CWB

Don't think MacP was fishing shallow, as the other guys were talking about especially since he said he got bites on the drop- shot. Could be wrong. Cant comment personnally on the "rig" as it's illegal in Il. What the OP has pictured looks interesting though. Definitely agree on the No Absolutes. That would make it too easy, right?

Not sure how too much spinning gear would be more of a mess than too much casting gear but sometimes less is more. If you have the room, bring whatever you want. If not Sir is right on in choosing the minimum you can get away with for what you have planned for the day.

No matter how hard I've tried (I've yanked 2 pounders out of the water on hooksets, I have yet to damage one in any way. Just had a nice musky right up to the boat on my Winch and she took a nosedive straight down, bending the rod almost in half. Got her back up and in the boat (no net) with no harm to the rod. Check Ebay. $79.00 with free shipping. Best rod out there for that price IMHO.

I prefer standard and will not negotiate.

First, are you related to Larry the cable guy? 4 basic colors should get you through just about any water color. Sexy Shad or Sexy Sunfish (natural for clearer water), something with a good amount of chartreuse, something chrome or shiny, and something red or crawfish colored. Not so sure color is ultra important with this type of bait. A bass hears, then sees the thing go whizzing by an just has to eat it.

Tackle Warehouse, Tackle Warehouse, and Tackle Warehouse. Best selection period. Do some surfing. Academy has some good sales and Cabelas too. I usually make a trip to BPS Spring Classic. Overstock Bait and Tackle sometimes has some good deals. Recently got a bunch of Rage baits for $1.99 and Senkos for $2.99. Google what you are looking for. This led me to Academy's sale on Xcalibur Oneknockers recently.

Looks like a Bronzeye (which I use and like) with the legs 90* from where they should be.

Killed em all year on the KVD 1.5 squarebill and Xcalibur oneknockers (when I was cranking). Usually throw plastics around sunup and sundown.

I use Gammy short shank inline and VMC inline. Both are great hooks and good value. Wish the KVD Triple Grips would come inline. Gammy makes a similar hook (EWG Treble) which I received from TW but haven't had a chance to use them yet. These are inline.

I'll change the front hook to the same size but better hook like gammy inline and upsize the rear to a size 4 for 1/2 oz baits and go with the short shank version. I find most fish I hook are on the front hook. Try to keep them from jumping as this type bait seems to get thrown easier than most. When I hookup, the rod goes immediately into the water to keep them from jumping. I like the XR 50, especially the One Knocker and the Red Eye Shad over the Trap.

Only problem I've had is the collar rots and the skirts fall apart. solved that by putting on a tiny wire tie and cinching it up around the skirt. Any hardware store has em. Put em on all new jigs, spinnerbaits etc. with rubber collars.

Twice. First time I landed a nice musky while bass fishing. After a few pix and releasing the fish I noticed one of my rigs was missing. Probably from the Chinese firedrill trying to land the fish. Trolled around awhile but too weedy. Couldn't find it. Earlier this year I leaned over to lip a bass and heard a splash on the the side of the bow. Turned and saw the tip of one of my favorite rigs sink out of site. Luckily there was a marker right in front of me and I tossed it over. Quickly unhooked the fish, kicked off the clogs and over the side I went. Was in about 5-6 feet of water. Poked around with my feet for about 15 minutes but I found it and grabbed it with my toes and got it back. From the on any rods not in use are strapped down.

Either sex or lack thereof.

If you use heavier line on spinning reels you need to adjust your tackle. 15 lb line on a 2500 reel would probably be a mess. But on a reel with a larger diameter spool like BPS Pro Qualifier or Johnny Morris makes it a snap. Soak the line in KVD and your good. Best way to prevent line problems is to close the bail manually after casting and make sure there is not a loop forming. I flip the bail over and pull the line tight while raising the rod and very very rarely have any problems. Your going to get twist with certain lures. Before making a cast let the lure dangle. It will probably spin around a bit. If it spins like a top you might want to take steps to remove the twist. Watch Flukes tried and true method for how to do that.

I use as long as I can get away with without the knot going into the reel. I mainly use braid and leaders for my senko rod and my fluke type bait rod. Straight flouro or Yo-Zuri Hybrid for jigging and T-Rigging. Go with what works for you.

I use Power pro and Yo-Zuri hybrid for the leader. Occasionally had the same problem. Found that cinching both ends down snug, then really snugging up the braid end solved the problem for me. Not to be redundant and Im sure you know this but it is essential that the line goes in and comes out of the loop the same way. Give it a good yank and good strong pull after tying to test it out before fishing. Better to re-tie than lose a fish on the hookset.

If you prefer Spinning, go with it. I use both. Spinning is not jut for finesse. I use a heavy duty spinning setup for skipping under docks and boats. You can flip and pitch and even skip baits with a baitcaster, but try getting a bait way under a pontoon boat - from the back where you only have about a 1 square foot hole to fit your bait. Easy with spinning gear and you need heavy stuff to yank the fish out of there without getting wrapped around a post or something. I'm pretty sure there are guys that will say they can do this with baitcasting gear and there may be some that can, but I've never seen it. On TV or in person. Use what you're comfortable with.

What he said. ^^^ I have both the Smoke 100 and 150 and Curado 50 and 200. Looking for a 300 at the right price.

I've been using Veritas almost exclusively for the past few years. I've heard they break but I haven't seen it. And I set the hook hard. Anyone that's fished with me on a Road Trip can attest to that. Love them. Very light and sensitive. Haven't used any of the Premiers I have in a while. To the poster above, what do you think is better for $79.00, which is what you can get them on ebay for with full warranty? Can't comment on the Compre as I haven't used one. Go to a store that sells all 3 and fiddle around with them. Even put a reel on them and see how they feel. Really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks if you like it. Don't think you could go wrong with any of them. Good hunting.

That guy from Hunt For Big Fish that dove into Piranha infested water to untangle a Peacock Bass for Larry Dahlberg would be great to have in the boat.

Thats a steal! Gotta watch Cabelas more often.

Lipless cranks are usually burned over where the fish may be lurking. Just something about them makes a bass have to have it. Billed cranks are usually fished on or near the bottom or through cover aka squarebills.

Never tried the Aruku but heard they are top notch. Do they make a one knocker like the Xcalibur or Clackin Rap? Be worth a try.

I like Strike Kings Pure Poison. Works great, excellent quality and decent price.

Been murdering 'em on this bait the last few weeks but have also lost a few to pike/musky, including 1 color that is no longer made. Anyway, Academy has them for $5.99 with free shipping on orders of $39.00 or more. Just loaded up. Just thought I'd put this out there for any other fans.