softwateronly

It's special. To me it feels best with a "heavier" reel. A 6.3oz reel was good, but it really came alive for me with something over 7oz and solid aluminum. scott

I have the Xtasy 755 and the Gen 2 Steez Power Pitch. The Steez is the best jig rod I've ever tried, you can feel everything, lovely action with stupid power. Absolutely love it, and bring it out everytime. The 755 is my big worm rod, T-rig and Shakey, but also gets almost anything else tied on if I only bring a few rods, super versatile, from power neds to swim jigs. In the beginning, I didn't feel like I was reading the bottom well, but now with more time put in, I find it to be a different version of very sensitive and I really enjoy it. It's so light weight and comfortable, definitely look into upping your power from 4 - 5. scott

Open hook - Scottsboro Recon - 1/2 or 3/4 Weedguard - Warbaits or Bladerunner, lean toward Bladerunner https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&searchtext=recon+head#customer_reviews https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Blade_Runner_Weedless_Swimbait_Jig_Head_2pk/descpage-BRWSH.html scott

I'm partial to the 3/4 MB Uoze, longer hook shank gives me a better hookup when threading on a bit off gambler big GZ. The Bladerunner 1oz w/ a dirty jigs skirt is pretty effective as well with a 6/0. $5 for 2 on TW. I have some warbaits as well, but lean toward the first 2. These large swim jigs are really effective for me on moonless nights on the deep weedlines. scott She's got a 3/4Uoze and Big GZ completely balled up in her crushers. This is becoming a common hook up for me, rolled over and in the bottom lip or tongue, might be the mass of plastic, not sure...

The 18 is a great cranking reel, so it's nice to hear the 22 redesign has opened up casting performance and made a great reel, better. I look forward to getting my hands on one. scott

I really enjoy throwing 8 rods with different baits tied up and choosing the right tool for the job, but the reality of my home lake is all I need is a 1/2oz Dirty Jigs SC Flippin Jig in 420, a reaction innovation sweet beaver in tramp stamp, a R2S 120mm D walker in silver side, and a pack of DJ Alabama Bream skirts. I'm pretty sure I could catch bass from ice out to ice in, dragging, hopping or swimming. I would sure miss everything else on the slow days though. scott

I have one P5 and a few Champions. The P5 is definitely superior in my eyes and I also think it fits better with what you want to throw. Good luck! scott

There's a definite uptick in haute cuisine here, but you're already around some of the best in the world. What Chgo does is give room for experimentation and innovation by younger chefs out in the neighborhoods because the cost of living is so absurdly cheap compared to other large US cities and there's a culture to support/fund them and their restaurants. So when you're back out this way, look in this direction for something new. scott I have family that consistently forgets this when ordering. They're killing me. scott

I have the 6'11M+, 7'3MH, and the 7'2H. I fish T-rigs on the M+ or H and love it, super lightweight, sensitive, with sneaky power. I don't throw squarebills often, but throw them on the 7'3MH. I never throw a Carolina rig on them, but do use the M+ for mojo rigs w/ 6-8" worms. If you really want to do all that in one rod, I'd suggest the 7'2H or even maybe the 6'11M+. scott

Maybe extend that pattern to the best lily pads? An isolated group, with a transition of cover, like where a weed bed meets the pads, closest to deep water would get multiple casts from different angles from me. Frog, swim jig, and grass jig would be my bait choices. Otherwise, you probably need to establish a new pattern. scott

Everything said above makes sense to me. I mostly hit em on semi slack, with about a foot to foot and half of rod tip movement. With the slack, the bait is usually moving half to 3/4 that distance. But if it's cold water, and I think I'm over them, I'll hit it with a lot of slack and usually I get a turn and roll with no lateral distance changed. Sometimes that calls em up. I prefer the nose down stance, but that's just because it seems more effective, doesn't mean it's true. Cadence and violence needed never seem to be the same on different days. I'll keep throwing at prime areas with different retrieves till I get some confidence in what they're looking for. scott

Love that, haven’t tried it yet. Thanks I ended up getting the 7’6 version too. Also a winner in every way. scott

I have a new to me, big bait swimbait combo that's wearing the skunk. I'm throwing it in the mix though, either starting or ending a location with some big fish optimism. I'm doing my best to ignore it till the fall. scott

If the frog bite dies, the Expride XH also makes a great 5-6" soft swimmer and heavy swim jig rod. Slow rolling a 3/4oz Uoze w/ a gambler Big GZ on the deepest vertical weed line has put me on my best night bite in years or possibly ever. If you have some LM areas up there, this will find em. scott

I've never thrown the Megadog, but do own the MB TB. At 4.6oz I don't think the TB would be a fun rod to fish it. You could probably lob it out there, but I feel like the TB is comfortable up to 3.5oz and gets squirrelly heavier than that. scott

Not sure if you're aware, they got hacked and cc info was sold off to the black market. This isn't irresponsible consumers except maybe not following their statements/purchases closely enough. And if you haven't gotten a replacement card, you're still vulnerable from the original hack. scott

Heavier sure might be better, hard to tell, but I think OP is stating he has a H and likes weightless. Punch was probably the wrong verb, we usually stay submergent and not a full mat. The clear water of the N can allow for some real heavy weed growth but you're correct, it doesn't compare to the 10-12 month growing season of FL. After 1.5oz, I'd have to visit a tackle shop and even probably one online to get heavier. scott

Dobyns seems really consistent within all the price points in my experience. scott

Out of what I own, big fan of Steez power pitch, ExprideA XH's, and MB Tequila Baccarac. Paired with a JDM 18 Bantam or JDM Zillion HD. Digitaka and ALF/TW can get you the Zillion and Expride below budget. scott

In my head, green pumpkin with gold flake feels juvenile bass/bream like to me. So I like it post spawn/summer. scott

Is wide side to side jump referring to a "walk the dog" ish head movement or are you more talking about the body rolling during the jump? I throw the Stunna and do pretty well, but have better results with a Jackall Rerange MR and Nishine Eerie darter 115sp. My line is almost always .33mm -.40mm which is definitely thinner than most 20lb mono. scott

I agree and can't leave braid to leader if I wanted to. Here's how I tie my fg, usually 3 groups of 6 turns with a floro/mono tug after each grouping. Rizzuto finish is also very beneficial to keeping the braid from working itself loose over time. I think it's well worth the extra effort required for this knot. Good luck! scott

Might be worth trying the reel/rod sweep style hookset. When I've done it, it has dramatically improved my hook up/land ratio. It's my always when reeling a swim jig, but a sometimes when hopping or dragging a jig. It really should be my always, but that's on me. scott

Genius! But it won't make me like drop shotting try as you might. scott

I think you're using proper gear and good technique, it could be bad luck with the way they were eating that particular day. But, are you possibly playing the fish too much once hooked? Are head shakes or jumping momentarily unloading the rod? Would lowering your rod tip during the fight help prevent the weight from moving the hook or unloading the rod? For me, I've noticed more success with reel/rod sweep that @WRB advocates for and describes on the site frequently. The larger weight and hook make it all the more important. I think you might need more time to specify the issue. 5/8 and 3/4oz grass and swim jigs are my predominate summer jigs. scott