Crestliner2008

I think a lot of anglers are missing the boat on this lure. They simply don't use it that often because it's "old school". Big mistake. I've have great success fishing Jitterbugs during the noon time hours as well as dusk and dawn. Doesn't seem to matter much to the bass if I'm tossing solid or jointed styles. One of my favorites!

Excellent! That is memory that will last for sure.

Congrats! You got a dandy there for sure!

This is an unusual problem. I've been tying fluoro to braid for many years on many rods, using this Alberto. No problems, no worries.

I'm still waiting for my favorite color - chartreuse.

Bluegill.....and that size is a killer catfish bait!

Well, from all these variations in wraps up & down, one thing is perfectly obvious. The Alberto knot is one heck of knot! About the most fool proof, slim joint for leaders to main lines that has ever come down the pike. If I'm using 2# - 4# test mainlines I usually go 9 wraps up and 7 back. Fewer with the heavier bass fishing lines. But as you can see, it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference. Just like the finger-cuff toys we use to get in CrackerJacks boxes back 50 years ago, once it's cinched down, it ain't coming loose!

Here's my recommendation after trying quite a few poppers and cigars over the past many decades. It's called the Bill Dance Pop N' Image Jr.:

I always carry a small variety of colors for any bait I'm using. Usually a dark shade, a bright shade, and a neutral shade. That way I can see which way the fish are leaning on any particular outing. Remember this, the first rule of bass fishing is that there are NO rules! Give 'em what they want.....not what you want to give 'em. Good Luck and have fun experimenting.

Being 72 has it's advantages. You can reflect on how things "use to be". Problem is you tend to remember the good times and not the not so good times. Back in the 70's, it was an exciting time to be a die hard fisherman. We used hand lines to map lakes and find structure you previously had success on. Then came the first "Green Box" flasher from Lowrance. Wow! Talk about exciting! You could actually "see" fish on the structure you were fishing. Then came Buck Perry's Spoonplugging. Talk about a mapping process! And it was productive as well. I remember reading an article in BassMaster Magazine where they talked about the greatest invention of all time - the paper plotting sonar. Every was excited back then as well with this and many other innovations to follow. Was the fishing any better back then? I rather doubt it. However, with each "breakthrough" to hit us, we certainly had more fun doing it.

15 years ago or so I tried stitching for a season. The main reason I fish is to have a good (fish catching) time and enjoy the outdoors. Stitching tended to lean more towards the later. Stitching certainly is not fun!

For the past half dozen years I've been using 2# test Fireline Crystal on all my panfish rods, with a 4' fluorocarbon leader. I fish a deep, clear water reservoir mainly and when I'm casting & drifting to crappie suspended 15' - 20' down, I need that extra sensitivity for detecting the lightest takes. I'm using this line on B n' M Sam Heaton rods, both the 7' and 9' models. I've caught a ton of nice crappie, bluegill, rainbow trout, as well as some respectable largemouths on these rigs. And I've rarely experienced any problems. Understand too that the waters I'm fishing are highland reservoirs with little cover on any of the targeted structures. Consequently I'm not having to deal with brush or trees. If I were, I might consider stepping up to 4# test Crystal, but that doesn't seem likely.

I tried the Spin Shot hooks for part of one season a few years ago. Seemed like a fine idea at the time. My loss ration skyrocketed. Over a dozen years ago I started off drop shotting with the Gammy Split Shot/Drop Shot hooks in size #2. Rarely lost a fish. So, I'm now back to the basics, as depicted by RichZ. And I'll never stray again! The key is in the point of the hook. Any hook with a curved/beaked point will just not work well with smallmouth bass and the drop shot technique. As RichZ says, the beaked point enters the tough skin at the top of the mouth and comes right back out again (following the curve of the point). You are pulling against a thin skin flap instead of having the point and barb buried in solid meat. I believe if you try these Gamakatsu hooks your problems will be over. Also, I really do not see the advantage of having such a long leader. My leaders are rarely over a rod's length with braid as the mainline and I've caught a ton of smallies in a deep, clear water reservoir. JMO.

From an old angler that still has 3 of the original Johnson Centurys, I'd say if it fits your pocketbook, go for it. I'll be a lot more comfortable with a Pflueger President at half that price.

You've got some fine lures there. Nothing of particular value, but all priceless when it comes to catching bass. Enjoy!

Fine job on that beautiful smallie!

For me, ML 7' spinning rod is just about perfect. I don't mind an extended fight. Mainly because that's why I go fishing....for the pure fun of it. Take your time. Snug up the drag a bit - or tighten it down all the way and try backreeling. Try this one time and you'll amaze yourself at the amount of control you actually have over a fish of any size. I like to hear the drag scream, so I don't backreel anymore.

I caught a large carp on a fast retrieved spinnerbait once.

Find the bait and you will find the fish.

Here in MA, our Fish & Wildlife Service offers a series of "Pond Maps" with details on fish inhabiting each, relative sizes, depth contours and launches available. Not knowing what state you are in, I'd google you state agency's website and see what's being offered along these lines.

"They" say you should not use fluoro as a leader with topwaters. Hmmm....I have. No problems, no worries. I really do believe people like to overthink some things, especially when it comes to fishing. Personally, I use braid with heavy fluouro leader and have not had any difficulties. But that's just me.

Do a search on "Tieable wire leaders". I don't remember the company that makes this stuff, but it's out there.

I can attest to the fact that they exist. Up here, all you have to do is look at an ice covered pond to find them. Gray spots, off from shore in the middle or side of a lake. However, when fishing these spots during open water, I really haven't had that significant a success rate to warrant them as a viable tactic. But that may just be me.

An instant of slack line between you and the fish and I can guarantee he's gone. I know it can be tough in a canoe, but focusing on this one technique will land you fish almost all the time. Pike literally "kill" a bait. A hard hook set usually means a landed pike. But that one half second of slack and he's gone.

Consider the Believer. They make an 8" jointed model that I know works wonders on pike.