J Francho

Actually, handles from most brands interchange, except Shimano.

I'm looking forward to trying it.

Mudbugs...I got a few, but I'm loath to use them that much anymore.

Welcome aboard Jay, and thanks for posting this!

Sealed level wind. Shallow spool option on "workhorse" reels like Curado and Zillion. Ability to reengage the spool by flicking the thumbar up, like just about every Daiwa.

I find it's usually the younger gulls that are the biggest problem, along with the occasional kingfisher. When that happens, I switch to a suspending jerkbait, keeping just subsurface with upward twitches.

Order the mod pack of Storm Jigs, and pick up some Ragetail Chunk trailers in black and blue and green pumpkin. I'd start with 1/2 oz. http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/index.php/storm-series

It has nothing to do with better hookups or catching more fish; it's a time management thing. The Spin Shot hooks do a great job of eliminating inherent twist, but rigging is time consuming. I don't get enough twist in one day of tournament fishing, so I use the single knot and regular hook.

Samurai is also a braid that breaks pretty close to it's labeled pound test.

I've done so much night time navigation, it just comes naturally in my head. See a boat coming toward you, turn right, and show the other boat your red port side bow light, and he should do the same, to pass on each others' port side. See green, blow your horn.

Brinner! I do it once a week. Usually pancakes and bacon. (null)

I don't think you'd get consistent results.One might run shallow, the next run crooked, the next might split open. Either way, you're undoing whatever R&D and pro staff testing that went into the lure. That said, boiling some bargain bin baits that you didn't pay much for might be kind of fun.

Where are you located? I'll be selling my 18' Xpress this spring.

Same hat size, XXL. Belt has gone down a bit.

Ditto this, especially the crankbait rod recommendation.

There's two Lunkerville episodes featuring Rich Z. I highly recommend them: http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/richz1.html http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/richz2.html

I use 10# P-Line CXX.

I'm thinking lactic acid would be the last thing a bass senses from a prey fish. Vision, hearing, and water displacement come first.

I use 15# Power Pro on spinners with no issue. In fact, I like it better than 20 when hitting docks, since it breaks easier if your hung. Most situations, I'm using 20#, though. Here's a 1500 size Daiwa with 15# Power Pro in action: This girl made it to the boat:

I'm not sure if it would help, but the lactic acid builds up in muscle tissue during exertion. While that exertion may cause stress, it isn't necessarily stress alone that causes it. I almost think it would be a negative cue.

That is a HUGE hook for those worms. I use a #4 or #6 for Roboworms. You don't need a monster hook for monster bass. Caught on a #6:

For rec fishing and practice, I use the VMC Spin Shot hooks, and use a UNI knot. For tournaments, I use a Gamakatsu Split SHot/Drop Shot hook, use a Palomar knot, running the tag end back through the top of the hook eye. I match the hook size to the bait - it's an eyeball thing. I generally fish straight fluoro, 6# Invisx, but if I'm fishing shallow docks or weed cover, I'll go to 20 Power Pro, or 832 and a fluoro leader. I use an Alberto knot for the connection, and the same Palomar setup above. Some REALLY good info about the drop shot, by Rich Zaleski: http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html

Roboworms float. There is salt added, but only in the head section. If you've ever fished them, and lost a fresh one, they return to the surface in a few minutes, after the salt dissolves. I guess the only way to get the tail to drop, would be to hook it backwards.

Just stick a Hawgtech on a cranking reel. Plenty of power. I love mine.

I have replaced my hybrids with SS 5s from Smooth Drags in my three Daiwa Sol/Alphas cranking reels. I'm more than satisfied with free spool performance, and they are quiet and fast.