Bass Dude

X2..I grabbed a load of those when Yum put them out. Still got a bunch and use them a bunch. They are a good drop shot bait.

I'm too scared to call in to go fishing. I always think something bad will happen 'cause I lied to go fishing. I'm lucky though, I can just tell them I'm going fishing and get the day off!!

There was a 40 pound limit caught here (Chickamauga) this past February. A couple weeks later same guys got a high thirty, I think it was around 38-39. The lake has been on fire this year. Lots of 10+ lbs. caught this spring too.

I don't know if anyone has seen this new crankbait online, but take a look. I think it's hogwash!!! It's one crankbait with the look of three baitfish inside. They say it's supposed to represent a bait ball. I don't think a bass can tell at all that there are three "baitfish" in that bait. All they see is the color flash by them. I think to them it would look the same as any other crank they've seen. I think this is the proverbial, "catches more fisherman not fish" bait. Let me know your opinion.

We all seem to be in agreement on the fact we would use what it takes to win. I don't have any issues with that. But I think it effects the credibility of the pros when they say they are using one thing but are really using something else. As on of the other posters said...just say you used a crankbait. Don't say that you caught them on a Strike King if you got them on a Lucky Craft.

This may be a stupid question, but....is the ICAST show open to the public or is it a "fishing industry people" thing?

I make my own jigs and was wondering what the differences are between my jigs and the ones Seibert puts out. I have the same heads they use, I use high quality Owner Deep Throat jig hooks, I use the same skirt materials they use, I wire tie all the skirts and I powder paint the heads. Other than colors I was wondering what the other differences may be. I don't mean any disrespect to Siebert as they make a great product. As a lure maker I want to know what sets certain lures apart, so I can get better at the craft. I am only using Siebert as an example because I know a lot of you use them and I can see the similarities between their jigs and mine.

I do understand the reality of the business. But I don't care what underwear Jordan wears...I still think it's BS!! If there's no tooth fairy who the heck took my tooth!!

I don't have an issue with them using other stuff at all. I would use whatever it took to win as well. What I do have a problem with is the lie. I don't think anyone limits themselves to one brand either because of what the pros do. When they say they're using a SK square bill and you go out and buy 50 of them, then realize they wacked them on a LC square bill...that's kind of messed up!

I find it interesting to see that pros don't always use their sponsors product, but say they do anyway. For instance, I was at a BASS tourney and was spying on everyone's lures as they pulled out of the water. I saw a guy who is supposed to live and breath all things Strike King, have nothing but Lucky Craft cranks tied on. Just today, another website was showing what the winner of the FLW Chickamauga tourney used with his umbrella rig, and the caption read that he used Zoom swimming flukes. The picture they showed, you could tell those were NOT Zoom baits. Don't get duped people. Use what you like and don't listen to what they say about the lures they use!!

Just curious if anyone still throws these. They used to be very productive, but I haven't thrown them in a long time. Just found some in my garage, I think I'm going to give them a try.

Length of cast is also a HUGE factor in diving depth. A lot of guys are saying they like the slower retrieve because it helps them fish the lure slower. I fish shallow cranks pretty fast, that is why I like the faster (faster than 4 or 5 to 1) gear ratio. Also, I find it easier to slow down with a fast reel, than try to speed up my retrieve using a slow reel. As with all fishing, we all have our personal preferences.

I would stay with the 12 pound. Since your not deep cranking, the twelve should do you just fine. Plus, as you said, it will be better for fishing around the brush and rocks. As far as the gear ratio...for shallow cranks, I wouldn't use a reel that slow. The low gear ratio is more for deep cranking as it lessens the torque produced by the the deep bill and eliminates fatigue. It doesn't necessarily keep it deeper longer. For deep crankin', I would use 10 and slower gear ratio reel.

I second that on trimming. Sometimes you want that slower fall too. That longer skirt will give you that option.

Actually, they are comparable. If you lived in Tennessee when the rig stuff started you would know how foggy the unbrella rig rules can be. Even the game wardens down here would give you different answers regarding what was legal when it came to what could be used on the umbrella rigs. Regardless, it wasn't the rule that got him busted. It was BP. It was a mistake, we ALL agree it wasn't done intentionally, and I don't think there will be any huge ramifications from his DQ. But I do think that BASS isn't the one to blame in this and I don't think they should be choosing tournament sites based on the laws and regs. On a side note---Joe Balog wrote a blog about this on another site. He is a very good writer and gives a great perspective on all things bass fishing.