primetime

I believe they will all catch fish if used at the right time and place. The Berkley line of lures seems to be a good value, just like all the products they make. They have been doing it right from Rods, line, soft baits and hard baits are all good looking baits. I have a wild thing which I like, Its the one that looks similar to the Rapala DT THug which is a crank I always liked. Really aggressive action, may be the Pitbull,not exactly sure but I always carry the 2 I have.

I have used them and use the hook that comes in the package. The Ribbit double hooks are the only double hooks I buy. I prefer a single hook but never tried it on the floating Ribbits, I still use the Red Zoom Horny toad hooks on all my toads, the red hooks are my favorite. Seems to help. The few times I have used the top toads, my hook up rate was not great, not sure if it is the bait or just user error at the time. I have landed 2 fish on them, both over 4lbs, so they definitely get strikes, just have not used them enough to say if it is as good for hook up ratio as the regular Ribbits, Horny Toads, Gambler Toad. I used to use the Larew floating toad....3 legged toad I think it was called? They worked great, tore easily, but is only floating model I ever had confidence in as easy to penetrate.

I used to fish the 4" culprit Ribbon tails when they made them growing up and they saved many days. I still use a split shot rig, or light c-rig without a bead or swivel, kind of a mojo rig and use the zoom 4" ribbon tail, bps squirmin worm black blue tail in 4", it looks more like 3", and the small Roboworm curly taills are fantastic, a worm I just discovered recently. I feel like a small 4" senko or sluggo, finesse worm, slider worm, dream shot etc....will always get bit if you put it on the right weight and fish it at the right speed and depth....In winter time when bites are tough, the split shot rig with a small worm will work in deep water, shallow, and I don't find slowly dragging a worm boring....Just as exciting to me as cranking a shad rap...More productive most of the time and more versatile. a light darter head 1/16 on a small finesse worm is deadly as it falls through the water and flutters. I like putting the TRd on a darter head, or slider head, has a different action on the drop that works. 3-4" grub will always catch fish as well and you can fish them all year round and get bit. I would never leave to go fishing without a Medium light spinning rod with 8lb test.....

One of my favorite ways to fish ponds in the winter, without having to fish as slow, is to rig a 4" sluggo or one of the smaller zoom flukes on a 1/16 oz darter head with open hook or use one with a weed guard, although I don't like weed guards. Usually once you find one fish, you will be able to catch more in the same area. I like to cast it on light spinning tackle, and let it slowly flutter to bottom, then let it soak for a bit, and just slowly lift and drop and then pay attention when you get a strike, either while sitting on bottom, a foot or two off when lifting or dropping etc.... If I want to stay mostly on bottom, I will simply throw on a small split shot, or just rig up a small bullet weight with two bobber stops and then just slowly reel or twitch a small 4" stick worm, zoom finesse worm, or a great bait in ponds is the small Zoom critter craws. Of course a Ned rig and small worm or craw will always work. Same with a finesse swimbait. I would also think a light wacky rig would work well, or simply fish a senko slow with or without weight. Casting and slowly reeling a grub on a light jib head or texas rig is never a bad idea. Seems to work all year round. Sometimes pond fish will get more aggressive in the afternoon if sunny, will be able to actually fish a bit faster than you think.....

Ok Thanks. Maybe I will downsize the 1 ounce, I was going heavier to force myself to slow down, and not add in as much action which I have a habit of doing...I realized the last time I was out that I need to bring a 7'11 rod for using a long leader in the 4'5' range which is not easy to cast.....Also added a bobber stop in front of the weight since it was hitting my tip and causing issues casting while sliding. I usually stay away from alot of noise, I guess for me, 20' is deep so I am thinking I need extra sound. I forget that the water is cleaner down below....Thanks

I was looking to get some opinions of the best way to rig a c-rig for deeper water. I still do not trust my deep cranking skills, so I mainly use a C-rig when fishing deep to cover water, and get bites which the C-rig seems to do for me especially in the winter time. I was wondering what people use for a main line (Braid, Fluoro, Mono) and also leader, if you use brass, lead or tungsten, clackers, beads etc... I have been using lead and brass with a glass bead, or sometimes I will take 2 half ounce tungsten weights and rig them back to back for more sound instead. I never have gotten into clackers, so curious as to how you would approach a deep water, cold c-rig, where bottom is mainly hard, some rock,so with an ounce of weight, I am wondering if Fluoro is a better main line in say 20-25lb test to avoid breakoffs since the main line takes a beating with the weights digging into the bottom, getting frayed....I am fishing an area with more rock than I normally encounter. I am kind of thinking that maybe the sound of Tungsten is better? I rarely have any issues feeling my weight since I can feel bottom pretty good with an ounce. I was using 40lb braid main line with 15-20lb Mono leader so it floats. I have noticed braid often frays, and I stopped using tungsten thinking that was the issue, but maybe Tungsten is better if paired with Fluoro main line since you are basically fishing the weight and it is more abrasion resistant. Or is breaking off some weights due to fraying just part of the deal? Any favorite cold water bait suggestions appreciated as well. I always stick to senko or fluke style bait, but recently started doing well with the Pit Boss. In stained water, anyone go with small baits like a 3" finesse craw?

