Micro

BPS is a box-store. Greentop has character. I'd go to Greentop for everything if I didn't live 70 miles away. BTW, Greentop has always had a phone ordering service. You could call them, place an order and they would ship to you.

They sure do work. Caught 3 today all about this size on the middle sized Sebile. The darn thing has a killer action. But it does get its back hook hooked on the line about every 10 casts or so. Otherwise, I say it's well worth the $15 I paid for it. I'm going to pick up a few more.

There just isn't anything they think they can't eat. I caught this one today in 18 feet of water. Not sure what he thought he was going to do with it ;D

This isn't a *, it's a southeast VA Bass. But I nailed him and two others like him today on a Sebile Magic Swimmer. All three caught around 1:00 PM in 3 feet of water which was 74.7 degrees.

I don't know about the Quantum rod. But I have a rod that fills the bill - the All Star American Classic AC SBR2 "spinnerbait" rod. It's a 6'8" rod. It's a medium-heavy power, fast action rod. I like it because the tip is a little softer than a worm rod. It's rated for 10-20 lb line (it will handle 30# braid no problem) and 3/8-1 oz baits. It handles spinner baits well - that's what it's made for. It will handle cranks with bigger trebles, and wake baits like the Strike King King Shad. I've used it very successfully with Bass Magic swimbaits, jigs, tubes, frogs (though the tip is a little soft for frogs it will handle smaller frogs like the Net Bait frog well). It's the perfect "all-around" rod, if there is such a think. I have two of them and they are always on my boat with me. I don't know of BPS still carries them, but that's where I got one of mine.

http://hookerbaitandtackle.net/ Hooker Bait and Tackle has them. Played with the E7 and E5 today. The website is under construction so I'd call them if you decide to order.

I'd go with the Revo S as well, or a Revo SC from Cabelas if you prefer an externally adjustable magnetic brake. The Revo S/SC is known and very well regarded. The Citica E is a new model and it will take some time to see how it will hold up. For a spinning reel, I'd go with an Abu Garcia Cardinal 502 or 602 ALB. The 602 has a better drag,the 502 is less expensive.

My favorite frog is a 4" soft plastic by The Wright Bait Company. It's the top producing frog I've used this year. This is a very soft, hand-poured frog with garlic in the mix. It actually smells strongly of garlic. The frog doesn't have much action when buzzed, but it has phenominal action when jerked. The little legs just kick straight back. It is the only frog I've ever used that actually looks like a real frog in the water. It sinks, slowly and horizontally. Swimming it over grass, and letting it sink some into pockets is a killer technique. I'm taking it out this week to work it over lilypads. I've been using it with a 2/0 Owner Twist Lock, but I think I'll go to a 3/0 and see how that does.

It's going to be a madhouse on the first day. ;D

I saw those on the VDGIF website. I'd have to be REAL motivated to try the Clinch and New Rivers, and especially Flannagan. They might as well be in different states. I could almost get to Georgia before I could get to Flannagan. Any idea about the James? Shenandoah? I'm looking for something I can do over a 3-day weekend.

I live in southeast Virginia. What's the closest body of water that offers good musky fishing? We don't have any lakes in SE Virginia that have them so I'm going to have to travel a bit.

I haven't fished my Anacondas. I may this week. I have fished the Space Monkeys. I have been looking for a plastic with a lot of action I could swim slowly near lily pads. I wanted something I could keep in the upper 1-2 feet of the water column. The Space Monkey fills the bill perfectly.

Bradshaw and Montana. Consumate sportmen.

COOL! I just got a Brand New Curado E7! Was just sitting on my door step when I got home. OK, fess up! Who sent it to me??? Was it you, Burley??? The only clue I have is the invoice that came with it... Order number is: 3317 Date of order: 8/31/2008 02:54 PM Shimano 200E7 High Speed Curado BaitCasting Right Hand Reel CU200E7 1 $179.95 $179.95 Subtotal: $179.95 Shipping & Handling: $2.14 Tax: $0.00 Order Total: $182.09

It's hard to beat the original Rat-L-Trap. They are classic and are proven fish catchers. Other than these, do other brands appeal to you? If so, which ones? I've tried the Rapalas. It's the one Rapala lure I don't care for. They seem to have less action than the Rat-L-Traps and mine always seem to some up sideways. I like the XCalibur XR75 in chrome and black. This is my most productive lipless on the tidal rivers and creeks I fish. Nice actions, run true, loud and have great hooks. I've also tried the Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe. I never see too much about these but they are great. Like the XCaliburs they run straight, are loud. Hooks are decent. I've just started using the Yo-Zuri Hardcore Drum. I haven't caught any fish on these yet, but they look great, run true and have fantastic hooks. They are the loudest I've tried yet. I can hear them reverberating on my boat hull long before the end of my retrieve. I'm looking forward to trying some of the new Rapala Clackin' Rap. How about other brands?

I will avoid them like the plague. Customer service hours of 3-6 PM? Phhhpptttt!

Bomber Square A Rapala DT Fat 03 Rapala Shallow Shad Rap Norman Thin N

Don't be such a doubter. I threw my Curado 100B SF way over a hundred feet from my front porch to the trash can. Made it in, too. I could never do that with a Revo.

You could step up from the brands recommended to an Abu Garcia Cardinal 800 or Soron. And have some money left over for some great lures.

I remember the first time you brought this up. I hate to say it, but you should have sent it to Abu to begin with. Now that it's been worked on by someone, they may not exchange it. At this point, you don't know if it's a manufacturer problem, or a poor repair job. If the repair has failed, I would think a respectable repair person would re-repair it. Fixes are supposed to last.

If you pick one of the major brands, then you can bet that whatever your model it is, it will at least perform competently. For me, I am an Abu Garcia patron. Abu Garcia is the only brand I've ever used that has never disappointed me. It was the first reel I ever bought myself - when I was just a kid. I've owned Shimanos, Diawas and BPS brands (and a few others), and ended up selling all of them (save one Shimano Curado I still have). Abu produces a fantastic product at a very fair price. You get a lot more for you money with Abu Garcia. I've sold other brands here and this site. I've listed some excess Abus I have, but ended up pulling them down. The Abus I've owned are such that I'd rather pass them to a relative or a friend so they can enjoy them, than sell them to a stranger.

The Revo S is so different, and performs so much better than the C4, that there is no comparison. If you can afford a C4 you can afford a Revo S. You will be much happier with a Revo S, unless you just want the old-school C4.

No. I live in Virginia and we share the Snakehead with Maryland. Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has been studying them since they were discovered. So far: 1) they have not affected the bass population. 2) they occupy a different niche environment than bass - very shallow, vegetated water. 3) they are preying primarily on killifish - a small, soft rayed fish. 4) most larger Snakeheads captured bear scars from being attacked by ospreys. 5) a sport fishery has started to develope. Guides have reported an increase in persons seeking to fish for snakeheads. SO FAR, there has been no detrimental impact. And we've had them for a few years now.

The best place to start are the articles right here on this site! Here, this should keep you busy ... http://www.bassresource.com/fish/bass_fishing_articles.html

WOW, who has them on sale? Thanks Joe Check local dealers in your area. I found some Curado 200Ds for that price. Bought one, too.