T-Billy

You could cut the bait keepers off of flippin hooks and use those.

5/0 Gama 484 straight shank worm hook is what I use. It's not super heavy wire, but it's plenty strong, and Gama sharp.

It'll throw 'em, but I have other reels that'll throw 'em a whole lot further.

Caught my first bass on a Big-O. That bait will always be special to me.

I agree. The Lews isn't great with light baits because of their heavy spool, but 3/8oz on up they're good to go. The Lew's is the best built in the price range IMO. The Fuego is the better pitching reel with it's lighter, shallower spool and Magforce braking. I have no experience with the standard SLX, but I like my XT and 70 MGL models.

@A-Jay, I just saw your vid on the mini max clip opening up on you. I've had that happen with cross locks in the past too. I use Mustad Fastach clips on the CB's I make, and have had ZERO issues with them. #2 is perfect for a standard size blade. I don't know if the hole spacing is the same on the minis or not? Might need to go with a #1 on them? They're a bit tricky to attach the first couple times, but easy peasy once you figure out the right way to twist 'em on.

LOL. I've tried a bunch. 832 is hands down my favorite for heavy cover work. I've been trying out Vicious No Fade on my #1 flippin stick, and while it's been pretty good, it's getting fuzzy. This has never been an issue with 832, and 832 handles better too. Just like Bob Wills in Texas, 832 is still the king. ^^^ TRUTH^^^ LOL!!!

Solid choice. Shop around, places have been having BOGO sales on them, or buy one get one for $19. They're an absolute steal at that price. If you can swing it, I'll recommend the Ark, Tharp Series, Moneymaker, at $129. It's a stout 7'3" MH F, and an outstanding jig/trig rod.

My favorite way to catch 'em for sure. Better get yourself a dedicated braid setup before the White Whale breaks your line and your heart in that jungle. I experienced that twice in two years with fluoro, went back to heavy mono for a year, then went to braid and never looked back. It's kinda like we moved back to 1980 in some ways. We just had dinner and ice cream at the dairy a half block over. Have a small, but well stocked hardware store with a knowledgable and friendly owner. Dollar General, lake a half block down the street, launch ramp one mile away, small family park. It's Mayberry pretty much. All in all... a pretty great place to live.

Man, I love the looks of that shoreline Alex. You dropping that bomb into the middle of those weedbeds on 15#?

I couldn't do it. No way, no how. I didn't like living in a city of 30k, but couldn't talk the wife into moving out in the boonies, so we settled on my childhood home town of about 350 people. We're both happy here.

A-Jay... Wow... Way to go brother!!! You're off to a heckuva start!!! Congrats!!! I love fishing in the snow too. Those days just have a magical feeling about them.

Nice fish. Your dog sure looks happy in that second pic.

Channel cats spawn in June around here. I always catch some on a chatterbait at night. They hit like a runaway train.

Atta boy!!!

It was no ol'crickety day, but I did alright yesterday given the conditions. Caught 9, with 5 over 2#. The best was this 3.48#. Post frontal, sunny, and calm. Surface temps are creeping into the upper 50's. Lots of fish shallow. Bass were SUPER spooky. Several times I pitched into a laydown, only to have multiple bass come rocketing out of it like the boogyman kicked in the door. Pine boughs were good to me. Fish were suspending under them and catching my Sweet Craw on the fall. Most of those I caught came from fallen pines.

Katie!!! 5.49!!! What a Maine TOAD!!! So dark this early in the season too. Looks like a florida bass. What a gorgeous fish. Congratulations!!!

It's long casting, sensitive, and drives those big hooks home at long distance with ease. I use a H MF rod and 40# braid for single hook moving baits.

Thowing them on 50# braid also helps with that. You're dragging a chandelier through the water, and they try to eat it. Fish don't give a crap about seeing that line. ?

Smooth 8 carrier braid is the correct answer. I like Fins Infinity for moving baits.

I solved that on the rigs I make by building them with a 70# single strand titanium leader. Very seldom wraps, and if it does, no damage. The heat shrink keeps it pointed straight to the front. Dunno if you could get it to work with the yumbrella or not. A heavy mono leader, say 65# or more may work for you. Tie one end direct to the rig and the other to a crane swivel. Sorry to hear Katie. I'll keep you in my prayers. That's one of my favorite books. I should buy a copy. I haven't read it in many years.

I'm heading toward full circle. My fishing has been getting more simplified the last couple years. I'm mostly just running with a handful of confidence baits, and it's literally paying off big. Numbers are good, and average size is up compared to when I was throwing more stuff and trying to be more diversified. I don't sweat colors much anymore either. Gimme some sort of shad looking color, green punkin, and black/blue when it gets dirty, and I'm good to go.

The original rage craw.

You had an interesting adventure before you even wet a line. ?

Do-It flat eye arkie. Twin tail grub. Old school rig that still gets it done, and only costs a couple bucks. Built to my specifications in my garage.