WRB-2.0

The original swim jig is still the best design; Scrounger. My favorite is a 1/2 or 3/4 oz with 6" Sluggo in trout colors. Cast, let sink to whatever depth you want and retrieve. This combination goes through nearly anything as long as you continue the retrieve. Tom

No, that's a extension letter, not a step letter....dummy. oh, I am the dummy who can't spell ladder!Tom

Is the Bruneau pool considered a different lake? Another vertical cold water lure is the Rapala Ice jig "Jigging Rap" and works very well in deep water. The #7 (2.75") model in silver blue should be good. Let the ice jig fall straight down or cast and let in swing down to the depth of the fish, then make controlled up and down rod lifts about 6" to 12" , the jig swims around in a circle staying in front of the fish. This small compact lure catches some big bass! Tom

Bass jump, it's part of the fishing experience to enjoy and sometimes the bass wins the fight. The key to landing a hot big bass is keeping the fish under control by not letting any slack in the line and pressure on the rod, you can't prevent jumping. Tom

Water between the surface and bottom. Tom

Ladder....what's going on with my spelling!

I see the Snake river runs through your lake....cold river and full of smallies. Are you fishing the Bruneau basin area? Think drop shot and nail weight worms until the water warms up into the low 50's. hard baits like traps and Pointers may work then. I would get Roboworms in 4 1/2", 5" and 6" in oxblood/ red flake and work deep structure with the drop shot and nail weights on 6lb FC. Nail weight; cut off 1/4" of the worm nose, insert 3/32 oz nail weight, Waky hook the worm around the weight about 3/4" back from the nose with Owner size 1/0 weedless wacky hook. Works like Senko only better in cold water. Tom PS, R2Sea make tungsten nails and EagleClaw cheaper lead nails.

At Pyrmid lake the cutthroat anglers often put tall step letters in the lake to use as platforms to catch the trout, just thought you were one of those anglers.Tom

A latter fisherman!

1/2 oz silver/ blue Kastmaster fished vertical, dropped straight down through the fish you meter. Every predator fish in the lake will hit a small structure spoon, so you will know what you have down there. Tom

Late post spawn to Summer transition is always a search project as the bass recuperate from the spawn and spread out into summer locations. If the lake is over a few miles long there should be a few waves of spawner's, the deep water end by the dam area is always last or later in the spawn cycle. It reaaly depends on what stage the bass are in when you fish. Study the lake map for wind protected areas with spawning features, the bass should be close by if not on beds. Look for beds! Follow the 3' to 8' break out towards deeper water and fish the structure breaks. Does the lake have crayfish? My favorite lures for this period are jigs and Senko's or drop shot & T-rigged worms in the colors of the crayfish. Meter (sonar) the areas to determine what depth you see fish, should be between 3' to 12' or slightly deeper for clear water, shallower if off color. Can you fish at night? if you can that is a real advantage. When and where do the bleak baitfish spawn and are they egg eaters?? Bass hate any egg eaters during this seasonal period! If the bleak are close by, the swim bait will work. Tom

10 lb FC isn't the strongest line for cranking deep divers due to marginal knot strength and stretch/set issues. I would suggest 12 lb FC to equal 10 mono knot strength for example. Diving depth is dependant on casting distance and retrieve speed, the difference between 10 and 12 lb FC is 0.0010" some brands differ more than that! Example you make a 120'/40 yard cast with a deep diver that runs 15' deep. It can take 40-50' of that cast to get the lure down to 15', the lure must pull the line down and continues to fight to stay down because your rod and line is trying to pull it back up. The net result with a 120'/40 yard cast is the lure runs at 15' for maybe 30'/10 yards. The way to increase the net depth length is increasing the casting distance and 150'/50 yard casts is difficult under fishing conditions with FC line. I would estimate the difference is about 1' depth gain using FC verses mono at equal casting distance. For this reason I prefer mono over FC for crankbaits; longer casts and better knot strength. KVD may prefer FC, keep in mind he is the best caster in the Elites, well over 60 yards and changes his line everyday! Tom

I can speak from experience that engineers can be too direct to be good salesman. It's rare combination to be creative and humble at the same time. When I first viewed the *** jig video and listened to John "Bo"James my impression was another gimmick. To my surprise Bo sent me a email asking for my input to his jig and sent me a few to try out. Anyone who asks for help isn't a self centered egotistical person. Introduced the *** jig to a few western marketing and expert jig anglers for their input, I was unable to fish then due to back surgery. The response was very positive with the exception of the original hook being used and needed a heavier size. Bo listened, made some changes and his *** jigs are popular out west as a result. The *** jig is a very universal design for all types of bottom structure and cover, the Owner hook only improves this jig. Before you slam someone openly on any forum, give them the opportunity to answer your critique man to man. Tom

