ABrugs

I’ve only used Smallmouth Magic so far and it worked well for me. I’ll be adding the Perch color this year too.

I agree completely w/ @Fat Ika. I tried the NetBait STH Finesse Series in the 2.5” size last year and it was by far my best producer for smallmouth bass. I highly recommend them.

2022 was my 3rd year bass fishing, primarily for smallies, and I ended up w/ a total of 20-6: 4-10 (PB), 4-7, 3-14, 3-12, and 3-11. I fish Lake St. Clair from shore most Saturday mornings for a couple of hours as I don't have a bass boat yet and have a young family. One of my goals for 2022 was to catch a smallie over 4# and I was able to do that twice. In 2023, I'd like to catch a new PB over 5# and have my top 5 smallies all be over 4#.

I have quite a while before I'll be retired, however, I currently live in SE Michigan about 20 minutes from Lake St. Clair and plan on living in this area for my entire life. I recently started bass fishing back in 2020 and have been fishing from shore over the past 3 years. My first step will be buying a bass boat within the next couple of years to get out and explore all that LSC has to offer. Until then, I'm completely content waking up early on Saturday mornings before my wife and our boys are up to watch the sunrise and chase some smallies. ^ One of my dreams is to buy a cottage up north as that's my favorite place on earth. I think that living near LSC and having the place in northern Michigan would be the perfect lifestyle. There's a variety of lakes up there and the idea of towing my bass boat back and forth while spending time w/ my family makes me happy to think about.

I have the NRX+ 842c MBR and have used it for the following: NetBait STH Finesse Tube (2.5"), Megabass Vision 110 Jr./110+1 Jr., Keitech SIF 3.3", Megabass Dark Sleeper 3/8 (3"), Rapala DT6/DT8, Nichols 33 Mini Spinnerbait (1/4), 4"/5" Senko, Zoom Trick Worm, Z-Man Chatterbait Mini Max (1/4), and Dirty Jigs Finesse Swim Jig (1/4). It's an awesome and versatile stick.

I just started throwing a spinnerbait for smallies this year and similarly to @TOXIC, I also am throwing a Nichols on LSC. I’m specifically throwing the Nichols 33 Mini Double Willow Spinnerbait in ‘White & Chartreuse’ and in 1/4 oz. I primarily throw a finesse tube, but reached for a spinnerbait recently and it was smashed by a nice smallie. That was the hardest hit I’ve felt from one before.

Mine is my NRX+ 842C MBR. This is my first high-end rod and it’s blown me away. It weighs 3.42 oz and is incredibly comfortable. I’ve only fished it 6 times this year so far and have tried a handful of different lures w/ it. My favorite, by far, has been using it to slowly drag a finesse tube for smallies. The sensitivity combined w/ the performance when fighting aggressive smallmouth has been phenomenal. As impressed as I was when I received it, it’s only getting better and better as I get used to it.

^ I caught my new PB smallie yesterday morning as the sun was rising over Lake St. Clair. That was a truly epic feeling! This one was 4.43 lbs and 20". I caught it on a NetBait STH Finesse Series Tube (2.5") in 'Green Pumpkin'. My new NRX+ 842C MBR handled it amazingly.

Gorgeous. I’d love to hear your feedback on that rod once you’ve used it for a little bit.

6th Sense Clout 5.4 in ‘Watermelon Candy’ rigged weightless on a 3/0 EWG. This got me my 4.54 PB LMB. My PB SMB (3.92) was caught on a 5” Senko in ‘Green Pumpkin/Black Flake’, also on a 3/0 EWG and rigged weightless.

I recently purchased the Pro Series neoprene Rod Glove cover along w/ their Reel Glove for a new setup and like them both.

I also used the Plano E-Series 3600 the last 2 years. It’s a nice backpack, but I learned I don’t need all of that storage. I bought the Plano Weekend Series (3700) backpack for this year and am excited about it. All I need is 1 3700 box and a bag for my soft plastics and this is perfect for that.

Do you guys use the same size for both 4” and 5” Senkos?

This will be my 3rd season/year bass fishing and I’m completely changing my strategy to be as versatile as possible. My first 2 years were about trying to dedicate 4 different rods to 4 different techniques and I decided to go completely away from that. I’m a shore angler as well and sold/consolidated those 4 rods into 1 versatile Loomis MBR. I’ll be using a variety of different lures/techniques, which is why I went w/ the MBR action. Overall, I’m really looking forward to this season and learned a lot over the past 2 that led me to this approach.

The first thing I’m throwing for LSC smallmouth in a couple of weeks will be a 3.3” Keitech Swing Impact FAT in ‘Smallmouth Magic’ on a 1/8 oz head. I can’t wait.

That's outstanding insight already. Thanks! @A-Jay - My research has expressed very similar perspectives. Considering it's still all ice up here, as you know, I'm left to my own thoughts about how each of these will perform in April w/ the LSC smallies! I love thinking about this though and appreciate the platform I have here to discuss things like this. I could only imagine my wife's response if I asked her the same question, LOL. @PhishLI - I appreciate your thoughts as that's why I posted this! I've only thought about using it on a slow retrieve so it's great to hear that your approach is different.

FYI, my plan as of now is to get and use both of these techniques. I plan on retrieving the DS very slowly along the bottom and then using the tube as a true jig. However, for those that use both techniques, how do you determine which one to try? They seem very similar in profile, size, and intended use so I'm looking for insight on when and why you go w/ either one. Thanks!

I consolidated and upgraded 4 baitcasting setups into 1 over the winter: ^ This is my new G. Loomis NRX+ 842C MBR paired w/ the Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 HG. I wanted simplicity and versatility and believe this setup will fit my 'power finesse' style perfectly.

I’m currently fishing from shore and usually in less than 6’. My strategy is to use the Keitechs for covering the middle column of the water on a steady retrieve and to use the Megabass Dark Sleeper (3/8) on a slow retrieve along the bottom. If I was fishing from a boat on LSC I’d definitely be going up to a 3.8” and a heavier head. That will be in my future so your post was helpful as you’re also fishing LSC.

@A-Jay - I know we were discussing the TB Finesse version, but considering you also recommended the Guppy version here, which do you think would be a better fit for the 3.3” SIF? If the Guppy, would you recommend the 1/0 or 3/0?

I just posted something similar in the SMB section and plan on going w/ the Dirty Jigs Tactical Bassin’ Finesse Jig Head in either 1/8 or 3/16.

That's exactly what I was hoping to learn. Thanks, @A-Jay! I was planning on going w/ the DJ Tactical Bassin' Finesse Jig Head as well. Per your insight, I might need to consider the 3/16 over the 1/8 to create the ideal balance. I feel that might be slightly more versatile as well.

This has been really helpful so far. I do have a follow-up question: What jig heads would you recommend for the 3.3” SIF? It supposedly weighs around 0.2 oz and I want to make sure I’m balancing it for the depth I’m fishing.

I’m going to be throwing the Keitech Swing Impact Fat this year for smallies and I’m curious what everyone’s favorite sizes are? I was planning on going w/ the 3.3” w/ a 1/8 oz head, but would love to hear opinions. I’ll be mainly fishing less than 8’ on Lake St. Clair. ^ Also, if you use a different type of paddle tail swimbait, that’s fine. I’d still like to hear your favorite sizes. Thanks!

I wanted to provide an update to my OP: I ordered my G. Loomis NRX+ 842 MBR and my Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 HG this morning! The rod will be here this week and the reel hopefully within the next couple of weeks. I won't be able to use this for a couple of months up here in Michigan, but it will feel like Christmas morning once I get the chance!