Vinny Chase

Even the pros get skunked. As long as you feel you made the right adjustments, you can't get down about a bad day...just think about what you can try next time in similar conditions.

Thanks. I am at work (shhhhhh) and cannot access Facebook, so I had to go on a hunch.

Junebug

Some of you may already be signed up, but for those of you who have not heard, NorthStar Custom Baits now has a Facebook page. This is a great way to get the latest news, deals, and even win FREE NSCB products through our weekly contests. We are also giving our fans incentive to spread to the word about our page with the "Free Every 50" promotion. Every 50 new likes that we get on our page, we give out a jig/spinnerbait set to one random fan - the earlier you "like" our page the more chances you have to win. This promotion is a fun way to rewards our fans for simply sharing our page. We encourage you to visit our Facebook page and "like" us! http://www.facebook.com/pages/NorthStar-Custom-Baits/132601386796834 Thanks for all of your support, VC

Sounds like a great match! I prefer to throw Netbait Paca Craws on my NorthStar Jigs, but SK rage are a great option as well. Back to your questions though and this came up in another post yesterday. Mass produced jigs such as Strike King or Booyah are going to give you the fits because they are not hand tied; they are simply put together with a rubber keeper. You will have continuing durability issues that you would not experience with other custom jig companies such as NorthStar, Seibert Outdoors, etc.

I think you are missing out on a lot of bites then becuase there are days in the dead of summer where I need to sllllooowwww down and throw a 1/16 oz jig worm in 15-20 ft. of water to get a bite. Always keep your mind open on what variables could make the bass water a slower or faster fall, then target where you believe the bigger bites are holding.

Haha this...

10" Ribbontail in Tequilla Sunrise.

I fish them a little different than most. I like to peg a bullet weight and simple texas rig the swimbait. This allows me to either do a straight retrieve or bottom bounce it in more inactive situations. Another great advantage of using a tungsten bullet weight is that you can feel EVERYTHING; I know exactly what type of cover and structure I am fishing which can help eliminate areas.

That's because they are mass produced with a rubber keeper and not hand tied. My favorite swim jig and bluegill imitation swim jig is the NorthStar Custom Baits "new gill". You will NEVER have issues with the skirt sliding down on this jig.

Just got a Go Pro Hero 2 and could not be happier....I do want to mention that the initial cost is resonable, but they kill you with the add-ons, and trust me, you cannot resist once you hear about some of the accessories they make.

I encounter this conditions all the time here in MN and I go right for my jig rod in heavy vegetaion. If there is a lot of scum on top, concentrate on those areas, especially on hot summer days. Try throwing frogs or use a punching setup.

PM Sent

We did VERY well...First went to O'Dowd on Friday and caught a lot of males up shallow. We saw the females roaming, but couldn't get them to bite. Monday, we fished a local lake and found the big females on the first break around structure. The presentation of choice was a NorthStar Custom Baits Flip and Swim jig with a swimbait trailer. Great opening weekend!

Just bought a few packs before opener, and I am really impressed so far. I could see myself using this as my go to flip/pitch creature bait.

This

You are using a setup that most would use for dropshotting to frog fish...that is only going to lead to heartache.

The POWER should be Heavy, not the action....fast action is what you want. Also, use a 7'6" rod or longer to horse those fish out of the heavy cover. I always count to 3 after the attack, make sure I feel them on the other end, then load up on them. BTW, always use a palomar knot.

Love Medicine, but looking for somthing a little closer to Eagan.

Start out with a few of each style bait - jig, spinnerbait, crank, t-rig bait, topwater, jerkbait, stick bait, and ribbontail worm. From there learn when and where to throw these baits. As you progress, continue to discover new techniques and baits, but in the beginning, keep it simple. I always like to tell beginners to study bass patterns and once you feel confident of where they are at, then experiment with how to get them to bite. I would suggest picking up some NorthStar Custom Baits jigs and spinnerbaits to add to your collection. Start out with a few swim jigs, premier jigs, and hidden weight spinnerbaits - I always have a few tied on and even more in the boat. As far as cranks go, I would reccomend picking up some Rapala DT's...great bait and you can find them on sale for $5.

Looking for a good lake around the area that I haven't tried yet. I currently live in Eagan, but I am willing to drive up to 30 minutes away...any suggesstions? Maybe around the Tonka area?

Keitech Fat Impacts are great on a ewg with a bullet weight, or on a NorthStar Flip and Swim jig.

I am with ya. That was what I was saying in my original post...I just didn't grow up surrounded by those types of people, so I cannot stand watching people act that way.

Don't get me wrong, I spend a good amount of fishing, but I cannot justify paying $40 a spool for line when I difference between Invisx and Tatsu is minimal in my opinion (granted I only used a sample spool for a brief period of time).

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