Micro

We don't have big TVA sized reservoirs around here. I fish smaller electric-only lakes, tidal creeks and rivers and swampy lakes. My ride works great in those places. This is an older photo. I've removed that dumb back seat and decked and carpeted the rear bench.

Here's a couple I like that have caught me some fish: Sebile Magic Swimmer - slow sinker runs just under the surface on a steady retrieve. Has a great action. They have Owner Hooks. Jackall Giron - small sunfish shaped, single jointed bait has a good action. It sinks slowly and will rest upright on its hooks on the bottom. Great finishes and great hooks. Strike King King Shad - I've had moderate luck with these. The shad colored ones have worked best for me. Good actions. The ones I have run just under the surface. Good hooks. Some people have complained about them breaking but I've yet to have one break. I also have some Jackall Mikey Jrs. I haven't used these yet but they look great and I'm looking forward to using them this year.

I thought it was cool that KVD was just out among everyone, walking around. Most of the times I saw him, he was alone and just browsing. Nobody was swamping him. Maybe that happened, but I didn't see it.

The reason I say Shad Rap "type" is because there are several brands that are of a very similar style. I also used the Daiwa DC Shad SP. I have some that dive to 6 and 9 feet. They suspend. They are high quality baits with nice actions, finishes, construction and great hooks. I don't have a lot of these and haven't used them much, but they have caught fish. I love the Rapalas. I've done best with the original, but have done pretty well on the rest. I like the suspending mocel the best. The chrome model does very well in very stained tidal waters I sometimes fish.

.... (I accidentally deleted my pic of the Pluton :-[)

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Here's some others. I took some pics of some Vagabond baits that were going for about $70. These have to be the most detailed baits I've ever seen. The blood on the baby bass was incredibly lifelike. The pther bass was modelled after abas with its tail bitten off. It looked incredible, too. (Squint your eyes) And, I took a pic of the new Daiwa Pluton. This reel is built like a tank. It's cut out of s single billet of aluminum. It's got a lot of weight, but boy is it smooth. The Daiwa rep told me me Daiwa will be introducing something like 20 (twenty) new reels at the next ICast, 17 of which will be Saltwater.

I just got back a little while ago. I brought my credit card, checkbook and a little cash. I don't know how many things I picked up with the intent to buy, then put it back knowing my wife would kill me. In the end, I bought some Jackall Mickey Jrs. And I talked the Daiwa rep out of one of his 2009 full-product catalogs. I took a few pictures. Unfortunately, they didn't turn out all that well. Nevertheless, I was able to get a young lady (Derek's significant other)to snap a picture of part of Team Virginia.... Back row (L to R): Derek (Fishon84), Sam (Sam), Rowland (Micro), Wayne (Wayne P) Front: Dan (Dominion Dan)

Are there conditions under which you prefer a Shad-Rap type crank to other crankbait types? I've used them at all times of the year except when the water is really cold and have had good luck. But I'm wondering if anyone has found that they are better at certain times or under certain conditions. Also, which Shad Rap type cranks have you tried and what do you prefer?

I remember 15. I always liked the cola vending machines that had the little side glass door. You put in your coin, opened the door, grabbed the tip of the bottle and pulled it out. There's a restaurant in New Market, Virginia called the Southern Kitchen that still has the booth-side jukeboxes - originals. The wWax Coke bottle thing I only remember from my earliest childhood. My dad's Buick had the light dimmer switch on the floor. It also have fender extensions that parially covered the rear wheels. We had to pop them off the clean them. I saw my first dirty movie on laser disc.

No way I'd spend $299 on it when Zillion can be had for $30-$40 less. It's a nice reel, but that price is way too high.

For the first time, I felt I got a crappy deal at Hookers. I walked in and they told me Megabass was 20% off. I picked up some Vision 110s. Then I found out the price was $28 per lure, around $5 higher than the last ones I bought a few weeks prior. On sale, they were just as expensive as the first ones I got at regular price. I like the store, but he charges a premium for his lures. I've been buying at Tackle Warehouse recently. As long as you buy $50, shipping is free. Prices are lower than Hookers so I actually get a better deal at TW. I'd spend more at Hookers. I like the owner and his selection. But I'm not made of money and if he's not willing to work on his prices I have to buy elsewhere.

I just got back from Baltimore. That drive sucks. Are we still meeting at 1:00pm inside the entrance? I will be there at that time. I am tall, about 6'4". I have brown hair that sticks up. I will be wearing a teal green ski jacket. Can't miss me.

That's one good thing about Normans and Bombers. You can run over them with an armored personnel carrier and they don't break. BTW, has anyone tried Bomber Fat Free Shads, the big 3" 3/4oz 18 ft diving model? I have quite a few of these and I like them as well as Norman DD22s.

Nobody's perfect.

Has happened to me. I find this king-sized Black Rat Snake almost everytime I go to one of my areas. He's gotten to the point he doesn't even attempt to get away.

I bought a couple of Fuegos on clearance for $149. Best deal I ever got on tackle. And two of the best reels I've ever owned. I actually like my Fuegos better than my Revos. They are smoother, and more comfortable. They cast as well. But I do trust my Revos for heavier applications more than the Fuegos (though I'm sure the Fuegos are robust enough). The TD-As are extremely nice reels. I'd buy one in a second. I notice they are a bit wider than the Fuegos. And I've heard they will cast really light baits well. Raul, IMO, got it right. Great performance and looks but a bit more costly - Fuego. Not as spiffy (but spiffy in its own right) and great performance for a little less - TD-A. Best part is you win either way. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwafuego.html BTW, the Fuego has been on clearance at several places. I wonder if the bc Fuego is going the way of the spinning Fuego and going to the Zaion frame material.

Duds are going to occur, no matter the product or manufacturer. Whether its Shimano or Rat-L-Trap I find it unreasonable to condem a company's customer service when the inevitable occurs. Since when? Since it's no longer common. It's unusual to find a company that does that. Expecting a company "give some freebies" when they are already doing what they should (without question) is unreasonable to me. Would you expect Shimano to send you a free reel or two when you send one in for repair? Perhaps Ford should allow you to waive a car payment because your radiator leaked and had to be repaired? The principle is the same. Too many companies provide too little. But too many people expect too much. I didn't suffer any damages. Hell, I didn't even suffer any inconveniences. Rat-L-Trap met MY expectation for excellent customer service, and that's all I care about. I would never even have thought twice about expecting them to provide some "freebies" on top of the replacement. That "gimme" mindset just isn't for me.

Did you know you can have those hips liposucked?

D>E

I saw that while perusing TW's site. It's interesting. I haven't tried all of Yo Zuri's lures by a long shot, but the ones I have tried have been thoroughly impressive. I'd give it a whirl.

Now you know why I stay out of southwest Virginia? (said to the toon of Dualing Banjos).

Those are tights.

For those of you who don't think owning up to a problem, no questions asked, and offering to replace defective lures without the return of the originals is not great customer service, what the heck is?

Another good jerkbait that just about no one talks about is the Daiwa DB Minnow. I think it runs about $7. It's got a nice action and it stops very quickly which adds to the eratic look of its movements. It is very detailed, has nice durable finishes and good hooks. It's a great value jerkbait. http://www.daiwa.com/Lure/pop_daiwa_dbminnow.aspx