J Francho

like e t r h o i M s LOL

With the exception of the Pinnacle reel I am testing, I replace my stock drags with Carbontex. They NEVER stick.

I have a Flambeau back pack that works great. I think I bought it at Dicks or Gander Mtn. for around $30.

It would be fine for open hook jigs, 3/8 or less. Personally, I prefer to use 20# braid with a leader, or 6-10# fluoro. As always, let cover dictate how heavy to go.

The only time I use the term "water column" is when using relaterve terms, like top of the water column, bottom of the water column. etc. I'm not sure I understand what your referring to here - sounds like a mix of something you came up to describe your fishing and some spoonplugger terms. Maybe if you can boil it down to a sentrence or two, summarizing the theory, maybe more can relate to what your saying.

Personally, I simply try to have fun, and do what I'd normally do. The only difference is not wasting time not fishing.That, and get some practice time in. On bigger lakes, you want to have your routing times down, so you don't get caught with a late penalty. Other than that, just be prepared - have your gear ready, and livewells working and treatments ready to go.

That's great.

He also used a 5' UL rod. Slider fishing is a worthwhile pursuit, but tackle had advanced leaps and bounds since then. I know a few that back reel, and in fact I do when using a centre pin reel for trout, but drags on even budget level spinning reels are do good now, back reeling isn't necessary.

Not since the Cold War era.

I do a TON of cranking. I carry no less than 6 setups for cranks. There's truth to the line diameter to depth relationship, but I think you'll be more confident with a simpler approach. Two rods, one with 10# line, another with 12# for deeper baits, or for heavier cover. For line, use something inexpensive and tough. I like CXX, but last year started using Tatsu. I did step up a size from what I normally use. Know what you can get down to with your rigs, and know you can easily subtract. Build your confidence in your baits there. I don't say to myself, "this flat mini MR isn't getting down deep enough, I need to find some 8# line to get it in the zone." I tie a DR on, and see what I get. If the zone is outside of my cranks' range, I generally use something else, more suited to that depth. I'm more concerned that what I throw gets to the fish than what I actually throw. If your pattern is a bait that can't be fished where the fish are with what you have, then you're grasping at straws, and it's time to simplify. Where are your fish? What do I have that get to them. Fine tune from there. When we start talking about adding and subtracting inches via line diameter, I think we're over thinking it.

Hopkins Shorty, drop shot plastics, deeper jerk baits, or a jacked deep diver.

Money no object? Custom rod to my specs. The reel? Let's just say a lot of my money would end up in Japan.

I'd be looking at a 7' M/F rod. Can't go wrong with an Avid - I've got a dozen of them.

That's just a scam to get your money. Lol.

Acetone leaves LESS residue than naphtha. Electronics alcohol leaves less, but is slow drying and also leaves a residue. But read what I said later - I'm not using anything other than PS. This isn't a set science, and methods evolve.

Hoffman, you're telling me you never heard of a free car contest before the internet? You never heard of a raffle?

It was back in the 90s. It worked for years, and it was free, lol. (null)

It's not a traditional braid. It's a fused and coated micro filament line. Think Fireline original with a slick coating. I wouldn't classify it as a spinning only line, but it's break strength is about double standard mono per diameter. So, 30# SuperCast is similar to 15# mono.

I know a local that won a Triton bass boat. Just sayin'…it does happen. Years ago, a coworker won a car, it happened to be a Yugo, lol, but she won it. On a local forum, you'll see a few selling certificates for boats they won but either already have a boat, or don't want to pay the the tax for winning. It's not really brilliant marketing, as the concept has been around for more than a century.

Gerald Swindle isn't a big enough name for you? Tough crowd.

How would you like to be notified if you win? Carrier pigeon? Of course they're tools to gather marketing information. Not sure I understand what part is a scam. You don't want to trade your info for a chance to win a prize, don't enter.

Nothing new at Pradco, huh? One of the best lipless baits out there "dying" because some pro changed sponsors? Here are some recent stories that suggest the complete opposite. Things are always happening at a big lure maker like Pradco. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/booyah-boo-series.html http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/elite-8-21214.html http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/booyah-swindle-11314.html http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/booyah-truck-giveaway-2714.html

Lighter fluid (naphtha) works ok, but it leaves a hazy film behind. I still contend that a degreaser followed by a bath in solvent is by far the best method. I've been playing with skipping the solvent bath altogether. Results so far are good.

Nope. Works well as a finishing bath. I prefer acetone as a last bath. Dries quicker.

Lowe's is your best bet. Squirt it full strength into a baby food jar. Cover, leave over night. Pull them out, rinse in gentle, hot water thoroughly. Dry with a blow dryer. Gently test spin on a chopstick or pencil.