Revo_Carrot Stix

I've only fished hollow-belly type swimbaits for less than a year and I've experimented a lot. For 5.5-7" baits like Shadilicious - I'd go with 6/0 with 1/8 or 3/16 ou depending on the depth and retrieve speed. Smaller swimbaits in the 3.5-5" I would use 5/0 3/16-1/4 ou. I prefer Gamakatsu weighted EWG's. http://www.***.com/descpage-GWMH.html Towards the end of last season, I switched to braid and increased my hookups significantly. Some experts also recommend splitting the bellies.

I'm seeing a lot of Abu Garcia postings here...Same thing happened to my Revo Premier after 6 months...took it back to BPS and got it exchanged for a new one. Sporatically, the reel wouldn't fully disengage (or is it engage? ) after a cast. I'd reel and nothing would happen. It ticks me off that I had to manually-do-anything (except maintenance) to cast a reel in that price range, but BPS took care of it. I still don't know the problem, nor do guys @ the reel counter. I hope I don't see a pattern here....

Long Mike and .ghoti Thanks for the insight! I guess I didn't think about the temp factor. That's good to know! And a trip mid-week sounds like the ticket. I may have 5 or 6 bassin' buddies - it sounds like we would have to split up, explore, conquer, and tell lies in the evening? I'm assuming most of these waters would be considered relatively clear?

I was wondering if anyone has heard of or fished these lakes? I try to hit new bodies of water in Kansas and Missouri every year and stumbled across this on another posting. I would love to hear some feedback, recommendations, or experiences with this outfit before I convince my bassin' buddies to spend the $$$ for a road trip. Thanks!

Lake of the Ozark spots luv the Buckeye Su-spin rigged with a Fluke jr. and Mann's Baby Minus crankbaits along docks. Stick with natural colors.

In addition to all the tips mentioned, I would cast your weight out as far as you want to pitch it and with the line out - put a piece of electrical tape across your spool (with the line out) and reel it in. At least it will be easier to pick out as you learn and prevent you from ruining your entire spool.

I bought my first All-Star GTX40(?) 7'MH this past year @ BPS for $49.77 (reduced from $79.99). I was looking for a decent but economical flippin' rod. This rod has done it's job. No problems and PLENTY of backbone! I'd say it's a good rod $50-75 range, but there are better alternatives $75-100 raange.

This is my #1 search bait. Last year, I caught more bass (94/361) on a black buzzbait then any other lure in my arsenal. I've tried most brands of buzzbaits (except for the twin blades and the one's that are a foot long). I'm not afraid to admit that most my success has been on the $1.50 3/8 ounce Black Cabelas cheapos. I add a twin tail trailer and red 3/0 trailer hook. 30% of my hookups last year were on the trailer hook. I fish with 17# mono and cast parallel to banks and docks before the sun comes up in the morning. Have fun and hope you enjoy some success!!

I bought a couple bags on clearance last year and had little to no luck. Always found myself going back to Chigger Craws or SK Rage Tail products. I'll pass on these if I see anymore in the bargain bin.

I'm not a big fan of wally-world, but you may check your local Walmart. It probably varies at locations, but the Walmarts in Kansas City are getting rid of the Strike King Rage Tail line ($3), SK Red Eye Shads ($3.50), T2 and SK Spinnerbaits ($2.50), various Rapapla crankbaits ($5), Mann's Baby Minus cranks ($2.50), Mepp's and Blue Fox inline spinners, and some Gulp and Culprit soft plastics.

Last year, I fished the RT Frogs and Shads quite a bit. I'm not sure the coffee scent brought more strikes. I like the RT Shad a lot better. I think over lily pads or grass, they both have close to the same great action. The frogs (like most) have a tendency to roll over. Both baits can't hold up to too many strikes/hits. I try to buy them when they are on sale because I don't think they are worth $5.99 for recreational bassin'.

I've fished similar bodies of water. Drop shot rig is effective, but you'll be cleaning off your hook, line and weight every other cast - plus (assuming your on the bank) you'll be fishing it at an angle with a whole lot of junk between you and the cast location - which isn't ideal for light tackle. The best advice i can offer is texas-rigging a 5" stick bait weightless. I love the Strike King Zeros for this. You can catch 25 bass off the same worm - very durable and a great shimmy. I use 8-10# flourocarbon with 3/0 EWG with a lot of success. Throw a nice soft cast to open grass pockets, around the tree or dock and let it fall to the bottom - they'll hit it on the fall. If they don't hit the fall, jerk it a few times and let it sink and repeat. Good luck!

I hear a lot about follow-up baits which usually translates into throwing a worm after you miss a strike on a crankbait or spinnerbait. Is there more to this strategy and what factors do you consider? Thanks for you input!!

I mainly fish stained and muddy waters and FIRETIGER is a must with all crankbaits and spinnerbaits - plus, Bluegill is a predominate forage in the waters I fish.

I agree with luke, brand doesn't matter. I've tried BPS Lazer Eye Eggs ($3.99) to Rick Clunn's Lucky Craft 1.5 & 2.5 ($15.99). Square-bills have a wide wobble - some have rattles too. I've had sporatic luck with these types of baits until I saw a Rick Clunn segment on his technique - drop your rod tip in the water and crank it as fast as you can, stop, and repeat. I tried this last fall when nothing was working and thought 'what the heck' as I was losing daylight. Needless to say, it was a feeding frenzy - landed 6 larries in about 15 minutes and had to stop because it was getting too dark. good luck!!

I have 2 Abu Premiers w/: 10# Yozuri Hybrid w/ 6'9M LTX Crankin Carrot Stix 17# Suffix Elite mono w/ 6'6MH LTX Carrot Stix These rigs are SO LIGHT!! I can fish 'em all day. Good luck!

I'd probably go: 8# BPS Flourocarbon on spinning (finesse, shaky, small crankbaits, jerkbaits) 15-17# Mono on baitcaster (topwater, shallow-mid crankbaits, spinner/buzz baits, jigs) Hope that helps...

I have a few spinning reels in my arsenal that I only use about 25% of the time. I haven't been too impressed with Shimano and especially Quantum's KVD spinning reels under $100. Shimano Symetres and Pflueger Presidents are great reels! For the money though, I'd go with BPS Johnny Morris line. I just bought one and I can feel a huge difference in quality and the price is under $70. Good luck!

I usually hold out for the Classic Event, but I could resist their sale on the new 6'6M CarbonLite rod $69 paired with '09 BPS JM Spinning reel $64. I needed a combo like this for those slow days when I'm forced to finess fish or slow it down.

I bumped into a regional pro at BPS and he convinced me to purchase the Su-Spins created by Mann Jr (he was not sponsored by Buckeye either) combo'd with the Zoom Tiny Flukes. He said these are deadly @ Lake of the Ozarks. I'm excited to try 'em this Spring.

I prefer BPS Curly Tail Grubs - most water I fish is stained-murky and I think this type of trailer displaces a lot more water. I rig it curly tail up.