J Francho

Their MLXF taper is special - and not just the high end, even the SCII Eyecon my son uses is awesome.

I use two SC AVS62MLXF, one AVS62MXF, one AVS68MXF, all with fluoro 6# Tatsu or Invisx. The shorter rods have 2500 CI4 on them, the other an older 1000 Stradic with a wood knob. My other rigs are 15# power pro, a Kistler 6-9 DS rod, and a Pinnacle DHC 5 681SPM and Performa XT reel. The braid rods are for weeds, docks, primarily shallow or shore fishing. I use various leaders. The rest are for deep, open water. I base what rod I use on the weight. If I go heavy, like gumball heavy, I switch to the M. Otherwise, I like ML for this.

Lol, I had to google myself, J-10.

Somewhere, a Google web crawler just threw up some code.

I use a Flambeau AZ8 or AZ4.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/108393-how-do-i-send-a-pm-to-john-francho/

Take a look at Hawgtech bearings instead.

Blood knots are fun to tie, lol. Blood or a Uni to Uni will have about the same profile and work for you. You could try a triple surgeons knot, but passing the entire spool through the loop might be a pain.

It's important to note that this is the type thing you do in a club. If you're in a bigger event, BFL, state league, or whatever…just catch your fish and worry about yourself. Clubs are like a brotherhood, messing with the guys is sort of the norm. Another one I thought of, for noob non boaters: turn your console graph on demo mode. Play dumb.

I actually sand bag because I can't stand the suspense. The club I fished can be pretty tight, competitively speaking. First tournament last year, .22 lbs separated the top five bags. I was .09 lbs. off the lead. Came in third.

One of the funniest was when my buddy Brutus was in the hunt for AOY in our club. He fell short last tournament of the season, but had an ace up his sleeve: a cement bass. Half the club nearly peed themselves. Weigh master was really confused for a few seconds.

I throw them, and have caught on them. It's as satisfying as any other catch. Not really on any swim bait forums, so I have no clue about any fraternity. I dislike cliques anyway.

Prefishing…but fishing someone else's usual pattern and spots, and taking their fish on a live well ride. Far, far away. Sandbagging at the weigh in is classic. I've intentionally dragged my heels to weigh in last when I'm pretty sure I have a good bag. "Tough day. Threw senkos for 8 hours." I once put a 38" northern pike in the weigh in bag (they're black) as a little surprise for the weigh master. In team comps, keep a few of your bigger culls, and release them when a competitor is close by. Put all your rods away before check in, but leave a few on deck with ridiculous baits tied on. Once had a cat toy tied on my swim bait rod. Another time, I just left my little 7-6 3wt fly rod on the deck. If you have just one big fish, yell out, "crap, I've got six in here," and toss the monster out.

An AR bearing holds it without a pawl on just about EVERY other reel on the market, the past 20 years. Removing it can make the person that removed it think it works smoother.

These were from last year.

These were from last year.

I just did a dozen or so G reels, and they all had the pawl. It's sort of like an insurance policy against slippage.

Nope, but I've had people request I remove it.

Ok, top three fish fir me, and what they came on: 1. 7-2: Texas rigged 10" black Powerworm w/ 3/8 oz weight. 2. 7-1: 4" Jackall Flick Shake worm on a 3/32 wacky jig. 3. 6-8 (I have several this weight, it's a curse, lol, but this is the most recent) 3/4 arky style jig with a Super Chunk trailer. Black and blue, black w/ blue flecks. Now, my top three big fish baits: 1. HPH super slow sink, custom built 2. Mattlures Hardgill floater in male 3. Jigs

That's a trolling line counter reel. Is that what you're looking for? I have a couple of Dauwa reels like that. They have worked for trout and salmon. I don't really troll anymore, but I still have them. They have to be over 20 years old. Work like new.

I had no scientific purpose in trying it other than it's slick and I had some in garage. Sometimes I even spit on my spool bearings if they squeak.

Nuke 'em!!!!

Tournament fishing has taught me that while fish move, they don't move that much, outside seasonal movements. I'm referring to largemouth here. You can try to beat them into a bite sometimes, but if you cut through the dock talk, and listen to the guys that had good days, when you did not, I've come to the conclusion that the bite moves, not the fish. Having terrible results? Move. Seriously.

Looks perfect. Congrats!

Light oil seems the easiest route. ATF works, not as much maint. but fussy to setup and apply. I dip the worm shaft, and wipe the excess off. Then install. I'm constantly trying new things on my stuff.