Ballpark Frank

There are two rigs that I always have ready: 1 with a Zoom Ol Monster 1 with a Zoom Lizard These are the most fished and most successful baits I use, day in and day out.

That's me to a T. My jig collection is just that.... a collection. My other no catch(actually few catch) bait is the Booyah Boogee. When I first got them, I think I dreamed that they caught fish. I have not caught anything on them in over a year.

After being a longtime Loomis-Lover, I have gone to St.Croix for both conventional and fly. I don't want to get into the specifics since I am not looking to debate. From personal experience and stories relayed here, I think Loomis is hurting their reputation(actually could be Shimano management ).

Although I have always loved G. Loomis, I must agree with this one. Tons of other companies out there with comparable products at better prices and warranties.

I have the 7'2" M XF Carrot Stix Dropshot and absolutely love it. I also use it for shakeys, weightless senkos, and light t-rigs. If you find one at the $89-$99 sale price, jump on it!!!!

G. Loomis MBR783C IMX Quantum Accurist PT Burner Big Game Green 15# Not as extravagant a others, but always gets the job done.

Definitely a catfish, most likely a channel cat. Those teeth everyone is mentioning are usually not that visible. They are usually covered with the "mouth" tissue which is thick like our gums and full of taste buds. If you have ever tried to lip a catfish, you could feel those teeth very well.

I fish from the bank/shore/dock 80% of the time. I used to prefer a short rod(6') but over the past year my 7' MH is the rod of choice. I like having the extra distance if I need it.

Black is all I ever use now, I have a decent selection of weights and brands though. My particular favorite is the Reaction Innovations Squeaky Dolphin, but I don't think they make them anymore.

1st: Mann's "classic" chartreuse spinnerbait with one gold Colorado blade, 12#9oz, 24 years ago(with a Fenwick 5'6" pistol grip fiberglass and AG 5000, man have times changed) 2nd: Zoom Ol Monster Tequila Sunrise, 9#7oz, July 4th, 2010

On the baitcast rig= Zoom Ol Monster Tequila Sunrise On the flyrod= BIG Olive and Black Wooly Bugger with Yellow and Black Marabou Tail tied on a No.2 hook

Absolutely love the H2O Express "Sammy", you can't beat them for $4. My favorite is their ghost minnow flavor. I caught 6 keepers at sundown last night from the dock. Would have keep on fishing, but the kiddies were ready for daddy to do the fireworks.

Jigs, I simply do not have the patience.

The GSX Tournament is essentially a Quantum Burst, and the X-Factor is essentially a Quantum Catalyst. Both of the reels have extra bearings and "bling" compared to their Quantum counterparts.

Congratulations, great reels at great prices.

I now have three of the Quantum Aviso reels, which are essentially blue Bursts with one more bearing and are only available at Academy Sports. I love these reels, they are light(graphite frame) and smooth. I would have purchased Bursts but Academy has the Aviso on sale for $39. You cannot beat that with a big stick. If I had more rods to put them on, I would buy more. GET THOSE BURST REELS, they are great deals and reels, then you have a sale price too.

I love the Anaconda and the Lizard(most action of any lizard on the market). As soon as my local shop gets a new shipment, gonna pick up some Thumpers and Roosters.

As a lover of the ABU Round Reels, I have to say the BCX is an embarrasment to the legacy. The name should be POS instead of BCX.

A Zoom Ole Monster in Tequila Sunrise or Junebug/Red is one of my favorite confidence baits.

I am one of those mono only guys(Big Game Green 12 and 15). I have experimented with several other line types; co-poly, fluoro, and braid(yuck), but I always come back to the Big Game. I did like the Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon, but after I used up one spool I never got anymore. I just haven't found any major benefit for me using another line type, others differ. Heck I know guys that use braid for everything, yet I despise it.

ROLL TIDE ROLL

Reaction Innovation's Squeaky Dolphin(buzzbait) in Black and Blue Big Game Green 15# G.Loomis MBR783 GL2 Quantum Code Burner

Abu Garcia. I have 2 Pro Max, 2 Silver Max, and 1 Black Max. I like them all. For inexpensive reels(cheap is a different category), they can't be beat. I also have a Pinnacle Solene and a Platinum Plus; they are good reels but something in the gears I just don't like. I haven't taken them apart yet, but the Abus just "feel better". I have a few higher end reels as well, but for the money the Max series are great and Abu Garcia service is top notch.

I used to carry a ton of rods and gear when bank fishing, but usually ended up using only one and a few lures. I now carry one rod and a small selection of lures. My kids got me a neat FLW belt rig from Walmart that carries a few cranks, a couple of spinnerbaits, a couple of bags of plastics, hooks and lead. The rod is will always be my MBR783 IMX(the wand of magic).

If the you are looking for a 7 footer, I will second, fifth, twentieth, whatever the MBR843. BUT, my all-around-super-duper-magic-wand-do-it-all rod is my MBR783 IMX.