keith71

Blend in some "living rubber" for a fuller looking skirt.That jig definitely has alot of strands.

Zoom baby brush hog all the way.Get a couple of bags in colors for your water conditions,and some EWG 3/0 hooks.

If those are your first then your on your way.Theres not much better of a better feeling than catching fish on your own baits.Good job.

There are endless combinations with fishing skirts,what may be hot on one lake may be cold on another.Try to match the hatch if you can on a particular body of water.Green pumpkin is very popular on most bodies of water but adding a few strands of something different may be what the doctor ordered.It takes a little work but if you or a friend can catch a crawfish from your lake you can tie a jig from a good picture.A hot color for me right now is Pale-Ale barbed wire mixed with green pumpkin and the belly has a few strands of orange.Its my version of Alabama craw.

I have a handful left,they go for 10.00 a pop on ebay.

Thanks Mark for all the info! Going out of OCC State Park. I dont know the areas mentioned but im definitely going to check out those area you mentioned if its possible.Im pumped man,thanks again.

Its their world,your just fishing in it Dont get discouraged from the bad days, take something away from every experience.I have learned more from the back of a boat even if its what not to do than running the trolling motor.Your time will come if you stick with it,some good seasons some not as good. Just remember when you are running your boat how it felt to be seated in the back,maybe take a suggestion or two.

Bomber speed shads.

Hello Mark,good to see you here.I havent fished the Chick in years but its been on my mind lately. Im headed to Kerr this weekend for a couple of tournaments.Havent fished there in a long time either.Anyways welcome aboard!

Good job,put a zoom critter craw or a small super-chunk for a perfect match.

Yikes,sounds like the beginning of a Stephen King novel.

Start off with something small.A 4 inch finesse worm on a light shaky-head or a split shot rig.Use light line 6-8lb test and be patient.One of my favorite setups is a medium spinning rod with 8lb test and on the business end a 1/8th bullet sinker,1/0 Gamakatsu light wire hook and a 4'' Berkley power worm,Before I had a boat and even now this is my go-to bait when the bite is tough.

Alabama craw or brown paca craw or chunk.

Hooked a bumper on a moving tractor-trailer with a bucktail off the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel,smoked my drag for a second before the line broke lol.

I still use Big Game for a-lot of applications,it has never let me down.If the line was new I would check your guides.

Darren the night bite is where its at this time of year.Thundersticks ,Redfins, slow as you can stand it.Daylight hours around boat docks and laydowns with stickbaits,worms and jigs.Any color is good as long as its greenpumpkn or watermelon. I dont kayak but have some friends that do and they do well.Stripers were feeding heavy last weekend at night. Good luck

I like to add a little new plastisol whenever I re-meIt old baits.You have a much better chance not scorching old plastics this way.Just my 2 cents.

Strike king bitsy bug in craw color. Zoom 4" lizard watermelon red.(Texas rig 1/8 bullet sinker 1/0 gammie Rebel Pop-R small 2" size Zoom super fluke jr Arkansas shad

I use 8# mist green in very clear water,have not had any problems.Very strong line.

My guess was 4.5-5lbs

Any of the Falcons are great rods,I have owned several and they are all great.You wont be sorry with any of their line.

I purchased a Gander mountain "shakey rod" guide series spinning rod for around $50.00 on clearance about 5 years ago. 6'9'' med spin is one of my favorites in the boat. I was in Gander this past weekend and I think it retails for around 79.99 now. I have several rods brands you mentioned all of which I like but check one out if you get a chance.

1.Yes,you learn a ton from other experienced anglers.See things from another perspective. I thought I was a whole lot better angler than I am.It can be humbling to struggle all day to see someone show up a the scales with a huge bag.At the end of the day I just want to compete,be respected for something that I love to do.

Your not far off at all.I like a scotch-brite pad to scuff my bait it gets in the little grooves better than sandpaper.Tape off the bill before you start anything and after a quick scuff spray your groundcoat.After that its netting,stencils,freehand,whatever you want to do. Hope this helps.