any new rods or reels. I occasionally am tempted by a deal but the reality is I don’t need anything else. I’ve even gotten that way with most lures. Soft plastics are still a soft spot…I enjoy testing new brands but I have thousands of dollars of plastics in inventory.

This thread inspired me…going to tie this on for my next outing. I haven’t fished this in awhile. I think I’ll use a bullet weight so that it has the versatility to bounce off bottom as well instead of a belly weighted hook.

SLX rod for $60 on DSG.

What’s better about the limited edition version?

Sniper is a great one. Can also get it in finesse cut in variety of weights.

Bunch of different ways to cast a lure...proficiency can vary tremendously in style. I find I try to use more hip rotation in non-dominant casting as my arm/wrist coordination isn't as refined.

I have Daiwa Tatula Elite 7'4 Moderate MH Randy Howell edition...I use it almost exclusively for chatterbaits and swim jigs. Really love the rod, action, and total package.

I’ve got $130 worth of jigs and soft plastics rolling in from @Siebert Outdoors …Sniper Blemished is an amazing deal and had to reload on swim jigs in my favorite colors. And, as always, a bunch of things I wanted to test out or see in person. Excited to try the Hella Craws…somewhat hoping for a Rage Craw replacement that hits the durability. I think it’s 30 or so jigs…that’s going to last awhile