Will Wetline

I used the Jika Rig a bit last year and it does work. Being a tackle tinkerer, I make my own using two #2 split rings. It looks very similar to the screenshot I lifted from the Japanese video below: For those of you who own the Do-It Drop Shot Sinker Mold, simply turn the specialized fitting end for end in the mold so you have the loop sticking out rather than the pinched-down end. Whether you're making ds weights or Jika Rig weights you'll find this fitting much easier to position if you use fine point tweezers. Back to the effectiveness of the Jika Rig, it appealed to me initially because it gives your bait a degree of articulation that you don't get with a soft plastic pegged to the bottom on a jig head or T-rigged. On the other hand, you get pretty much the same mobility with a real short dropshot set up. Hey, try 'em all. It's good to be versatile.

I follow directions when a well-formed woman wearing stretch pants in that color sashays by, especially when "think" is printed on one swaying buttock and "pink" on the other. Yes, Ms. Whomever, my attention follows. Re bass, after viewing the segment, "Spring Smallmouths on the Flats" which you'll find on Lindner's Angling Edge DVD "Crankbait Strategies Hardbait Bass," I invested in 2 XRD10 Rapala X Rap Deep Diving Slashbaits in their Hot Pink color. I trust Lindner and don't begrudge him the bucks he makes for shilling for Rapala, Berkley, whomever. However, I don't feel obligated to buy these brands. I know I will be a better angler if I follow his advice. I also bought pink in assorted types of soft plastics having made the decision to man up and tie on this color this season. I want to expand my repertoire, but you do what you want - I don't intend to be cheeky with my assertions, my fellow bassmasters.

Yup. I've fished this "Carolina Lite" rig for years with good results.

I started fishing at about 10 at Goldfish Pond (no kidding) in Lynn, Massachusetts. In my early teens I fished the salt for flounder and cod and also fished for trout north of Boston. In my late teens "hawgbustin'" caught on in the north and I picked up a Penn baitcasting reel and started to learn about largemouth. In '81 I moved to western MA where we have some beautiful trout water but prefer chasing big smallies on Quabbin Reservoir in central MA. Wow . . . I've been waving a rod over the waters for 50 years.

WhiteMike1018, I thank you for posting this. I've been bass fishing and following Clunn's career since the '70s. It has always intrigued me that Mr. Clunn, besides paying the requisite attention to the mechanics of the sport, prepared himself mentally as well. As he says, this stuff is very hard to explain, to put into words. First of all, you've got to be open minded. If you already know everything there is to know, you're limiting yourself severely. I think what he's trying to do is find a way of looking at things which puts him in a quiet and receptive state of mind - not easy in this increasingly busy society. He's an intelligent man.

I fish for smallmouth in clear water. The only thing that will be new to me is to try lipless crankbaits in my home water, never having thrown them much before. I appreciated the recent post on these cranks. I used the Jika rig last year with some success but I'm not overly enthused by it. As Crestliner 2008 pointed out, it's nothing more than a real short dropshot rig. Aaron Martens mentioned in his article in the January "Bassmaster" that the line below the bait on his dropshot rig is, under certain conditions, no longer than the bait. I'll be jig fishing more, having bought Do-It's Shake It jig head mold. I'll be dressing these with hair and rubber as well as using the jig head plain with a plastic bait. Looking forward to a spinnerbait bite when the wind's up and the sun is out. Regarding suspending jerkbaits, which is what I use early season . . . I came to the realization recently that I like to buy these as much as (many) women like to buy shoes! To the other icebound anglers: We're not all that far away now!

The Yamamoto Hula Grub in color # 176 is a powerful good bait!

The toughest bite for me to detect is when I'm swimming a tube for smallies, just moseying it along the bottom. The smallies swim up and inhale it and - eventually - I'll feel extra weight or "something different" and then set. Problem is that by that time, the tube is in the fish's gullet and it's very difficult to remove without harming the fish. Two ways this stubborn, old-school fisherman will be approaching this problem this year: first, I'm going to switch to fluorocarbon for it's added sensitivity (I've been pleased with the performance of Berkley Sensation for years and years), and secondly, I'm going to change my presentation. Last year, my first full year of dropshotting, I fished the same areas with the same slow retrieve. I got as many bites if not more with the ds and more important, I can recall only one fish that was hooked deep. Regardless of line or bottom bouncing bait for that matter, never forget the Zen master's advice to his disciple: "Attention, attention, attention!"

