Joe. S

1/2 oz is a good size, one of the most popular colors is chrome/ blue back. I haven't bought a Bill Lewis Rattle trap in a long time, but when I did the hooks were crap, not sure if they changed them, but if not make sure you do. From the sounds of it, it is a normal trap pattern, let it sink down until you hit the grass, then rip it free then try and keep a steady pace right above it, letting it get caught up a little, something about the ripping it out part that triggers the strike, can also do a yo-yo type retrieve, ripping, letting it futter and ripping. I should take my own advice and try this today as that pattern should be getting ready to happen here pretty soon.

I love this lure for matted grass, I have a bunch. A few things, it should have a little round weight stuck to the belly, if it is not there, that is one issue with them, when smacking the lure on the water (because I'm to lazy to pick any muck off) sometimes the weight will eventually fall off. To combat this, a little super glue or epoxy smeared around it when it comes out of the pack usually keeps it there. Even though the hooks are usually pretty sharp out of the pack, I still like to sharpen them up a little more, It is pretty easy to get them smoking sharp As said they have a smaller profile which makes it easier for the bass to eat them, I still like to lube them up with some megastrike to slide through the muck and the mouth a little easier. If you practice with them, besides just dragging over muck you can walk the dog with them in open water and the tail gives off a nice bit of action as well. Don't forget a pair of pliers, because they can inhale them and smaller fish can too! Sometimes it's not that easy getting the hook out when they engulf it. I prefer braid with these because you can basically throw it anywhere you can imagine, even squirrell fishing : Usually happens when trying to skip it under overhanging trees and still get it back.

Ditto! 3/4 oz black

3/4 oz Black Gman's poison head jig with my 3" black Pinch-It trailer.

And the addiciton begins 8-) Congrats!!! Nice one!

I actually remember you asking about how I do it ;D

Here is a little article I put together on trimming them. I do trim all my weedguards. http://www.americananglersfishing.com/index.php?page=8

There are no rules and there are a lot of variables, but I usually wait until postspawn to start topwater fishing. I have seen fish caught in 48° water on topwater, that's why I say there are no rules, so it's good to always have one on hand you never know, but normally I don't bother until PS.

I agree. X 2 8-)

If you are really going to get into Jig fishing I just suggest saving up and buying another rod, keeping the one you have for other baits, cranks, topwater etc. 8lb test eeks!!!!! One thing you could do in the mean time while saving up is put some braid on that rod to help with the hooksets some. At least 30lb braid, also is it a spinning rod or baitcasting rod?

No dancing around it for me, I wack e'm and wack em good, as they say give em the steel I just have enough confidence in it that I know it's a fish, it will come with time and practice fishing it. You will gain the 6th sense as that is what it almost is, Also alot of times like Grimlin said especially with smallies, they will crush that jig, maybe not in hitting it terms but actually trying to crush it in there mouth,. If you don't set the hook hard it won't penetrate, and even still sometimes they come off. Which also brings up a question to what action/power rod are you using with the jig? How are the weedguards? if you press it with your finger does it take a littlle force to press it down to expose the hook? That can be altered very easily for surer sets as well.

Gmans Jigs 8-)

Congrats on the first, that is the toughest, but keep throwing it, the more you do the better you'll recognize the different feels of cover, it will get embedded into your brain, and you will know. It's kind of hard to explain. I once was a worm chucker, 7" tequila sunrise power worm, bought them by the 100's. My buddy said you need to throw a jig I tried it and nothing, nothing and nothing, told him they stink and don't catch anything ;D Once I caught the first one they nstarted coming. Now I fish one 99.9% of the time 8-)

Nice catching!!! Love those smallies! 8-)

wow!!!