WRB-2.0

R2Sea ICBM is a underwater walk the dog lure that shimmies on the fall, check it out in TW. Tom

Yes

Sent, let me know if received, Tom

Don’t go over .010 diameter straight FC on 2500-3000 spinning reels, over .012D on the 4000. Tom

Dobyns 734 series are good all around Rods, except 1/4 lipless 3 power is better suited. Tom

Agree you need a different reel, Cardiff A 300 series with 25 lb Armilo is a good choice. Tom

Any time a new member ask question about big swimbaits it begs what rod, reel, line do you have? Big swimbaits are heavy requiring swimbait tackle! You mention Cypress trees and Gizzard Shad, are you located in the South? Berkely came out with Nessie Powerbait swimbait in several lengths plus Shad profile and colors. Spro Chad Shad is another good consideration. Tom

Count Down Rapala Most “Jerk” baits will walk. R2Sea S Waver 120 &168 and ICMB* Tom * underwater dog walking lure.

PM your email Tom

Between the mid 1960’s to 1980’s my line of choice was Trilene XT followed by Big Game 12# Mono for all my bass fishing with casting tackle. Started using 5# Maxima UG in the 80’s to this day for finesse spinning. Early 90’s Fluorocarbon became popular for off shore salt water for tuna that can be line shy. The late Aaron Martens introduced me to Sunline Shooter 300 meter spools from a supplier in Florida. Started using 12# and 14# Shooter for jigs and worms, the line was expensive @ $35 a spool in the 90’s. FC feedback what the lure was doing is better then mono or copoly lines. The issue was knot strength and we all tried several different knots to resolve this issue. 30 years later the knot strength issue hasn’t been resolved, but we know SD Jam knot and Palomar knots ties correctly without cross over or twisting line gets close to 90% knot strength. For whatever reason we can’t buy a strike during day light on straight braid in our local lakes. NorCal Clear Lake and the Delta straight braid works good. SoCal if you use braid you need a leader during the day. Today still use straight 12# FC usually Tatsu for jigs and worms bait casting or Sunline Armilo Nylon 11# for finesse bait casting. Spinning still use straight 5# Ultra Green or 7# Sniper leader with Fins Spin5 10# braid when back seating. Tom

Same problem. Must go down and open using recent post, been this way for a week!? Tom

I like my fellow Californians just don’t like my Politicians! We don’t have H2O or Academy, we do have BPS and I avoid doing business with them after they screwed Cabelas. We have a few very good local bass tackle shops that will do business with. Tom

I would rig the Craw using a 90 degree hook 1/8 oz football jig, no weed guard. The hook eye should be extended about 1/16- 3/32” above the top of the jig head. The hook eye is pushed up through the center of the craws flat tail exposing the hook eye on top of the tail and tied on. The hook is rigged Weedless skin hooked on the top Craw body. This is how I rigged plastic Crawdad that look like a real crawdad. The retrieve moves the Craw backwards like a panicked crawdad. Tom

Fins the original no fade coated braid made in Georgia USA. Tom

Tackle Warehouse sell round nose pliers designed to make wire forms for lures like Do-It. Stay away from jewelry pliers. Tom

Your Mojo 7MHMF should be able to cast 3/8 oz crank baits with ease. As suggested earlier I believe the reel is the issue and Shimano SLX MGL 70H (6.2:1) with Sunline Armilo 11# or 13# line will solve the problem. I looked at lots of crank baits and can’t find a substitute of KVD 1.5 you like. The SC Victory VTC72MHMF Cranker is a little longer rod but your rod should be fine. You hold the rod tip higher to reduce lure diving depth. Tom

Simple tool Round Nose Plier Tom

Call St Croix customer service. Tom

Home made twin spins, PM for photo. Tom

The only reason I can think of using a size 4000 spinning reel for bass fishing is Mono/copoly/FC line diameter over .010 diameter. Larger diameter spool accommodates larger diameter line. Keep in mind the IPT also increases with spool diameter. Tom

Always used a open rod locker with no tubes. Also used expando braid sleeves long before rod socks came on the market, never gave a thought of marketing the sleeving. I also layered rods and reels using terry towels to pad the reels in lieu of reel jackets. Without tubes my rod locker held 8’+ long swimbait rods. Tom

Don’t rely on the rod totally for hook sets instead use a combination of reel set by turning the handle fast and firm rod sweep that move more line generating more force to the jig hook. You didn't mention the reel or line being used?? Also check your jig hook sharpness! Tom

Putting your lure of choice in front of active bass usually triggers a strike. Finding active bass is called fishing. Tom

Back in the day we called worms with a flat straight tail paddle tails or spade tails. The bent 90 degree paddle tails came much later. Tom

All the underspins referenced are jig heads. Storming Hornet was the 1st I recall with a fish head jig, Blakemore Road runner has been around decades before. The late Aaron Martens helped Blackmore design a bass Road Runner horse head jig design. Owner is a keel weighted hook design like the Original Blade Runner now a fishead jig design. Tom