VolFan

I use Cardiff 200 for 6 in Hudds and similar baits and it works fantastic. DVT did a supertune on it and made it even better. I previously used a Revo SX, which I didn't like. The Cardiff balances the big rod better, holds more line, and feels all around more solid. I use 15 lb Yozuri Hybrid and couldn't be happier.

Depending on your specific rod, if you fish it with braid you should be fine on hooksets, even with the heavier gauge hooks. It might be a little dicey if you hook a good sized fish in cover, but I owuldn't worry too much about the hooksets with braid.

Yes. Get something more conservative. Gold/Red/Blue

That Pappy is good stuff. I like Makers Mark for general usage, or will step it up to Rip or straight Van Winkle if I'm feeling more cultured...I also like JD and a few differnt ryes for some roughage.

Memphis in May?

Talk to DVT; he made me a great ML/XF spinning rod on a MHX blank. He'll do you right.

BPS in Sevierville, TN, but that's about an hour from JC.

Maybe for the karma bus you should donate the stuff to Casting for Kids or something of the like. Just an idea. But you do what you like.

If you've never used them, don't assume anything. The EVx are very good rods. St Croix, Daiwa, and especially All Star also make alot of crap to go along with their decent rods.

If you're looking for a slow level fall, use a hook with a shank weight. They come as light as 1/64 oz that I have seen. At that light of a weight though, it's almost a wash with just using a heavier gauge hook.

Nice! That just needs some hushpuppies and slaw next to it! Have you tried the Revo out?

It's true...the Sawks suck...can't imagine a worse week on the job than Bobby V is having right now

Washington wil be fine and should win the East, especially if the front end holds up. Their pitching has been unreal so far this year, with the exception of closing. But they're still winning without scoring. If the bats pick up to the level of the pitching (maybe get Morse back), they're going to be scary. Texas in the AL. Should be a fun year!

Doesn't matter what it weighs, it's a nice fish. Good on you for getting some fishing in on a work trip. I'd guess a little south of 5, but if she's got a gut it'd probably get her north. But really, specific weight doesn't matter, I'm sure the memory is plenty for you.

You'll get the adhesive on the cork, but it won't damage it per se. Wrap a little pre-wrap or aluminum foil on beforehand if you're concerned about it.

I have 6 or so, love them.

Clip-on spacer?

Put Powerpro or the Suffix 832 on it in 20 or 30 lb test. If you run through the guides, you've been fishing enough to upgrade to better equipment.

Flukes and/or Space Monkeys. The SM over grass'll change your life.

I like Trilene XL 4# and have used it for alot of ultralight fishing and have never had a problem with it. You do have to change mono on UL reels with great regularity as line twist and age take their toll fast on light line. Now that said, I use Powerpro on it now b/c it does better with line twist, and you can really fling light grubs and feel bites with it. THe lack of stretch isn't usially a problem because most UL rods are very moderate in action.

I have a Cabela's rod that the trigger broke on, and I certainly like it more without it. There's still plnety there to grip the rod and casting one-handed isn't a problem, at least not in the dropping the rod sense...professional overruns do happen...

Cabelas Prodigy rods and reels are on sale right now; you can get the combo for about $120. I have the 200 size spinning reel and med/F 7' 2 piece rod. It's a good soft plastics set up, and does well with spinnerbaits. I recommend it.

Get a couple 3X mono leaders and a spool of 8 lb mono. I surgeon knot the mono to the leader. A leader will last just about forever when you do this. When your 8lbh tippet gets too short, cut off and retie a new tippet with surgeons knot.

We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. If you get that hook through the jaw and keep a taut line, they're not throwing it. More likely, and I've had this happen alot, it that you're not getting that giant gaff of a hook all the way through the plastic and the jaw. That's alot of hook/plastic/jaw to get through, but it's like a gaff once you get it through. As long as there's some pressure, they're not going to shake it. I say this from fishing that size hooks (both trokar and gammy) barbless for pike and lmb. Sometimes you have to tex-pose it to make sure you get a good set.

Big worms or big creature baits, even lizards. Make sure you set like you mean it, 'cause that's a big bait/big hook. As for the hook falling out, keep a tight or at least semi-tight line, and that won't happen.