bunkerbstr

There's some good info above and I'll add a few tips of my own. 1. Do you use a scent? If not, try using a crawfish scent. 2. I prefer at least a 7' M/H rod, preferably Heavy action. 3. 100% Fluorocarbon line - 15 pound minimum. In addition to those, I would say maybe try changing colors of the jig you're using. You are getting bit so it's getting their attention, but if they're not committing 100% to eating the jig, then you might need to do some refining. In most cases there are two colors that tend to work pretty much everywhere - black/blue and/or green pumpkin if you have grass. Hope it helps, jigs are cool baits to fish, there is a learning curve though judging by the size of the bass in your pic, you got that covered already.

I am very sorry for your loss Spanky. Fishing is about making memories - family, friends. For most of us, Dad is responsible for getting us into fishing. For that, I thank him. The next one I catch is for you & your Father. Thanks for taking the time to write a wonderful post. God bless.

Never tried the SK Shadalicious baits before. I've used the Basstrix and Berkleys though. Basstrix are sick baits, like any other hand-poured bait, they get torn up easy. Mend-it glue is a must when you're using any of the higher end soft plastic swimbaits. There's a million of them out there these days, just about every company makes them. All I can say is open the wallet, buy a pack or two of each of the size/colors that work near you and experiment to see what works best for you. Also, make sure you have a good solid hook (weighted belly style) that is one size larger than the recommended size. One other thing, it helps if you open up the hooks a bit once the bait is rigged. You want the hook to lay flat on the back of the bait, not downward. If fishing open water put a stinger on the belly - 1/0 Gammie round bend should do. Good luck.

-1/2 ounce Silver Buddy -1/2 Lipless crankbait (brand of your choice) Start out fast, if that isn't working, slow down. Shaky Head, tube and how about a LC Slender Pointer? Smallmouths rule! Good luck.

Everyone pretty much covered it here, they can be rigged every which way. They are cool little worms and catch fish everywhere. My only advice would be: Match the color of the worm to the bottom.

My favorites: Berkley Big Game mono. Berkley Trilene 100% fluorocarbon. P-Line 100% fluorocarbon. BPS, XPS Fluorocarbon. The XPS Fluorocarbon is great line. You think because it costs less it would have a downside, it doesn't. I've been using the XPS for about 6 years now and it's great. Just recently tried the Trilene and P-Line, both are great lines too, though I can't say they are better. Beginning in 2009, the XPS line is being made using a different formula than in the past. I haven't tried the new stuff yet.

I agree with these guys, great jerkbait and you gotta love the price. I've owned them for a long time and caught countless fish on them over the years. Nice subtle action and not as erratic as the X-rap or the Pointers. My favorties are: Tenn Shad Silver/black back Gold/black back There is a Crawdad color (Brown/orange belly) that I don't believe they sell anymore that is great too.

I have a good friend that lives in Laurel and fishes Tridelphia and Rocky Gorge quite a bit. Water temps are in the mid 50's around the middle section. Tridelphia is still pretty low and a tough bite. Rocky Gorge has been kicking out some really good fish (Stripers and Largemouth) so far this year. A lot less fishing pressure on Rocky Gorge and IMO better overall fishing. We plan on getting out on Rocky Gorge this weekend, not sure which day, most likely Sunday. Good luck.

Yea man, use them. They work. 20ct. bag for $3, so have at it. Great worms.

Try the Rapala DT16, Luhr Jensens and the Bomber Fat Free Shads for deep crankbaiting. Normans and Lucky Crafts are great too, though we warned, the LC baits have a thin lip and if you're banging against rock do it gently. Rod: M/H slow action rod, preferably a glass or glass composite rod works quite well. Some guys like a slow action graphite, some don't. The best thing to do is buy a few or use a buddy's and see which you like. Reel: Deep crankbaiting, I like a slow speed reel 5.0:1. It slows the bait down, but more importantly it won't beat you up like a high speed reel. Again, try both and see what works best for you. Line: Mono or fluoro - I've used both, but these days with the glass rod I have been using 100% fluorocarbon and have done well with that. 10-12 pound is my preference for the fluorocarbon. Good luck

Agreed, Frogg Toggs are pretty decent for warmer weather and double as a nice wind breaker. I would recommend getting the bibs instead of the pants. I've heard from several people for whatever reason the pants are more prone to ripping along the seams. I've owned a pair of the bibs for 3 years and they still are holding up fine though they are showing some wear. I picked them up at BPS for about $30. Cold weather stuff - I like the BPS Pro Qualifier bibs & jacket, much more expensive but worth it in my book.

Zoom horny toad and the cane toad. Both have worked well.

I agree the DD22 is a fine crankbait with the correct gear. I use a heavy action "crankbait" rod and a 5.0:1 reel for this set up. A few other comparible baits include, Mann's deep divers, Poe's, Strike King Series 5, 6 and of course the Rapala DT series. The DT crankbaits are growing on me the past couple of years, they've give up some nice bass, aren't outragously priced, have good hooks and nice paint jobs. Mix up your retrieve and spend time fishing them. Once you get the confidence with them, you'll do much better.

You might want to try tubes or craws if you're punching the mats. as mentioned braided line really helps too, you'll feel those subtle bites which you might otherwise miss using mono line. For top of mats, everyone tosses frogs, just about every soft plastic company has their own version of a soft frog bait out there. Pick up a few bags of different brands and try them. Also the spro frog is real nice too.

The tungsten heads are pretty nice. Don't forget the "Bite me" heads either, good hooks on them too. Zoom finesse worms, berkley worms they all work, use what you have confidence with.

They are Great hooks and hold the bait well. You can rig the Ikas either tail first or head first, both ways work

I've TX rigged them and they work pretty good. Like any other bait, fished in the right spot they will catch fish. Zoom makes good stuff