Crestliner2008

Easy....Pointer 78. You choose the color based on the conditions you're faced with and the lake you're fishing. Just don't get overly tight drawed about this color thingy.

Marketing ploy. What brings in the $$$.

rod_long - Don't sweat it. If you're off a bit, the fish won't really mind, trust me! I use the "bend-in-half" technique.

x 3

For the last 3 years now, I've used 10# Fireline with a 4', 6# test fluoro leader. I use the Uni to Uni knots and have never had a break at the joint. Casts nice thru the guides too. JMO

Haven't used them myself, but I have used the Fat Ika and Big Ika with excellent results.

Here's another vote for the drop shot. But I also have a rod set-up with a tube and hard jerk.

Beautiful smallies ;D.

If the bite gets a bit tough on what's been suggested so far, go to a drop shot rig....a bit heavier than what you'd use over 25' of water; and use a small off-set worm hook, presenting a 4" worm in heavier cover. Yep, you'll have to go up in line size, but the water in the trees should have a bit more color to it. You'll get bit!

Heck NO! I've caught smallies on 7" Senkos.

My Dad taught me an important lesson many, many years ago. It went something like this: "....You can't worry about what you can't control... only what you can control." Just go fishing, the way you normally do and let the chips fall where they may.

+1

One foot visibility is fine. Don't forget, that's what YOU see....not necessarily what the fish sees. Regardless, fish it as you would any other body of water, focusing on structure and breaks along that structure. I've found that bass in dingy water tend to stay on shallower structures, as their forage will do the same. A good search bait would be a buzzbait fished early in the day, followed by a large bladed spinnerbait as the day progresses. Jigs and soft plastics come into play once you find the fish.

It was a Berkley saltwater Powerbait paddle tail shad. And they flat do work for walleye! I use the Storms swim baits for walleye and stripers with excellent success, in a large river near me. For whatever reason though, I've never caught a smallie on them!?

Do you fish the banks, back waters and small to medium sized ponds? If so, you don't need a sonar. However, you will never be as good a fisherman as you can be without one. JMO.

Trust me, a mount, regardless of who does the work, will not last long. Especially in humid conditions. I have never seen a mount look as good as new after a few years. It's worth the extra money to have a replica made. JMO.

At least 5.

Ever since I've been wacky rigging Senkos, I've use a simple, inexpensive band called "Goodies". These small, clear (some are colored), rubber bands are what the ladies use in their hair. Available at any Wally World store. I double one on the end of my long nose pliers....pull a loop open with the bend of the hook....and insert the worm. Been using this technique for 4 years now with excellent success. Cheaper than O-rings too.

Load up your reel with Fireline or Power Pro and use a fluoro leader attached either with a small swivel or back-to-back Uni-knots. Your hook-up ratio will rise dramatically.

What kind of fish are in this creek? What kind of bait; shiners, crawfish? Are there a lot of weeds? If it does hold some bass, you might also want to try downsizing a bit. A wacky rigged 4" Senko is really hard to beat on some waters.

I totally agree with rw. Exclusive C&R ponds usually fail. Selective harvest is a much more beneficial approach to pond management. But, just check to see that they are, in fact, keeping just the smaller fish.

Great time to fish as you will probably be fishing all alone. Everyone is afraid of muddy water for some reason. Fish slow and deep. Try an Ika or blade bait. Target the eddy edges. Good luck!

It never ceases to amaze me what a bass will hit. How about that Budweizer Beer Can lure? Betcha it caught some bass! Everything is a gimmick or trick to do one thing: trick a bass into hitting. And we are the most gullible of all! ;D

Here's a pretty clear video of the Texas Rig:

Why do "they" call it Green Pumpkin? It is not green and no part of a pumpkin is brown...at least not in my neck of the woods! At least the color watermelon somewhat represents it's namesake.