Willzx225

I've got two of the 6'10" Spinnerbait Rods that are colored similarly to the cranking rods. They are very nice rods and have the right combination of tip and backbone for accurate casting of a spinnerbait. I fished with a guy who fishes nothing but Loomis rods and he liked the Quantum better. It isn't always about the weight of a rod if there is a better taper for the job.

Yeah I agree with everyone so far. It is about the best blend of a custom tackle maker and one with the resources to access anything you need. Try their swim jigs, I have heard a lot of good things about them.

How did it go Master?

I have heard from someone inside that that was the case: Diawa ended it instead of the other way around. I think it came down to the very low number of sales on the Ike series of rods. I can see it since he didn't even use them himself. Truth be told, it probably wouldn't have looked as bad if he wasn't using the Light and Toughs instead. It would have looked like he was using the top of the line/ high dollar equipment.

Are you sure Martens won using that color? I thought it was the white with a black spatterback. I know Joel Richardson won a Stren on Gaston this fall on that color and said that it was an ugly color.

That is great... We need to keep the ball rolling with the Women... It will be in our best interests for the whole sport not just the women! I think the PAA should jump in as well.

FLW has always wanted to call the shots when it comes to advertising. Yes they "get" the team guys sponsors but I have a suspicion that FLW benefits a whole lot more than the anglers do. You look at P&G's level of sponsorship on the FLW side and then compare it to Evan Williams level on BASS and see who is coming out better. Both of them are large companies (P&G is much bigger) but yet it seems like the angler is taken care of on BASS while the organization is taken care of on FLW. Also, that comment about "its time they support FLW since they have supported them for so long" is a load of crap. The tournament fishermen are their customer's. I would never call one of my better customers and ask them to help them out b/c I had taken care of them for so long. Without the fishermen then these guys would be like the other 10% of our population standing in the unemployment line! Do you think P&G gets more exposure from the boats that these guys drag around the US or the flyers that are passed around at the tournaments? I've been fishing BFL's for 10 years now and they have not done the first thing to "support" me, it has been the other way around. Ok I'm off my soap box now.

The only time I have ever asked a coangler to limit the amount of tackle they brought was when I was cutting my tackle in half myself in order to get over a sandbar. Other than that, I agree with most of the responses. I don't care if they bring 10 rods as long as they can keep them under control and it doesn't get in the way my job. (My co angler in the above story brought what looked like a body bag worth of tackle that spent most of the day on the front deck by my feet ;D Guess I asked for it)

I actually was a competitor in the tournament that Dockhead's link was for. It was a pretty tough tournament but the guys who did best fished in and around Runneymede lake which, if I remember correctly, is in the SE corner of East Lake Toho. Of course the conditions are completely different but we did have a moderate cold front that hit the night before the tournament. On the first day, the leaders were flipping mats and grass in Runneymede or throwing spinnerbaits. I didn't fair to well the first day but on the second day I caught a decent bag on a spinnerbait and fluke on the inside grass line to the east of the entrance of Runneymede. After I caught my limit, I went flipping and lost one between 6-8lbs > . Hope this helps a little bit. I ended up with just under 10lbs on the day and missed the cut by 2.5lbs (the cut after 2 days was 12lbs and some change). Jeff Coble won with 27lbs in three days but caught half of that the first day flipping.

Can anyone describe the lightning bolt and peanut? I'm sure the peanut it probably a smaller bait similiar to the sweat pea?

It really depends on what product category the company dabbles in. Most boat deals start off 5-10% off dealer cost and can go as deep as memo boats and, I don't know from experience, free product. I have been fortunate to make some contacts with rod/reel companies and they tend to sell it at what I believe the dealers probably pay for it (roughly 35-50% off). This is all good and well but the only one that really sacrifices in this kind of deal are the dealers themselves since the middle man has been cut out. Bait and consumable items tend to be at a discounted price or, especially if it is something that isn't replaced all that often, are free. Depending on the company they might give an angler an allotment or not. Alot of times what the sponsor expects far outweighs what the angler gets in return but there are a few deals that are mutually beneficial. At the grassroots level, it is a lot of hard work in order to prove your worth with hopes that it can turn into a lucrative arrangement later. This is just what I have seen personally and don't know if this is normal or abnormal. Personally, I get more enjoyment out of working with the smaller companies that you can honestly show that you make a difference in their bottom line. I like the one on one interaction and they really truely appreciate what you do for them.

I'm a big fan of Carolina Lunker Sauce because I'm on the sauce ;D

I would have to give my vote to Bass West for just bass content. They are a little lacking when it comes to getting them to you in a timely manner but I can deal with that b/c of the great information!

I have 2 of that exact rod and they were one of the very first purchases after I had all of my stuff stolen out of my boat back in March. I highly recommend them

I have the 6'10" MH spinning rod and liked it so much I bought a second one. Great rod especially for $80.

Another rod that doesn't get nearly as much press as I feel that it should would be the TD-S (green handle) 6'6" Spinnerbait/Cranking rod. I had one for about 12 years (until someone liked it more than me) and it was perfect for shallow- mid depth cranking. I believe they are around 100 now.

Yeah, I had a BFL regional on my home lake (Smith Mountain Lake) a few years ago. I would have never thought the pressure would have effected me but it definitely did. Just avoid fishing history, focus on the current conditions, and fish it like a strange body of water and you will do fine.

Thanks WRB for the heads up. I think that just sealed the deal for me. I kind of figured it would be an "us vs. them" situation since I have heard good things about both but I'd rather be certain than cold and wet

After taking a severe soaking this past weekend in 50 degree temperatures, I have decided that my current rain coat has see its last season. I am curious as to which brand is best: Cabela's guidewear or BPS 100 MPH. Anybody have experience with either or both? I currently have the 100 MPH bibs and have been pleased by them but they are 3-4 years old and have started leaking around the "100 MPH" logo (yesterday my whole left leg was soaked) so I am not completely happy about that but I also understand that I can re-charge them with some spray that I had heard about.

The worst reel I have ever had for a shoddy finish was a Team Diawa TD-S. The finish looked like it had severe boat rash within 2 trips. That was years ago before I understood that I should have returned it. It also hasn't held up as well as my other brands so I think I got a lemon from the word 'go' on that one. It just goes to show that no company is immune to producing a sub par reel.

I could care less about the looks but what I am curious about is how the Tessara's fish since they are "designed" ( I don't know how loosely that can be used) by one of the best anglers to pick up a rod. Certain rods fit certain techniques better. I have always heard good things about Techna AV's but I am also looking for a topwater rod and I like the taper that the Topwater/ Jerbait Tessara has from my limited experience with it in the store. If I were looking for a rod that I needed more sensitivity in then the Techna would be a no brainer. JMHO

Sal669 - Keep in mind that the Techna AV's retail for 209-229 so you got them for half price which is a steal and I don't blame you for prefering them over the Tessara's. I am curious about the jerkbait/ topwater rod but will wait until everyone gets some more time on the water with them before I pick one up. I'm sure these rods are good for their price point but only time will tell.

I would listen to Wayne when he speaks about wacky rigging. From what I have heard/read he is a master and has spent plenty of time tweaking it to be the most efficient possible.

Paycheck baits makes one similiar but they are 2 for 6.69 on TW so back to the drawing board.

It was originally called "The Shot" by Lobina Lures and designed by Rick Clunn. It then was changed to "Chico". I have one but I will not part with it ;D It is an awesome river bait when the baitfish are tiny like they often are.