Bazoo

I'm getting into traps deep, thinking about maybe getting a rod specific for it, which would also work for other things. What rod is everyone's favorite for throwing a Rat-L-Trap?

Thanks for all the replies. Color might not matter... but it makes me feel better having a bunch of different ones in my box.

I thought of it more as a warning to bass and man!

I have a couple of blade baits that I found, they are white body with a red head. Is this color good for bass, or is it more for other species?

The glass minnow has done well for a friend, and the small one I've tried has done okay. It was recommended to my buddy by a guy he met at the river that was musky fishing.

One trip to the river, only a couple hours, I lost $30 worth of crankbaits. My wife was fit to be tied. I make up for it by not losing any a few trips here and there I reckon.

I'm using 8lb Big Game mono for my Shad Rap'n, is there anything better? Maybe 6lb mono? Maybe fluoro?

Yep, very thankful to have a great deal on lures I'll definitely be using. I have a 08 Husky Jerk in glass minnow color that I've been testing out. Like it pretty good so I went on the hunt.

I have heretofore been fishing jerkbaits that I've had, those that I've found, and a couple I purchased but didn't do anything with. Welp... I ended up winning a small lot of Husky Jerks in size 10 for a nice price - 7 NIB for $22 shipped. Their picture from ebay.

Thanks everyone for sharing. I have a blade bait that I've been wondering about how to utilize.

This is mighty interesting -

I just love a Jitterbug, whose with me? Anyone prefer to keep the hooks on the hangers? I've been thinking of putting mine on split rings.

@islandbass Those Shad Raps are really under estimated lures. I use them year round, though most think of them as cold water lures. They are great whenever the fish are finicky. Not many folks use them and because they have a pretty slender profile, lots of fish aint seen them. I am so much of a fan that I am going to buy a specific rod just for them. I'm looking at the Bass Pro Crankin' Stick in ML.

Thanks @Munkin.

@islandbass It's an awesome change. I run both standard and tied crankbaits. It'll make a non rattling bait completely silent. One of my favorites is a Shad Rap, which is what I have my current PB on. One of the awesome things about it is when other anglers see you, they don't see you doing anything different. Nice thing if you bank fish. Course, most of those folks wouldn't fool with it anyway.

I've not tried them, but I think I'll end up going with scissors as they will be useful for a few other things too. I use a knife currently, and I will continue. For me it's tradition, but also it's because I'm a knife nut. Be handy though when it's dark or raining or otherwise inopportune to have scissors.

Ran by your thread again, and I thought I'd share this in case you didn't know. I've caught my last two PB bass on crankbaits so modified, a 4lb7oz and 4lb11oz.

I don't feel your pain, but I sure feel for you. I can't imagine having a lure that cost that much. Probably the most expensive lure was a Baby Bull Gill swimbait. I found it, but I don't normally buy lures that are $15. I still haven't replaced it. I lost a Rapala floating minnow on a carolina rig... then another. One of them I found, the other I got a nice deal on with some other stuff. I guess the most expensive I've purchased was a size 9 Shallow Shad rap - $12 from TW.

I use a polishing wheel that I use for other purposes.

I had considered that Tom, but the bags that some hooks come in are sorry. I use both Gamakasu and those cheap Ozark trail from Walmart. I've thought about finding bags on my own and then making my own wallet though. Problem is, I'm unsure as to which bags to get. I see lots of bags on Amazon and Ebay and I'm not sure how to get quality bags that will hold up for a reasonable amount of time. Even if they hold up only a couple years, that'd be okay.

Thanks @Smirak I was unaware of that. ----- Having to cut down the package to get hooks to fit isn't a big deal to me. Once I integrate a hook into my system it will likely stay a long time. I don't need the package, but I might put a divider card between 2 hook types. A piece of colored index card fitted in the baggie would be a good divider and a visual reference for quick access once the colors are established.

I'm not suggesting that reading a book will substitute for experience. I am however suggesting that knowledge combined with experience will help me catch more fish. It might help me make more informed lure decisions, keep me from wasting a bunch of time on lures that statistically aren't that great; Helping me to build my core techniques and lures. Mostly I was just excited to have the opportunity to read a book that costs hundreds to purchase second hand.

Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking more of the stuff I had, wondering if I could rig something up without buying anything more just to mess around with.

Those Bass Pro Qualifier 2 reels I like, they are made in China, so assume that's by DOYO, how do you find out what grease/oil is preferred for them? I've been using Lews oil made by Lucas. I was thinking to get Lews grease made by Lucas. Are either of these a bad choice for my BPS PQ2 or Abu Garcia Black Max3 reels?