craww

Great question, its been a few years since I've thrown either but if I recall correctly. The G.F. has a weight balancer which results in it being more tail weighted, which ensures the fish usually takes the bait better. I had the best luck working it more frantically and not necessarily pausing it. Years ago guys would purposely tail weight CB's and other baits to get the same effect. Offf the shelf the CB will lay perfectly horizontal on the pause. Which can be a good thing, especially in shallow water. It also "pops" more. The most useful technique I found was using a frog colored chug bug in late summer when the grasshoppers are at their largest on ponds I fish, think of it as a magnum rebel crickhopper.I caught some huge fish on them, beware the hooks suck.

My thoughts exactly! I'd considered the previous Gen. But the styling was kinda plain for my tastes. These new models sealed the deal. I Love how three of my fingers touch the blank with the new real seats

My opinion, buy a Sammy and a spook of the appropriate size. The Sammy casts better, and works on surfaces from glass to class 1 river rapids. I know the gunfish spits, but on the end of my line a spook catches more fish for a 3rd of the cost.

They used to migrate at least, now their here year round...Not very canadian eh.

I would think so. It could be a Newt for all I know. I'm no expert on ampihbians lol. At the very least you have crawfish. Give it a shot, I feel that if there's bass, and you present it right in the right spot, you'll get bit. If their keying on a specific forage, and you replicate it, you'll do that much better!

You've got some great advice already. I fish alot of ponds and i'll throw out a little pattern that produces every year for me. A few years ago noticed something this time of year in smaller ponds. You oddly see small bright red salamanders active in the shallows...dunno much about their life cycle, and honestly Im shocked their active when the waters that cold, but there they are. I'm talking febuary with stable air temps in the low 40's. Also when craws emerge they often have a strong red color to them. One day I spotted 4 or 5 of the salamanders approx. 4 feet of the bank SLOWLY swimming around. A light bulb went off and I searched through my truck for the closest match I had. What I found were a bag of cherryseed red Berkely Gulp! turtleback worms. Perfect color match! I'd tried these before and honestly didnt care for them that much.I'd heard negative feedback on GULP products, they didnt seem to have alot of action, as GULP is a bit stiff.The fishing was slow that day, so figuring there was nothing to lose I tied them on and proceeded to catch over a dozen fish in about an hours time. I've come to the realization that the stiffness actually helps in cold water, it looks more natural.Those critters I watched were not moving quickly at alI. I encourage you to pick up a pack, fish them texas rigged SLOWLY. And report back. GOOD LUCK!

My favorite is the lucky craft sammy 100 in MS American Shad, especially for bronze fish. Although a 3/8 black buzzbait has caught me more big fish than any other bait.

Strike king bitsy bug flip in any kind of cover. Open water too sometimes. Make sure its the "flip" version though, the regular bug's weedguard is so light its useless. Give me a jig with a thicker weed guard I can modify to my needs. I dont usually like their products, but the terminator finesse jig is a great open water jig. I like how the metal weedguard is less visible than then normal plastic versions in clear water. Probaly makes zero difference to the fish but I feel more confident in the crystal clear river water during the summer.

Word. That's what I wanted to hear.

Thanks guys. I'm pretty Familiar with St croix and was kinda looking.for a baseline as I'm in the dark on how shimano rates their rods.

All, I am a former member who cant remember my old account info lol. Love the site and appreciate those who make it happen. I traditionally do really really well throwing jigs to isolated laydowns this time of year on the spots i frequent. And want to purchase a dedicated jig rod before the big girls move shallow. This will have to purchased @ BPS. From the research i gather, the new crucial MH XF 7'2'' is the rod for me. I think the new reel seats are brilliant! Does any one have any info on the new crucials? The weight rating is 1/4-1oz, does it handle 1/4 -5/16 baits well? What other uses do you like it for? I make my own A-rigs, which add up to about 1 1/8oz, so I may use it for throwing them as well. How would a shimano MH compare to a say St croix MH in terms of Power? I'm open to other suggestions up to $175ish (keep in mind coming from BPS). I am a st croix fan, but the avid/rage line doesnt seem to have a fit for what I'm looking for. Thanks Josh