J Francho

Yep, and I think you got your specs wrong on the Q-towers. I was under the impression the weight limit was 165 lbs. Perhaps different car models have different max. I know my Thule handled even more than that on my old Maxima. I carried two PBGs up there with no issue.

What hooks do you think are better than Daiichi sharpened VMC? I've had some Pointer SP 100 have somewhat lite wire tail hooks, but they weren't junk. Like Dwight, I replace them as they wear - which happens frequently since they catch fish. I generally replace with Owner Stinger ST-36 Needle Points, but for any suspending baits, I use OEM hooks: http://www.luckycraft.com/luckycrafthome/Products/accessories/hooks.htm So, with a statement like your original post, let's hear what baits you're commenting on, where you got them, and what the specific issue with the hooks is. BassResource.com is not the place to air grievances with a company, though we do discuss issues. So, rather than sling mud, let's hear your full complaint.

Sounds like a warranty issue, though their warranty policy is weak: https://www.carrotstix.com/warranty-claim-form/ That alone would steer me away. I get a defective rod, I'm not paying $50 for a replacement.

SC 4C79HF. I'll count them tonight. What's funny, I put an 11 oz. reel on it. Has a nice tip up balance. I didn't build the rod.

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

Great, I can come back as a dung beetle instead of a cockroach.

Are there largemouth in the lake as well? Largemouth will out compete smallmouth for prime territories, leaving the smallies to move around quite a bit more, often deeper. You're best bet is when they move shallow for the spawn.

To Insure Proper Service

A well known pro that has his own rod company (you figure it out) said just about as much when I talked to him in person. He had prototypes of his entire top line rods with spiral micros, and he didn't think the masses would buy it, though he and a business associate loved the rods.

The main advantage for bass rods is less guides. I have a 7'9" custom swimbait rod, with spiral wrapped micros. Comes in under 3.5 oz. and uses around five less guides than similar standard production rods.

I used the rubber band trick posted above before there were t-stops available. It works. A toothpick works, too. Contrary to what some will say, it doesn't nick the line. Been pegging beads to 4# leaders for 10#+ steelhead for years. If there was an issue, it would show itself there before it would with bass.

$50 to store $400 worth of jerkbaits... I like the design, but that's a bit pricey.

Ughhh. That's lame.

I thought I stole that from you, lol. I remember reading about it from someone local....must have been you.

What?

I bought one boat without a test drive, but I had been in it before, so I knew what I was getting into.

I'll go with the wind if I'm fishing a jig, or drop shot, but one of my most productive spring presentations is to park parallel to a wind blown point, and cast suspending jerk baits directly into the wind. That wind stacks warmer water up on the point, concentrating bait fish, as well as feeding bass. It's a pain, but often times when it's the most difficult, it's worth it.

I have two. One is an expensive Marmot two piece type of deal. The other is an inexpensive, pack-able Frog Toggs suit. The latter is always in the boat for emergencies and unexpected showers. The former is for when I know it's going to be ugly.

Not always true. Let's say senkos are getting bit at 15 - 20 FOW. They get nailed the last 18" or so of the decent. Tie up a drop shot rig with a 24" dropper line, and expedite the first 12-18 FOW useless water. When the sinker hits the bottom, give it slack to get a natural fall the last couple feet. I can't be the only one that does this to save time wating for the bait to get into the zone. OG GYCB Senkos have a faster fall rate than most other brands I've compared them to.

Yep, it's very light. Has a nice ride on plane, and very stable to fish from. I think Roger's did around 32 with a 50, and both of us and our gear. I wouldn't hesitate to fish a club event with one.

Pond fishing....keep moving if you aren't catching.

It's an Xpress! That is implied!

Action is taper. Power would relate to "softness." A good flipping stick spreads the load across the blank, using all it's power. Yes, the Mat Daddy has a mod fast to fast taper or action, but it's a pool cue at rest. "Soft" would not be a word I'd use to describe the rod, lol.

I'd agree with Conesus. Haven't fished Silver in years. The bays off Lake Ontario (especially Irondequoit), the lake itself, definitely deeper. Same goes for Hemlock and Canadice, where I've been doing most of my fishing. I know when I hit lakes all over the place club fishing, it was true - Black, Cayuga, Seneca, Canandaigua, Chautaqua included. That's not to say that shallower wouldn't work, but I always did better deeper. Like anything, it's about adjustments to what is happening on that lake.