Crestliner2008

I have 5 grandkids now; the oldest 3 are in the 5 - 8 yo age group. They were all started on closed face spinners (which I bought for them), but soon graduated to open face spinning. Even the youngest boy. So, I don't really see a "need" to start them off with closed faced reels any more. Kids are pretty sharp. Give 'em a chance and they'll surpass your expectations. The reliable Pflueger Trion is a tough, low end open spinning reel which "will take a beating and keep on ticking"! (For some of you younger folks, that's a reference to the old Timex watch commercials, when everyone had a watch instead of an iPhone!)

Flukes are more of a jerkbait than a swimbait, as has been said. You should rig the paddletails (I'd recommend you look into the Keitec Swing Fat Impact in 4.8" size) on a weighted swimbait hook. This is critcal in my opinion. Or, a heavy, open hooked jig. This rigging will give you the correct action when slow rolled along the bottom.

This very time of the year - once the ice is totally out - I'll be using a these soft paddle tailed baits quite often. I rig the Keitecs on a 3/4 oz. head, targeting drop offs in a clear water, hill-land type reservoir, for smallies. I cast it shallow (~5') and slow roll it back to where my boat is holding in 20' - 30' of water. Somewhere along the way, I'll get bit.

I'd definitely use a blade bait such as the Silver Buddy. Vertically jig it along bottom structures, especially bends and/or turns in that structure. I also like using a heavy jig - 3/4 & larger - dressed with a 5" Swing Impact (FAT) paddle tail. I cast this out and slow roll it back to the boat. Very effective techniques.

Excellent shooting! Keep up the range work.

BTW......don't overlook the 7" Senko. Can be a real killer in the warmer months.

WELCOME aboard! You'll find lots of helpful information in the articles at the top of the home page and throughout the forums. But we do need more information. What kind of water do you fish? What kind of structure? Depths? Presentations you've tried, etc..

Sometimes you prefer a snack as opposed to a full meal, right? Sometimes the fish act the same way. Let the fish tell you what they want. I would carry both and I've also found that depending on how stained the water is, go to the darker shades if heavily stained and lighter as the water clears. But there are no "rules" in fishing.....just guideline.

WELCOME aboard! The ML action is very versatile. You can use it for float fishing, Senko fishing, crappie & perch....just about anything. What species are you targeting and what kind of water are you fishing? That would make a suggestion about it's specific use and what kind of presentation might work best for you a little easier.

I'd go with the 6925. Will balance nicely with that weight class of lures. You also might want to take a look at the Berkley Lightning Shock series of rods. A light action model in 7' length would go nicely.

You will not have a problem with an exposed hook. The reason for "covering" a hook with bait, is predicated upon the dead stick method of fishing. You toss out the bait and let it sit there on the bottom, until it gets taken. Not applicable to a moving bait.

Many years ago I use to troll for trout with a heavy Davis rig (multiple spinners/flashers). But that was from a boat, not a kayak. I'd suggest a long rod (7' - 9'), off to one side, pulling a Thomson Buoyant Minnow or small 2" curly tailed grub on a 1/16 oz. jig head.

Mass here as well. Try an UL set-up tossing a 2" Bobby Garland's Baby Shad on a 1/16 oz. ball head jig. You'll get bit.

Another vote for the Berkley Shocks. Ugly Stiks are just too heavy and unweildly in my opinion.

I have 3 Presidents as well. Never going back to Shimano. Sorry!

Tell ya what.....the bass won't know the difference.....as long as it's a Senko!

I'm going on a "recon" mission later this week to check out the launches. Last weekend they were still iced up, but with this wind and warming trend taking place, we should see open water SOON! Jerkbaits are always my first choice, depending on conditions.

Excellent! Next time try to get a length on the fish. You can more accurately determine it's weight that way.

The most dependent factor is what kind of structure, or cover, are you fishing and which species of bass are you targeting. I know that's not the answer you want to hear, but without more details, everything else is pure speculation. Sorry.

It would depend on the lake and water depth and water clarity. As well as the type of structure you were targeting. All of the above suggestions work under certain conditions. Nothing works all the time. You could also think about using blade baits and/or wacky rigged Senkos under a slip bobber.

Been wacky rigging for many, many years now and have settled on the Gamakatsu INLINE circle hooks, in the 1/0 size. Have taken countless smallmouth on them, including LM's, salmon, rainbow and lake trout, white & yellow perch. All wacky rigging 5" Senkos on this very hook. Works for me.

Late winter and early spring that crazy bubblegum color works magic! I think people who don't use it are just not liking being seen with such a "purty" color. LOL!

ROFL!!! Good one!

Awesome! Wish I was looking at open water right now!

Just what are you meaning by swimbaits?