J Francho

I've hit those areas in a kayak - there are some great opportunities for nice fish there. Nice work!

In a former life, I used to import tropical fish, reptiles, and exotic mammals from all over the world, for resale to the retail pet industry. Trans shippers handle the paperwork, customs inspections, quarantine processes, not to mention a water change while they clear customs at the destination. It's not a simple process, and I'd think the layman would have difficulty engaging anyone involved in the process without a very large order.

Just a little update.....put my Zillion SHA 7.1:1 reel on my jerkbait/spook rod, and I actually like it. Canb't say that I appreciate the faster pick up for sure, but it's really nicely balance and comfortable. It goes show, old can be taught new tricks.

What you do with the anchor line, is put a float on the end. Then you can just run a loop through the ring, and tie off on that cleat up front. When you want to release from the anchor, just undo the line from the cleat. If you're getting dragged around by a big fish, you can come back for the anchor line, since the end is floating.

Yep, he sure did. As I said before, it happens.

Get rid of the pulley, and put a metal ring in it's place. I always hated that pulley setup.

Exactly this. Not sure about the top dozen or so pros, but I the guys I know get their new gear in spring. Most of the new models seem to come out in fall.

20# braid + high winds, and the wind will actually carry the line and keep the bait from sinking. Even a heavy plastic such as a GYCB Senko. I generally skip senkos and ikas with a low trajectory cast. I have done the move where you slap the line down to the surface. You have to really pay attention, and line watch here. Works best with brightly colored braid. Another good tip is to pinch a tiny Bull Shot to the line just above the hook, or use a light weight wacky jig.

Good luck, you'll need a lot of permits and will likely go through more red tape and money than a trip to a smallmouth factory like Erie would cost.

Drop offs? Does the ledge follow a break line or contour you can follow? If so, then I would casting PARALLEL to the break line, at the depth I've located, or suspect active fish.

Sure did! Live music, food and bev. Today is a recovery day, lol.

Very true! I turned 21 for the 20th time yesterday. Good luck with the reel hunt - post pics in here when you get it: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/40660-show-off-your-stuff/

That is one filthy child! Good work.

You calling me old?

It's like a desert out there. Can't find anything. The bays are on fire, though. Find warm shallows, near deep water, in coves that feature strong secondary points, and you will smoke both the LMB and SMB.

I use a Daiwa Sol or Alphas for this. My light cranking setup is a SC Avid AVC70MM, Sol, and 10# Tatsu. Flings those little peanut cranks a mile. I leave the brakes at 7-10, and spool is pretty loose. I generally just have to touch the spool as the bait lands. Windy days require a more trained thumb.

I agree, SC rods run a little heavy. In the spinning dept., their medium power has a ton of back bone, but still casts as easily as a med-light.

A PB during a tournament is something special. Congrats!

In a pinch, super glue will work. You'll want to get it properly repaired as soon as possible.

I'm not sure I even have a silent jerkbait. One thing is for sure, on windy days, the hardest cast to make, in the hardest spot to maintain boat control, is usually the best place to be fishing.

I use 6# Sufix Elite on a Calcutta 200, but it's for drift fishing for trout and salmon. Tried for bass, but broke off a couple baits on the cast. Usually the lightest I go is 10#.

That sucks. I won't get into that topic too deep (no pun intended!), but I fish with a few Laos guys, and I notice bigotry from others. I hate that stuff - it's fishing for goodness sakes.

Yeah, I read that a lot here, and I somewhat agree. A faster ratio - 6:1 or greater - probably allows more multi purpose use. Realize, I've been doing this since 5:1 reels were called "high speed" lol.

Thanks everyone! 21 for the 20th time! Woo-hoo!

Ratio doesn't matter. You move the bait with your rod. The reel just holds the line. Mine is only 5.8:1. I also use my Zillion for these baits on occasio, and it's 7.1:1.