I have an older Pflueger President casting reel that is 6:1 I was thinking about pairing it with. It is a bit heavy, but It's been one of my favorite reels. I may pair it with the Okuma Citrix in 6:1 which has just been sitting in a box for a few years. I guess it all depends on how heavy or light the rod is. I have a bunch of reels I can put on it from really light to heavy in bigger sizes. I was thinking about getting a lower gear ratio since most of my reels are 6:1 and higher. I would get a 5:1 if I can find one on sale, but most concerned with getting a rod with the right action and bend. I tend to always use rods that are too stiff.

I was looking to get some opinions of the best way to rig a c-rig for deeper water. I still do not trust my deep cranking skills, so I mainly use a C-rig when fishing deep to cover water, and get bites which the C-rig seems to do for me especially in the winter time. I was wondering what people use for a main line (Braid, Fluoro, Mono) and also leader, if you use brass, lead or tungsten, clackers, beads etc... I have been using lead and brass with a glass bead, or sometimes I will take 2 half ounce tungsten weights and rig them back to back for more sound instead. I never have gotten into clackers, so curious as to how you would approach a deep water, cold c-rig, where bottom is mainly hard, some rock,so with an ounce of weight, I am wondering if Fluoro is a better main line in say 20-25lb test to avoid breakoffs since the main line takes a beating with the weights digging into the bottom, getting frayed....I am fishing an area with more rock than I normally encounter. I am kind of thinking that maybe the sound of Tungsten is better? I rarely have any issues feeling my weight since I can feel bottom pretty good with an ounce. I was using 40lb braid main line with 15-20lb Mono leader so it floats. I have noticed braid often frays, and I stopped using tungsten thinking that was the issue, but maybe Tungsten is better if paired with Fluoro main line since you are basically fishing the weight and it is more abrasion resistant. Or is breaking off some weights due to fraying just part of the deal? Any favorite cold water bait suggestions appreciated as well. I always stick to senko or fluke style bait, but recently started doing well with the Pit Boss. In stained water, anyone go with small baits like a 3" finesse craw?

I have a bubble walker in the smaller size, and I have done well with it when I throw it. I ordered a clear ghost pattern, so when I have clear water, I throw it, and it is a good lure that produces for sure. It looks just like the Megabass version, and does have awesome action. I like most of the River2sea lures I have tried. I have been planning on getting the larger size, for $10, I think it is a good value.

I generally stick to a basic flat white colored bait overcast days, Chrome on sunny days, and then black in dark water, but I really like two tone colors in stained water like the chart and white or chart/black spooks....Something about chartruese on a topwater that seems to work in stained water..... I also like some orange on the bottom of a topwater when fishing shallow or around bluegill, pre-spawn, fall....I will often just add some orange to the bottom sides with a marker or few spots on the belly. I know the theory is fish only see the bottom of the bait, but I catch more fish on a baby bass colored torpedo than any of the other colors....The bottom is white, but it rolls on its side at times, so I wonder if it's the green on the sides, or just maybe I have more confidence in that color. I deviate a bit depending on type of lures, but if I am fishing a floating jerkbait mainly as a topwater, I feel like the Bomber Bengal Tiger color seems to work best in any water condition. The combination of silver flash, gold and brown, some orange seems to be the ticket bright or overcast. Kind of funny, in Saltwater down here, Red head with white body topwaters and jerkbaits are the standard safe choice like green pumpkin in plastics, yet I have never done well with them for Bass. I think alot of it has to do with when I experiment with colors...Usually at times when I am not catching anything, so hard to make a legit comparison. Color does matter when it matters. I have had a few days where the exact same lure in a different color makes a big difference, but more times than not, I think alot of it is confidence. Kind of like a pink worm. I never use them, do not have confidence in them, but have seen them work for others. I try not to overthink color, but of course I like to make sure I buy plenty of funky colors just in case....For every bait or lure I like.....Buying lures & experimenting is half the fun for me.

