Gone_Phishin

That makes the whole 'no title in 100 years' thing sound even sweeter. ;D

Well said, he's one driver I could do without. Heck, I may even like Jimmy Spencer more than Stewart. Tony has what I like to refer to as the 'Rusty Wallace Syndrome.' The main side effect is it's never his fault.

Our local GM's have been closing out Yo-Zuri Hybrid for a little over $4 a 275yd spool. Too bad I found out too late. I did manage to get some 4lb though. Last week I saw a very informative seminar at a local GM on nighttime bassin' by none other than Bass Resource forum member eyedabassman.

Use the search feature here on the forum....you'll find a few more unfavorable reviews of this rod.

I can't say I've ever heard anything positive about Crystal. When it first came out, I immediately thought I had found the end-all for tip-up leaders....quite a few fishermen I trust pointed me in a different direction very quickly. On paper it sounds like a fantastic leader for tip-ups: a tuff line that is difficult for sluggish winter fish to spot. I guess it's back to the drawing board; great ideas to go on though.

You can run lighter line and lures on your MH rod, but it won't be as efficient as a lighter powered rod. There are quite a few bc reels that will efficiently handle lighter line. I have Yo-Ultra Soft in 8lb on my Sol, and it casts very well.

Thank God I have a dock to fish from.....I see the amount of brushpiles dropped in US lakes quadrupling this year. ;D

I get ticked when I lose a buck-a-pop jighead...the waterworks are really gonna flow when I start losing $2.50 a pop jigheads in brushpiles. ;D

I own a Zillion, but not the HSTA. Given what I know about the Zillion and what I've read about the HSTA, and the criteria you want to meet, my vote goes for the Zillion. From what you said, it sounds like you're after a heavyduty reel. The Zillion is it. It has great line capacity, tuff gearing, and a rock-solid feel. Unweighted Senkos are very heavy, you won't have a problem there. On a few outings last season, I used my Zillion 100SHLA on a 6'6" M rod for 1/4oz+ T-rigs. The Zillion handled them very well. I'd recommend it for anything but finesse work. My first Zillion did go back to the store. It had the very loud buzz/whirring noise that some have experienced.

The Shimano Sahara is a great reel for $60. If your lure is causing the line twist, a ball bearing swivel between your mainline and a leader will help.

He's had a pretty hot bat, but went on the DL yesterday. He ran into the wall during bp. Crazy strory though....from managing A ball last year, to an offensive weapon so far this season. I won't lie, when the Crew signed Kapler this past offseason I was like WHY? He shut me up real quick.

No doubt about it. Dave Bush drives me crazy; he came over in the Lyle Overbay trade with the Jays a few years ago. Yovani Gallardo comes off the DL this weekend, so it's either the pen or another team for Bush. We've been too streaky offensivley in the last few series. Prince and Braun need to wake their bats up Pedro Cerrano style.

When I was a kid, and I was at a house party, if I wasn't particularly fond of the host I was known to put a few eggs in their microwave and just walk away. ;D

For the cranks, I'd go with 8-10lb. copoly. For the Lindy Rigs, I'd go with a 2/10 or 4/15 super line, with a 6-10lb fluoro leader. I know you said you didn't need brands, but I feel obligated to mention Power Pro. I've been using it for years on my Lindy Rig rod, and I absolutley love it. For the C-rigs, I'd go with a 30-50lb super line, and a 10-14lb leader.

I'm looking forward to this series too. You'll get a chance to see a few of our young, very unproven starters. Enjoy that .5 game lead, it ain't gonna last. The lack of a middle infield is gonna kill the Cards in the longrun.

A Daiwa Zillion 100SHLA upgraded with ABEC 5 ceramics. This thing is like a rocket launcher.

Sounds nice.....it's been in the 30's and windy all day.

For 4" senkos and flukes, I use a EC68MXF. For 5" senkos I'll go with a 7' MH fast....there's a lot of plastic and salt in them five inchers.

Yea I here ya. Wouldn't it be nice to take a stroll through there "defected rod section" of the warehouse looking for deals. I wouldn't even want to begin to wake that MONKEY up. I know it's not Loomis, but I'm pretty sure St. Croix sells 'seconds' at their factory. From what I've heard many of these rods have very minor flaws, nothing to affect their fishability.

Welcome aboard k0diak. Congrats on the little one. I look forward to your contributions here on the forums.

Thanks buddy. I keep telling my friends I'm going to be him for Halloween one of these years. It'd be nice to walk around with pack of tallboy cans on my hip all night. Now I just have to find some white shoes. ;D

LOL. No, that was a different pageant and I remember that one. Talking about DUMB. That interview is so embarrasing, and she is so void of anything upstairs, I honestly have a hard time watching the whole thing. I usually can get only half-way through before I have to shut it off. The fact that people like her can coast through their early years on looks alone makes me so very angry.

Was this the contestant? ;D

As far as the MH LTA's are concerned, the 08's are much faster than previous models. Actually, the MH's are listed as extra-fast. I'm not sure about the medium powered rods. They are listed as fast, like they always. I hope the M's are not faster. I've been meaning to call Kistler to ask them this very same question.

Thanks for the ideas guys. I think I see a melting pot in my future Raul. That way I can use the hooks of my choice and really customize my jigs as far as color is concerned. I almost bought a mold years back for catfish sinkers....looks like I have that itch again. I remember seeing a Do-It ad that had a guy holding a huge walleye, all smiles, the caption read something like 'Pride is something you get from catching a 30" walleye on a jig you made yourself.' So very true.