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We have those big gizzard shad down here in Virginia, too, but from what I have seen the bass aren't eating them. I've never seen any evidence that the gizzard is the main forage fish in our waters. Down here, threadfin are the main forage fish. And down here, striped bass eat the big gizzards. Ospreys, too. Though I'm sure a bass would happily eat a small gizzard if it had the chance. But the big gizzards, I think, and just too big for bass (at least ours). Are you sure those people you see throwing big pencil poppers are LMB fishing? Or are they striped bass fishing?

I sent my complaint to RatLTrap and got the following: Please e-mail me your address so I can send you replacements of those lures. Our lure is the most popular and original lipless crankbait out on the market and sometimes the demand catches our production department and things might not have cured out as a result you got some tacky lures heavy with the top coat smell. Sorry for your inconvenience and good fishin. Everett Gill Product Development Whether or not you like Rat-L-Taps, there's no arguing that is awesome customer service.

Pure Fishing owns Abu Garcia, Pflueger, Shakespeare, Penn, Fenwick, All Star, among others. Abu's most popular round reels are still made in Sweden - the C3, C4s, Records, and some of the Rockets. Some of their other round reels, big saltwater reels and some of the lower priced reels are made in China. Abu's spinning reels are made in China. Abu's Revo line is made in Korea. Somehow, Abu has been able to maintain very good quality control despite the diversity of manufacturers. Plfueger was purchased by Pure Fishing in the last few years. Since then, their reels have gotten closer and closer to looking like Revos. In fact, Revos and Pfluegers are now both serviced at Pure Fishing's HQ in Iowa. It's pretty clear that whoever makes Revos also makes the new Pfluegers and the Johnny Morris line of BCs.

Stringjam, if you like lipless cranks that nose-stand and have a good fluttering action at slow speed, try the Yo-Zuri Hardcore. It's amazing in that respect. If the Jackall is as good, the Jackall must be stupendous. For slow speed work, the Hardcore is my favorite. I'll have to try the Jackall, though.

Agreed. Except I don't use Ultra Soft. Regular Hybrid does just find for me.

The Revo Winch is a nice reel for heavier baits - 1/2 oz and over. It will zing them a long, long way. But mine didn't cast baits under 1/2 oz all that well. If you are going to be casting heavier crankbaits, then I'd recommend the Revo Winch. It is exceptionally well made and high performing. I used to have a Curado 200DPV 5.0:1. It was good reel. It would cast lighter baits better than the Winch, but didn't throw heavier baits as far. Since the Curado E5 has the same spool, I'd suspect the E5 would be great at lighter baits, but not the best choice for heavier baits. The Daiwa Sol may be even a better choice is you are looking to cast really light baits. I've never tried a Crazy Cranker, but I do have a couple of Zillion 100HAs and just from what I have seen in the short time I've had them, they are fantastic reels and will throw all sorts of baits as well as any reel I've ever tried. If I buy another low speed reel, it will be a Crazy Cranker. Lots of good choices out there.

I've had the lure in the picture for a couple of months now, and the paint is still tacky and it still stinks.

I did send an e-mail to the company, btw, but no response yet. I'll let you know what they say.

For a lure under $5, I'm pretty much just content complaining to you. I knew you wouldn't mind.

The Deep Diving X-Rap and the X-Rap Shad are two different baits. The bait he posted has been out for awhile. It's an excellent bait. You can fish it the same way as a X-rap. It is also very effective used as a crank.

Yes, those are good baits. I've had good luck with those. I just bought a handful of the short-lipped shallow version to try a little later this year.

The best lipless thread got me thinking about this. I've bought some Rat-L-Traps recently where the quality control has been questionable. On several, the oval split ring had been spread so far to put it on that there was a gap and it wouldn't slide through the eye of the bait very easily. Another had a crack in the seam on the bottom of the bait that I didn't see when I purchased it that was big enough to stick my fingernail into. And more recently, I bought a firetiger colored trap and the paint was still tacky enough that it was sticky, I left finger prints in it, and it smelled heavily of fresh paint. I know these are inexpensive baits, but they are still one of the best baits on the market and in years past I never experienced the shoddy workmanship that I have seen recently. Anyone else seeing these sorts of problems?

It's getting fantastic reviews.