I will have to look at Tackle Warehouse. They are the only website I like to order rods from without seeing or feeling them since they do a great job of descriptions and the reviews are always helpful. I like your line of thinking....Get a better quality rod like a Dobyns on sale for $95. I will check it out. Thanks

I have some of the megastrike shaky heads and they will get the job done. I have a bunch of brands from Owner with the screw lock (Not my favorite, but I like the really light ones they make with a big hook) and last year found some Missle Warlock shaky jigs on clearance, and I really like them. I also like the Yum Pumpkin head, and VMC makes a good one as well. I do have a favorite worm that I purchased on clearance from TW a few years ago, and It seems to work better for me than any other straight tailed worm...The Big Bite Squirrel tail worm. Something about that bulb on the tail and the fat to thin taper seems to generate more strikes. I also really like using the Zoom Curly tailed shaky worms. For the price, its tough to beat the Zoom finesse worms, but then again, a senko or Rib snake are 2 great worms that work well on any rig. Kut Tail worm, I use the BPS version which are inexpensive and come heavily salted. I also like to throw a baby brush hog on a shaky rig, or a chigger craw, or Strike King Rage craw, menace etc.

I use the Zoom Fluke as a trailer on Chatterbaits but for some reason never put one on a swim jig but I am sure it would work. It gives the bait a unique action...I rig the flukes upside down when rigging them as a trailer. I actually rig all my swimbaits upside down as well. Seems to work better for me. I fish the Fluke on Open Jigheads which would essentially be a swim jig without the trailer, I am sure it would look good while sinking and pausing. I experiment with all types of trailers, sometimes I have good results rigging a straight tail worm, so never hurts to give fish a new look.

I recently broke my cranking rod in my door, and really do not want to spend more than say $50-$75. Does Berkley make a rod that would work well for cranking maybe in the lighting series? I was thinking about the BPS crankin' stick, but wondering if anyone has a suggestion for something inexpensive but will get the job done. I am open to any brand, just need something with the right action. I figure I will get one this week while all the Black Friday sales are going on, and if something is on sale for a great deal, I would spend $100 if necessary. I mainly throw rattle traps and square bills, and if I throw deep cranks, I have never gone heavier than the 6xd, so something that can maybe do 1/4-3/4....Med to Med Heavy? I know the power and weight is different for all brands. Thanks in advance. I am open to glass if it is a better option.

Thats a nice rod and reel set up which will do it's job well. I like using 15-20lb braid on spinning reels over 10lb since I find the larger diameter braid in the 4-6lb test mono size is easier for me with knots, and seems to handle the wind better as well. I find that 10lb braid is too thin & frustrates me with twists & knots. FLuoro leader in 6 or 8 is perfect for what you are looking to do. I have tried using yellow braid in the past to line watch easier, but I have always felt I had less strikes. Even with a 3-4' leader, I just feel the line is easy for fish to see. Maybe just a confidence thing, but I prefer going with green. I can still see it well as it floats, and seems for natural if using shorter leaders.

I would certainly save a few crankbaits and keep most of your lipless cranks....Plus they both work well in Saltwater as well....Especially the lipless cranks since they work great in saltwater and in weeds. I find most bass fishing lures interchangeable for saltwater whether Stripers, Snook, Reds etc....Just need to make sure the hooks are strong enough when fishing saltwater. Chatterbaits are easier to fish in weeds most of the time, but sometimes ripping a trap is tough to beat.

This was probably the biggest bass through the Ice. For some reason, on certain Northern Lakes and ponds, you can actually catch bigger bass through the Ice, it seems to be the ones that are choked out with weeds during the year and tough to fish...Deep water is always a plus, and patience is key...If you tip a small Ice Fishing Jig with a minnow to cheat a little bit, it often helps get the action going....Bass still feed in the coldest of cold.... I used to catch good sized bass just before or after ice out fishing small grubs on jig heads like the BPS Spring grub. Not sure why, but that grub excels in cold water, has a different profile and action....The grub has rings in it, that may help, for color I have always used baitfish colors, water is clear so more natural the better. Motor oil with green fleck in 2" or 3" spring grub is a grub that nobody seems to ever use or talk about, but the tail is different, shape, and really no other bait I can think of that is similar.....

