NorthernBasser

Anytime I look at pics of fishing gear.

I'll try answering for A-Jay. 99.9% sure it's GG Smallmouth.

Just for looks-purposes, here's a comparison of the Hog Farmer Spunk Shad (4.5) and the 10,000 Fish Yoto Worm (4.75) on the Stealth Blade. They both weigh exactly the same. I do think the Spunk Shad in 3.5 would be better on the Stealth Blade and the 4.5 on regular bladed jigs. Side view- Top view-

Well it's Kevin Cronin's (lead singer). Even has his name embroidered in it. ?

Get out! Can you say what member, without giving away their username? Man, I love REO.

I don't throw them that often. A few that work well and don't break the bank are the Scottsboro Tackle swimbait, and the Zoom Swimmer.

I can confirm. This bait does work better when it's in the water as opposed to out of the water.

It's kind of like the REO Speedwagon pick I caught at a concert one time. Probably not worth much to others, but to me it is. And that's all that matters.

The trailer I was using on both those catches was a Z Craw Jr.

No experience with any of those trailers. Have you tried the Hog Farmer Spunk Shad (3.5)? https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/HogFarmer_Baits_Spunk_Shad_Swimbait/descpage-HSK.html I got the Stealth Blade late in the year, so I haven't had much time to play around with it. I did manage one LM and one white bass on it. Probably would've gotten more but I saw them busting on the surface so I just had to throw a topwater on. I do like how it has a more subtle vibration compared to the regular Jackhammer. Something different for tougher conditions.

I'll never understand why some companies still continue to put rod lockers in the middle, for the reason you mentioned. Most people keep tackle in the deck's side locker(s).

Get yourself some peg boards and hooks. Good way of organizing stuff and seeing what you have in stock.

Reel it just like a crankbait. You wanna use a heavy enough head so that you maintain contact with the bottom. Works best with rocky bottoms. The swinghead/bait bouncing and deflecting off the rocky bottom provides much of the action. Whichever bait you choose will do the rest.

They definitely love getting hung up on wood. Rocks not as much.

The dorsal fin is split and the hook sits in between it. The fin is VERY soft, which is why it doesn't really make this bait that weedless. Still, it's a great little bait.

I think mine was 5.3 lb and 21" (had few other large ones around the same size that I didn't weigh). Caught near the end of the season on a Siebert's jig with a Rage Bug trailer.

You talking large swimbaits or smaller? A few good ones already mentioned. The S-Waver 168 is a solid glide bait that won't break the bank. Another one is the Storm Arashi Glide.

I exclusively throw the 3" version. And usually 3/8 or 1/2 oz. I'll go up to 3/4 oz if I'm fishing rivers/current. I like the Clear Chartruese color for dirty water and when I'm fishing smallies. But to be honest, I've done well with smallies on multiple colors. Wakasagi, Mutsugorou and Haze are probably my top 3 favorites. And you can fish them on your jig or Texas rig setup. I do best either slowly swimming it near the bottom, or hopping it like a jig.

Yeah, I have no problem paying a little extra. But when the mark-up is dramatic, I gotta pass.

I've never had this issue with any other spinning rods before. I also tried 4 different sized reels, and it was the same for them all. Obviously the rod is still functional (as long as the nut stays tight), but it's just more of a minor annoyance. Doesn't help that I'm a tad OCD.

There's a smaller local tackle shop near me who I'd love to do business with. But when they charge $8 for a pack of Rage Craws, and I can get them for $5.50 online, sorry. I'm taking my business elsewhere.

So I had purchased 2 Sierras (spinning). One for a friend and decided to get one for myself. When I tighten down the reel seat nut, it doesn't seem to come down as far as it should. I have seen someone else post a pic of theirs here once before and it had the same issue. I figured maybe that one was just a fluke. But now I wonder if it may be an issue with all of the Sierra spinning rods? Anybody else have a Sierra spinning without this issue?

I primarily throw my swim jigs on an Orochi Diablo, and I love it. Nice backbone and the tip isn't TOO stiff.

Appreciate it if you can share your findings when/if you figure it out. I ordered a 100 without reading any reviews. Now I'm hearing about the floating issue. I was excited about throwing this little guy come April on a spinning rod. Tho I suppose my 6'11" med+/Chronarch MGL could handle it. But I think it'll do better on spinning. Especially if it's windy out.