Product Review
I pretty much swear by the Pumpkinseed/chartreuse tail....the little buggers on the flats don't get the tail and I have caught a limit of specks and reds on 1 lure fishing all day..unheard of for soft plastics.
Sharp tail Bass Assassin
Fished with a 1/4 ounce jig head or the lighter weedless styles - it works. I fish 2 patterns: pumpkinseed /chart or pumpkinseed /chart NO KIDDING. (plum/chart, white/chart and firetiger work too). Bump - bump - hesitate is basic.
This stuff works. Reds love it and I used it to catch a 40lb Kingfish, some Snook, and raised a Tarpon all off the south Packery Jetty 2006 late summer. I would say that a red will eat this before breakfast...every time....and more important to me the black drum eat it like candy...so I never need bait in the boat anymore. Just a bucket of Gulp in white shrimp.
Mirrorlure's "Top Dog & Jr" & "She Dog"
It works for me, and I am not the best topwater fisher around. Walks the dog with little effort. You should catch speck's and red's. I use bone or bone and once in awhile something darker or shiny.
Excalibur "Super Spook & Jr"
Casts like a bullet, even into the wind. For me the best application is when the grass is floating I can use the Jr when other topwaters won't work.
Shimano "Calcutta 151"
I converted from fishing spinning gear all my life. The left handed version suits me as I like to keep the rod in my right hand.
Shimano old school "Curado"
Same as above. Can't say I don't like it better than the Calcutta.
Shimano new school "Curado"
Same as above...only it's better and the faster retrieve (7-1) is way cool on windy day drifting...nothing wrong with conserving an old tennis elbow either.
Works fine for the $....7' medium action.
Penn "4400"
I still have one that works, ok, after 17 years of saltwater use.
Predator "Reef Boots"
I can't swear they would protect against a sting ray hit, but they definitely add protection and are wonders around rocks and shell and mud. I think I have been hit by the heal once and if it was that it bounced right of. Wouldn't be that way any higher though as the leg is only cloth.
Majek Boats
20v. I like it so far. definitely runs shallower and smoother than the Scout did..I mean skinny too as it goes into 4" or so of water...just don't shut it down....but will float in 6". These are estimates but not really exaggerated... we'll see in the longer run. The Yamaha 150hp runs smooth and has presented no problems. The trim tabs are a must to keep the bow from loping...or hopping.. whatever you want to call it. The whale tail, which was modified to sit down lower over the prop, was a life saver as it increased the water pressure by a lot...never overheats on the skinny grass flats with floating grass around.
Scout Boats
Sportfish 155 (Center Console). The boat and 50hp Johnson motor were both dependable. It was just too small for my needs - worked fine when I was by myself fishing. The sliding rear casting deck made for some storage and kept stuff out from under your feet.
