34 minutes ago, Don Harris said:

Interesting choices. Why the Shaky Head and the Ned Rig? What about the presentations/action from the fish makes them your favorite?

Smallmouth on Stockton Lake almost always go after one if not all of them.  I fish 4 different weights of jigs, 7 different weights of Shaky and 5 of Ned depending on fish depth and wind.  I also have dozens of color choices from which to choose.

 

Here are a few of my Shaky and Ned colors.

15 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Smallmouth on Stockton Lake almost always go after one if not all of them.  I fish 4 different weights of jigs, 7 different weights of Shaky and 5 of Ned depending on fish depth and wind.  I also have dozens of color choices from which to choose.

 

Here are a few of my Shaky and Ned colors.

Nice collection of colors! Do you have issues with the TRDs in the plastic storage box?

2 hours ago, Don Harris said:

Interesting choices. Why the Shaky Head and the Ned Rig? What about the presentations/action from the fish makes them your favorite?

Those are two of my favorites also. The ned rig because it flat out will catch fish when I can't get anything else to work. It an easy presentation, It's simple gear to rig up and I have the utmost confidence in it's ability. I don't use the shakey head as much as I used to once I discovered the ned rig. 

1 hour ago, Don Harris said:

Nice collection of colors! Do you have issues with the TRDs in the plastic storage box?

I used to.  Elaztech baits destroy regular pvc boxes, Flambeau not so much.

4 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I used to.  Elaztech baits destroy regular pvc boxes, Flambeau not so much.

Good to know. I have avoided trying it. Might try it out sometime. 

not even close to my most successful.

 

1.  Deps CoverScat.  I like it because it is my close contact bait.  skipping it (best I can) into deep cover.  using too thin of line = fun.

2. Spinner bait or equivalent.  I like the violent hits.  I suck at these baits, but the hits are addictive and I want more.

3.  any topwater.  mostly a walking bait (teckle kicknocker - and I LOOVE the company message on the back of every package).  self explanatory.  if a topwater strike doesn't overflow you  with happiness/excitement;  get yourself to a doctor fast. 

Favorites to fish…

1. Frog

2. Spinnerbait

3. Burning a swimbait - waking it under the surface. The hits are ferocious!! 

25 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Deps CoverScat.

How do you rig this?

32 minutes ago, Don Harris said:

How do you rig this?

weightless since it is so heavy by itself.  I use a 4/0 EWG hook and go into the skinny side, and Texas rig it.  they even give you a "pimple" on the other side to just skin-cover the hook tip.   I use 14lb flouro.  I just seem to skip lighter lines better.  

 

the hits are so cool.  I have had bass rip out of cover and slam it.  

4 hours ago, IYAOYAS said:

Those are two of my favorites also. The ned rig because it flat out will catch fish when I can't get anything else to work. It an easy presentation, It's simple gear to rig up and I have the utmost confidence in it's ability. I don't use the shakey head as much as I used to once I discovered the ned rig. 

What's up with the NED rig, do you just hop it on the bottom? Saw where a guy caught a 70 lb blue cat on a NED rig

TX rig: multiple applications 

 

Shakey head: versatile 

 

Crankbait: they're fun, especially when I can fish fast.

 

 

Luckycraft Sammy. Love those topwater bites.

 

Flippin a Texas rig.

 

Big glide baits. Always cool watching them eat. Watched two largemouth crush my bullshooter and had both hooked. Only landed one.

Favorite to fish?  

 

 1. Spinnerbaits 

 

2. Jig

 

3. Texas Rig

 

 

Other stuff might get me numbers but these three are what catches me the big ones.

Crankbaits

Spinnerbaits

Jigs

 

There is something about the bite or strike on these three that is addictive.  The load up on crankbaits is provides that brief moment of not knowing how big the fish is.  Then they give it away, generally with a head shake. Running a spinnerbait shallow  and having smallmouth destroy it is crazy.  The “kadunk” of a jig strike is as unique a strike as it gets.  It’s like a gut punch.  This is why I dropped fishing for other species and chose to focus on bass.  

14 hours ago, Harold H said:

What's up with the NED rig, do you just hop it on the bottom? Saw where a guy caught a 70 lb blue cat on a NED rig

Most of the time I don't even do that. I reel one turn real slow and let it sit for about 5-10 seconds then crank another turn. 

16 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

weightless since it is so heavy by itself.  I use a 4/0 EWG hook and go into the skinny side, and Texas rig it.  they even give you a "pimple" on the other side to just skin-cover the hook tip.   I use 14lb flouro.  I just seem to skip lighter lines better.  

 

the hits are so cool.  I have had bass rip out of cover and slam it.  

Awesome!!!! Thanks for the info! What colors have you done well with? There are a lot to choose from.

Frog

Buzzbait

Frog

6 hours ago, Don Harris said:

Awesome!!!! Thanks for the info! What colors have you done well with? There are a lot to choose from.

i like simple.  Green pumpkin only.    i did have this Latte, looking one and it did well.

 

but a worn-out GP is magic at times.   size is important. i also have only ever bought the 3.5" version.  perfect for my Ryugi 4/0 hooks.   i do think a screw lok type would work.  

Hmmm….

 

Ned - because I like catching lots of bass.

 

Buzzbait - because I like(d) covering water, and a top water, shallow and around cover, is a really fun ‘anticipation’ bite - and quality, too.

 

Jig - so incredibly versatile; fishes faster than about any other bottom plastic and with better feel; attracts quality fish

 

 

On 4/20/2025 at 5:57 AM, Mike L said:

Magnum UV Speed Worm…

Not only the best in mid depths, but also one of the best on top

 

Rage Bug…

T rig anywhere 

 

Frog…

Obvious reasons 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

What weights do you use with the magnum uv speed worm?

 

Really tough to pick just three. I’d have to say in no particular order:

 

bladed jig

spinnerbait

T-rigged/flippin rig beaver

5 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

What weights do you use with the magnum uv speed worm?

 

Really tough to pick just three. I’d have to say in no particular order:

 

bladed jig

spinnerbait

T-rigged/flippin rig beaver

Almost always a 3/16” unpegged. 

Keeping in mind the vast majority of my waters is less than 6’. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Worm.....Baby 1-.......jerkbait......

spinnerbait

buzzbait

football jig

2 hours ago, crypt said:

Worm.....Baby 1-.......jerkbait......

Love the Baby 1 minus. I used to fish with those a lot. They are kinda hard to find now. 

Plastic worm on a light t rig. Buzzbaits and Zara Spook.