Munkin

We don't need 99% of what we have to catch bass, it is a hobby. My time on the water is limited so I would rather pay $15 for a topwater that works correctly than $1 for one I spend half the day tuning. The other question is how many topwaters does the average person lose? I figured it out and I have lost 5 since 1987 so the cost isn't that big of a factor. Allen

Zoom and Havoc line of soft plastics are inexpensive and catch plenty of fish. Crankbaits I recommend Sk, Bandit, and Norman as they are great for the cost. Spinnerbaits I would try SK and Booyah as those 2 cover most situations. Allen

Wire drill brush works but I am getting tired of the constant clogging. Right now I am using a small ladle that was like $6 and it pours great. Allen

Does it take straight or flateye hooks? Allen

I am the exact opposite, spinnerbaits work in many different situations but I cannot buy a bite on the chatterbait.

The one in my avatar is what I use for clear water. Like others have said speed is your friend in clear water. Allen

SM are aggressive and will hit larger baits than you think. I have caught 6" SM on a 110mm jerkbait before so go ahead and try them. Allen

Put it in the livewell then take it out after 15 minutes and it will be a different color. They change color based on their environment. Allen

This is what I have found as well. Allen

The method I employ frequently with round baits. Allen

Looks too much like a gimmick to me. Allen

I bought a couple 90 size baits to try and the only problem is any debris on the water fouls it. Allen

Looks like I am not the only one looking at Ichiban Tackle. Allen

What kind of hook does it take e.g. 60 degree flateye? Allen

I would like to add one of the great lessons I learned in life. If you chew Redman put it in your mouth BEFORE adjusting your jig trailer you just drenched with Kick-N-Bass craw. Allen

Here is a Dbait type crankbait I made using one of those bodies. They made things easier now by selling the hardware. The ballast weight in this one is a BPS tube weight and the hook hangers I made myself with a drill.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/wooden-bodies-blocks/ Here you go. Allen

Haven't tried those yet but what do you have to lose with the price? Use Devcon 2 Ton epoxy to glue the hardware in and you should be fine. Allen

The round bodies are tough to cut the lip slot in correct for me so they didn't turn out so well. Now the D-Bait blanks are easier and I think the 4 gram ballast weight is what you want but I haven't made any lately. Allen

Gerald Swindle said this in on of his lectures. Someone at Zoom screwed up and made a bunch of baits in this color. Ed Chambers started just giving them away to whoever wanted them since it was a mistake. Once everyone started using them they came back to Zoom and ask for more. I don't know who made that "Mistake" but they should get an award. Allen

Bandit 200 Rebel Deep Wee-R SK 4 series Allen

I have been making my own but whitish and bluegill are the best colors. For rods I either use a 6-9" MH with 12lb Floro or a 7' MH with 15lb Floro depending on the situation. As for trailers paddle tail swimbaits that are about 4" have worked best overall except in open/clear water then a 4" grub works. Below is a pic of my two best setups overall; whitish/blue with a PLIne Kick-R minnow, and a sunfish colored bait with a 3.8" Keitech in Pro Staff Special. The white bait catches more fish and works in different places but the bluegill one catches a lot of 4+ fish. Allen

Those should be Pickerel magnets at Deep Creek. Allen

Weightless = Senko Weighted = Jackall Flick Shake Allen