softwateronly

My smallmouth fishing is far from refined, but to me lake smallies key in harder than LM. Meaning, if they're on bait or looking up, they ignore the jigs right below or in front of them, and vice versa. I like everyones suggestions and would add in some heavy metal to your options; blade baits, spoons, and small swimbaits/underspins. scott

x2 scott

@UmairF If you're pond hopping around the suburbs, this rod might be perfect for you. Costs @$140 https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/5/4573236260358 It's a 2 piece powerful progressive taper, listed 3/8-3oz. I've thrown up to 4.4oz on it, and I'm pretty sure there's a japanese video with that rod slinging something as heavy as 6oz. Even though it's only a 7'er, I've had great casting distance. 200 size reel works great, I flip between a tat 200 and a bantam because I'm throwing braid to leader and have enough spool capacity. scott

I almost have all those rods and baits. 6" magdraft is probably gonna be best on the EX7'2H. You could throw it on the DC734, but you'd have to really really lean into a bite, a DC735 would also work great. A 6" magdraft freestyle should definitely be thrown on your EX7'3XH. It's the perfect rods for 6-7" beast hook, weedless soft baits, imo. Swaver 168 would be perfect for the 7'2H. The chad shad and gill are gonna be best on the EX7'3XH. I throw over 2oz very frequently with that rod, you'll be fine. They're both heavy enough where you might wanna make sure you sidearm lob it early till you get the feel of the rod. I have "real" swimbait rods, but I end up usually preferring heavy jig rods for certain lures, ie a magdraft and 168 I never tie on to my large reel rigs. scott

I really only throw braid to leader, so I have no personal experience. But I'd be nervous going lower than 8lb fc and don't think it's worth it. Y'all got some big bass and loads of standing timber down there. Maybe try the 8lb first. Plus, the diawas always seem to dial in faster for me compared to the shimanos. scott

@OmegaDPW the bait monkey lives on every page of this site. scott

Jigs and worms produced the biggest fish as usual, MH/H BC. But this year I played around a lot more with a free rig and spoons and 2 new to me 2 piece major craft rods. MC Days 6'9M/F and MC TripleCross 7'9MH/RF. Caught a load of fish and had a great time all the way till ice in and was able to throw them in my car easily. scott

I'm looking for another small/compact spinnerbait. Something that gives off a 2.5-3.5" bait feel. The power finesse version worth it? scott

Same here. I think 3 stunna 112+1's, 1 vision jr+1, and 1 world diver were my casualties last year. If I hadn't gotten 65% off on those stunnas, I'd be out $80 at least. This year I grabbed 1ea of the nishine 95/115's. The 115's are the only ones I've found where a small chunk of tieable steel leader to a clip, keeps the right action and catches fish. Hoping the 95 does as well. scott

I fish the big lake from shore, and somewhat ironically I stay confined to a few hundred yards. The smallies crowd the harbors in early spring, and give me one of my only chances to chase them. Accessing some deep water and current is where the money is that time of year and the bank alongside a big city doesn't have many areas/times where it works. scott

@Adrift I think any 4 power mbr would be a great rod for skipping. I feel like that tip allows one to do most anything. I still suck at skipping, but this was super helpful for my beginnings.... scott

I fifth or twenty-fifth's @A-Jay's suggestion. A couple years ago @WRB was kind enough to share his horizontal jigging articles and drawings with me. It really changed the way I fish and how I look for fish. My lake is full of breaks and weeds with very clear water and dramatic swings in pleasure boat activity and pressure. Long casts are key to my success, when I find it. Tom recommended Zorro Baits - Casting Booza Bug for my water. It is the perfect jig for my lake and I never would have found it on my own because in my mind everything about the design looked inappropriate. Man I was wrong. Thanks again Tom! scott https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zorro_Baits_Casting_Booza_Bug_Jig/descpage-SSZBCJ.html

I'm really happy with my Feathers. It sounds like a steal to me, I think Phenix knows what it takes to make a good rod. I hope you get to fish it soonish and let us know. scott

No doubt. I lose at least a dozen jigs a year to pike. scott

The 3/4oz Uoze w/ a 6.5" gambler is my summertime nighttime jam. I think Ike is talking to me. scott

here's the closest I know of, https://www.katsuichi.co.jp/decoy/decoy-list/jigheads/for-light-game/561-sv-57 https://www.digitaka.com/item/149/55/78/4989540828748 I grabbed these to use with a 1.8g stick weight down shot rig. https://www.digitaka.com/item/149/55/75/4989540828854 https://www.digitaka.com/item/149/55/79/4989540821558 scott

I'm a huge fan of the Alphas 800S. I have 2, 1 on a 7'8M/RF and the other on a 6'9M/F. Both have pe#1.2 and sling 1/8oz plenty far enough for me. My Zillion is on a M+ and it's super smooth and casts really well. For me, the Alphas are more comfortable palming, and I see and feel no difference in performance, so I actually prefer them over the Zillion. Being $50 cheaper is a great bonus. I have no experience with the tat 80. scott

I grabbed some from my last digitaka order, but here's some TW options I've used and liked... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Super_Round_Tungsten_Jig_Head/descpage-KSR.html https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Decoy_VJ-77_Plus_Guard_Ball_Jig_Head_4pk/descpage-DCVJ.html and a new one that looks interesting, but expensive... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Range_Roller_Jighead/descpage-ORRJH.html and this might be able to do double duty... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Core_Tackle_Hover_Rig_3pk/descpage-CTHVR.html scott

You just have to buy a reel! scott

Godspeed @Glenn!! Eat, drink, and have fun! I know I would. And if you're living dangerously, have some Fugu. scott

Me too! Also, can we get size 1 and 2 in the US? Thanks, scott

That makes perfect sense to me, our waters are probably very similar. I also just don't use treble/hardbaits that often either. Though, the small t-rigs, jigs, free rigs, etc absolutely provide bites when traditionally sized lures don't. I've heard from more than a few people proclaim their love of the 842, I'm hoping this mc will be somewhat similar. scott

Pretty sure that the met dc isn't brass main gear with a 6.1oz weight and being dc, it's hard to see where weight would be eliminated if not the gear. I'd be surprised if it was. scott

Youtube and people are far from perfect, but I think a good show is a good show. Now is the best time for low cost, creative entertainment to find an audience. Story always wins in the end. scott