J Francho

Simple green, no. Anyone that doubts PS hasn't used it. No need for US cleaners. Try it or don't. I've cleaned hundreds of reels with it. Works better than anything else I've tried, and doesn't come with any of the hassle of flammable solvents.

Sounds like they are still dirty. I'd use a strong degreaser to completely break down any junk in the bearing before finishing with a bath in solvent. Perfect Solution is what I use.

It stands for "regular," which is Daiwanese for mod fast to fast. Not a parabolic taper like cranking stick, but not an extra fast either. I handled a few this weekend. I'd call them "fast."

Shimano, Daiwa, TW, sheriffs, Internet Exploiter, jokes… I think we've got our answers. No need to let this deteriorate into acrimony just because the lake is frozen.

I have a short and a long shaft 70 for my Xpress, works fine.

I fished SML in VA a few years back during an Elite event. I ran into a few pros fishing - no biggie. That lake had plenty of room for everyone. I know there were other local tournaments as well.

What this has to do with no Lew's at Bass Pro is beyond me. Let's get back on topic.

Look up Bow to Stern. Best stuff I've used. General washing, non wax car wash soap works for me. Perfect Solution gets rid of the scum lines, that don't come off easily.

I use Uni knots for them, faster and easier for me.

IE? Really? Lol. Is that still a thing?

I know everyone ALWAYS says a longer rod casts farther, and I agree, somewhat. However, I can hurl any half way aero bait with my 6'2" topwater rod further than anything else in my rod locker. I suppose it helps that I have a cracker of a Zillion on it, but that's sort of the point of post - it's a combination of things that make a long cast.

There's one water that shows up on our tournament trail that it's sort of necessary to C rig, unless you want to gamble and drop shot Lake O for smallies. Otherwise, I'd rather stick a fork in my eye. It's one rig I just don't enjoy, even though I've learned how to be successful with it.

If I ever start looking for a C rig specific rod, someone shoot me! Seriously though, just pick a fast action rod over 7' that matches the total weight if what you throw. I generally use my Dobyns DX 744c for any c-rigging. I suspect my new Pinnacle Perfecta DHC5M 731CAMH will work just as well, since it's very similar.

On long pauses, really long pauses, flouro gets a bow in the line. I like CXX in 8 or 10# size for jerk baits. Before that, I had good success with Sufix Siege mono.

I have three spinners with 6# fluoro, one with Invisx, two with Tatsu. One smaller 1000 size has 15# braid, another with 20# braid. I'd say for general finesse work, a softer, stretchier flouro in 6 or 8# size will work best, if you don't like the braid and leader route.

I think we've said all we can say this week.

I personally don't care for soloing, though I do get inspiration from Gil Evans era Miles. Sketches of Spain being the pinnacle of that collaboration. If I had to pick, Hackett's work in Firth of Fifth is groundbreaking. Being primarily a drummer, I get a kick out of Neil, simply because he keeps it linear and articulates to the point that it's not to hard to emulate. Tony Royster Jr. absolutely amazes me. Jaco's Continuum is another that inspires.

Any IPT, save for the real slow cranking reels will work fine.

Bearing upgrades are WAY overrated. If you must "upgrade" I recommend getting ceramic hybrids freom Dawn at Smooth Drag. While you're at it, get a Carbontex Drag upgrade, some Cal's Grease, and a Tube of Oust. Money better spent than on bearings, assuming yuou have properly cleaned and lubed stock bearings.

I held onto the secret as long as I could, lol.

I caught this fish flipping a jig into a laydown, almoist vertically, in about 4' of gin clear water. All she cared about was my jig, not the big floating bananna over her head.

I tried real hard to let my prejudices get in the way, but the darn thing is so simple, and well made, it won me over. While not what I would consider "cheap," you get one heck of a reel for the price.

That bait has the same problem as live bait - control. I have control issues, and need to be the one that adds the action.

Floating stickbaits, irrespective of brand, are called Rapalas, lol. And it's pronounced "ruh-POHL-uh" up here. When I first heard the term "jerkbait," it was in reference to a Slug-O. To mne, those baits have evolved into flukes, though many still call them jerkbaits, too. Suspending, or nearly suspending, minnow style baits are what I call a jerkbait these days. Some are so erratic, we call them slash baits.

You can pretty much catch on any lure. While I subscribe to the drawing power of realism in large baits, I'm less concerned in realism, and more concerned with location when using conventional baits.