small finesse worms with either a really like worm weight, weightless, or light darter head open hook with a small Fluke Jr. or 3-4" curly tail grub. A great lure that flat out works is the crappie sized blakemore road runner when its cold. They are great form the shore,I like the ones with the maribou hair as opposed to a plastic. A Ned Rig, or shaky head, or slowly reeled split shot rig with a small stick worm or trick worm will catch fish all year. Same with a rapala shad rap. When it gets cold, I like to use plastics with less action if fishing bottom contact. a Craw like the Zoom Critter craw will work well. put it behind a jig, or behind a worm weight or split shot and it will get bit if fished slowly.....Zoom Critter craws are a really good soft bait, just not easy to find in stores. Light line, smaller baits...From shore in winter will catch bass, small crappie tubes like the bitsy tubes are also really good. Usually just need to fish slowly. I believe lighter line will always generate more strikes, especially in the cold,so if you can use 4lb test or 6, you will be at an advantage for getting more action. You can catch big bass through the Ice as well....I have a picture of a really good bass in my profile through the Ice in NY a few years ago, my brother lives in CT now, and he catches big bass through the ice on a regular basis. Almost catches bigger fish through the ice consistently than any other time. Kind of crazy, He uses alot of streamers and flies, but we have caught them on small jigging spoons and roadrunners, 1" panfish soft baits etc.. This Bass was last year.....Believe it was in a lake near Candlewood.

For $20-$30 at Walmart, you can set yourself up well. Pack of Eagle Claw Lazer worm hooks, few packs of plastics in a few different styles and colors...Then a couple $1 spinnerbaits,maybe a cordell super spot. I wouldn't buy GYB senkos, simply but the least expensive brand. Zoom Flukes are only $2.99 at walmart, I believe a pack of trick worms are $3, so if in doubt, grab green pumpkin for trick worm, watermelon red for a Fluke. also..Grab one of the Cordell Big O's usually in the bins for a $1 as a crankbait, same with the cordell super spot lipless crank which is often a buck when called "Bait Bonanza". Not sure what if any the differences are. Creme makes good baits, been around forever for a reason, those weighted swimbaits I think called the "Spoiler" or 5 packs of the berkley powerbait weighted swimbaits catch fish and are cheap. Walmart carries Luck E Strike 6" Curly tail worms for .99 and a curly tail worm flat out catches fish, and they seem to like that strawberry scent they come with. You can also find cordell and bomber jerkbaits for a Buck in the bait bonanza series and they will catch fish just fine. I would also grab a beetle spin for a buck. $1 spinnerbaits,buzzbaits etc. catch fish. Walmart just buys them from an OEM overseas so they are not necessarily "Cheap". You don't need the most expensive brands to catch fish, a Rebel Popper will catch fish as well as any popper in my opinion. As mentioned, a Booyah Pad crusher is a fantastic frog for any price. Mirrolure lures and tackle are inexpensive price wise, but certainly not cheap by any means. Mirrolures makes quality lures and terminal tackle. Same as Cordell and Bomber, Rebel.... Walmart actually has a good selection of tackle and it all catches Bass just fine. For line you can just get some Trilene or stren mono.....

I tend to fish a 1/2 ounce jig most of the time and I tend to use brown or a darker color like black/Blue, sometimes will match trailer color, or go opposite...Brown jig, black and blue trailer... I actually like using a 4" senko as a trailer on a football jig,not sure why it works but it will, and if you happen to wacky rig one, it can surprise you. A wacky rigged senko behind a jig on bottom just seems to work, then again, a wacky rig kind of always catches fish..... Like many said, fishing slow is the way to go, and really any trailer will work. If you are not getting any strikes on something with alot of action like a rage craw, or Menace, I find a simple craw like the Zoom Critter craw works well in tougher situations. Zoom Critter craw actually works well all the time for me, doesn't have much action at all, but is also good on a swim jig for some reason.

I would pick a 1/4 oz or 1/2 ounce lipless crankbait as my first choice and all suggestions would also be my next choice...I would likely have a spinning rod with 8lb test rigged up with a light ball head jig,and 4" grub, or shad style swimbait with an open hook. Spinnerbaits, spinners...Even a small crappie sized road runner will catch fish in almost any scenario. A white spinnerbait is never a bad choice. Can never go wrong with the old school reliable Rapala Shad rap either....Works in the cold and in the heat, seems easier to fish than other crankbaits. Moving baits are fun to fish, so once you find them, you should have a good time this time of the year which any choice.

I throw White and Lime green trick worms when fishing them on top so I can easily see em get taken....I am not sure color matters in stained water all that much if you have confidence in them....Most people simply use Black and blue, Watermelon Red, Green pumpkins, and two tone colors like black/purple....When I used to sell soft baits I would actually sell a ton of pink swirl senkos, the bigger ones especially. They would sell as well as any other color in lots of 50 and 100, so people obviously use them as their go to color. That yellow and Green pumpkin swirl trick worm as always popular as well. Drop shot baits, up north guys always seem to like bright colors...

