Norm M

I've always thought the dropshot rig was nothing more than a 3 way rig . Weight below a hook , just a matter of leader length for hook and weight . Weighted properly , the 3 way was a search rig for me , I let it bounce downstream on a quartercast with a variety of baits/lures . Using it the way Phil does also makes a lot of sense to me , it's simply a matter of applying proper depth and speed control to present a bait in various current situations .

It sounds like you guys are using a chatterbait to do the same thing I use a crankbait for . Thanks for the ideas , I'll give them a try . If it ends up performing the same function as a crankbait I imagine it will get sidelined as I just prefer crankbaits to anything else . Lord , I need some bigger slackwater areas and a little less current , I'm jonesing for some crankbait action .

Brian , I know the Road runner type jigs work on my flow , there is a handful of guys that do quite well with them . I also had success in the past with the whistler jig[edit to correct jig name] but I've been trying to cut down on how much I carry . I'll prolly end up grabbing some of each type and trying them at some point this year as I seem to be back into my lets see what else will work mood again . Brendan , Never thought of adding a blade to the swim jigs , can't recall mention of the shakee blade but then again I'm to the point where the wife puts get in the car and come home on the bottom of the grocery list . I'll try a google search and see what comes up . The jig spinner is a right handy thing to carry , not only adds some flash but it's easy to change jig head types/sizes without retieing every time . You might want to get some of the smaller sizes and turn some of them lil jigs you fnf with into mini spinnerbaits for a change of pace presentation . Put a real small rubberband from the jig eye to the hook for a kinda snag gaurd and toss into some wood .

One of Newton's laws .

Usually it's not a real hard hit this time of year , sometimes it's hard to distinguish the take from the pull of a branch . On occasion it's arm jarring but that tends to be the exception . One thing I like about the thump from the big blades in this situation is that when it stops it is time to set the hook . You also need to pay attention to the drop rate as when the spinnerbait is sliding down along the tree it seems that at times the bass may pin it against the tree at the level they are sitting at . When they do this they generally don't move seeing as how there is no need to and many times not a lot of room to move in anyway . You may see the line twitch but it tends to twitch a bit as it skins down the bark so your best clue is that you don't feel it hit bottom and see the associated bow in the line that comes with it when you think you should . Today it was the lack of thump that was the key as the water was dropping and there was a little bigger slack pockets so you could kinda swim / pull it with the rod . The fish wanted the bait moving and when they took it , the thump stopped and you got that something ain't quite right feeling . I tried a swim jig with a walleye assassain after a couple fish hit it on the swim but it was ignored , evidently the thump still attracted the fish . I also tried fishing a jig on the bottom but all I got was leaves and debris .

With the high water situation lately it's mostly been a matter of pitching baits to flooded trees and shoreline pockets . So far , a singlespin with a large colorado blade and a 5 inch twister on the back has outproduced jigs with any type of soft plastic from twisters to walleye assassains to tubes . I think it's the thump from the big colorado blade that is the difference as there is no visibilty whatsoever and the fish are prolly relying on thier sense of feel . To try and confirm this I added a jigspinner to my jigs and that rig also out produced the plain jig . I can't say for sure that is the only reason but I really can't see anything else at this point . Maybe a different point of view would help , any thoughts would be appreciated . As far as an fnf rig with the braided currents and all the snaggles/tangles I think you would lose a lot of rigs and time retieing .

I finally decided to see what a Chatterbait could do and if it could live up to the hype . Unfortunately my timing stinks as we got the highest flows I've ever seen . For the most part there wasn't enough large slackwater pockets to use it with a steady retrieve and cover some water which is what it looks to be best at . When I tried pitching it to trees and pockets it just didn't produce on short retrieves . It also didn't handle the current real well but maybe I'm just not used to what it's supposed to do . Anyone else use them and have any thoughts ?

Well the extremely high water seems to have put the fish off the topwater bite . I thought maybe in areas like the flooded parking lots and such they might still hit it near the edges but so far they have ignored everything from buzzbaits to deadsticked Rapala minnows . I will have to keep plugging away as the water drops but it may will be that the bite is off until the flow stabilizes .

Rick , I'll keep up my end of the health issues and continue the prayers for yours . Until we can meet one day .

Craig , just some good ole Chicago style weather changes catching up to you in spades . Happy New Year and continued success in your endeavours .

Jonn , I know I'm definitely in a very small group that actually likes it , but it keeps the crowds down for sure . I've got a nice spot in mind for the swim jigs , behind a point bar where I first meet you .

Jonn , What with the warmup coming and all that snowmelt bringing rising water levels , I'll be skinning bark on some flooded trees . Love that high , cold , muddy water . Thanks for the update , I'll wait a week or two .

Very impressive totals . I'm thinking of hitting Powerton soon , according to the local paper the smallies haven't really got going yet . Have you heard anything to the contary ?

Tied on Jonn's jig for the first trip of 08 , matched it with a salt water assassain . Only one fish but it was a 20 plus . First time ever the first fish of the year hit that milestone . Not a bad start to a new product .

Jonn , I was showing them to a couple guys at work that are fishermen . We were very impressed with a lot of the details beside the looks . The suppleness of the weedgaurd , the quality of the hook , the plastics barb on the hook and the care with which the were tied all brought very positive comments . I especially liked how the sparse tie allowed the tinsel to show thru exceptionally well , it provides a nice contrast . One of the guys fishes Lake Michigan a lot and remarked how well they should work on the salmon and trout as well . I know the pike in my river have a liking for swim jigs . As far as the other small packet you included , we were very impressed . I think that they would work very well at Powerton , you should be able to cover some water very effectively . I'm going to have to give that a try as well . A job well done sir .

Guys , I have spent enough time working various shows for different groups to tell you that it can be a very enjoyable experience . You get to meet a lot of interesting folks , hear some great stories [ some of them even true] and meet a celeberity or three if you get lucky . You should also know that the sight of a guy with an exhibitors badge on drives the women wild .

Rick , I'll be offering up prayers that the day never comes that you lose the foot . Hopefully we will get a chance to share some water before the last cast comes , you sound like my kind of guy . I've got to keep the diabetes in check to keep from having adverse circulatory problems . It's a struggle at times but you just have to keep on trucking . Lord willing and the crick don't rise we meet some day .

Jonn , Recieved the jigs today , the quality is exceptional . I will be using them next trip . To every one else , the pictures posted don't do them justice . I would highly recommend them to any one who appreciates a quality product .

Don't fish for squirrels with sammys in Sindianer .

You can catch fish on topwaters in coldwater . On the lighter side , don't fish downwind from Don Rego .

Gary , That was a great day for me , really enjoyed seeing you again .

Check out the In Fisherman Calendar periods from the early issues , could be a start .

Jonn , Sorry , I haven't had much time to get on line the last couple days , been using all my free time catching smallies in high cold muddy water . That Silver Shad is perfect , it will work well with a white or pearl plastic trailer . Jim , this my my Christmas present to me , after all I haven't been too naughty but that fat guy in the red suit only leaves me the bills .

"minas sanity" would be closer to the truth .

If you are going to fish it from a boat , you could always use a Gapen Baitwalker to get it down .