J Francho

Don't fill your spool up all the way. Instant decrease in IPT.

6 or 8 lb. Tatsu would be my choice. If that seems too pricey, go with InvisX.

Unless it's a state record, a nice, printed photo is all I need.

Joni Mitchell

I like the handle on that rod. I think that reel's got to go, though, lol.

Thom Yorke.

Team format is a little different. Many times the co angler kicks in for travel and gas. That's a different scenario, though. I was in a club that had a mandatory fee got nons. It got so high, most either quit or got a boat, lol.

I generally don't take money from non boaters. I do accept lunch.

Tom Waits.

Weatherbug and Weather Underground for me.

I use light power, slow action, long rods. I mostly float fish, so something in the 10' to 12' range. If I am going to cast small spinners, spoons, or Rapalas, then I'll go with something with a faster action. Any light to ultra light rod, 6 to 8' should work fine. The lighter rod compared to bigger fish, go longer. Even though I could catch trout over double digits, I still use light line - 4 to 8 lb.

None, largemouth taste gross to me, in any size. I've had smallmouth prepared for me in the past, and that was pretty good, but I'd rather eat walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Yes, but they don't dissolve in Megastrike.

I may have to give Sunline a try. Sounds like good stuff. With CXX, frequent treatment with KVD L&L is a requirement for me. For it to work best, soak the spool and let dry over night. Then retreat after each trip with a spritz or three.

When someone generically refers to "mono," 99.92% of the time they mean nylon monofilament. Even the title says mono or fluoro. Copolymer is not nylon mono. Neither is fluoro. Neither is a fluoro coated line like Hybrid or Fluoroclear. Rather than constantly correcting what is a common colloqualism for old fashioned nylon fishing line, make specific suggestions if what works for, using your own nomenclature. Better yet, wrote an article for submission that clearly identifies all the line types, with their proper classifications aligned with their colloquial names. If it's good, we'll probably publish it.

Neither. I prefer P-line CXX in 20 or 25 lb size.

My main rod is a custom build on a Saint Croix 4C79HF. It handles baits up to 4 oz. well. I think they still make it in the LTB line, if you want a factory build. I had mine made with a full rear grip and spiral wrapped micros. The other is an Okuma Mat Daddy. I put a full review on it in our articles section. Look for the "Who's Your Daddy" title. It's a really good rod for the money, and makes a heluva punching rod, if you don't mind switching out reels.

Dis Shimano? The only thing I can think think of wrong with that is if you never owned one. It's why I dismiss those comments that dis any brand without at least trying it. Unless it's Lew's. I kid, I kid! (Thats a friendly inside joke for a few guys that know what I'm talking about). Often on the internet, you got guys that regurgitate what they've heard. Is it true? Sometimes. Mostly not, or what they heard wasn't the whole story. I bought a greenie back in the early 90s. We didn't get along. I took it back and got two Daiwas and a Quantum IR3 round reel. I still have that reel. The Daiwas are long gone, sold them years ago after years of service. I found I liked Daiwas. Funny thing, I didn't dismiss Shimano. I own several today. I didn't dismiss Quantum, but like I said earlier in the thread, they don't turn my screws. Neither do Dodge trucks, Sony electronics, or anything Android. There's no point go over and over how great you think something is to someone that doesn't care, or worse doesn't like - you're biting your own neck. Buy what you like. If it's something that turns your screws, tell us what and why. But don't sit here and troll for haters. It actually creates more haters, and looks petty. I can't imagine sitting in a boat with someone for eight hours having the kind of exchange that's going on here. Catching bass is hard enough without worrying whether you're using the right reel, wearing the right clothes, driving the right car.... With that, I bid this thread and all goodnight.

I remember when you were outfitting that. Looks sweet. You should put up a pic or two of it all buttoned up for storage. That's the really cool part about it.

Years ago they were all riveted. I don't think I ever saw one come loose. I have seen a few cast feet break clean off, though. It's really unusual, though. Talking like twice out hundreds of reels I've worked on

The EXO is a pretty cool looking reel. They basically reversed the reinforcing structures in the frame and side plates, exposing and stylizing what is usually inside the reel. Does that make it lighter? I don't know, though it is a light reel. It sure is easy on the eyes, and at that price point will be quality. I think it's a better choice than the Smoke.

I remember when I didn't fish weeds because I didn't know about worm hooks and bullet sinkers. Thankfully a nice guy hooked me up when I was around 12.

Saint Croix Avid AVS62MLXF for spinning, and Dobyns Champ Extreme 744c for casting. Honerable mentions to my Pinnacle Perfecta DCH5-681SPM and SC LTBC70MF Teaser. Everything gets compared to those rods. They cover 90% of my fishing.

Remember when you didn't have a scale? Fish were bigger then.

Just bungee the steering wheel to something in the boat.