Swest18x

Thanks a lot you just added about 5 items to my TW cart! I must be blind because Custom hook sizes are listed on TW. 4/0 and 5/0 is available. Thanks for the input!

What bait is that fork tail?

3.5 spunk on the mini?

I know the Custom has its flaws but for $6 and some different colors available I was going to pick up a few to fill out my spring TW order.

This is a hook size question. Does anyone know if the Chatterbait Custom has a smaller hook on 3/8 size? What I mean is, Evergreen has a 5/0 hook, so does Elite, Mini Max has a 2/0, but I have some Zman's I bought a couple years ago and they appear to have a 3 or 4/0. I was thinking about picking up a few of the Chatterbait Customs they have on clearance on TW, that's what they look like, and I prefer that smaller hook. I was thinking the 3/8 ounce Custom might be what I'm looking for. Also want to make sure I buy the right size Spunk Shads to go with them, I have 4.5 inch on my 5/0 Evergreens, would the 3/8 Custom work with that or the 3.5? One of my fisheries is mostly 1-3 pounders and a lot of smallies, that 5/0 is just overkill there. Thanks.

It's a frog rod, definitely not for cranking. If I'm braid to leader, should I use more moderate action to prevent ripping lips or bending out? I read that somewhere once and that's what's gotten me questioning these two rods. I'd like to slow fall some creature baits on an unpegged sinker, so I won't necessarily be using superline hooks.

Cracked guide?

Looking for advice on a t rig rod. My one lake has moderate vegetation, nothing matted so no punching. Weights and hooks probably on the lighter side. I own a couple rods I could probably do it with (Dobyns 735c and ALX 7'3 Promise), but I dont know if either are really ideal. I'm a braid to leader guy if that makes a difference. Getting proficient at this technique is my goal this year, my experience is mostly with moving baits, so I want to be using the right gear. If you don't like these rods or have a better suggestion let's hear it. Not that I need to buy another rod but hey, worse things could happen.

Oh crap now I'm looking at the Steez MML...

I've used it a lot for leader and never ever had a problem. Been using camouflage fluorocarbon line lately but Gamma is still my go to. Seems like really tough line. WHOA...2006???

I would spend 300 if the rod fit the bill. I could always just buy a second ALX but I don't know how it dropshots, I only used it for bladebaiting last fall and although I was very happy with it for moving baits I thought it felt a bit tip heavy. I'm trying to avoid the Destroyer, I'm probably spoiled by my two Destroyer rods, they are so dang light and fish incredible but at 500 a pop I'd like to hear cheaper suggestions.

Looking for a long light spinning rod that can cast a mile and is super sensitive for dropshot duties. Bought a ALX Mcsmalls near the end of last season, this rod would pair with that, one rod rigged for dropshot the other for spybaits/finesse swimbaits etc. Ultra clear water I want to cast a mile, I've been dropshotting on a MB Windbuster so that's what I'm accustomed to in terms of sensitivity. I was looking at the Phenix Ultra MBX 7'6. Destroyer Flyssa but 500 is probably more than I wanted to spend. New Zillion rods have a 7'6 but that's an unknown, nobody's fished them yet. What do you think?

I've got a couple rods that can handle that bait but likely a MB Tequila B paired with a Zillion TW HD. I'm normally a braid to leader guy but that large line the TWing just doesn't like my knots.

I don't fish swimbaits much but I have a 3 Oz Bacca Burrito i want to try... what size line would you recommend for straight fluorocarbon? Not likely to run into anything over 5 lbs and it's clear water so I want to spool as light line as I can. Thanks.

I think apart from assigning a specific number the most important thing about Fall and water temps is bass behavior and activity rate changes before the average person even notices a change of seasons. In my limited experience, in my fishery, a switch flips sometime in late August / early September probably triggered by nighttime temperatures, sun angle, and a zillion other things bass are in tune with that you and I can't feel. I began hammering them first week of September in summer-like daytime temps and still had a great day this morning in 46 degrees. That's not water temps but you get the idea, they're hustling all Fall to fatten up you just might have to switch presentations to keep up with them.

Dirty Jigs 5/16 finesse swimjig with a 3.5 Largo shad. Also bringing a regular Dirty Jigs swimjig with a D Walker 120, and the 5.5 xzone cut down a bit, haven't tried those yet. I tried the x zone 3.5 mini swammer earlier this year on the finesse jig with same result. ?? Yep, I guess I can just shake it but was just wondering what's going on. Everybody has their own opinion on baits but with something this technical if it's between me or Matt Allen being wrong I'd say pretty good chance it'd be me. Makes sense about trimming the skirt, Dirty Jigs Finesse has a real light skirt to start, it seems. I'm not a jig guy though so it's all new to me. Wasn't fishing it real hard either, maybe that action just kicks in at a faster pace than my slow roll up to the boat?

