alabamabassmaster

My Jig rods I use 50lb braided Spiderwire, is the fluro tougher and better? I'm going to use 12lb on my cranks and spinnerbait rods and see how it works. For my plastics I think I'll start with 12, if I start breaking it I'll go tougher.

What lb test is best for medium and deep crank? What lb test is best for spinnerbaits? Is 12 lb to big for plastics?

Is Fluorocarbon line good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits or is mono best? What is the main difference in Fluorocarbon other than visibility? Is it stronger than mono, I know it cost more but is it worth it? If it can be used on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastics, what lb test is recommended? (I like bigger line, hate to lose a fish) lol

What is the reason for using Fluorocarbon line? I hear more and more people using the Fluorocarbon line and am curious as to why?

Okay! I have heard so much about this rig that I am going to try it out. First, which plastics are best for this rig? Second, where is the best place to fish this rig? Shallow or Deep Water? Also, I have heard that Fluorocarbon line is recommended, why is this?

I have heard a lot about the Jig & Pig, where can I find these?

Well I found out the other day that two guys that won the last tourney had 23lbs of spotted bass they caught off a point. Just south of the dam there is a channel that the power house is on. When they started to generate water, they fished this point and had 23lbs to take home the money. I however can't get this luck, I can't seem to find anything over 4lbs. and when I do it's only one. I had one 4.5 lb largemouth the last time I went searching for a nice hole. I couldn't find anything else after that fish that was even close. I did just get my new Mattlures Baby Bass Swimbait in LMB so maybe this will help me get a big one.

I've always been told the Lew Childre was the best crankbait reel they make. I was told it's like a "winch" the way it reels in. I like my Abu Garcia's but I think I want a change. When I throw my deep crankbaits, the rod wears me out. It's a 7ft Berkley IM50-7CBR Medium action rod. My medium cranking rod, I love it and it doesn't bother me to throw it all day. It's a Abu Garcia Tournament Grade ATG701M 7' Medium casting rod. It handles big spots like a dream, real flimsy like I like em.

From Lake Demopolis to Jones Bluff Reservoir to Millers Ferry Reservoir. All of the lakes/reservoirs in South Alabama. Right now we're starting summer, days average 90', the water temp is about 85-90'.

I kept the STX on and used it yesterday for the first time on the new rod and it felt good. I got to get used to that stiff rod but other than that I liked it. I have two more STX reels, one on a spinnerbait rod and the other on a t-rig rod. They do alright but would they work better on another rig?

Right now all of my crankbait rods have 5.3:1 gear ratio reels. I'm curious if someone else will work better, I like what I have but curious to what everyone is using and how they like it.

What's the recommended gear ratio for crankbaiting? I have four crankbait rods, a deep crankbait rod (DD-22), medium crankbait rod (10-12ft, Deep Little N) a medium-shallow crankbait rod (6-12ft) and a lipless crankbait rod. What do you guys use as in gear ratio for these?

I would like to ask others how they find big bass during a tourney. Other than your personal "holes", how do you find big fish in a tourney, mainly in new water? The last two tourneys I have caught over 30 fish but nothing over 2 lbs, I've pre-fished and caught the same. We can't seem to find big bass, what do you guys do to find big fish in new water?

How is this "Fat Ika" pronounced, I have heard many things. Isn't it Fat "ee-k-ah" ? I have heard Fat "ahy-k-ah".

I just bought a new Diawa 7'6" Flippin' Rod for Flipping/Pitching lizards, craws, etc; and can't decide which reel is best to use. At the moment I have an Abu Garcia Revo STX with the 6.4:1 gear ratio, it does good but I'm can't decide if it's best. I have Abu Garcias in the 4600 C3, C4 and C4 Mag. Out of these reels, which reel would you choose?

Don't buy em out now, save some more for me http://www.***.com/descpageMANNSOFT-MJW.html#

Topwater frogs are the only ones I expose the hook and that's simply for a better hook-set. A big 4+ lb fish will easily set the hook themselves if they "hit it like they want it". If they tap tap you can throw a worm and get them. (from experience)

My go to baits are plastics, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't any secrets to these Jelly Worms. Do they work well on spots in creek mouths and points?

Just bought a few of these per a recommendation from a buddy. What is the best way to fish these? Where is the best place to fish these?

The most important thing I think in fishing frogs is rigging it properly. Look at this image, see how the hook is just above the surface of the frog, this is critical in landing bass. From personal experience fishing frogs I have used different hooks and fished them different but the thing that stays the same is keeping the hook a little exposed so it gets a better hook-set. A big bass will most of the time set the hook themselves when she takes off with the frog. I had a 4 lber yesterday on a Yum frog and I was fishing it slow and about 6" under water and she nailed it. My best color is Green Pumpkin with some Chart. on it. Also, if you get strikes with no hook-set it could be small bass or gar.

Well I finally got to take my boat out for the first time since I got it back and it seems mine is fixed also. It actually gets up on the water and runs now. I couldn't get it to bounce when I took it out, the water was about 2ft with white caps in places and I was riding on top of them like it should with no bouce at all. At one point by myself I got up to 54 mph with a 90hp on a 17 ft boat so I'd say it's fixed and ready to catch some fish. I hate I missed the Spring fishing in my boat but at least I can go whenever I want to now. The next problem to fix is how to pay for gas, LOL!

Personally, I recommend the Triton TS-18 for a Tournament boat. You may not be the fastest but you'll have everything you need to win a tournament. I would go with the 115hp Optimax which is the max. rating for this boat. It's awesome on gas and pushes this boat very nice. With gas as high as it is, this is the best boat for the money I think. I have a buddy who has this boat with the 115hp Optimax and he said he gets right at 58 mph loaded. I have the TS-17 with a 90hp Optimax and I fish tournaments in it. You can get this boat loaded with everything you need for about $21,000. From experience, upgrade the trolling motor to the 71lb thrust, add the Lowrance X52 on the bow and add the Automatic Bildge pump. http://www.tritonboats.com/boat_detail_new.asp?bid=225 If you want a big boat and the money is right, you can't go wrong with a Ranger Bass Boat.

I always fish my Buzzfrog weightless, like this image. Personally, I like to use a Gamakatsu 5/0 EWG Offset Shank Hook.

Glad to hear your boat is fixed. This is the same thing I was told they did to my boat however I have not yet taken it to test it. I hope it fixes mine too so all this can be over. Will post once I take it to the river.

For any Shakey Head fishing including these Spot Removers, I highly recommend the 6" Berkley Hand Pour Finesse in Prizm Shad and Triple Margarita. They have a very strong smell which I believe is a huge factor in this technique. We have caught some awesome spots on these hand poured finesse worms. Just my two cents ;D http://www.***.com/descpageSFWBERKLEY-BFWH.html