The OP is a young teen and doesn't need negative replies based on myths. If the bass anglers learned to handle our fish carefully and respect the fish similar to the way fly anglers for trout, we would all be better off. Bubba bouncing bass onto a carpeted 50G bass boat should bother everyone it beats up the bass. One reason that some or most of today's bass anglers handle fish poorly is tournament TV coverage, young anglers are impressed with bubba tactics. Learning to catch, clean and eat bass goes a long way in learning to respect the animal. Bass are a renewable resource and catch & release helps to increase bass populations. If you plan on keeping a bass kill it quickly. If you plan on releasing the bass release it quickly and handle the fish with respect. Releasing a bass that must struggle to survive isn't respecting the fish or your sport. Tom

Thanks.Lets start with the 8 lb mono outfit. 1. Drop shot. Size 1 drop shot hook, Owner, Gamakatsu or VMC, 3/16 oz weight, nose or wacky rigged worm. 2. Finesse C-rig (slip shot). Size 1/0 Owner #5133 down shot hook, 3/16 mojo style cylinder weight, Carolina Keeper weight stopper, 24" up the line from the hook. Weedless hook the worm (Texas) and skin cover the hook point. 12 lb mono or Sensation. 1. Texas rig. 3/16 oz painted bullet weight, 8mm red glass facetted bead, 3/0 straight shank worm hook, Owner 5100 or Gamakatsu 11. 2. C- rig. 1/2 oz sliding egg sinker, 8mm red glass faceted bead, barrel swivel, 30" 8 or 12 lb leader, 3/0 worm hook ( same as T-rig). That it!!! Don't over do this. Focus on points and transition areas for the next few months with the 4 rigs, make fan casts to cover 3' to 20' depths. Good luck. Tom

Just suffering with 75-80 degree days, surface water temps at 60, height of pre spawn with excellent bass fishing the next few weeks before they move onto beds. This weekend the launch ramp had 3 bass boats, the words getting out so the boat traffic will increase and tournaments begin soon. It's been a good Feb so far. Tom

My point is this; I am a descent reel technician and can keep my reels casting smoothly, however I am not as good as a pro reel tech. When you send a pro tech your reel the cost of bearings is minimal and the labor is low priced for the time and expertise. Someone posted a good looking reel bearing cleaning device awhile back that would a good gadget to have? Tom

I wouldn't put all the time and effort into stock bearings. Your best bet is to send the reels to be cleaned by a professional like DVT and have all the bearings upgraded to 5's, no reason to go 7's.. Then you can keep the bearings clean each year if you prefer tinkering with them. Tom

It's not that uncommon that locals fish during a Classic and it has had an impact. The pros honor each others spot most of the time, not always. You would think good sportsmanship would rule the day...... Tom

There was a Z-Man law suit against several chatter bait lure companies that used the coffin shape blades. Tom

For the hard swimbaits you can lay them down, however it's better if the remain dry. The soft swimmers like Hudds with boot tails should hang vertical head up. My expensive hard swimmers go into Sistema KlipIt meat keeper plus 1.75 liter,holds 2 to 3 hard baits. The Sistema's box has a raised bottom grate that keeps the lures dry. Hudds go into modified Lock & Lock 4 liter storage boxes, with clips added to the lid, holds 8 Hudds. Both of these boxes are available from container stores and soft plastic safe. All my other swimbaits go into regular swimbait lure boxes from Plano, #3731 Tom

Rooster I don't recall if you are a boat angler or shore bond? Took a look at Yatesville lake to determine the type of water you like to bass fish. Yatesville looks like a deep structure lake with fairly clear water. The Trick worm originated as a surface worm wacky rigged. Basically a straight tail, similar to the original Mann's Jelly worm with thicker tail. You should stop buying more until you figure out what works for you. What type of tackle do you use, Line # test? The presentation should be compatible with your tackle and how you fish. Tom

Small lake or large pond depending on how you look at this. It maybe another 2 months before you see bed fish, it's been a cold winter. When the bass do spawn they should be on the flat/ cove you circled next to the channel or in the channel depending on wind direction. I would start with C- rig, T-rig or jig and fish the break line starting near the channel mouth clockwise. Spawn; water temperature 62-67 degrees, not air tempers. Tom

Baitcasting or spinning and # test used? Tom

The sole purpose of a weed guard is to prevent the jig hook point from snagging, it also prevents snagging the basses mouth tissue. The best weed guard is no weed guard whenever you can get by without it. I use a Hiychhiker spring to attach a short length of finesse worm to protect the hook point, no weed guard. Tom