Felix77

I did have one bend on me but that's because of how good the Smallmouth took the bait. The bend came from me dislodging it with pliers. Otherwise it held up all the way to the boat.

Just because of the smaller profile. Didn't feel I needed the bigger hook. The largest bait I use is the Zoom super fluke and it works just fine.

I did not know that. My friend loves using them as bait.

I was fishing one of the locks of the Erie Canal and a guy reels in a goldfish which had to have weighed at least 2 pounds. Neither of us could believe it. I took the pic for him and we released it.

Same with me. Its my 2013 fishing goal. In the time I did it last season I fell in love with these. They are my primary drop shot hooks now. It helps that I went to walmart this winter and they had them on clearance for a $1 a pack. I took ann the #1s they had.

All, I like to explore new lakes all the time. Even those I have no clue about. I generally fish slow from shore which is effective when I find fish but not good for covering water. Any thoughts on a search bait from the bank which works for you?

I have killed them with the Strike King shim e stick. $3 at WalMart

Im a huge fan of them. Believe it or not even the cheap ones you find in WalMart. My favorite is the 1/2oz burners. That is my goto spinner now.

Pretty funny. That just seems to be the way with fishing. What's old is new again.

Count me in to at least try them.

x2

Count me in here too!

I have had zero luck with smelly jelly or the gulp spray on scents. I just pre dipped some Senkos with JJ's to try and fish tomorrow. I almost passed out when I smelled the bag! Powerful stuff. Lol

It needs to be able to put up with being in the trunk for long periods. I wouldn't do that with my quality rods. Besides its only for those emergency fishing monents. Any other time I would bring some better stuff.

Tackle Warehouse has Abu Garcia rods which they offer in 2 piece for around $50. The Abu Garcia Vengenance 2 Piece. http://www.***.com/Abu_Garcia_Vengeance_2-piece_Casting_Rods/descpage-AVC2.html I bought one for the exact same reason. I also bought an Ugly Stick 2 piece BC just because.

Are you talking about making the spinnerbaits including the lead head, painting etc? If so then there are several places you can go for molds etc. One of the more reputable is barlows as suggested. If you just want to assemble your own spinnerbaits from premade heads then I am partial for the stuff on fishingskirts.com. You can pick and choose blades, beads, separators, various head types and obviously skirts. As for the bearing the best on the market is Sampo. They are pricey. http://www.basspro.com/Sampo-Ball-Bearing-Swivels-with-Split-Rings/product/15164/ Maybe someone else on the forum has better suggestions for bearings which are more affordable. Good luck.

I use a 6'6" Medium action spinning rod. The same I use for all other soft plastic presentations. Braid 10lb with a FC leader (6 or 8lb) gives me max sensitivity. As for heads I find they are all particularly good. I have tried them all (stand up pumpkin ed, Gama Alien, VMC finesse etc.) Each have their place. I vary my sizes from 1/8 - 3/8oz depending on the depth I am fishing. My PB came on a 3/8 alien in over 30 feet of water. 5.89lb Smallie. I bought this winter the new VMC rugby jigs and the MegaStrike Shakey Heads. Can't wait to try those. Good luck and have fun with it. It takes a little practice and patience to get it right but it's SO worth it. :-)

Feel better ... welcome!

I would hold on to it until you need to restock or get inspired by a new lure you want to try. I know it's hard to just sit on a card. It's like giving a child a $10.00 at a candy shop and telling them not to spend it.

I remember seeing this a while back. Don't know if it would work in the upstate NY waters. Have to give it a try.

x2 on the drop shot.

The best modifications are those made by the lunker bass beating the crap out of my lures. Seriously ... the most common tweaks I make are to jigs. Flaring out the weed guard, trimming the weed guard and trimming the skirt to round out the profile.

black, black grape, green pumpkin blue flash, black w blue fleck

Looking for input on lures for catching pike in early spring. I do decent with spinnerbaits but thought it was time to expand my toolbox.

I assume you mean the Fat Albert Grub. If so then x2 on the suggestion. I only use trailers when nothing else works otherwise I go without it.