So I don't use swimjigs much but I'm heading out to a lake where the conditions should be right to throw one. I put together a combination (jig+trailer) that is supposed to have great skirt action (as per Matt Allen). Today I tried it out, total dud, skirt just stays plastered to the bait with no pulsing at all. It got me thinking what could be wrong: any chance a snap ring is the way to go? Allowing the jig head to roll freer, getting the skirt to move more? I tied directly to the head, but won't have a chance to test out a snap ring before we leave for vacation, what do you think?

I'm vacationing on North Hero Island on Lake Champlain early August. The house we rented is right on the Alberg passage, supposed to be great bass fishing, the homeowner even says tournament time the bass boats come right along his property. I want to make the most of this opportunity and somewhat limited fishing time since I'll be with wife, in-laws and kids most of the days, with a few hours each morning to fish. Here's my situation: I have a 17 foot flat bottom fishing canoe with fish finder + a 3hp motor so I can get around but not far. The Alburg passage is specifically mentioned in some fishing articles so that's good, I figure focus my fishing on a relatively small area (maybe 1/2 mile each direction) and stay there all week so I don't waste time exploring. But my biggest problem is this: I have lots of gear and I'm aware of all the basic bass fishing techniques, but my direct experience is limited because my main fishery lacks weeds, it's just miles of riprap. This trip could give me the chance to try a lot of techniques I don't get the chance to use much, but my way of thinking is I better focus on just a couple new things and stick with those. For example, crazy as it sounds I've never jig fished or even shakey head: they just get snagged too easy in the riprap we have here. I have them but never use swimjigs because I never have to come through weeds. I don't even Texas rig: if I'm using a soft plastic it's a fluke or swimbait on an exposed hook for the same reason. Lipless cranks, jerkbaits, small swim baits flukes and paddletails, covering water, now that's my home, apart from that I also have a bit of experience dropshotting. All I really have worked out so far for this trip is topwater around weedbeds mornings and evenings is a no brainer, my walking baits and whopper ploppers are ready to go. Other than that, for this area, especially in/over grass and weed beds, what are the top few techniques you'd recommend I focus on? Thanks for any advice.

The point about eyewear is well taken. I absolutely buried a hook in my thumb one night, Urgent Care wanted nothing to do with it so here I am in the ER and a young male nurse came towards me with a big ole needle full of anesthetic. I'll never forget what he said to me when I asked how bad that needle was going to hurt. I can still hear him saying "I don't know I've never done this before, I'm hoping it won't be incredibly painful". Ask a stupid question...

Just to cap off this thread... I ended up going even lighter. Shimano Zodias 7'2 ML with a Shimano BFS reel, 10lb Sufix 131 to 8lb mono leader. Throwing a 77 Shower blows which is 5/16 ounce I think. I tried it on my Expride medium, maybe it was the reel (Concept C3, did fine for my jerkbaits), but couldn't get the distance I was looking for. The ML /BFS combo really throws it out there, it's been perfect for this application.

Done - thanks!

Softwateronly: I've already got a 6'10 medium Expride for my jerkbait rod, think that would work for the firework jig? Pbbrandon, is that a medium fast? Maybe I think I need more rod than I really do.

I want to try out some smaller jigs and maybe also t rig some smaller creature baits for bottom fishing. Specifically I ordered some Tight Rope Firework finesse jigs, 3/16 and 1/4 ounce but not exactly light wire, they have a fairly stout hook. Hoping they'll work on the miles of rip rap I fish. Not sure I'll stick with it (I have just about zero experience jigging) so I'm looking for something on the budget end without compromising sensitivity too much. Tight Rope guys said a 7' MH will do. $100 - $200. Thanks for any advice.

I bought a Hammer JAK 7'3 medium heavy in the off season and it's been my favorite rod this spring for throwing smaller swimbaits. You can throw smaller paddle tails like an easy shiner, or bigger fat impacts. A really fantastic, versatile rod. It has a bit of a soft tip/more moderate action but sets single hooks fine, and has more power than you'd think. I hooked into a 20 pound carp on a mini swammer she handled it fine.

Looking for a casting rod for smaller topwaters, especially walking baits like a Showerblows 77 (about 3/8 ounce). I shore fish on this particular fishery, all riprap, and I need something accurate for long casts along the bank there. I've been using a P5 Windbuster and I love the action and distance I get on this rod with the smaller bait, but I'm more accurate with a baitcaster. That rod is 7', has a fairly crisp tip, and is rated up to 5/8 ounce so I'm picturing a longer, lighter jerkbait rod in the 3/16 to 5/8 range. Would probably throw some smaller jerks on it too. $300 max, better in the 200 to 250 range. Any ideas?