Jo Jo

I have heard many stories about the pro anglers buying information. I don't know how to take this but if it is true I am very disappointed. BUT I have an idea for a tournament series to eliminate this and find out who really knows their stuff. I would also like to do this around my area and see how it turns out, I don't want anyone to think I am picking on them so please take this with a grain of salt!!!!! First the series will be 5 lakes. No co-anglers No marshals 5 Rods The anglers would not know the lake they were fishing until Thursday before for travel time. The lake wouldn't be any fished on FLW or BASS, but a neutral site so everyone has the same thing to deal with. One day tournament, best 5 fish. Then at the end of the series we will know who really can figure out a pattern and put it together in a day, and do it consistently. What does everyone think??? I would like to compete in a tournament series like this in my area, how about you guys?

this reel looks like the abu revo premier. any thoughts on how it compares to it???

I guess I would ask why so short a rod? Rod length would be only a consideration for your heighth. The Carrot stix are awewome. I have two of the ltx version. You can find them for around 129 online. the shortest in the ltx is 6'6. but they are sensative and i am going to replace all my all stars with them. i am using the team sbr1 and sbr2 rods, 6'4 and 6'8 respectively. the rods are great but need the carrot stix jmo

not a master but do know that they rename reels for different retailers, i.e. quantum inferno in a quantum ac 500 cx. i have bought reels from gander mountain that were guide series but were actually okuma reels. i also bought a shakespeare reel at wal-mart called a dimension that looked just like the guide series from gander which looks identical to my sons president from pflueger. seems to me, and i have heard this more than once, there are only a few reel makers and name change for the reels for the different brands!!! make sence???

i use scum frogs and spro frogs as far as "topwater". if fishing subsurface then i like the zoom horny toads. haven't trie any other because have had good luck with zoom. put the paca toads are on my list for this year. anytime i see weeds that reach the top of the water i fish a frog. i don't feel you need any more colors than a black, white, or yellow bottom. not to concerned with the rest of the bait because the fish sees the bottom mostly, match that color to the water clarity!!! i also fish them in open water around cover. if the surface kind doesn't work, which i usually try fisrt, then i move to the horny toads.

I LOVE NET BAIT!!! love all of the soft plastics except maybe the mcdaddy craw. just can't bring myself to buy it. don't really know why. other have fished and done well. I use all of the craws and chunks, although i will be using the tiny craws as chunks this year. I also use the finesse worms, as already said, they float great and have all the good colors. some of the other companies put out to many colors that i don't like. I have not tried the toads yet but they are on the list!!!!

i think the name implies that they are trying to imitate shad. they all have good colors for imitating shad but none really look like baby bass. there are some others out there you just need to look a little harder on bps. i did not look at the other link so that might be a better choice. it seems to me that most of the pros i see are trying to imitate the shad where they fish, is there any reason you are trying to imitate baby bass.

i use berkley cross lock snaps if i can find them, they seem to hold a little better for me. as far as size goes, i use 3 and 4. duolock snaps same size. have used them on crankbaits for a few years and they have given my baits more action. i use the bandits in everything from the footloose to the 400 series(when i can find them) and dd22 from norman. and everything in between for that matter. never used them on jerkbaits yet, still tying loop knot on the those. mite have to give them a try this year.

i have used lightning rods for years and liked them. i was always on a budget in the past and for the money they are the best out there imo. have tried others, ugly sticks, and the sort but none we as good for the money as lightning rod. that said, it would be a better option to save a little cash and spend a little more money on something you won't be disappointed with!! not saying you will be disappointed with the lightning rod but a better quality rod doesn't cost that much more. st croix premeir are around $100 and i have heard the triumph series for around 70 is the same rod but made overseas.

all of the max series from abu are good reels. i don't think you can get a great reel for less than say $100. (revo s or revo sc from cabelas) i have also heard that pinnacles aren't bad. never tried one just hearsay from a buddy.

I don't know exactly what you are looking for in a reel but if you are already using a number 40 reel, when you go down in size you are not going to move the same amount of line. the smaller spool with the same gear ratio will move less line. it will also hold less of your line, not that it would be a problem just some things to think about. as far as a two piece rod goes i can't help. i don't like two piece rods. but some others to look at would be berkley series one, or quantum tour edition(old ones, some still out there) but not sure if they are two piece.

I have 4 now ( just bought two megaforces at classic ) but last year i was using my 7.1 to1 revos for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits and maybe a trap here and there. i use a heavier spinnerbait than most so burning it doesn't really make it roll. buzzbaits again i weight them with crimp on weights or solder if they are not heavy enough by themselves. the two new ones will be used for small jig, worm, and stuff to move the empty bait back to the boat. i have not yet used one of these high gear reels for worming but will be checking it out this year. I like the different gear ratios so i don't have to change my cranking speed or style, i use the different gear ratios. i use 5.2 to1 for my crankbaits.

I have made my own but they are kind of different. I bought pipe insulation at Home Depot and some zip ties. Not only keeps rods from getting tangled but it also has some cusion for the ride down the lake. Just slide the insulation on and squeeze it together just above tip, leave about an extra inch. Now just squeeze together and hold close with a zip tie. The insulation is under a buck and zip ties are under a buck for a whole bunch. You do the math!!!!!

KVD and anyone from OHIO. Also like Bobby Lane from Florida, he was great a few years ago on FLw!!!