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Makes sense.

Nice job !! Fish any bluff banks or mainly points ?

Was anyone out there this weekend ???? Can't imagine what the swells were like.....well....actually I can....been there done that. Lol

I agree with the heck with it route.....fished with plain 'ole jig heads with no paint for years too. But it does pass the time to create your own baits...make 'em look enticing...and have the satisfaction of catching fish with them. Doesn't hurt as much to break off an 80¢ jig either.

Hey DC.....the link about using Teflon pins sounds right on the money ! They are correct about paint sticking to the metal pins. I tried leaving metal pins in to protect the guard hole and realized that paint is all but impossible to get off. Can't use them in the mold so just go with weed guards as I pour. Is a pain when you screw up a guard pouring and have to melt everything off and wire wheel the hook clean !! Will have to get these Teflons for sure. And trick I came up with to protect the guard from the torch flame while heating jig head is cut a piece of tubing used for aquarium air pumps and slide it over the guard down to the jig head.....heat....dip....pull it off. It will still allow a little paint to cover the base for a more secure anchor. Thanks a bunch for the help !! Be safe

Tried putting guards in after paint but the hole is smaller diameter cause the paint fills it in !! How in the heck do the pros do it ?? Like dipping with guards on cause I'll let the paint cover the base of the guard....helps to anchor it in the jig head better....they never come off ! Keep a marker in the boat to touch up where paint flakes off too. Don't know if this effort is worth the hassel. Opinions anyone ?

Here the deal......make my own jigs start to finish. When I paint I use a torch to heat the lead then dip in a powder paint. I've heard it said to "cure" to jigs in the oven at ?? temp. Didn't want lead/paint in the same oven as my food so I finally found a toaster oven at an auction today for this procedure. Now my questions are......what temp and how long.....and won't it melt the weed guards ?? This mold allows guards to be glued in later but it's a tight fit....so I pour with them in the mold. Any advice ? Thanks.

Nice looking catch Powerdrive. I've yet to show my son your post but I know he'll be game for this technique. Been wanting to try for walleyes in some fashion last couple years so he'll be enthused with this. Got the spoons..... just need to go do it !!

Hey Powerdrive. Diehard basser here....but your explanations on spooning make me want to head up and try it out when the bass clam up. Have spooned for whites on another lake and they were at 60 feet. They slammed the spoon. Big sows too....nothing under 15 inches. Had a blast. Thanks for the info.

Was up there Saturday. State park as well. Fished towards the dam and could only get bit on the bluffs or ends as well. Jig bite was useless but they killed the Shakey Head. Bite was super light....lots of "swimmers" before you knew they had it. Water was 57°.....cooling down fast but still catchable. Be safe.

It would be a 4 hour drive for me...coming from Springfield down in the Ozarks. Lakes down here are in tbe fall pattern and doing good right now. May wait til spring but its definitely on my bucket list ! Thank you for the suggestions bluebasser86 and you too countryred. Maybe we'll see you up there someday. Be safe.

Nice !! Love it when it all falls in to place.

Yes.

Yes.

That boat deal is sweet ! No towing and extra gas. Better baby that setup !

Good trip report 2short.....went Sunday and couldn't get a jig bite for nothing' ! They did however go nuts on a 4inch tube Texas rigged in the same areas as you mentioned. May head up again on Saturday and give the jig another fling. Be safe.

4 inch tubes texas-rigged...green melon....along bluff banks and steep chuck rock.

How's the fishing right now going into mid-Fall ? Anyone doing any good on the Bass ? Also...how deep might this lake be. Seen a few pics and it looks awesome with the variety of cover and wood. Thanks for any help.

Nice pics. That's one fat spot for sure. What's the bait in the pic ?

Anyone know for sure if the campgrounds are open again ? I can't imagine the park attendants hanging around during the "shutdown" or leaving then coming back for the last couple weeks of the season. Would like to camp upcoming weekend but need to know. Thanks. Be safe.

What creature bait is the second picture ?

OK Pruett. You can have your thread back. My ADHD is causing me to lose interest in this subject and you. What a character you are indeed. Long live the Musky !

Muskie fisherman vs bass/crappie fisherman. What a hoot...gotta love it ! Good grief.... to each his own already ! Shut up and fish !

Gee Pruett.....appreciate the loyalty to have for the Musky program but lighten up already ! I've no "agenda" as you say...just an opinion like the rest of you. No offense intended.

Geeezzzz.....when it rains it pours huh?