J Francho

Forgot to mention this about tearing big holes with braid: why isn't this an issue with heavy cover fishing? I believe tha answer to that question is the solution for cranks as well.

Losing fish is a separate issue, mitigated with proper gear and settings. The main claim is that you miss bites with braid. As far as losing fish goes, I have a saying. The longer it takes for the fish to get in the net, the more that can go wrong.

Felix, great points! I subscribed to both theories you raised for many years. Keep in mind, I've been a crankbait fisherman since I was a kid. The problem is, I've used braid with several miving baits, including treble hooked cranks. The missing fish because of a zero level reaction time doesn't hold water. It also has nothing to do with treble or single hook baits. I don't miss fish when I use a siwash hook on a spoon or a spinner. Or an umbrella rig for that matter - in fact a little trick is to use a spoon with a treble on the center bait instead of a swimbait. Why would you need more reaction time with an open hook bait than a weedless/brush guard bait? Do swim jig guys use stretchy mono? The argument makes no sense. I'll reiterate that my preference has more to do with deflection and rebound feel, and also my reaction to cover - NOT THE STRIKE - like wood or dock pilings. You won't miss bites because of braid. If you're missing strikes, chances are they weren't engulfing the bait anyway, and the problem is some other part of the presentation - color, profile, cadence, action, etc., and not the line.

I guess I'll throw all my MB out! Lol, not sure. Pro sponsorship/endorsement deals come and go. It doesn't really affect my perception of quality and value. It might be interesting if there's a juicy story behind it, lol.

What does a lack of stretch have to do with missing fish? I hear this a lot, and really I never hear an answer that makes any sense. Personally, I prefer to use CXX or Tatsu for cranks. I also prefer a moderate taper graphite rod. I feel that rebound and deflection off cover is better with this combination - specifically for lipped divers, not shallow square bills or traps. I'm just not seeing a valid argument for why stretch matters in missing bites.

Is that a question? MLF participants neither pay an entry not collect a purse for winning.

I own both brands, in several models. DHC5 compares favorably to Champion. DHC7 compares to Champion Extreme, if not a little lighter. Actions on Dobyns are slightly faster. Powers are comparable, though the rating systems differ. Pinnacle MH sits between Dobyns 4 and 5, maybe closer to the 4. There's things I like and dislike about both. Pinnacles can be had with micros, but they're all split grips. You can get a full rear with a DX. Dobyns have flashy paint, Pinnacle is bare, and low key. I like the thread hood on the Dobyns better. ACS seat on Pinnacle, ECS on Dobyns. Lots of room for personal preferences, performance is about the same. The DHC5 probably represents the greatest value for the buck.

American made tires have been made with imported rubber since before there were cars. What that has to do with how many American jobs are from making tires is beyond me. The origin of the rubber matters little to me. It's who made the final product. Same goes for a rod.

Sometimes I throw a senko. Pretty much the same thing.

Exactly, Kent.

When the guy that had the $100k boat, $50k truck, $400 combos, and $25 crank baits stuffs yours and everyone else's entry fees in his pocket, do you blame the gear, the guy, or yourself? Gear doesn't make the man, but there are some good sticks with good gear. Some guys with big hats actually have some cattle.

My buddy fishes with the owner of the company. They're good people, with a good product. They seem on par with Gammies. What's weird is that even though they are locally made, I can't find them anywhere locally. My preference are Owner, though other brands have performed well for me. What brand so and so uses matters little to me. I'm more interested in what type of hook they use, for what bait, and why. I'll decide for myself what brand I prefer.

$2.39 at the Fast Trac in Henrietta. I've seen as low as $2.32, but that was cash only.

Actually, I primarily target smallies with a u-rig. Dippers work well on J-Will heads. The Yumbrella rig is an affordable rig that works well.

No, we're both referring to "preventive shots." I'm pretty much on target with my statements and they're relevant. I hear measles are making a comeback. On the flip side, shingles is an interesting case. Back before chicken pox vaccinations, we got our immune booster being exposed to children with chicken pox. Now with so many not getting them, and our reduced exposure, shingles is a problem. Interesting, anyway.

To me the term junk fishing just means you are less concerned about a magic bait, rig, or style and more concerned with location and getting a bait in the fishes' faces. There's always at least three our four baits that will work with that one cast that could get bit. Sometimes the terrain is so varied, as you move about s spot, that list of baits changes. You keep trying until you discover a pattern. Then, maybe you can specialize. Sometimes you get good bites, but never find that special bite. I'd rather cast a wide net and see what happens.

The Spro color I like is Old Faithful, I think. It's like Lucky Crafts MS Am. Shad - has a bit of every color in it.

The gentlemen that discovered how to make insulin for diabetics gave it away. There's currently no cure for Diabetes mellitus (Type I). 50 years ago, I'd be dead by now. What a scam!

$2.59 down by the thruway.

I leave my panic box at home, and use what I use. Sometimes it's the suck box, other times it's a boom box. But never a panic box. Panic is not going to win anything.

That would be a cool pitching reel.

I have a few MH and H rods that feel like absolute slugs with a dinky, light reel on them. Put a nice, heavy duty, 8 oz. or so reel on them, and they become balanced, crisp, and a joy to use. But, conventional wisdom - on paper and during winter, lol - is to go lighter.

Also, decreasing the reel mass will move the balance point toward the tip of the rod. Not really ideal in a "pitching stick."

Alphas, Ito Ai, Pixy <> heavy applications. I don't even know why they're in this discussion.

I have a few TD-X 103/105 HSDL that are perfect for this.