ChrisD46

So , no real availability to be had for Mini-Max sizes blades from Lurenet , ebay , etc. ?

Does anyone have a good source for smaller size (i.e. Chatter Bait Mini Max size) blades ? All I ever see are full size chatterbait blades but nothing smaller .

I believe YGK braids are sinking built for bottom presentations ? Not sure it makes much difference in #10 Ib. - #15 lb. braid size but a finesse sinking braid could be a good thing for Neg rigs .

What new (to you) lines do you want to try this coming year ? For me , while happy with Power Pro #10 lb. mainline for Ned and other finesse tactics on spinning set ups - I want to try Nano Braid for same finesse applications for quieter operation , long casts and good quality strength .

^^This^^ … Power Pro #30 to #40 lb. Braid , 2 ft. Section of Big Game #12 - #15 lb. Mono leader . Poppers = 6:3:1 gear ratio and walking baits = 7:2:1 gear ratio .

VMC Cross Over Rings for typical 5” Stick Worm #6 size (slightly snug fit) and # 1 size Decoy or Owner Mosquito Lite hook may help reduce hang ups (although VMC Neko #2 is an excellent choice ).

Many good replies - but need to know where the bass are staging ? Usually a good tactic is to slowly swim a small paddle tail along the bottom .

OP here : I saw Jimmy Houston and Jim Samsons videos where both using the Blue Sky Angler 360 and both were impressed . While not exactly a kayak , the Angler 360 occupies a fishing space that seems to check a lot of boxes for bass fishing .

Regular fishing Kayaks sit too low and too hard to get up and down in for me (arthritis issues) . I like that the Angler 360 as it sits up higher and is stable with duel pontoon set up . Not too concerned about portability and will bite the bullet for a trailer and a electric trolling motor (Angler 360 probably too big to use foot peddle option) . Any Angler 360 owners ? Could be a great set up for an older fisherman with mobility issues on a budget .

I’m a braid mainline + FC leader on spinning set ups but a bait cast set up for jigs will always be straight FC .

Football jigs get #12 lb. to #15 lb. get straight FC . I want that constant feedback of what the jig is doing on the bottom that straight FC lines used with jigs provided . With Braid + leader set up you will lose some sensitivity versus using straight FC line.

Good selection ! …I would only add a weightless T-Rigged Senko dead sticked on the bottom .

The Bait Monkey recently came and got me while sleeping at 3:00AM … As he lead me to my PC and the TW web site where my wish list is stored - he stated : “No distractions at this hour , take your time and order away “ … I probably ordered 35% - 40% more than I set out to do - once more the Bait Monkey does his job !

A couple thoughts on Ned Rig snag reduction : 1) Use as light a jig head as you can get away with (1/16th oz , 1/32nd oz) , 2) Use EWG style Ned Jig Head with hook buried in the TRD (more weedless , snagless ) . Siebert Outdoors (sponser) has a nice EWG Ned Rig Jig Head .

It would appear to me that fishing a Ned Rig in the winter for bass would be a good match . Using a TRD on a 1/16th oz. or 1/8th oz. mushroom jig heads crawled or hoped slowly along the bottom would not give off any unnatural ques causing a bass to become alarmed . Lastly , the do nothing look and lack of action of the TRD could really come into play and be better in the cooler water months ? Anyone primarily use a Ned Rig in cooler water months for bass ?

AbrazX only as a leader on a spinning reel (with #10 lb. - #15 lb. braid main line ) . Any FC line greater than #6 lb. usually will have handling issues on a spinning reel .

I’ll talk spinnerbait trends in clear to very clear water : Pale , natural , translucent skirt colors . Down size spinner bait blades one size (twin willow leafs or willow / small Colorado combo) or use a newer finesse spinner bait (Siebert Outdoors) in same configurations . I experiment with standard silver blades but will add small size glitter in gold , green , pink , blue , white , etc. to one blade side or even both blade sides depending on bass forage, water clarity , sky conditions , surface wave activity , etc. *Historically spinner baits are best used in stained / dirty water where color , flash , thump , etc. are very helpful . If you go the spinner bait route in clear water - you need a more overcast sky , some surface ripple , transparent colors , downsize & muted blade flash and most likely faster retrieve speeds to overcome the clear water conditions . If you want to add a trailer - use a 3.3” Strike King translucent color swim bait (Ghost Shad , Smallmouth Magic) and remember to cover water !

The Spunk Shad tail depends on movement from something in front of it creating movement (such as a chatter bait) OR changing your reel speed with start - stop action . *Reeled in a straight line on a buzz bait - I'd rather use a Zoom Z-Craw / Z- Craw Jr. or a Z-Man GOAT with better (yet still subtle tail action) for buzz bait trailers and not a Spunk Shad .

I'd give up knot strength slightly and drop down a size or two main line and leader size line for a smaller size knot - just to have a knot easier and faster to tie than the FG knot !

Seaguar InvizX as a bait cast main line for me.

Good quality #8 lb. ~ #10 lb. FC leader , Owner Mosquito Lite #2 ~ #1 size hooks , Robo Worm , a proper set drag and a "reel set" hook set are your friends !

This VMC "Drop Dead" weighted EWG hook in a 3/0 size for 4" Senkos and the 4/0 size for 5" Senkos - all weights work well depending on the sink rate you are after for the season / conditions : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Drop_Dead_Weighted_Hook_4pk/descpage-VDDWH.html?from=gshop&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5aS9ucmEggMVmzHUAR21tAxuEAQYASABEgL0ZvD_BwE

Who has taken the plunge with the new BFS set up now becoming popular with bait cast rod & reel makers ? List what you have now please (including line and line size) ... Thanks - the Bait Monkey's little brother is after me saying : "The BFS is better than Finesse Spinning" !

I'm always game to explore new 2.8" ~ 3.5" swim baits ... Currently only tried the SK Rage Swimmer , ,Keitech Fat Swing Impact and Easy Shiner .

I like the replies - great stuff !