For flagman- My two faves when it comes to softbaits are 3" Sluggos (A) and 6" Power bait worms (B). The sluggos I hook a different way then is diplayed on the package. First, pinch off the very end of the sluggo so that the face is flat. Then using a number 6 hook, feed it from the top through the bottom like it shows in the drawing. Then attach a splitshot to the line above the hook anywhere from right at the knot to two inches above the knot. Now this is important.....drop your line in the water right in front of you and sweep your pole to the side and see if the sluggo stays in a strait line or if it spins. If it spins, that's no good and will not attract the fish like it will if it runs strait in the water. If it spins, try hooking the sluggo from the side like the top view above. If it still spins the sluggo might be warped and you need to try another one. Keep them out of the heat or they will warp. Now as far as the splitshot is concerned, use the second smallest size they make to start out. Put it at one inch above the knot and cast it out. Let it sink to the bottom and watch your fishing line carefully where it contacts the water for any signs of twitching, jumping or running. The line will slack once it hits the bottom and nothing hits it ( I always count how long it takes to reach the bottom so I know how deep it is- 1 second=approx. 1 foot). Let it sit for a 5 to 10 count then give it a tiny twitch, another tiny twitch (keep your eye on that line)then start to retrive it like so......You want to make the sluggo look alive, so shake your pole as you reel in as slow as possible. If the end of your pole shakes back and forth about 2" you are doing it correcty. As you're reeling in and the bait stops, give it a second to feel if a fish grabbed it then set the hook. Of course sometimes they just slam it so you'll know if one hit it. If you are unsure if you're shaking the pole right, drop the sluggo right in front of you and shake the pole as you slowly sweep it to the side. If it looks alive you're doing it right. Don't be afraid to vary the distance of the sinker from the hook knot because that changes the way the sluggo will "swim" as you shake your pole. Also, the more wind the larger the splitshot I use or the sluggo just gets dragged around by the string blowing on top of the water. Sometime I use no splitshot at all if wading along the edge and casting for bass chasing baitfish along the shore. You can also jerk the bait instead of shake so try different things. I must warn you that your arm will get tired shaking your pole all day but if it works for you then it's worth it. My second fave is the 6" power worm. I use the type of hook and insert it like is shown above. Again I use the splitshot method but with a larger size to start with (don't be afrait to use no splitshot or a small one). Use the cast, countdown, let sit, twitch, twitch, watch line method. Then you want to jerk your pole up three times moving your pole and the worm about 3 feet. Let sit for 5 count, twitch, jerk 3 times etc. Again, keep your eye on your line at all times for any funny movement. As far as colors go, it depends on the water color, baitfish in the lake etc. but my faves are for the sluggo, gold, silver, red, white, and the discontinued black. You can make your own black with a black sharpie. Power worm colors are black and purple. Later in the summer i will switch to the larger 8" worms. Hope this helps, go get 'em.

I printed out this info, thanks.

Thanks Sheep, Your the best. Im going to have to hit my local tackle shop while im on vacation. Ill let you know how it works out the next time im out.

My arm shouldnt get too tired wagging the fish pole back and forth, not to much different from waving a flag......hahahahaha

You're welcome. You'd be surprised at the size of some of the bass that will hit that little sluggo. They also work on pickeral, sunnies, smallmouth, catfish and sometimes even trout.