ChrisD46

Thanks - I agree ... A clicking spool tension knob is not much use (for me) compared to say a star drag . If I needed something larger or with a slower gear ratio I would leap over the Tournament MG to a BB1 or SuperDuty .

Congrats on the new addition !

Mike - you should do a jig calendar for 2015 using suitable jigs , trailers and colors good for that particular month ... Heck , in Dec. you could even include a glossy jig fold out

OK , I will rephrase another way : The Tournament MG has magnetic only braking, a larger reel size and all of the gear ratios available ... The Tournament Speed has both magnetic and centrifugal force braking , smaller line capacity and only 6:4:1 and 7:1 gear ratios available for $30 more than the Tournament MG ... Am I missing any details why the Tournament Speed Spool is more expensive than the MG ?

The above Lew's reels are very close in price - for those of you who have fished both , what are your deciding factors in selecting one over the other ?

10 inch Berkley Power Worm / Zoom 10 inch 'Ol Monster Worm Gamakatsu Offset Round Bend Worm Hook 5/0 Rig very straight and embed the hook point into the worm I believe better hook up % than with EWG - a 10 inch worm is not that thick ...Save your EWG hooks for thicker craw / beaver / creature type baits (such as the Pit Boss).

If I understand correctly , in stained water you would want more flash so a smooth gold blade would appear to be in order . Conversely , in very clear water a hammered silver finish (clear water color) would subdue the flash a bit more and so would be a better choice ?

At that size you are most likely looking at #4 .

With your spinnerbait Colorado (or Indiana) blades - what water conditions would dictate when to use a hammered finish (in gold or silver ) and when would you elect to use a plain finish with those same blades & colors ?

Gamakatsu - either #4 or #6 (depending on lure size).

Mono : 8lb. ~ 10lb. Suffix Elite Fluor : 12 lb. Seaguar InvizX Braid : 40lb. Suffix 832 Above brands are listed simply as a consistant reference point (line diameter) . If you want to go lighter than the lines listed above - go with a spinning rod & reel .

Research will indicate that the Splash - It and Yellow Magic definately have their loyal following - excellent colors too !

6'10" M fast action rod , 6:4:1 bc reel , 12lb co-poly, Big Bite Baits 5" Cane Thumper trailer.

BANG , Jack's Juice , Kick 'n Bass and Lunker Sauce would about round out the offerings in addition to what was listed above ...All are worthy of consideration !

Zoom Mag II , 4/0 offset round bend Gama hook , a 3/16th oz. tungston bullet weight - then what Jar11591 said .

Some folks have been known to sand the bottom lip of a Pop-R down just a wee bit so that it "spits" more than it pops or chugs . Next add a small oval spilt ring to the Pop-R and tie on with 10 ~ 16lb Mono ...When you pop it quickly throw a little slack line back at the lure to get it to dance a little and then repeat ... While it may not equal a Rico - it's little mods like this that can make a subtle improvement from a stock Pop-R.

+1 ...What BassinLou said !!

Just saw on Bassmasters web site their sneak preview of new offerings to be showcased at ICAST 2014 - mainly focused on crank baits , jerk baits and soft plastics ... I'm sure there will be new offerings which should be of interest to just about everyone ! I especially liked how existing baits like X-Rap and Twitch Stick (Rapala / Storm) are getting color make overs by Ike and others ... More to come I'm sure !

Be careful with the Z-Man soft plastics too as they are close to the Strike King elaztech worms I believe . If using the clear on normal soft plastics (like Zoom) - use a QTip and just dab around the head of the worm . For the JJ's chartreause - I just apply to the last 1/8 inch or so of the worms tail .

For Trick Worm - a offset round bend 3/0. A 3/0 EWG hook though is easier for those less experienced to rig a Trick Worm straight ...Rigging the hook straight may perhaps be the most important aspect of fishing any worm .

Thanks for the replies (plus earlier thread I missed - looks like I will have to experiment between the 3/8th oz and 1/2 oz. as well as trying double willows on the 3/8th oz.

If throwing a combo spinnerbait (willow leaf / colorado blade) with a soft plastic swim bait trailer (i.e. Big Bite 5" Cane Thumper) would you use a 3/8th oz weight or move up to a 1/2 oz. for the following conditions ? Conditions would be : Low to moderate wind in 2 foot to 12 foot of water depth during summer time with water temps of 80 degrees + . I would expect more of a "slow roll" bottom technique to be used but could also use a sub surface technique to see what the bass want that time of day . * Spinnerbait weights throw me off as some pros use a 1/2oz for EVERY water depth - even less than a foot ! Hence my confusion between 3/8th oz or 1/2oz weight as best for my intended usage ?

Would there be a time of year , conditions , etc. where the 1/4oz. size for a slower retrieve would be a better choice than the standard 3/8th oz. size ?

3/32nd oz : Robo Worms in light wind / shallow water to 10 ' . 1/8th oz. : Good all around weight in normal soft plastic sizes , light wind / mid depth water to 15 ' 3/16th oz. ~ 1/4+ oz. : Bigger worms , higher wind , deeper water , faster fall rate (power shakey head) .

+1 Booyah Pad Crasher is easily the best value vs. performance in frogs ...Pick up a couple of colors (one lighter / one darker) and then focus on your technique .