ElGuapo928

Good point there! Between the Roosevelt Jungle and this heat, I have probably given everyone in the line division at Yo-Zuri a nice bonus.

I tend to leave my “big 3” plastics rods alone - I haven’t changed the rigging on them in the last couple of years: Free rig rod: 3/16 oz sinker, 4/0 hook Texas Rig: 1/8 oz sinker, 3/0 hook Dropshot: 3/16 oz sinker, #1 hook

I used to keep a little notebook of those details. Now with the advent of having a camera in my pocket at all times, if I’m doing anything outside of my normal habits (and if it actually works), I snap a picture of it for later reference. Then when I get home, I can dedicate a space in the “on deck” rigging box to that setup. I’ve gotten now where I don’t change my habits much, so it has become considerably easier to track.

The Bayou Boogie was a classic. Still got a couple hanging around. The Heddon Super Sonic was another solid player that would be nice to bring back.

Sometimes I basically drag it like a Texas rig, other times I give it some significant pops as with a free rig, sometimes I cast it out and shake it in place. I will start with dragging it and adjust from there. On open flats and really clear water, I will cast it out into the wind, then just hold slack and let the boat drift. With a 3” reaper or small minnow this is deadly. You can simulate this off the bank by just slowly reeling it in with your rod tip around 10:00.

Check out Team Davies jigheads - small company, good quality stuff.

On the topic of rattles, it pays to have some “silent” lipless cranks on hand. In really clear, pressured water a quiet bait like the Damiki Tremor Silent in a natural color can elicit some bone jarring strikes.

I keep a lipless tied on virtually all the time, mostly Redeyes in “Natural Shad”, but switch to a Cordell Spot when burning it over grass. Back in the day when Cordell had the “G finish” spot in Smokey Joe, it was a clear water/sunny day killer. They should have never discontinued it (or have just abandoned the Spot lineup like they did in general). With the Redeye, I like to hop it down banks and points like I would a bladed jig - raise it up/reel at the same time then just kill it. It gets absolutely hammered on the fall.

I’ve got a huge variety of hooks, but I freely admit a favoritism toward Japanese brands. There just seems to be more consistent quality control and reliability. I carry several different files, and even a battery powered sharpener for touch ups. Over the last several years, I’ve largely quit buying Eagle Claw hooks due to the eyes opening up. When there’s a gap that allows 15lb line to slip past it, there’s something wrong.

I didn’t think to get any pics of it rigged up - wind was horrible tonight and ran us off by 10:00. I did give them a shot, Texas rigged with a 5/0 hook (Ryugi Standard) and a 3/16 oz sinker. Got a bunch of hits taken at it, but only managed to hook up on one 2 lb fish.

I got them loaded for tonight - sounds like a great idea!

There’s a bunch of guys that swear by them - I bought them a while back, and all they’ve done is sit in the tackle room. Someday I’ll give them a go!!

I not ashamed to admit that I actually own one, though the boring red/white version - not that beautiful “70’s appliance gold” finish. Never used it, but looks good on the shelf anyway. It was the best gimmick rod I could think of, I know there’s others but that thing is such an easy target.

There’s no “right” spot to target in a riprap bank. The nooks and crannies are where crawdads and baitfish congregate. My personal favorites for a riprap bank are a spider grub on a 1/8 oz football head, or a tube on a 1/8 oz Jighead. I like to cover every inch of bank that I can reach, since fish can be watching every single gap between the rocks.

I am left handed, but cast with my right, and use right handed reels. Only thing I can really do with my left is pitch short distances.

This bait may be a winner, if thrown on the proper rod:

The Vengeance is just slightly upgraded from the Black Max rod, and can be had for around $50.

7’ Veritas MH/F, Revo X, 12lb fluorocarbon. Gamakatsu 5/0 skip gap for 5” Fluke, go to a 4/0 Ryugi “standard” for the 4” Sakamata Shad.

Thanks for the quote there: I caught a typo - insurance should be $200, not $1200

If I were looking to repower, Suzuki is the top of my list!

I wouldn’t think so, pressured fish that aren’t biting generally shy away from the vibration and profile of a spinnerbait. I firmly believe that if this were a good, workable idea, someone in Japan would have built it long ago. I can’t place my finger on why, but this makes me think of those old full page ads in Bassmaster and In-Fisherman made to look like an article, with a headline about “amazing lure banned in tournaments” and a dude smoking a pipe in the corner of the page.

Western Plastics 12” in Hot Chocolate/Blue vein is the preferred straight tail now. I’ve got some 16” Delong snakes in the tackle room, but I haven’t thrown them yet.

It was on Rosey during the SWCT Tournament Saturday. They launched off of Badger, so that’s the spot. I’ve been pulling some decent fish right there in the cove waiting on the ramp traffic to clear.

I use 12lb Izorline XXX for most topwaters.

They also advertise quick “Chang” blades.