S. Sass

For mostly laydowns and flooded bushes I use just as much weight as I need to get the bait in there. I'm not saying a 1/2, 3/4, weight wouldn't possibly trigger another bite but I don't think it would be worth it in laydowns and bushes. Just my opinion maybe someone else chunks heavy weights at laydowns and bushes I just don't.

Exactly. I have also been using straight shank for years. I tried the EWG and it just never felt the same. I still have some EWGs I had bought and for some baits they do seem to fit the bait OK and do work but the straight shank just has the advantage with the point being so open. Not to mention if you like the action of the snell knot you can use it as well.

A cell phone or a GoPro to take pics/video is great too. Its really hard to share your experience in a way that compares to actually seeing some of it.

If you really want have a high % chance to catch fish I would recommend a guide for the first time out on a new lake as massive as Okeechobee. Since you are renting a rent a skiff that cost would partially be invested in the guide somewhat easing the overall cost. But hey there may be someone here that lives out that way that may help.

OK I would normally take a Grape 6" Mann's Jelly Worm 3/16 oz black tungsten worm/bullet weight and a 3/0 worm hook texas rigged or what RoLo is fishing. But since I can only bring one lure the worm would eventually need replaced. So I have to go to a siebertoutdoors 3/8 oz. Dredge Brush Jig in Bluegill color. They are so good I don't have to have a trailer.

FYI I also am not sponsored by Siebert Outdoors. Shoot come to think of it I am not sponsored by anyone. Seriously though Mike earned my business as I read numerous times here on BR of other very pleased customers. One order later and I was hooked (pun intended). Every order since has been equally or more impressive. The discount from BR if I ever got it it was because Mike put it on there. Even at list price these are excellent jigs for the retail price. Its like they are on sale all the time. Once you get your order you will see the quality hand assembled work. Easily one of the best priced fishing jigs for this quality period from what I have seen.

Dredge Brush Jig from Siebert is the one and only head I throw. I no longer use any other brand or style. Advantages? Well lets see Great price Not mass produced / hand made Almost endless options, if you don't see it email Mike he is very easy to work with. Very friendly personal service Forum sponsor Band name hooks like Owner, Mustad, and Trokar

I have no "bucket list" and i am not the one to name a " legend " however. Some of my home state lakes that are well thought of. Texas Lakes Sam Rayburn Toledo Bend Lake Fork Lake Falcon Alan Henry Lake O’ The Pines Some i'd like to hit one day that I think are well thought of list. Florida Lakes Okeechobee Lake George Lake Monroe California Lakes Castaic Lake Clear Lake Dixon Lake Miramar Reservoir

^^^ agreed Berkley Havoc Ike's Devil Spear is a simple, effective, and affordable bait.

X3 Check out Siebertoutdoors.com Extremely nice hand made jigs and a awesome guy to buy from. Not going to say he does it for every person/order but he has always gone out of his way to make me what I want even if I didn't see the option on his website. If you don't see what you are looking for just email him he usually answers in a day or two. Mike@Siebertoutdoors has earned all of my jig business hands down.

Dredge Brush has easily become my most used most productive jig. Admittedly I don't have a lot of rock but aside from that it is awesome in everything else I have found. And it's not horrible in rock I just don't use much in the few rocks my lakes have. Favorite colors are Bluegill, Black Brown Amber, Falcon Lake, and Brown Craw. I have a new Red skirt color coming now thanks to Mike. Should be awesome. Here is the sample pic I got.

Chrome Blue has a good reputation at my local lake. But honestly Chrome Black has produced about the same for me. But it's not like anyone has scientifically determined one is better so generally Blue gets the nod.

I have one called Fishing Mobile I use it occasionally to look at Solunar has a dashboard speedo / compass feature if you need to check/verify your speedometer. Actually has tons of features but I don't use them I'm to lazy.

Yeah to clarify it wasn't all the time for me either but it did randomly happen. Enough to annoy me. The good thing (if this is good) is it makes a audible clicking so I usually heard it and or felt the knurled edge of the dial rake against me. I also palm my reels. Maybe this is more user technique that gets me in trouble with it. I just know the dials recessed into the reels like the Lew's I never had that issue with. I also want to clarify the reel is not bad its actually a smooth reel. I also think its finish is nicer and better looking. But in the other departments if you gave me my choice I'll take my Tournament.

I was like you pretty much strictly Lew's but wanted to see for myself after a few times reading fanboy stuff like it will gain 10 yards on distance and there are no reels other than a Daiwa or Shimano. I'll say the Tatula 100 is a good reel but it's not as good as a Tournament imho. It's heavier, has less drag, makes a irritating clunk noise when the Twing moves, and the most irritating part to me is the dial on the outside can easily be unadjusted. I thought it was just me but I've seen other Daiwa guys have the same complaint. TJ81 just recently said the same thing in one of his recent videos. Still a good reel but unless the new ones cures all that it's nothing to write home about.

I looked through all the 3 1/2" h2o baits because I never heard of the copper nose color. I found one crankbait that was 3 1/2" and 2 swimbaits but none with copper nose in the name. Bluebasser86 tip works good on the hooks. But I wasn't aware of a topwater one either.

Rapala DT(Dives-To) Series DT10 / Dives 10' / 3/5 oz H2O XPRESS™ CRS+ / Dives 8' - 12' / 3/8 oz And these ^^^ Deep Little N(DLil N) / 9 -12ft / 3/8 oz

Nice folks there but I seriously doubt they would even consider such. But I have been wrong before so I guess its just a phone call to try. Worst thing they can say is no and hang up.

Not sure exactly what H2O lure your speaking of but I have been very satisfied with the lures I have of theirs. I don't have a lot but probably 20 or so of theirs and to me they are a great bait for the $.

12# Big Game has worked well for me.

T-rigged Mann's Jelly Worm. Paul Elias said so.

Agreed that is erratic. Also the Rage craws are pretty wild too. I guess the Paca craws are as well. They are one of my favorites but to me not one of the most erratic.

Simple answer: Are you having a relaxing good time fishing? If so your using the jig just perfect. If you're not then the minute you feel it's not very relaxing and fun then I'd switch to another rod.

I always have a jig on and like others have said I try different stuff and end up back on the jig as I rotate through trying to find what they want. If they want the jig I don't put it down till I feel it has run its course in that area. Then I move and go back to search mode.