J Francho

Dobyns Champion should be better, they are $50 to $80 more. There are actually many more choices in the Avid line. If you look at Saint Croix's site you'll see, but Avid isn't entirely dedicated to bass fishing like Dobyns.

You'll probably have to get one on the used market. They turn up once in a while. Good luck!

Put in your cart for the 25% off for the Classic.

I like the Strike King Perfect Skirts for a quick fix.

A jerk bait rod is about the most unique in my collection, and while it can do many other things - topwater, spinnerbaits, shallow cranks - it isn't exactly what I'd call general purpose. I like a shorter rid, with a shirt rear grip in a medium power and x-fast taper. For reels, it simply has to be comfortable to palm. Speed doesn't matter to me. I use a Saint Croix Avid AC62MXF with either a Zillion or Alphas reel. I like 10# CXX line.

Here's my list of starters, and you really don't need any special tackle to throw them. Mini Slammer G2 Shellcracker 6" BBZ-1 Floating baits will quickly show you the calling power of big baits, and when you build confidence, then you're ready for a rod and reel for bigger stuff: Hard Gill High Power Herring Hudd 68 It's also time to start fishing sinking baits.

You're not missing much if you aren't into that genre.

You could also try nose hooking the fluke with a 1/0 wide gap finesse hook from Gamakatsu. Then you could alternate with wacky senkos.

Personally, I find a caster easier for heavier baits. Spinning has a sling shot effect, and I don't like the pressure if the line on my index finger from heavier baits. Easier for me to use my thumb on a caster spool.

I think you just need time with it. Practice.

I think Ray Scott has to be up there.

^yuuup!

Click on the TV link. http://www.lunkerville.com

Well, now I'm wondering if I was mixed up and had a different taper in my hand. I played with a lot of rods that day. Sounds like the R action is a bit slower.

Lunkerville has several episodes featuring bank and shoreline fishing.

I'm not having any issue on my phone, it could be and ISP issue. I don't see a phone number on the site, but you could also try their Facebook page as well. Just search for Hawgtech.

Never had a problem with the site. I have a handle w/ cork knobs and love it. Many others here have them as well.

Retrieve rate and gear ratio are two different things. A 5:1 ratio spinner can be 30" per turn or more, because the spool diameter is much larger than a typical bait caster.

Don't forget the leaking oil drums and wrecked cars, lol.

I think I get what your saying. It's not really a mistake, just different terms. I think if you look through most writings, the terms "target depth" or "zone" might apply.

Any of you well read, and, ahem, mature guys will recognize his name. I grew up reading his articles and have even had the pleasure of meeting him. He still writes for In-Fisherman. The guy is a legend up here. He has a mean chili recipe as well.

Raul, put that picture up of you with fanny pack, lol Raul is more on the opposite end of what you posted about yourself. He's a thin, lanky guy like me.

If you want to see a modern video showing how to do it, check out the Lunkerville episode called "Chico and the Man." Rich Zaleski back reels and talks about it, if I'm not mistaken.

Yup. Email addies are free.

"Bassy Looking" is combination of cover and structure. Cover is not limited to just weeds, and structure isn't just off shore. Cover referes to anything in or directly over the waterline, besides the bottom or the water. Structure is simply the bottom - you would use terms to describe that structure, such as point, ledge, depression, flat, creek channel, etc.. You are looking for spots where several elements intersect. For instance, a cove off a main point with a strong secondary point that has creek channel, a shallow weed flat, docks, and some deeper water nearby would be a really "bassy looking" spot. All those terms describe both structure and cover.