B-Gee

I'd appreciate it if you would explain about any important differences. Thank you for commenting.

I have been using spinning gear with chatterbaits here in Florida. Several folks have said that a casting rod and reel would work better with chatterbaits. So, I’m planning to buy a casting rod and reel and try to learn how to use them. I’m thinking of buying a Lew's KVD Composite Cranking Casting Rod 7’ 1” or 7’ 4” medium heavy moderate taper. These sell for $110. I understand that they are made of a composite material which is a blend of glass and graphite. I think this is the same as the discontinued Quantum rod which A-Jay has used and recommended. I would like some recommendations for a casting reel to go with this rod. I expect I’ll be fishing mainly with chatterbaits on 40 or 50 pound braided line. Since I’ll be new to casting reels I’d like find one that is easy for beginners to handle without sacrificing its effectiveness in hooking fish. I would appreciate any recommendations.

Nice! What did you catch them on?

I fish with chatterbaits and don't use a trailer work . There is a lot of grass in my pond and think I would do best with only one hook.

Thanks again! What size would you use for a 1/4 ounce Rooster Tail or similar bait?

Thanks again Steve. Can you tell me what single hooks you use to replace the trebles on the Rooster Tails?

Thanks for this advice. What lures would you recommend for Peacocks. I would like to catch some.

Thank you for this information. I usually fish at dawn for an hour or two. I wonder what time of day you find best for catching those Peacocks?

I know there are Peacock Bass in the pond I fish but I seldom catch one. Would you mind telling me more about the brand and size of those inline spinners you used so successfully?

Thank you. I'll leave the scissors at home.

This plastic bait comes out of the package with the tail flippers joined together and side flippers joined to the sides of the body. I’m wondering if these should be left joined together or whether it is best to take a pair of scissors and cut them loose so there will be more action when the bait falls through the water? Thanks for any help.

Thank you for that information. That is very interesting. I know they are present in the lake where I fish from shore. I fish about three or four times a week, mostly at dawn and just after, with a wide variety of baits but I have only caught one Tilapia and that was foul hooked in the gill plate. I often fish lipless lures and chatterbaits and catch bass, but not Tilapia. I wonder what you are doing that I am not doing?

I wonder what you caught them on?

Wacky-rigged 5-inch Senko. Almost a sure thing.

I don't think color is very important with soft plastic baits. My experience has been that any dark color seems to work just fine in my pond but I've not had as much luck with white or pearl colors.

I also fish it weightless, wacky style, in less than 12 feet of water with good success mostly on the fall or dead-sticking shortly after the fall.

Live shrimp, Lil John soft plastic lures on a jig head, and Mirrodines by Mirrolure to name a few.

Senkos Zoom Trick Worms Zoom Finesse Worms

Also I recommend that you talk to Dave at Precision Tackle on Rt. 19 in Spring Hill. He is your best source of information. Also I forgot to mention Jenkins Creek for winter trout fishing. This is partially spring fed and the water tends to be warmer there.

I lived near there for a number of years and I suggest you go for saltwater trout which can be great there although January isn't the best time for them. I don't believe there are many opportunities for freshwater fishing near Spring Hill. Some people fish for mullet in the saltwater inlets around Bayport. It is a very different and special kind of fishing but it can be very productive with the proper technique. Lake Tarpon in Tarpon Springs, about a half hour south of there, may be a possibility.

For saltwater fish, trout reds, etc., one of the best places is the long beach at Fort De Soto Park.

The pond where I fish is not very deep, maybe 8 to 10 feet maximum. I want to buy a couple of War Eagle spinnerbaits to try , but there are so many variations in 3 sizes (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) that I'm kind of bewildered and would appreciate any suggestions for size and color.

Thank you for this information. Is it best to tie the line directly to the spinnerbait or do you recommend a swivel, snap or ?

I fish for largemouth bass and peacock bass from the shore of a pond here in south Florida. I would like to try my luck with spinnerbaits. I’ve never used these before. Based on the recommendations I’ve read in this forum I’m planning to buy a couple of 3/8th ounce War Eagle spinnerbaits and I want to get some trailer hooks to use with them. I would appreciate any recommendations for what brand and size of trailer hook I should buy.

Fantastic! How did you rig the Senko--Texas or Wacky?