Micro

Best looking Shimano yet.

I found the TT ICAST preview... http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast2008okuma.html Neat looking rods.

As you point out, there is power and there is action. Two different things. Power is usually something like light, medium, medium heavy, heavy. The action of the rod is sort of speed rated, such as slow, medium, medium-fast, fast, extra-fast. Here's a brief explanation. http://www.allstarrods.com/as_actiontaper.html IMO, a good worm rod should be a medium or medium-heavy power, and a fast or extra-fast action. Others can probably explain it better.

Has anyone used or even examined the Okuma Concept C3? I've heard some good things and bad things about their reels (like every other company), but I've only heard good about their rods. The C3 looks incredible. I'm wondering if its performance matches its looks. http://www.***.com/descpageRDCOKUMA-OC3CR.html

I just ordered the Daiwa Zillion Crazy Cranker.

I have considered the 200E5. I'm sure it's a fine reel (hard for me to admit ;D), but it doesn't appeal to me. I am, however, wishing I never sold my Curado 200DPV. I'm really interested in the Chronarch B. I know it's being replaced, but the Chronarch B always seemd to me to address all the issues I had with other Shimano reels. It has a killer finish, has metal sideplates, looks fantastic, has a shallow spool (I don't like deep spools). And the gear ratio seems ideal. And for $186? My local BPS is selling them for that price, too.

Man, this site never ceases to amaze me. I appreciate the offer. I'd love to try a TD-Z, but I just can't bring myself to take one on loan. Only because I don't think I could be generous enough to make the same offer. Besides, If I knicked it I'd feel terrible.

That's an incredible offer and I appreciate it very much. But I just sold my last EXT round reel, and have retired my remaining C4s. I'm going go to all LP reels for my bass fishing.

I've never run into a PETA type, but like a lot of fisherman I've run into the nimrod that builds a dock out into a public waterway then has a hissy fit when I fished around it. I had a fella scream at me a few years ago, at which time I told him to hang tight until a DGIF official got to his home to talk to him about hunter/fisher harassment. He shut up.

8.8 vs 9.1. Not a whole lot of difference. Sam, I talked the Daiwa rep out of a 2009 product catalog at the show. Great bathroom reading!

I need a new cranking reel. I'm considering another Zillion. But with the Chronarch 100BPV on sale at Tackle Warehouse for $186, it's kinda hard to pass up. I used to own a Curado 200DPV which I liked very much, except the size. It had a shallow spool and cast a whole range of cranks sizes very well. And I used to own a Revo Winch, which I didn't care for when it came to casting lighter baits, but the size was perfect. So the Chronarch B addresses both these issues. I know its being replaced. Is there anything wrong with the Chronarch B? Please give me your thoughts on this reel. Thanks.

I need to buy a new reel for a big cranking rod that I have. This rod pulls duty as a deep diving crankbait rod. But it will also be my rippin' stick for big jerkbaits. I need to buy a reel for it. I know a slower reel is preferred for working big cranks, but I prefer a faster reel. I'm sort of torn as to what I should get. I'm wondering what speed everyone else is using, and what their preference is (and why).

I have one in my sites, too. I need a new cranking reel and am looking hard at this reel.

Best game in a long, long time.

That looks like some of the cloudy tidal water I fish. For plastics, I'd probably fish green pumpkin or black. For cranks, I'd probably go with chartreuse, firetiger, a bright red craw color or something flashy.

Don't say it, Muddy.

Luck ''E'' Strike Bass Magic Swimbaits. You have to burn them to get any action. And they smell like a chemical factory. Never caught anything on them

A few weeks ago I posted that I bought some Rat-L-traps that were still tacky and smelled of fresh paint. I sent an e-mail to them and was told they would send replacements. I gave them my address. A day or two laters I got another e-mail asking for my address again. For the second time I supplied it. To date, no replacement Rat-L-Traps. If not received soon, that grade of "Excellent" for customer service will have to be retracted.

I was an All Star fan (I still am), but Fenwick is all I have bought lately. The HMG series is light, sensitive and tough. Gorgeous, too. I've fished a friend's GLX once and his Avid a couple of times. Great rods as well, from the little time I've spent with them. But I couldn't tell a huge difference between them (none with the Avid) and my HMGs. So I see no reason to move from the HMGs. Though I may try a Techna AV shortly. I have 7 All Stars (2 TAS IM10s, and 5 American Classics). There is very little difference between them, but the American Classics do seem a wee bit heavier. I like them a lot and they are my heaviest duty rods. The American Classics are brute strong and some of them have been abused and they just keep on truckin'.

You've made your choice. (Great reel BTW! . It is new, I don't think I ever used that one.). But I'm loving the Fenwich HMGs. For what you were looking for, the GT66M fit the bill perfectly. Here is Tackle Tour's take. (New rods have Fuji Hardloy guides) http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfenwickhmg.html

RW, pick up some Yo-Zuri Hardcore Drums while your at it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. http://www.***.com/descpageHDLYOZURI-YHD.html#

I like Daiwa baits. There are Daiwa lures, and Team Daiwa lures. Daiwa lures are good baits. Inexpensive, but very nice. Team Daiwa lures are even more refined. They carry a heftier price tag, though. In the Daiwa line, I like the Daiwa DC Classic Shad SP. This is a shad-rap type crank that suspends. Despite being inexpensive, they seem well made and have good actions. The have a pretty wide action and are pretty loud. Finishes are very nice, and I like the hooks. They suspend fairly horizontally. There's two types, a 6 foot diver and a 9 foot diver. I also like the Daiwa DB Minnow SP. They have a wide swing when jerked, and stop pretty quickly, which gives them an erratic appearance. They cast well. Not quite as well as the LC Pointer, but well nonetheless. They have shifting weights, but the weights don't shift all the way into the tip of the tail like on LC Pointers. The Daiwa DC Game Vibe is a nice lipless. It's comparable to the Yo-Zuri Rattln Vibe. It's good at medium to fast speeds. I don't remember it having a good action at slow speed. I've lost all of mine over time (I only had 3 or 4). They did produce fish, though. IMO, Daiwa baits are good baits. All the ones I have tried were impressive given their price. I think they represent a good value.

I've never fished them that deep. I guess a heavier weight, or maybe a weighted swimbait hook like a Daiichi Butt Dragger. I haven't tried the Daiichi, or any other swimbait hook, on a Swim Senko. I'm just guessing.

Buck up Burley. The upside is that some of your money may be going to ACORN.

It's a good bait. I used them on a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG and a 1/8-1/4 oz pegged bulllet weight, depending on how deep I want them to run.