The old reliables are still great. Rat-L-Traps are hard to beat. But I did buy a firetiger color recently and the finish feels sticky and it smells like paint. Another had a crack in the seem on the bottom. So QC could be better. XCalibur XR75s are great. I've caught quite a few fish on them. Pearl Melon works well in clear water, chrome black in heavier stained/murkier water. I bought a few in Foxy Shad sometime last year that I haven't used yet, but they ought to produce well, too. As stated, Yo-Zuri Rattln Vibes are very good. Yo-Zuri Hardcores are great too, especially for clear water with their matted, highly detailed finishes. I have some LCs that I haven't used yet. But I expect great things from them. The jury is still out on the new Rapala Clackin' Rap. I bought a few. they are big, heavy W I D E baits. They look great and have fantastic hooks. But they sink like a stone, nose first. I'm sure they have a niche, but I haven't found it. I like Rapalas, but their lipless designs have been wanting, IMO.

I guess if I want the same oils and grease that my Daiwas came lubed with, I should call Daiwa and order it. I'd guess it's probably best to stick with their stuff, at least until the warranty runs out.

I like LCs, too. Very nice premium baits. But as RW said, don't overlook Rapalas - Husky Jerks and X-Raps. Bomber Long As are classics, inexpensive, and have a very nice action. Of all my jerkbaits, Long As have probably caught the most fish. As for other premium jerkbaits, Jackall Squad Minnows are nice, and have a killer action. I haven't caught anything on them, but I've played around with them and they look fantastic. Another permium jerkbait, which may turn out to be my favorite, is the Ima Flit 120. This thing is absolutely spastic.

5" Swim Senko with a 3/0 EWG hook 4" Senko, rigged weightless on a 3/0 EWG hook, or wacky rigged on an Owner weedless wacky hook Various plastic frogs, but mostly Zoom Horny Toads on a 5/0 Owner Twist Lock Hook. Hard jointed swimbaits (they haven't produced a whole lot for me yet since I haven't been fishing them long, but I had a ball fishing them and they do catch fish.) Oh, and wake baits (that friggin' Ima Roumba is a great bait over submerged weeds. I will definately be fishing it more. Jerkbaits. I love jerkin' and deadstickin' jerkbaits.

Here's the same pic with the buildings labeled.

Now this I understand. I worked on a friend's old Diawa last night. I found a little spring that I didn't take out. My first thought- "where the heck did this come from."

Show Details January 16-18, 2009 Richmond Raceway Complex Richmond, Va Hours: Friday 10am - 8 pm Saturday 9am - 8 pm Sunday 10am - 5 pm Admission: Adults $7.00 Seniors $6.00 Jr. Anglers $5.00 Admission good for all 3 days with Return pass Richmond International Raceway Complex Richmond International Raceway 602 E Laburnum Ave Richmond, VA 23222 >>>Directions<<< Maybe Sam can mark this picture to show everyone where to meet.

Order the Winch's handle and nutcap while you're at it. BTW, what's the trick to getting the shaft off the frame? I've never broken my reels down quite that far.

Or an Abu Shimawa.

Got a fish scale? BTW, a chrome nut and nut brace off and older ambasseduer would look good, better than the grey plastic nut cap off the Revo S.

It's a beast of a reel. I take it you built a lesser reel with the other left-over stuff? Sort of like that movie "Twins" with Schwarzenegger and DeVito." "All the goodness went into you, and all the left over crap when into him."

The 3rd Infanty Regiment, The Old Guard, is very, very impressive. When my grandfather was laid to rest at Arlington in August 2001, a soldier stood guard over his casket until it was lowered into the ground. That was supposed to be shortly after we departed the gravesite. It was a very hot, humid August afternoon. When we left the gravesite, we went to see my sister's grave. We also visited several unrelated graves. We decided to drive back by the gravesite about 2 hours later on our way out. The casket had still not yet been lowered. But that soldier, in his dress blues, was still standing at attention at the head of his casket. The chaplain, a Lt. Col, was the sharpest chaplain I have ever seen. His "two finger" cover perfectly placed. He spoke plainly, compassionately, and led my grandmother by the arm throughout the entire ceremony. When my grandmother died, the soldiers were there again, sharp as ever. Her burial was in winter, and it was cold, windy, and raining wet snow. As we left her gravesite, the soldiers were standing in formation along the street, rifles at Present Arms, in that nasty slop and stayed there until the family had all passed by. Amazing soldiers, fully deserving of "elite" status.