I like throwing swimbaits on those Owner Pivot Head Jigs. I found a bunch on clearance a few years ago in all sizes, its a good shape for swimming or dragging. Those new Z-Man swing jigs are actually pretty good. I like a silver head for lighter weight for some reason, actually I like all the Z Man swimbait jigheads..... I feel like I miss too many strikes on the Freedom stuff, strike king swim jig with worm hook...I like to simply peg a weight of my choice, put a punch skirt on, and then add a swimbait...Basically the same action, can just add a ring to hook if really want more swing, I just leave a little space between hook and weight. I have a hard time keeping the Freedom Jigs from rolling on the side etc...I am more familiar with what fits on what size hook and bullet weight....

I would be missing out on alot of action if never was aware of the Menace, and Rage Cut'R, to name a few... Same with the Culprit Incredicraws....now its pretty much only bait I use to pitch into cover unless I need something that glides, then I go with the Rage Bug....I guess this site programs you to like Rage baits..But hey, Can't really think of a rage bait that I didn't like....I love how they made the bigger Cut'r worm. Seems everyone down here throws the big Ultravibe worms and burner worms...But the Cut'R is such a versatile worm, you can't fish it wrong, you can just cast it and reel at any depth, fish like a senko, fluke, punch it....Shaky head...I guess there is a reason why Strike King baits are popular. I need to get some 6th sense baits. They seem to be in alot of threads and started looking through reports and articles again, and the 6th sense hardbaits seem to get alot of work these days. Also priced really good for how well they look. I been eyeballing that Movement X crankbait....Reminds me of the Strike Pro Hunchback for some reason and that is a killer wake bait when fish are aggressive or you need more commotion, wider action....Surprised that bait never gets mentioned...Hard to find them in stock anywhere.

I just learned a new trick (Maybe it's not new, but was new for me yesterday)..I usually try to fish submerged weeds that may be growing up to a few feet underwater, with weightless flukes, Swimming worms, topwater, floating jerkbaits...Swim Jigs etc...Ripping traps if possible, Mojo rig..... I almost always would peg a worm weight if swimming for longer casts, or go heavy to get all the way through, and if shallow, try to tick the tops, or work edges etc.. I was fishing in 8 feet of water with Hydrilla and mix of other weeds that were about 3' from the surface and not as thick as usual, but still easy to get hung up...I grabbed a rod that had an UNPEGGED 3/8 bullet weight (Heavier than would normally go) to fish a speed worm subsurface and tick the weeds, swim horizontal, rip it if snagged etc...What I ended up discovering, is that with the heavier weight sliding in front of worm, it would get a bit deeper but then hang up in most spots a foot or 2 under the weed tops, but the worm would stay weedless and maybe bury down slightly and also flutter as weight crept through. I started ripping the bait up and with the sinker getting hung, it was triggering reaction strikes much more than simply throwing a fluke with open jig head, or pegged weight and doing the same. The speed worm actually comes through without much trouble, the weight creates the erratic action when it comes free, and they were crushing it as soon as it came loose, bait was clean for most part. I then switched to a Caffeine shad to get a nice fall, and that seemed to work just as well, 3/8 unpegged...You will still have weed issues from time to time, but much easier to do than with other baits and if not getting into the messy stuff, often tough to produce unless on the easy active fish that slam the bait as soon as it enters the water. I went out this morning in a pond where I live to try and replicate the same technique, and see it better closer to the bank, and in shallow water with heavy weeds, it worked better than a light 1/4 swim jig or 3/16 pegged weight etc.Same with 1/8oz darter head & fluke which is a good way to fish weeds and rip bait free.I am sure any bait will work, I find a round bend worm hook is more weedless, and a stiffer plastic that stays on hook easy may be best after 2nd try....I used a Gambler Burner Craw since they seem to hold a hook easily, and they crushed it..Plus you can swim a swimming craw like a frog and do just as well, better hook up ratios. Just my take. Sometimes weeds are too much for a mojo rig or treble hook etc...Unless weeds are sparce and cleaner. Other proven method that is easy is a floating jerkbait or shallow suspender, and try to just snag the sparce weeds or snag just the tops and then rip....I still believe a Floating Long A gets bigger bites than a fluke or sluggo, in shallow water a Floating Rapala will work all year long as good as almost anything, just need to throw it on braid cause they are light, hard to land a good fish on 8lb mono. Long A you can throw on heavy line and be good, plus it casts better. You really don't need to get them snagged either, just twitch, twitch, pause for a good 3-5 seconds and repeat. It draws them up. They can hear it and feel it in stained water as well. Weightless is the easiest way, but the fish see it all day every day, and the better fish are tough to draw up from underneath and punching through is tough fishing at times.