RRocket

Top producers: 1) Poop baits 2) Minimax Chatterbait 3) Z-man GoatZ of all sizes for topwater.

For context, what is considered a cold day for your average winter weather there? Yep. Same here. Absolutely no rhyme or reason.

LOL 😆 It's not completely frozen (it hasn't snowed here...yet). Just the very edges of the shallows are frozen, perhaps 2-3 feet out has a very thin ice layer. You could easily pitch through it like you would dense vegetation/brush. But beyond that, the shallows are very, very cold right now. And can be similarly cold in November. The last fish I've caught was November 16th despite trying multiple days a week! And vegetation here still exists (and thick in some areas, still) but it's mostly of the dead or dying type. But vegetation and cover nonetheless. I'm really, really really, REALLY jealous of you guys who get to well and truly fish year round for bass.

As with all things, "it depends". In this case, it certainly depends where IMO. December here means "frozen"....and the fish definitely move away from the shallows that freeze or get thin ice cover

Got some today! You have a method for rigging them without tearing them?

Very nice!

That's how I fish for pike now. And your description is apt...they smash Chatterbaits. I try and mimic yellow perch

They look like miniature soft body frog hooks.

Looks to be an excellent lure! I'd probably swap out the hooks for the ones used on the Blading-X. Fewer hang ups IMO.

I spent the better part of the last few years performing a "World Series of Bass Rigs" to help determine which rigs were best suited for my area, conditions and preferred gear. So I endeavored to learn them all proficiently. And I did. And it wasn't always fun. And took many tackle purchases that I knew I may not ultimately use. Some stood out for their versatility while others for their singular use. Some were simple, others more complex. In the end, it became clear that some produced far more consistently than other rigs. And, within those productive rigs, finding which bait colors were better than others. My point is...I think even if you know every rig under the sun, there's going to be a handful that become standouts for your area and type of fishing. And therefore become your regulars. But you may need to learn many rigs to help you then specialize in only a few. I feel if you can't catch bass on any given day in your area with 2-3 techniques you truly and fully know...you probably weren't going to catch fish in a meaningful way that day even if you fished every single technique under the sun.

While not my absolute favorite, I'd go with Z-man. They have their extremely durable plastics, plus Chatterbaits, jigs and Ned Heads, etc I too really, REALLY like a couple of baits from OSP and DEPS. And I use a few other JDM baits. But for a "one stop", I think I could do everything I need to do with Z-man. Their favorite item (for me) is surely their Minimax Chatterbait.

I wear a pair of Bogs Tillamook Bay waterproof low boot. Extremely comfortable and of course waterproof. Particularly good for bank fishing too.

I thought Z-man had such a color in their Finesse WormZ? I know they had a specific rootbeer in their Trout trick..but it had a chartreuse on the tail tip.

I typed "2 piece spinning" and got results. Though I think I might understand what you mean. It would be nice to search all rods and then easily refine by brand, length, pieces, etc

I'm perplexed, as I'm not a regular customer at TW. Has it changed since last week? I only ask because I placed my very first order ever last week and everything was easy to find for me. Certainly no more difficult than any other website. Granted, I knew what I wanted in advance and just typed the keywords into the search and I able to find what I needed. What's wrong with the site in particular?

Hope it works for you.

Stanley still makes excellent food jars! Can't go wrong. If you're looking for something different, I can confirm Zojirushi (Japan) makes excellent vacuum sealed, insulated containers. Their coffee tumblers often come out tops in comparos. Unreal how long liquids stay extremely hot in them. It's all we use. Also have a couple of the vacuum sealed, insulated food jars..including a really cute Hello Kitty patterned one. You can get them up to 25 ounces, I believe. I don't find the opening particularly large (2.5"), but this hasn't prevented me from stuffing my face yet! It you like the integral cup like many Stanley's have, this isn't for you. No cup. Zojirushi Steel Food Jar, 25-Ounce, Black/Stainless https://a.co/d/0o3ZSlz However, they do have a line of really functional vacuum and insulated Bento containers. Soup bowl, rice container and room temp container at top. Very slick. They have several sizes. Zojirushi SL-XE20AD Classic Stainless Insulated Lunch Jar, 50 oz., Navy https://a.co/d/9NMG9pl Their Micom rice cookers and bread machines are known as the best in the world too. They seem to make quality stuff. Have not been disappointed yet their products. Just thought I'd share.

I'll defer to what you say since its clear you fish these far more than I do. So I agree with that statement. But won't the fish "care" a bit more about the trailer with the Canterbury Pro buzz since there's no skirt, painted lead, eyes, etc to target during the strike?That is to say, won't they be keying in more on the trailer as their target in this case?

I generally use that color for Pike. My water is dirty here, so I typically use blacks, dark blue, purple, junebug, etc

Yea, the Berkley Pit Boss, which works very well, is a bit tight. You have to get it perfect or the nose rips. I also use this logger toad which works well too. https://bassassassin.com/product/logger-toad-4/

That Spunk Shad set up is very compact and sleek!! I bet the tail moves around a bunch? I use the smaller versions on my Chatterbait Minimax. Strongly considering adding to my buzzbait.

Which Stanley frog and length? Would love to see photos with the 5.5 Spunk Shad!

I have, of course, tried all that. Literally the SAME buzzbait with the SAME trailer but different color. Same day. One runs perfect...the other less so. Everything identical. Like I said...for me, these baits are a bit fussy.

I don't disagree with you. Clearly some of this is "Me" inside my head. But another part I see is the potential for poorer hooksets. I mean, if the hook is off to the side (or laying on its side) rather than straight up and down..I have to imagine compromised hooksets or missed fish perhaps?