Jake the Cake

Looks like the Shiners we use here in the Ozarks/Midwest, but THAT much purple and those stripes down the fat part of the body make me think it's something else. Definitely has the outline/physique of a bass, just very very tiny.

Dahlberg River2Sea Clackin Crayfish

I've caught 4 this year so far on a Strike King Mini King. Granted that's the one lure I have 110% faith in so it probably gets thrown a lot more than some of these guys.

I have a collapsible net and do not unfold it until I need it. It's always within reach and it unfolds in an instant, but until I need it, it stays folded up next to me. Also someone mentioned bananas, don't know where this came from or why so many people follow that rule but I stick to it. No bananas on the boat!!!!

Put in an order for Siebert Compact Spinnerbaits. Pretty excited for those Bluegill and Bloody Shad skirts!

That's the most beautiful selection of skirts I've ever seen. How long are those arms on the Compact Spinnerbaits? I seem to have more success with blades that are as close to the skirt as it can get. Guess I could always bend it to my liking because those skirts colors are impressive. That Bluegill and Bloody Shad!?!?!?!?!?! Killer! I definitely agree with inline spinners working like magic. I haven't had much luck with them in lakes but they're unbeatable in rivers. 1/8 oz Yellow and Silver Rooster Tail is all I need for a limit in the river.

I've been looking into those Rocket Shad for casting purposes as well. The Mini King is and always will be the most productive spinnerbait I've ever owned but unless you're throwing with the wind, you can't cast them the distance that I would prefer. Hang ups are the only thing that have really shied me away from those and at $3.50 a pop it can't fiscally compete with the Mini King. I love throwing that thing around nasty weeds and brush which ultimately ends up with quite a few lost baits. Is there such a thing as a Weedless Swinging Bladed Swim Jig? Like a Freedom Lure Hydra, with a weedguard, and a Colorado blade. I think I'd be in heaven if someone came up with this design.

I use Strike King Mini King spinnerbaits for when bass are finicky or I'm trying to catch a limit (Which is more times than not). What does everyone else use? I'm perfectly satisfied with the Mini King but it's always nice to know what other options might be.

put a 1" Gulp Alive minnow on the hook. Get them every time!

So it sounds like stepping up my jig fishing and working deep water structure is a necessity for 2016. Maybe venture out to some different waters as well. d**n nice pictures you all have put up too.

Not really sure if you can consider it an underspin, but Roadrunners are always a go to for me. A LOT more affordable too.

I do fish jigs a bit but I'm not the best with them. A majority of my bass come from swimbaits and poppers. I think a lot of that comes from growing up with a dad who loved Crappie and catfish so the patience was never taught from a young age, I had to learn that growing up talking to other fisherman. I fish a Texas rig more than jigs. Yum Bad Mamma on a swing hook has been my latest preference.

I do fish shallow a lot, I'm definitely a cove fisherman. Lots of docks and trees that have fallen into the water. I don't have the best graph so it's hard to get a real quality idea of what deep water structure looks like. Usually if I see something that catches my eye I'll hang a drop shot off the side of the boat with a finesse craw and a circle hook and really watch it for 15 minutes or so then go back to fishing the shores. Might have to focus on covering deep structure more this year. Water diversity isn't the problem because I have no problem traveling for lakes.

Good way to kick off 2016!

So 2015 wasn't a great year in the way of big bass for me. I only managed to snag 2 or 3 that weighed in at about 2.5 lbs at most the entire year. I caught a typical amount of bass for me but the one or two big prize fish just weren't there. I guess the question is, what do you all do to ensure a comeback year?