BassmanDan

Another vote for this...it's the only rod that I have 3 of ad I wish I would have bought one more when I had the chance.

That's hilarious...and it's always followed by "well it isn't as big as I thought but I'll take it"....like you're going to not??

Thanks for all the info guys...I guess I'll rely on the old thumb for a while longer considering the money I saved on the two 2013 Metaniums I just picked up.

For Oakleys I like the Polarized black or blue ice iridium. My Costas have blue and green mirror 580g. That covers all the bases for me.

I've ordered a couple of the lipless cranks and poppers this winter to try out...they do have great paint jobs and look to be very well made.

I have the 7ft MH cranking rod...very happy with it after two seasons of use. It handles the 1/4-1/2 oz size baits better than the heavier cranks. I would buy another one if anything happens to this one. Plus I like the unique look of the Rosewood...I'm a sucker for a good looking rod.

The Digital Control braking system that some of the high-end JDM reels use is confusing to me. I just got a couple of the 2013 Metaniums with centrifugals and have never used a DC reel. It sounds like the reel does all the work and you don't need to thumb the spool...is this right? I actually prefer controlling the cast myself...that's where the skill comes in. Can anyone provide more info on this "latest and greatest" improvement in braking?

You can keep things simple in the beginning and I would suggest an all around ratio of 6.whatever to1 as a good starting point. Check out the articles on this site as suggested and it will greatly help your learning curve. I would not hesistate to ask employees at your local BPS. I work there and we have many knowledgeable people on staff in our fishing dept who eat sleep and breathe fishing, including tournament fishermen.

I finally pulled the trigger on one...what made my decision easier was getting $180 off by trading in one of my old rods I would never use again. The details on the offer are here...http://www.thehookuptackle.com/gloomisb.php

It does have a parabolic action but only through the first quarter of the rod, then the power kicks in. Seems like a great tip for pitching, with enough parabolic action to cast and retrieve moving baits also. Of course only time on the water will tell the story but I seldom buy a rod without handling it first and this rod has me ready to get out and rip some lips.

I just got the 7'6" HFTS76XHC today and it looks like a very powerful rod. I plan on putting braid on it and pitching jigs in heavy cover. I also plan on using it for Alabama rigs and light swimbaits...and the new SPRO RAT when it gets to be post-spawn. They do have a $30 no questions asked replacement guarantee but I can't see me snapping this rod unless I jump up and down on it. ...plus the red goes great with my red Steez sitting on top of it. Color really does matter you know.

Where do I start? Two Metaniums, a Megabass rod, various crankbaits and topwaters, pliers, a Shimano fleece jacket, a Halo flippin stick, Gerber multi-tool, and I'm sure there's some other gear I've already forgotten about. Of course my wife is at work as I'm typing this...probably not too smart to leave a digital trail of the evidence but hopefully she won't see it.

^ this

X 2...but the reels are just so much more fun to play with.

That's what I got...it is smooth as butter and I like fast reels anyway, except for throwing big cranks. I tied on a jig and pitched around the living room and it's amazing how fast you can get it back for another cast. It has a very "connected" feel to the bait- probably due to the micro-gearing. I don't see how you could regret getting one...especially for the price.

Well after seeing the deal on Metaniums y'all posted I got my first Metanium XG yesterday...all I can say is unbelievable. I already had two Chronarch Ci4's and love them but this reel feels even better in my hands. Then that sneaky JDM monkey convinced me to get a second one last night. There's no turning back now. Can I join a support group for this affliction?

Shoot me a PM and I can give you a couple places to get good information. You are coming to a great area for bass fishing and we just opened a BPS last year and a Cabelas this spring. One lake to keep in mind is Harris...two of my ten pounders have come from there in the last five years. Welcome to the South!

Definitely a buzzbait...nothing like the anticipation of that topwater bite.

Yeah but if you could only bring one stick, line and hook what is the best one to use? I fish from a jonboat so that eliminates a huge portion of the expense for me. When it comes to equipment I do go overboard like most but it's just a matter of making good choices for your budget.

If the skirt on the bait is a unique color scheme as many are I will "borrow" some of my wife's heavy-duty sewing thread and do a wrap around the existing collar. I like some of the ideas mentioned here though and may have to try some of them. No sense paying for a high dollar spinnerbait or other lure with a nice custom-matching skirt and not taking a minute to make sure it stays put.

I hope it was plastic. I caught my first on a Heddon Crazy Crawler many moons ago...don't have the lure, but a great memory instead.

I'm usually pretty quiet when fighting a fish...but I am resolving this year to not say: She 'bout ripped the rod outta my hands! ,,,Maybe I better get a better grip on my rod! Oh my gosh it's a giant...(then after seeing the fish) ..well it's not as big as I thought, but I'll take it! ...What are you going to do, not take it? I can't believe there's not a fish on that laydown! Of course there is, I just didn't fish good enough to catch it! I could go on, but as they say...you can't catch em sitting on the couch! Happy New Year y'all.

I have the best of both worlds and I know it...my wife doesn't say a word about my tackle buying AND she has no interest in spending money on purses, shoes, etc. So every once in a while when she does mention something she would like I make sure to make it happen.

I know why I buy stuff, what puzzles me is why I can't stop. It was much less expensive when all I needed was a ball, or racquet or glove to enjoy the outdoors.

I have never shopped on BF or Thanksgiving until this year...there was an incredible deal on a Samsung TV that was only going on in stores and limited quantities. I waited until about 10pm Thanksgiving night and was lucky to get one of the last ones in stock, and the crowds were not bad at all. I never would have been able to pay full price for it and watching FLW on it right now is almost an out of body experience lol. I would have much rather been on the water, but that wasn't an option for me anyway this year.