softwateronly

The chad shad can be worked so many ways, slow glides, burning, quick chops, reel twitches and pauses, etc. It gets my vote. This was my first "glide bait" night bite last spring on a bright moon. scott

I'll second @FishTank, Kasumi Ito is my favorite general purpose color, black back, greenish gold and silver reflective side with a touch of blue and purple. Has a feel for female bluegill, small gizzard shad, and common minnows to me. scott

Tungsten

I did some rod/reel switching around this year and ended up fishing the bantam on a 7' rod rated 3/8-3oz. Spent spawn and post spawn with a chad shad tied on and it handled it flawlessly. I also deep crank with the '18 model. It seems impossible to beat up that reel from just fishing. Line capacity would be the limiting factor, unless you're braid to leader. scott

I bought a used MB Onager couple years ago, I think it's 7'10. Really love it and recommend it for both single and treble hook applications. I also love the 7'6 Expride XH, but 3oz feels just past what I'm comfortable with and only throw single hook. In my world, I tend to split uses @ 2.5oz. scott

I don't have too much, other than; they are about the same in fragility, average to slightly below average, they both maintain their kick in really cold water, and the hazedong has more body making it feel more substantial at the same length. I tend to save the few I have for when I think the okashira screw head is my needed jig. I need to use both more often in cold water. scott

It is a thing and the thing that currently makes the weights harder to find and pricey. Reins, decoy, and spro are the companies I use currently. https://www.digitaka.com/item/149/55/79/4989540821596 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/SPRO_Tungsten_Drop_Shot_Sinker_Long/descpage-STDSS.html scott

What I've learned over the last year is that; it catches fish. initial fall, hops of all kinds, and dragging if the eyelet is too big, it'll catch a bit on the backside of the knot, limiting the free part if the eyelet doesn't swivel, your line lasts only a few hours 1/16-3/8oz has covered me up to 20' and windy, but 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4 are probably my most useful digitaka has the best prices I've seen for them scott

Interesting. I haven't but this nishine jerk bait consistently works 15' if you weight it with their attached weight for a barely slow sink. You can get it deeper, but the snaps usually bring it back to the 13-15' https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Nishine_Lure_Works_Erie_115_MD_Jerkbait/descpage-NEMD.html scott

I've done 2 rods from them. They're legit. They're about a week slower than digitaka on shipping though. There's a 10% off code till 12/24. SWOFF10 I've compared their ebay and website prices, the deals are usually better on the actual site. shimreels.com scott

I'm a fan of this rod at $138, I'd still be one if it were $250. https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/5/4573236260358 scott

I've had some luck with the gambler power ned and Nichols magnum ned, if you're looking for a heavier ned to mix in with a jig/stickworm and regular ned. Works well on a medium power rod. Deeper water, faster fall, current, larger profile have been my reasons to upsize. scott

My simple thought is, active bass will be under the bait, but within striking distance. Bait 10-15'? No need to look at a school of bass in 25' because they're probably neutral at best, and no need to look shallower than 12'. My guess is water clarity has to play in this calculation though. scott

I store clamshells in cheap laundry bags, sorted by size. I'm also pretty lazy regarding this. The only problems not using clamshells are color bleed and tail bending. @Jig Man has a smart system and with any effort is easily duplicated. If you separate color, you're good to go. If the tail gets misshapen, you can wag them around in a pot of low boiling water for 10-15 seconds and they will reset. scott

This is Matt Allen's answer if you want to try them and the link supports them financially fyi: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Treble_Round_Bend_Hooks_Black/descpage-BLICK.html?from=tbassin I've been happy with 10lb sniper, but haven't tried too many options. What's been your favorite? scott

Love it. A red/white daredevil was among my 1st lures ever in the early 80's, but I never really connected with any spoons till late last year. I finally understand a place for them in my time on the water, I'll look back to them. scott

My only advice if you're successful with texas rigs and neds, is to add jigs into the mix. They're too effective and fun to miss out on and this site has all the info needed to get you going if you have any questions. It worked for me. scott

I prefer good hooks and carry needle nose pliers, hemostat, and a net. I really like jerkbait fishing and the hooks are almost everything. So I deal with it on all trebles. Angry, thrashing northern pike with their entire mouth hooked shut on cranks and spoons, give me the most trouble. But I would think barbless trebles will certainly improve hookup/land over singles, but if I were fishing in the ***, I'd want every advantage to get them to me. Having a mini bolt cutter is a good idea too, it can de-escalate a handful of disasters. scott

Usually the good chop baits will fold close to 90 degrees when you hold them up, nose down. I've seen "internet people" grind out the abs on the joints to get that type of bend. Might be a fun project with an s-waver or SG. scott ps - I can sometimes get the chop rhythm with the Ima Glide as is ps - found my internet people

Everytime I land one, I demand a return of my hardware or I take my time with the pliers. scott I'm not an effective negotiator

I'm with @DogBone_384 and @PaulVE64 but I also really like a tailspins, small underspins creeped on the bottom, and tactical bassin's version of speed cranking. Cranking, blade bait hopping, and suspending jerkbaits are my first choices. Get the active ones fired up and follow up with a dragged or dead sticked jig or underspin. scott

True, but their love of jigs in the spring is the one I can't figure out to land or avoid. It's costing me a dozen jigs a year. scott

The 7" mizmo tube has caught and been bit off by more northern than bass for me. Thanks for the reminder! scott

I predict 3 muskies and 1 tree before the new year scott

If you're in the NE, use https://webapp.navionics.com/ in conjunction with google maps to find deeper water that you can access with a cast from the bank. I really like a 1/2oz blade bait, tail spinner, and a 3/8oz finesse hair jig as cold water baits. Hop the metal ones and drag the hair. First light and late afternoon warming trends are my favorite times, but I'll go whenever I can. scott