Michael Neal's Pattern, Baits & Gear
Swimjig gear: 7'1" medium-heavy Cashion rod, Ardent Elite casting reel (6.5:1 ratio), 60-pound Sunline FX2 braided line, 3/8- or 1/2-ounce True South Custom Lures swimjig (black/blue), 4 1/4" Big Bite Baits Cane Thumper trailer (hematoma).
Flipping gear: 7'6" heavy-action Cashion rod, Ardent Grand casting reel (7.3:1 ratio), same line, 1 1/2-ounce Hawg Tech weight, 4/0 Gamakatsu Super Heavy Cover hook, Big Bite Yo Daddy (black/blue).
Main factor: "Staying put and fishing my strengths and not trying to do a lot of flipping or looking for beds."
Performance edge: "I'm going to say it was the Cane Thumper. On day 2 I was sharing water with a guy and I was culling and he only had one fish. He was throwing a swimbait and he wasn't getting any bites. I trolled over and gave him four Cane Thumpers and he caught three fish in the next 30 minutes."
