Munkin

It was said to be a custom 30 degree 6/0 hook that was originally designed for tuna according to what I read. Allen

From what I remember reading somewhere they are a custom made hook. The closest thing you will find is on ebay someone was selling 35 degree 5/0 Gama hooks. Allen

Are you talking about the boaters safety course? I took mine online like 10 years ago and no-one has ever ask to see the card. Loading and unloading just takes some practice that's all. Allen

Zorn is the biggest name for custom molds and has been in the business for awhile. http://www.zornmolds.com/ Allen

I use the colored ball tags and just put in a tag then toss them in the livewell. Darker colored tags for bigger fish and lighter colors for smaller ones in general. Once I get 5 I worry about culling but fishing has been so tough this year it hasn't happened. Allen

Just those BPS hooks that give you the problems. In hindsight I believe the rod you were using wasn't heavy enough for the way we were fishing. Allen

Setting the hook does not work well with those circle hooks. I had the same problem but it is hard to "un-learn" setting the hook. Just reel and apply pressure as they will hook themselves like a drop shot rig. Allen

The best answer. Allen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK0P1Bk8Cx4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK0P1Bk8Cx4

Flukes: I pour my own but stick with shad colors Hooks for the flukes I believe are 3/0 light wire EWG but they maybe 4/0? I bought a 50 pack 3 years ago of the ones I liked and cannot remember the size? Toads: I have yet to find a color that doesn't work so I have been using the original color green pumkin w/pearl belly. Besides that I carry solid black and solid white but to me it is a topwater and only the belly color matters. As for hooks I quit using the Zoom toad hooks as the hook-up ratio was bad. The twin hooks like others have mentioned work but were a pain to rig? What I finally settled on is the heavy wire Owner twist lock hooks in 5/0. These are expensive at like $6 for 3 but I have yet to lose one and they are sharper with a better hook-up ratio. Allen

Smallie beaver Fluke 4" senko Slider worm Bandit 100 in a craw color Allen

I have an old chug bug looks 8 months pregnant that still works. Now the LC gunfish that is now shaped like a banana not so much? Allen

Whiteish, smoke, smoke w/white belly are the only colors I use but I pour my own with a lot of salt. When in doubt just use white as it will work in any water clarity. Allen

Did the rod tip break off (blank break) or is the tip itself just broke? I have broke a few tips and yes you can measure with calibers, etc. or do it the easy way. Call Shimano and ask as they have good custp is easyomer service. I crushed a Gloomis tip and just called to ask the size and they sent me 3 free. Replacing a tip is very easy as long as you can operate a Bic lighter. Allen

He is holding out on us with the good spots! Allen

I don't know why you are having trouble casting the bait? I fish them on a 7'MHM St Croix crankbait rod with 12lb line and can cast it a long ways. These baits excel when the grass/etc. is about 12-18 below the surface. Just run the bait over top of the grass and hold on. Allen

To me a swim jig is just a spinnerbait without blades. Allen

I have caught several 4-5lb bass that have swallowed the whole bait. Allen

The only thing I can add to this is bring some flukes. Allen

Yes, 10 years ago on Fort Leonard Wood while I was in OBC for the Army. I had no idea what it was until the local Game Warden explained it to me. Allen

On the Potomac they like white spinnerbaits and jerkbaits with chartreuse in them. Allen

$20 microwave from yard sale, pawn shop, wherever? $60 two piece hand pour aluminum mold $3 Pyrex cup from Wal-Mart $ plastic from wherever (Lurecraft is a good start) $= 0 Used plastics for re-melt This is as simple or complicated as you want to make it? I have a two piece senko mold that has 2- 4" and 2- 5" cavities that I bought used for like $50 shipped. I make senkos by experimenting with colors, salt, etc. but a lot of them are just re-melts of used worms? Allen

Crankbaits are the hardest to figure out (ballast, bill angle, etc.). Soft plastics are the easiest with a two piece aluminum mold in your favorite bait being preferable. Myself I started out with jigs as I lost a lot of Eakins Jewel jigs and they were hard to find once I moved back to Maryland from Missouri. For anything you want to try I would buy some pre-made stuff from Janns Netcraft, Stamina Inc., Barlows Tackle, etc. before sinking a lot of money in it. I have found that pouring lead heads has saved me money but I suck at painting crankbaits. Each person is good at different things so experiment to find what you are good at and what you need. You could be a master at making deep diving crankbaits but if the only places you fish are 6' deep farm ponds filled with grass it does you no good? Allen

I catch more and bigger fish on the smallie beaver than the regular size one. Allen