Revo_Carrot Stix

Knot Wars: Scroll down to Round 10 - Leader vs Surgeon http://www.fishingclub.com/ExtraContent/ExtraContentDetail.aspx?id=132344

I've had luck with them, but nothing out of this world. They are very bulky and thick which may hinder hooksets if you aren't using 3/0 or 4/0 EWG. I prefer Chigger Craws or SK Rage Tail creature baits. I got them on sale last year too. From what I remember, you only get 4 a bag. I used Olive in stained-murky water.

Midwestern'er visiting family and friends near Lake Istokpoga and would like to wet a line a day or two. Friend has a boat. Any advice or information for bassin' would be appreciated! What should be in my traveling arsenal? Thanks!!

I love the Rage Tail Toads for sporatic vegetation with pockets or lily pads. http://www.ragetail.com/ragetailtoad.html For matted vegetation, you can't go wrong with Spro's lineup. I slightly bend the frog hooks "up" for better hits. I use 65# braid for both applications. Make sure you feel the weight of the bass before you set the hook.

Not sure if anyone has caught North American Fisherman (Versus Country I think?), but they have a segment called Knot Wars with some pretty good animation and strength tests if you're willing to try something different. They test braid, flouro and mono. http://www.fishingclub.com/ExtraContent/ExtraContentHome.aspx

I have Dish Network and WFNHD is available in the premium of premium HD packages - so you have to spend an extra $120/year to get this channel (in addtional to the top HD package that includes Versus and Outdoor channel). I can't justify $120/year when I can get 90% bass fishing programs on Versus and Outdoor channel. I'll spend that money on tackle!!!!

With work and family, my fishing opportunities are usually limited to 2-4 hours. So if I could spend an entire day on the water, I would prefer the NUMBERS. When that gets old, I'll get greedy and search for the monsters.

Interesting. In 2009, I caught 94 Bass on buzzbaits and 31 were on 3/0 trailer hook. I can only remember a handful of misses that I couldn't get to strike again - and wonder if a treble would have helped?!? I hammer the banks, laydowns, and vegetation with buzzbaits with little to no hangups, so I'd be concerned about a treble hook. That's a great idea in open water tho!!

First bass on first cast. Not to allow my lures to touch the water when they are on the boat deck. Bill Dance Hook Remover tool in my back pocket which is "handier than a sleeve on a shirt."

My waters are stained-murky, so I'd go Junebug!

BPS got these in stock a month or so ago. I overheard some regional pro's (sorry I didn't catch their names: one was sponsored by Ardent, the other by Tru-Tungsten) and they were checking out the crawfish pattern. They both agreed that it couldn't replace the Wiggle Wart, but may be a nice alternative for highly pressured bass. They both were leary about the $12 price though.

Vanish is JUNK!

X 2 best on the market! X3 works perfect for spinning/casting rigs!! I don't spool up without it!

I'm pretty skeptical when manufacturers come out with something new an unique as far as line goes (I haven't been able to resist new reels, rods, and lures tho). You can't go wrong with plain 'ole mono, flouro, copoly, and braid - unless you can't resist new products - I'd stay away to see if they have it next year. Last year, I bought Berkley's "new" Tracer braid after talking to a rep and believing the colors won't fade like other brands. That was their BIG PITCH as the differentiator. After two outings, the black started to fade and my line color was getting close to lime-green. This year, I've seen most retailers liquidating their Tracer braid stock.

You can show that something is on sale on-line and get the discount in the store? How does this process work? Ghost Last year, BPS online and instore pricing was always different. I would print off the online sale price (on the same day I went to the store) and show it to the cashier. They will call a manager to approve it and always honored it. I have noticed this year that their online/instore pricing and sales/clearances are more in synch.

Finesse Fishing - I usally have a 3 hour window to fish between work and family so it's hard for me to slow down when the bite starts getting tough. (A cabin fever purchase JM Spinning reel/7' Carbonlite is a good place to start).

I use Berkley Gulp 3" Leech http://www.***.com/descpageSFWBERKLEY-BG3L.html#pImage and Strike King 4" 3X Elaztech Finess worms http://www.***.com/descpageSFTSTRIKE-SXFW.html I've fished both (close to the same color) at the same time (alternating) and the Berkley Gulp was getting hit twice as much. Sounds like a commercial, huh? As mentioned earlier, hook through the body and out the nose. Good luck!

Yeah, that's true and I don't really mind the high pitch intonations, because I interpret that as geniune excitement. You did forget, "Oh my God, he just PUMMELLED it. He just absolutely PUMMELLED it!" Right on, Shaw! 8-) "...Don't jump...please don't jump! He's barely hooked! Stay with me...c'mon...OH THERE'S ONE RIGHT BEHIND HIM!"

I like the Spro Dean Rojas line (I'll also trim the rubber leg skirts back and bend the twin hooks upward) or the SK Rage Toad w/ 5/0 Gama Superline EWG on 65# braid. I'll throw a frog anytime there is green vegetation near the surface. I haven't noticed a pattern with temp or sky conditions. If it looks fishy - it probably is. If they are missing a lot, I'll try to flip a weighted worm or creature bait in the hole or near the edge.

I saw that too @ Cabela's. I think Fred Roubanis (sp?) used it or the Zappu soft plastics fishing bridge piers on "Day on the Lake" program and BM mag article last year.

I have heard of hunting big bass down during the winter with buzzbaits. Hit coves and shallow flats - specifically target rocks or rocky structure on sunny days during winter with your topwater. Some lunkers gravitate toward the shallows since darker rocks will heat up faster. If I could, I would retrieve EXTREMELY slow. Unfortunately, there is 3" of ice in my shallow waters... :'( Go for it and let us know!

I don't use a leader...when I use braid, I'm mainly looking for reaction bites or hand-to-hand combat. I started to use braid with soft swimbaits; however, most of the water I fish is usually stained so I think I can get away with it. I also tend to agree with Bass-Brat...reduce single points of failure between you and the fish. Good luck.

I try to match or compliment my jig color with Paca Chunks. Best bang for my buck as far as trailers go. Chigger Craws and SK Rage Tails are a little too bulky for my tastes as a trailer, but I'll fish them Texas-rigged by themselves.

My wife thought he was crying on one episode..."Look at that beautiful bass...he just inhaled the Strike King Red Eye Shad with those super sharp hooks!" (I couldn't resist...)

Hard Swimbaits: IMHO, It's hard to beat the Spro BBZ-1 Shad which now comes in 4" and 6" http://www.***.com/descpageSPROSWIM-SBZSFS.html Soft Swimbaits: Strike King Shadilicious - 1/2 price now http://www.***.com/descpageSWIMSTRIKE-SKSAL.html Good luck!