Cliff Pace said he loves competitive bass fishing and now that he's won the most coveted trophy I wish he were able to loosen up a bit and maybe even let out a short victory yelp! This winner looks tormented! Hey, I'm genuinely happy he was able to maintain his focus and land those two small but critical fish late in the day. Well done, Cliff Pace!

I'm kinda hoping that Pace finds a big afternoon bite - that would be dramatic. There's no question though, that Palaniuk or Iaconelli could win. Then again, Mike McClelland is having a good day . . .

I used the Spinshot hooks last year and was well pleased with them. After a few hours of use, there was some line twist but so much that I went to a swivel above. A friend who was also using them reported hooks bending. I did not experience that with either of the two 3 1/2 lb, smallies I landed using a 3" bait on a #2 hook. I'm thinking that I may have had a lighter drag setting and played these fish longer. The line was 6 lb. Sensation.

Like the colors. Think the bass will agree with me.

The bait monkey was sitting on my shoulders and pulling my ears while I was ordering components last weekend. I got up to take a break and when I got back I found a thank you for a large order to GYCB in my inbox. What a rascal!

The size 0 swivel in the link below has worked well for me for several seasons. Do not waste your money on the imported bb swivels. http://www.barlowstackle.com/SPRO-SW-Gamakatasu-Ball-Bearing-swivel-with-Interlock-Snap-P878C123.aspx Search and study everything that smalljaw67 has to say about spinnerbaits.

smalljaw67 says, "There is always something you will need." Ha! Ain't that the truth! This past weekend I put orders into the above mentioned suppliers . . . needed more of those dazzling diamond willow blades . . . more painted spinnerbait bodies . . . and how about the new round rubber material with the stripes, huh? After a demonstration by a fishing buddy last season of the effectiveness of size 3 inline spinners for 3 lb. smallies, I've got to gear up for that. And it's time for a Shake-It jig mold which I think will be very versatile . . . See, what I really need is an activity for the winter months which is productive yet, in a sense, meditative once you get into it. And, considering myself a craftsman, it's very satisfying. So you decide what value lure making has for you. Mastercard and I say: "Priceless!"

Your fly tying experience certainly shows here. Beautiful work.

I haven't thrown all red hardbaits, but Gitzit's 3.5" tube in smoke/red and black sparkle has been a go-to bait for years. More recently, Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver in watermelon/red has produced well. Last year Missile baits Drop Claw in watermelon/red brought a couple of big smallies to the net. I like red flake in soft plastics - especially on sunny days.

It's an enjoyable winter hobby. There are start up costs of course, but if you like detail work and would get extra satisfaction from bustin' hawgs on baits you designed and made, check out these online sources: www.barlowstackle.com www. lurepartsonline.com www.jannsnetcraft.com They will be happy to send you their print catalogs, I'm sure.

I carry a number of different brands but if I had to choose one, it would be GYCB.

I've enjoyed Lindner's Angling Edge productions. It's clear which companies he has commercial interest in, but still there's much good information here. There are many seasonal techniques covered and the underwater photography is extensive and fascinating.

All are well done.

I've been assembling spinnerbaits for years with the painted bullet head from Barlow's. A 1/4 oz. frame has .035 wire and the 3/8 and 1/2 have .040. A number of 3lb. - 4lb. smallies will stress these frames but they can be bent back a few times. There comes a point when I'll retire a spinnerbait and feel like I've gotten my money's worth. Strip the components from the fatigued frame and build another bait.

This photo was taken while inventorying and organizing for the 2011 season.

Case, that's a fine bass and great pictures! Why don't you forget about the citation for this one and go out and catch an even bigger one!

Hawgs and more hawgs! Thanks for the slideshow of this adventure.