PotatoLake

They’re like a rapala original floater that you can cast greater distances and that are more sturdy.

?I’ve never caught a largemouth with one. ?I’ve had white bass hit them.

My main water I fish when I’m not in the boat and bank fishing is exactly this situation. I throw a weightless texposed Fat Ika. It’s heavy enough to cast it far into the deeper regions of the body of water, but it doesn’t bring up grassy green muck. Drop shots do not work this time of year because the fish aren’t in the shallows. Unless you’ve had a warming trend. A tiny child rig has also worked pretty well too. You’ll have to clean it off sometimes but it works when used with a big TRD.

Winner! And yes it was a real deal Vision 110 Jr. in GP Pro Blue. Not to sound like a snob - know it all, cause I’m not, but this person could not have picked the worst lake to throw this lure. Muddy water, brush everywhere, no boat access. They were asking for it. Poor guy, it looks like it had just been pulled out of the package and lost it on the first cast. No one was around or else I would have asked people if they had lost it. Cool story on the Ploppers. I bet it made that guy’s day.

Sorry, no I meant you just have to look really closely. Don’t pay attention to colors.

I will be visiting Bull Shoals this spring. Haven’t nailed down the dates, but I am for sure hitting it. Pretty sad I’ve lived in Missouri my whole life and never have been there. Only fished Table Rock once and never fished Stockton as well. I would be very pleased with 25 smallies in one day.

@Bluebasser86 inspired me to get out and hike around my area lakes and look around for lost lures and it’s a good excuse to get some exercise. This was my haul today, as you can see mostly bobbers. But, can anyone spot “Where’s Waldo style” the major find? I was pretty excited about it.

Zoom lizard

I have a Crush 50 in that pattern that has produced quite a few fish. Good cloudy day pattern, and yeah my kiddos ask to use it when we fish.

Fish gods smiled on me today. Was able to pull a 6lb. 1 oz. piggie out a laydown with a jig. So there’s my icing.

Please don't take this as woe as me, as this is just the truth for me. I have a progressive disease that's kicking my tail. My goal is to finish 2021 upright and able fish. Fishing is one of the few elements of life that truly brings me joy besides my family. My PB is 4 oz. shy of 6lbs. If I get a 6 plus, that would be icing on the cake.

Here’s another one to consider if you’re looking for a bulkier profile, but similar action to the hog farmer. Has scent infused. Got it too late in the fall to play with it much, but reviews were good. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?sort=no&start=0&count=30&searchtext=Yoto+worm+

I am super jealous of that pike and smallie. Those are on my life goals. 40” Pike and 5lb. Smallie. Way to go!

This 100%, if you are fishing these in that shallow of water, get the lightest weight possible. I made the mistake of trying to drag a heavier version in shallow rock / rip rap, and in a mud/grass/muck bottom situation. You’ll get hung up or be digging bits of bottom off the lure every cast. They are very much a bottom oriented lure. I did catch lots of fish with them, lots of the time they’re devoured and hooked deep in the mouth.

5lb. 12oz., Mid July on a 6th Sense Clout in the Darkwater Bug color. 2 feet from the bank. Caught a 5lb. on a red craw jointed squarebill in the very exact spot in March. Never could scratch one out over 6. That’s my 2021 goal.

You beat me to it. Ned Zone is an awesome bait and I use it over TRD from spawn to fall. Has a bit more wiggle. When I need to dead stick it in colder water then I go back to the TRD. 309 in X-Zone and Canada Craw TRD are my go to colors here in MO.

Yeah I’ve always wanted to try Melvern and Milford. I’m sure there’s others I’m not aware of in Kansas.

I think I may try to hit TR, BS, and Stockton this year. I am pretty interested in Stockton as I have a cabin that is closest to that lake, if I visit the southern lakes that border Ark., I’d have to rent a cabin. Which is no prob, @road warrior thanks for the guide tip, I’d need one if ventured there. Is it true the south end of Stockton holds all the smallies? I’d assume wind blown points with chunk rock are the ticket?

Anyone have an opinion on the best lake, not river, for smallies in Missouri? Talking best chance at a 4lb.+. Would love a chance at catching some on jerkbaits in the spring.

Jackall Flick Shake has been a big producer for me. It’s my “break glass in case of no fish” type of deal. Great undulating movement in the water.

I have one, I'd say its a more cold water bait. Watch here. I haven't it given enough time on the water, but I dig the action in the water when I see it. No fish yet.

Jerkbaits and Bladed Jigs are my conundrum. I put A LOT of time with these each year, and each year I just shake my head at why I cant buy a bite. My theories. I fish jerkbaits in too murky of water. I fished up in Rainy Lake this summer where its stained but pretty good visibility and smashed em with jerkbaits. In Missouri, nodda. Need to hit Stockton or Table Rock and see if my luck changes. Bladed jigs, I have no clue, I've caught one fish in my life on one, I'm not sure if I'm fishing them too fast or what, don't know. I've tried all the colors, brands, different trailers. I suck at it.

You are going to be disappointed in that Dark Sleeper in that scenario. They work much better in rock lake bottoms. When ive tried them in my ponds, Ive caught fish, but you're digging muck and gunk up with the lure. Its made to hop bottom.

Can I ask what lure those are? I tried hard to figure it out from the picture, but I couldn't figure it out.

I'm on the west side of the state, but we have small conservation areas that have been known to give up fish in the 7 lb class. They're obviously rare, but they're in there. Its uncanny, every year it seems like there's a picture on the fb group of kid grinning ear to ear holding a massive bass he caught with a worm and bobber, two feet from shore.