ElGuapo928

This might be my 80’s west coast weirdness showing, but on some baits I like chrome hooks - chrome cranks&traps, light color topwaters, jigging & flutter spoons. Basically anywhere it blends in and doesn’t present a contrast. Beyond that, black or red is fine with me.

Those are the conditions where I reach for a single Colorado spinnerbait - either black or straight up chartreuse, alternating between slow rolling and burning it.

You would not believe how violently paranoid some guys get about them. I’ve got a buddy that is so psyched out by the idea that he will make his own blood pressure get into stroke territory if he sees someone eating one at the ramp. If Fruit of the Loom had a banyan on the label he wouldn’t wear underwear….

About the only real luck I’ve had with them is on an inchi wacky jighead with a pop/sink retrieve - and mostly dinks hitting it. Had a few on a dropshot and a couple hit it dead sticking it weightless, but definitely not enough to warrant the hype for me.

My main dropshot rig is a 3” reaper or a 4” straight tail worm on a 1/0 hook, 1/8 oz weight with an 8lb fluoro leader on 10lb braid. I like to stick with really translucent colors in the afternoon sun - firecracker, salt&pepper, prizm shad or similar. Rootbeer/green or green weenie if there’s some shade.

To me it depends on the bottom: For a rocky bottom a football head, for a softer bottom a standup head, and an Arkie head for the bottom of the trash can.

I will find the steeper/rockier banks and start throwing a dropshot or splitshot. If the wake boats get too annoying, I will run as far up the inlet channel(s) as I can and start flipping the weeds.

I’d put myself at about a 5. I try to stick with what I know is going to work, but I am not above junk fishing when the mood strikes.

When I’m hitting the ponds off the bank I’ll usually “test the waters” with a ‘trap at different speeds, then toss a squarebill. Color-wise I usually go with something natural (shad/bluegill/etc) based on forage. If I am not getting any hits or followers, I’ll toss a Texas rig out there and see if they’re on a slower bite.

That’s a score right there!!

I do 90% of my skipping on 15lb fluorocarbon. I do occasionally like to sling an Ika or Gitzit under the marina docks with a spinning rod on 10lb braid. As you develop your skill and style, you will most likely drift toward a limper line.

Any straight tail worm is a winner on a Scrounger. My personal favorite is a 4” Roboworm. A Slug-go on a scrounger head used to be the absolute deal.

I prefer living rubber for jigs, but a more translucent silicone for spinnerbaits.

The Senko has always been an extremely versatile bait. While the “cast and sink” method has been proven to be extremely effective, Neko rigging, Carolina rigging and the jerkbait retrieve have all caught a lot of fish. A buddy of mine cleaned house in a tournament on Havasu by casting out and just straight winding in a weightless T-rigged smoke/silver 5” Senko. I like using them as a bladed jig trailer. Honestly, the only limit to a Senko is your imagination. Let the fish make the determination of what works and what doesn’t.

For backseating, I generally carry 3-4 rods, a small tackle backpack, and a small cooler bag. Bring your own PFD and any meds/stuff you may need. Far as food goes, everyone is different - most of the time I’d say bring your own. I personally carry a couple Uncrustables and a couple cut up apples on the boat and that’s it. Some guys are real touchy about foods/smells, so ask beforehand. If you want to head out West, I’ve usually got an open backseat.

When using a Senko as a jerkbait, try using a light (like 1/16 oz) keel weighted swimbait hook. They will dart like nobody’s business.

I’ve got a couple packages of TK250 2/0 frog hooks - the bidding will start at $100,000. Will consider trades for a new Z519.

For this type application, I use a 7’ Veritas PLX (Med/Fast) with a Revo X and 12lb fluorocarbon. Your Curado should have no problem whatsoever. Any Med/Fast should work well for you - just find one you like the feel of.

You raise a valid point - conditions matter. Everything here involves Salt Cedars, rocks and old barbed wire fences underwater - abrasion resistance is key, and none of the Jbraids seem to work in that environment. Believe me, I have spent thousands of dollars to find the best performance, and it definitely isn’t one of the expensive/cool braids.

I don’t have words for how much I hate Jbraid. Stuff gets abrasion/frays if it rubs against a marshmallow. 832 is a much better all around performer.

Dobyns 703C with 16lb fluorocarbon here.

I’ve only used the 8lb Finesse Braid from Xbraid, and I like it. It all depends on what you’re planning to use it for.

I always have a 6” straight tail worm Texas rigged and ready to go. 1/0 light wire hook, 1/8 oz weight. Slow dragging with the occasional pop is the general rule here.

One of my bank/pond setups is a BPS Tourney Special with the centrifugal brakes. With all 4 switches set to “off”, I throw pretty much exclusively 6” worms with 1/16 or 1/8 oz weights. Running 10lb fluoro and a med/fast rod it works really well.

Only thing I would add is something more translucent. I’ve seen a lot of times when the bite turns off that shifting to a salt and pepper or similar clear color will be the only thing that gets bit.