J Francho

Daiwa Presso with Sunline Shooter. OK, that's the high end answer, but I'd grab a Tierra and P-line 100%.

Nice job and way to be humble . A buddy of mine caught two nice LMB through 5" of ice this past weekend .

Toothpicks work just fine, just be sure to use round ones. In fact, as testimony to the fact that the toothpick doesn't damage the line, here is a picture of a trout, caught on toothpick pegged trout bead. The leader was 4# fluorocarbon. These guys pull a lot harder than bass.

15# CXX.

I fish year round. There are big fish to be caught in tiny tributaries all over this state.

Thanks RW. Yes, I work like the rest of you. In fact, these are probably only 15 or 20 days of the over 200 I fished last year. I don't always break out the camera, and for the second half of the year, my camera was broken so any loner trips went pictureless.

The issue might be the reel. What reel is it? I have no issues with FC on either of my TD-X reels. One of them I run "wide open" as in no brakes, with 20# line for pitching.

Lots of fish, lots of new friends. Put on your favorite song, and click the link to enjoy the show http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=7020124&AlbumKey=yF7Es

8# P-Line CXX X-tra Tough.

I use a shorter rod (6' M/F All Star) because I'm not real tall, and use a downward, or down and to the side stroke when walking TW baits. A 6'2" rod with a short handle like my 6'er would be perfect. I would not use it for buzzbaits, as I like my spinner bait rod for this, but your thinking on jerks is sound. My TW rod really serves as my "TW/Slashbait" rod. I throw Pointers, X-Raps, and the like. This fits in line with my philosophy of "application specific" tools, not "technique or bait specific" approach. Treble hooks, short downward strokes, good sensitivity (mostly for suspenders, not TW), and somewhat bouyant line dictate my choice.

Spinnerbaits. Jigs a close second. Caught a lot of fish on ribbon tail worms, but not my favorite to fish.

Buy your boat in fall or winter for the best deal. Just before they wrap them for the winter is a good time. Walk out on the sales at least three times. Be sure to leave your card. They will call you.

Outcast R.T. and Pro Staff, Mann's Stone Jig, Stanley Finesse, Not sure if they carry Keitech, but my early experience is positive.

I've had many, and worked on many more. Shimano and Daiwa make the best product out there. I personally use mainly Daiwa, though there are some SHimanos in the stable .

That's what the "price matching" pricing model is all about. You catch a few uneducated suckers along the way. I've always found it to be a little shady. Just give me your best price and your best service, please.

Check the flow before you go. I don't get near it over 1100 cfm. If the water is green, fishing is usually good.

The first shots from Thanksgiving morning are of the Genny River, and just downstream is a bridge for a major city route. My guess is it was thrown off the bridge by the snow plows. Its funny being down there, and realizing you are in the middle of a somewhat rough neighborhood. We always joke that our cars might not be in the lot when we get back up the gorge, LOL.

A few more, from our Boxing Day Extravaganza on the river: I finally got some action, and had three hookups, and one on the bank. No photos, though.

I don't have an auger that would fit in my tackle box ;D

Another Avid AVC70MM user here. Mine paired up with a Daiwa Sol. Throws peanut cranks up to DT10 size just fine. I plan to add another Avid, AVC70MHM for the bigger deep divers.

I generally hold on to the box of anything that cost $100 or more for the warranty duration. If you intend to resell the reels, then it may be more attractive to the buyer to have the box, tools, oil, and original papers that came with it. Definitely hold on to any schematics that came with it.

Braid wears out on the business end, turning white. The line deeper in the spool is still like new. Flip it, instead of shelling out for new line.

Nice job, and nice reel. You will enjoy it as I have mine. Great little reel for small cranks.

Nothing gets blood stains out like OxyClean.