Originally Posted by
CL SmooV
Drop
Texas
Crank
For you DROP SHOT.....purchase a nice spinning real and rod setup with a 6'6 medium action rod. Spool your reel with 6# Fluorocarbon or with braid with 6# Fluoro leader. I go with Trilene Professional Grade. Tough--as I've caught several 5+# fish on it with no problems. Take a view on youtube on how to tie your drop shot hook on correctly to increase your hook-up ratio. Next, check into to buying your drop shot weights -- I rarely use higher than a 1/4 ounce. Select the shape of your drop shot weight based on what your instincts tell you. I use the bullet shape. Lastly, experiment with drop shot plastics that feel right to you. I found Strike King and Keitech plastics work great for me. Don't be afraid to experiment. Find yours. Archive your catch rate on each plastics used. Document the color, length, size, and action it gives off.
For your TEXAS RIG.....purchase an adequate casting reel with high gear ratio -- 7:1 or higher. A 7' MH rod will do. Spool your reel with no less than 10# test fluorocarbon line. 12# preferred. Again, watch a vid on tying on a a Texas Rig. Then go purchase your hooks -- sizes 2/0 to 5/0 worm hooks. Look into tungsten weights as well for this set up. Size 3/16 is great. As for baits -- EXPERIMENT with craws, creatures, lizards until you find a good pattern. Try color hues that are natural to the lakes features. This is a great shallow or deep presentation -- from shore or boat. This bait calls in big fish....as my past couple DD fish have come on a Texas Rig. Removing your weight from this set up can also allow you to fish weight-less presentations like senkos and ikas. Look up weight-less set ups and read about how a "slow sink" could help you catch a couple more fish.
For your CRANK BAIT setup.....try to acquire a minimum 7' medium rod and casting reel with a 6:1 or 7:1 ratio. Use no less than 10# fluorocarbon line. The deal here to purchase shallow to medium diving crank baits to cover water. You are using this set up as a search bait. vary your retrieve speed, make contact with the bottom, and ensure the fishing conditions are good for a crank. If it's grassy...go find rock or rip rap. Experiment with colors that match bait-fish in your lakes. Try and match that size to your cranks.
Good Luck!
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