Stasher1

This will give you the item #, or you can just print out the page and bring it with you. I have a couple different styles, and these are my favorite by far. They're made of rubber, so they just bounce when/if you cast them into the road...which I do all the time. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_13377____SearchResults

x2 I have about a half bag left of some Mr Twister curly tails that glow in the dark. Seemed like a ridiculous purchase at the time, but the stupid things actually work. ;D

Food of the gods.

I've been using it for 1.5-2 years now, and really have no complaints. It's strong, smooth, and extremely consistant. It seems a bit stretchier than the Trilene XL I had been using, but the knots hold well.

x3

I thought this thread was going to be about Jello Biafra's band... ;D

Norman Fat Boy.

Weightless bubblegum TrickWorm. Cast it out and let it sink 1'-1.5', twitch it back to the surface and let it sink again. Repeat all the back to the boat.

I usually replace them with standard VMC trebles. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat601341&id=0030351119787a&navCount=1&podId=0030351&parentId=cat601341&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=QZ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

You won't regret purchasing an Avid. If the 6'6" rod SPEEDBEAD linked to was a spinning rod, it would already be on its way to my house.

The Triumph used to be built in China, but they're now built in SC's new facility in Fresnillo, Mexico along with the Mojo and some of their fly rods.

That decision would be entirely up to you. They're built on the same blank, so there shouldn't be a sensitivity difference between the two. The main difference between them is country of origin. The Premier is built here while the Triumph is built in SC's plant in Mexico. I'd suggest making the trek to your local BPS and giving each rod a closer look. Compare them side-by-side and see if you notice any differences in build quality between the two. If you're in the Atlanta area you're more than welcome to try out the Triumph I keep in my truck, as long as it's ok with your folks.

I have a Triumph and a Premier hanging on the rack next to each other, and don't see a nickel's worth of difference between the two. Now, between the Premier/Mojo/Triumph and the Avid? World of difference. The Avid just blows them away.

Ah, I see. Thanks. I'm kinda looking for a do-it-all spinning rod that I can use as a loaner for my brother-in-law next month. I used to have a 6'6" MF Crucial that filled this role, but I got rid of it due to a defect in the cork. I may just cheap out and pick up a 6'6" MF Premier or something similar. Heck, I ought to let him use the Triumph I keep in the back of my truck. To the OP, sorry for the sidetracking your thread.

I've been eyeballin' that one myself. If you don't mind me asking, what applications do you use it for and how do you like it?

Definitely full grip. I've had a couple split grip rods, but I just don't like they way they feel while making a two-handed cast. It's also just a bit too trendy and gimmicky for me. I find it irritating that just about all of the new rods that have come out in the past year or so are only available in split grip. > Don't even get me started on the foam grips...

That was 4 or 5 years ago. I experimented extensively and came to the conclusion the red hooks were nothing more than a marketing ploy. I noticed ABSOLUTELY no difference. 8-) x2 I have a bunch of red hooks, but only because they were bought on clearance. I don't think they've ever increased my catch rate, but I don't believe they've had a negative effect on it either.

That's something I've been wondering about lately. With the rising popularity of UV coatings and ingredients in lures, how well do you suppose bass can see fluorescent lines? I love being able to easily track the line above the waterline, but I'm worried it may act like a light tube and be extremely visible to the bass. I have this image in my mind of a lure with a beam of light shooting from it, kinda like a lightsaber or something. ;D

I think you'll find that a well-worded post, devoid of "text-speak" and using proper punctuation will illicit more helpful responses. For some of the older members here, it's too much of a chore to decipher text-speak to even bother offering a response.

None. I broke one lifting a small bass over some shoreline weeds (cheapo Dick's F&S rod) and I broke a fly rod a couple weeks ago in mid-cast. Second trip out with that rod and it just snapped in half, about 4" above the ferrule.

It's a common problem with the lower-end St. Croix rods (Mojo, Premier, Triumph) Loosen the locking nut all the way and give the threads a couple wraps with teflon thread tape. It'll take up the slack between the nut and threads but won't leave any sticky crap if/when you decide to remove it.

Have you used the Arbor 7430? It's WAY too small and light to balance well with a 7' Mojo. I have one a 6' light/fast St. Croix Premier and it's still a little tip heavy.

The St. Croix Triumph falls within your price range as does the Shimano Clarus, and I believe either of them would be a better choice. The Bionic Blade isn't a horrible rod, though. My brother in law has been using them for quite a while now and seems to do fairly well in his local tournaments. He uses braid which helps make up for the rod's lack of sensitivity.

I throw most plastics, finesse jigs, and jerkbaits on spinning gear. The Avid AVS68MXF does a pretty good job of handling them in all but the heaviest cover. I typically spool with 8# Sufix Elite and keep a spare spool loaded with 30# PP, just in case. I keep the baitcasters for heavier jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and lipless and shallow cranks.

Sounds like a Monty Python skit... ;D