PotatoLake

Ive been throwing a size 9 the last couple of weeks. Had some chunky bass and crappie grab it. It’s a super fun bite. It really does draw a lot of strikes.

New Spro Silent Lipless is out. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Spro_Aruku_Shad_Silent_Lipless_Crankbait/descpage-ASSLC.html

Skunk Killer: Keitech Mono Spin paired with a Keitech Easy Shaker worm. Hog Catcher: This has been mentioned already, but I caught several chunks on a Gambler Burner Worm, but it’s more of a grass thing. Super versatile lure.

Hey Haydon, I'm curious how you did on Pomme? I fished it this last weekend and struggled bad for largemouth. Couldn't keep the whites off my moving lures. I finally caught a few dragging football jigs, but nothing special.

Gravel flats in skinny water here in Mo. You won't catch a ton, but you'll crack a few. Some dude just won a bassmaster open tournament at Grand Lake using a WP on flats, so they for sure catch fish. I've never stepped foot in MA, so I can't comment on what the right scenario is for you. I've caught fish with all different light conditions and water temps though.

I own and use the 6’ 10” MLXF Victory rod for mostly Ned fishing. I typically fish Neds on lighter heads. The rod loads up awesome, nice soft tip, super sensitive for a 200 dollar rod. Frankly I’m in love with the rod and fish the Ned more than I’d care to because the rod is a joy to use.

I fish at about a 50/50 boat to shoreline fish ratio. When I fish out the boat I am a total junk fisherman who likes to tinker and try new stuff, therefore I pack way too much stuff. But when Im hoofing it, I’m starting to take less and less tackle. Im now just taking a few items with me. One to cover the top, middle and bottom of the water column. I adjust what I bring with what I think matches the seasonal patterns. But I find it more of a freeing experience to not be bogged down by a heavy bag and too many rods. Especially if you’re fishing familiar waters. You should know what they generally like to bite.

You gonna go full Jeff Gustafson?

I’d go either smaller or bigger with my lure sizes. Perhaps fish slower, or crazy erratic. I’m no jerkbait master though, so maybe someone else would have better advice.

I use two different if I have them available. I also use the 4 inch on the front and the five on the back.

My goal is to spend 0 dollars on tackle in 2022, and hopefully 0 dollars during Black Friday, etc. Wish me luck.

Check out the berkley hit stick. Its like the Rapala Original Minnow, but you can chuck it a lot further. Same tight wiggle.

In the late winter - early spring on the highland reservoirs near me, I like to throw a *** (3.25") in old school crawdad color. I can get it down to 8 feet or so, that color does a good job in the slight stain that time of year. I throw the smaller ones late in the summer on the flats, they catch pretty much every species in the lake.

No surprise that Mike was involved with development of this particular wobble head for Gammy. I fish a lot of lakes in his home area, they have the perfect setup for using this approach. Pretty good visibility, and nice gravel and chunk rock bottoms. It’s one of my favorite ways to catch them down there in southern Missouri. In the fall I put on paddle tails, white rage bugs, and z-craws in a color called black flash on sunnier days. Give it a try!

What sized Ned head where you using of the Nichols? 3/16? 5/16?

Start watching at 23 1/2 minutes or so. Really good explanation on 4 stand vs. 8 or in this case, 12 strand. @Bluebasser86 Basically summarized this same point. But if you want more to back up the 4 strand for frogging consensus, this is a good watch.

I had one magical day during the spawn with a Jr, 4 fish in 6 casts each fish was between 4 and 6 lbs. (This a large pond/small lake with no shad). I've not caught anything on it since, but that's not fair as I don't throw it much outside of the spawn window. I was doing a half turn of the handle at a time, with a pause, twitch. Since it hovers with a slow rise, I think I might have been sticking it right where they were nesting, and obviously the big girls did not like that.

Is that the Feider Fly rod? I've been looking at a 7' 6" ML spinning rod as well and let me tell you they are tough to find. They're either sold out, or lot's of brands/retailers don't make or carry a rod that long. I'm kind a looking for something throw hair jigs, spybaits, weightless plastics, finesse jigs. Haven't made my mind up yet, but that particular rod is flat sold out everywhere.

I'll reinforce what padon said, I use mine for jerkbaits, topwater and a descent about of crankbaits. It's an awesome rod, never once had an issue with missing fish with treble hooks. Maybe I don't know any difference, but its the only rod I've ever used to fish a jerkbait, so I can't compare the difference with any other rod, but I don't have problems imparting the action on the lure I want. It might be my favorite rod.

I used to fish JAR a lot. They have all have big gizzard shad in them. But, if you want to catch fish there, don’t even bother with shad style moving lures. Throw jigs or Texas rigs. Find cover and pitch to them. Get ready for some skunks, but this was what I found after many years of experimenting. Jigs for sure catch the pigs out there.

100 percent agree it’s super fun when a jerkbait gets freight-trained.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Xcite_Baits_Raptor_Tail_Worm/descpage-XBRTW.html Big Worm = Big Bass

This is my fave. I got mine 50% off at Academy two years ago. They are pretty steep full price. But I’m always feeling not too hot/not too cold in it. Lots of pockets for holding items you need. https://www.simmsfishing.com/rogue-hoody

One of my favorite lures in the prespawn. I use a shad rap all year long. Right now on my reservoirs, a “glass” shad rap slays when bass are chasing balls of shad.

Nice!!! Let me know how you do that one. I have not used that color, but I do like chartreuse on deep divers. Yeah, they shouldn't name that one "Little" John. Maybe just John.