Ozark_Basser

Depends on the bait. Baits like spooks or jerkbaits (especially vision 110's) I just buy one or maybe two. I can make spinnerbaits last a long time as well. I'll usually buy more than one of the same color crankbait, and I make my own jigs so I don't worry about that as much.

I'd guess g Loomis nrx, but if you went custom with a Phoenix k2 blank with micro recoil guides, split grip eva, and a Toray mvt reel seat from alps, you'd probably have the lightest set up out there.

Bait clicker let's you know something has your bait. That way you can set it down and when you here the clicking noise you can grab your rod, engage the spool, and set the hook.

Jigs in heavy cover has caught all of my good fish lately.

Here is a couple I did with supplies from fishingskirts.com. Everything except the lead and hooks were bought from there.

Ike's blue herring

This is a good option. I like to cast it out, let the rings settle, then give it a good hard jerk pulling it underwater. A lot of times they'll bite it right when you jerk it or when it floats back up. I usually just repeat this process with not so hard of jerks all the way back to the boat.

I guess, but I wouldn't compare what larger bass are doing to what the dinks are doing. I'd say you were missing something else other than the bass not wanting to be fed big baits, if that was the case.

How big was that bass he caught? If it was just a dink, then I'd say thats why you didn't catch one, and he did.

If you upload your photos to photo bucket then copy and paste the image URL to your post, it will make the image much larger and easier to see.

I bet it will work fine. I'm a huge fan of GYCB hula grubs in orange. Works well even in the crystal clear streams of the Ozarks. Caught a 21" smallmouth out of the Little Buffalo River with one.

On my lake, if the wind is howling (preferably <20 mph) you are really missing out if you're not throwing a moving bait.

Sounds about right. I've found that when one big one bites, a lot of other big ones are biting. When I caught my PB, I lost one that might have went seven, caught one around five, then caught the 9 lber. Were the other tournament weights pretty close, or was it a blowout?

Never fished Shoal Creek. Always wanted to do the Kings River up around the Missouri/Arkansas border. Heard it's as good as it gets as far as a float trip goes for catching smallmouth. I find it hard to believe it outmatches Crooked Creek around my parts.

Dude was in toad mode.

They will get bit anytime a fish will bite a topwater. I have had my most luck on them in summer and fall though. Try it out and see for yourself. I wouldn't just take someone's word for it.

I've never used a pit boss as a trailer, but I use RI sweet beavers all the time. I use the 4.20 and tear off a good chunk to where the hook comes out between the eyes.

I'd say the reason most anglers don't use floating jerkbaits is because they are probably the hardest lure to cast . With no weight transfer system, its pretty hard to bomb without helicoptering. It takes a really soft rod and lots of practice.

You tend to get what you pay for when it comes to line, but there are quality lines that aren't just real expensive.

I'd just look for areas where they could spawn with a hard bottom. Fish all around those areas with multiple casts to the same spot if the water is stained up. I'd start with a square bill and hit up those hard bottom areas. If you catch a smaller one, throw back to the same spot. You might catch a bigger one. If its clear, take a walk around a good ways from the bank to see if you can see them.

I guess if you want to use light baits in thick cover you have no choice but a medium powered rod. I'd still be scared of breaking at the knot with 15 # braid pulling them out the way you do when I catch a big one.