MNGeorge

I *** you guys who don't have the toothy critters to contend with. Maybe losing one wouldn't break the bank, but you could easily go through 4 or 5 of these in day of fishing on just about any body of water in MN. Even if you didn't get bit off, one Pike or Musky would no doubt shred the bait rendering it useless. They do look awesome though, especially that Channel Cat.

I know absolutely nothing about the Falcon rods, but I have an Excel 705C. I would highly recommend you find somewhere to test the Excel before you buy one. In my opinion, they are considerably over rated with respect to the lure weights and the action. Lamiglas rates the 705C as a fast action, 5 power and lure weights from 1/4 to 1 ounce. The action is not that fast, in fact, I'd call it more of a moderate action, suitable for crankbaits. As to the lure weight rating, there is no way the 705C will throw a lure weighing much over 1/2 oz., much less a 1 ounce lure. Don't get me wrong...I actually like the 705C and have several uses in mind for it, but it is far from satisfactory for what I originally bought it for. I bought it sight unseen just going by the specs...had I actually been able to hold one and flex it, I would never have bought it.

Roughly.....183 miles long, now add in all the coves and bays........I've been here since the dinosaurs roamed the shoreline and I've not seen it all Deb and Mike, thanks for the info. I wasn't looking to see the whole lake, I was just asking which state's license would be valid for a non-resident and if there was any money to be saved by buying one or the other. Retirees like myself on a fixed income have to watch our pennies whenever we can. :

I use a leader with braid, but only because I want something between me and the bait that will break if I need it to. 30# braid is tough to break, but a 12# leader can be broken fairly easily and that way I never lose more line than the length of my leader.

Been looking at the SX Supercaster Series spinning reels from US Reels, particularly the SX 230 and SX 240 Supercasters. If you have either of these reels and don't mind sharing your thoughts on it, I'd appreciate reading them. Thanks.

X2...agree totally.

Been using the palomar knot for fluoro since way back when...never had any problems with it. Just remember to moisten it before drawing it tight. I can see a use for RW's suggested knot, however. That one would be much easier to use than the palomar when tying on longer baits, like Pointers or X-Raps...have to remember that one.

Looking at a map, it appears part of KY Lake lies in or at least along side of Tennessee. Is a fishing license from either state valid for the entire lake? Is there any advantage to buying one state's license vs. the other for non-residents?

Not true based on my personal experience. X2

Have not tried the Falcon Lake color, but have fished with Rodents, mostly in Big Tex color. They work as well as RI Sweet Beavers on Mississippi River Smallies and they seem to hold up a bit better...more fish per bait. They cost more per bait than Sweet Beavers, however, so they need to last longer to make up for the cost difference.

OK, Sfritr and Francho, I'm not finding any 4" Roboworms anywhere. Where do you get yours?

For size, I'd say Sweet Beaver, for numbers, it's a toss up between rage tail craws and tubes.

I can't think of a single guy in either Smallie club I belong to that doesn't have a dedicated Senko setup rigged and ready to go at all times. They aren't always the best way to get bit, but they almost always will produce some bites.

Fin-tech Titleshot jig...great for tubes, beavers and craws. It's very snag resistant, doesn't tear up the baits and comes in a variety of head styles, colors and weights. www.jigfish.com

I am a self confessed tackle junkie as anyone who has seen my garage and shed can attest. I am retired and spend a fair amount of time looking for new (to me) baits. If I see something that looks like it might fool an upper Mississippi River Smallmouth, I'll order it. Needless to say, what I thought would fool the Smallies and what they actually fell for differ on a grand scale. Seeing Glenn's post about saving significant money by reducing new tackle purchases will help me stick to a New Year's resolution to reduce my tackle purchases in 2011 and going forward. As to the question of price for a bait, it does enter into my buying decision. The main factor in deciding whether a potential bait is worth the cost mostly comes down to how likely it is to get bit off by the toothy critters (Northern Pike and/or Muskies) we have to deal with. Hence, I have very few high priced crankbaits or topwater baits. I do have some higher priced hard jerk baits because they work so well it's worth the risk of losing one every so often.

If you prefer the wire route, Menards sells floral wire for $.79 per 100 ft. roll...easily enough wire to do 150 jigs/spinnerbaits.

You guys are breaking my heart...Bass season doesn't open in Minnesota until mid May for the northern part of the state and not until memorial Day weekend for the rest of us. :'( However, thanks to the 6th Annual Road Trip, Bass season for me this year will open 4/17 on Kentucky Lake.

Correct about no 2010 models...all mine are 2008 or 2009. I converted all my STX's over to a REVO Inshore handle which is a bit longer than the stock REVO handle...works better for me, not saying it's necessary. The 2010 STX has that swept back handle...I wasn't sure I could convert it so I haven't looked for a 2010.

REVO STX...I've got 7 of them and the most I paid for any of them is $125.

Fin-tech Titleshot jig rigged weedless in an appropriate weight for the conditions.

Cabela's talls have always fit me better than the BPS talls. If sleeve length or inseam length is an issue for you, I'd recommend the Cabela's.

That was my first reaction after looking at the tackle they're providing...4-6 wt. flyrods, 6# test on spinning tackle. Either the fish aren't very big or they like to fight them down to total exhaustion before releasing them. Most of the fly guys I know around here use 7 to 9 wt. rods and spin fishermen I know rarely go below 10# test. Just my $.02.

That was my first reaction after looking at the tackle they're providing...4-6 wt. flyrods, 6# test on spinning tackle. Either the fish aren't very big or they like to fight them down to total exhaustion before releasing them. Most of the fly guys I know around here use 7 to 9 wt. rods and spin fishermen I know rarely go below 10# test. Just my $.02.

That was my first reaction after looking at the tackle they're providing...4-6 wt. flyrods, 6# test on spinning tackle. Either the fish aren't very big or they like to fight them down to total exhaustion before releasing them. Most of the fly guys I know around here use 7 to 9 wt. rods and spin fishermen I know rarely go below 10# test. Just my $.02.

X2...crossing their eyes is what it's all about, especially when you set on what you immediately know is a big fish. This is why circle hooks will never be on the end of my line.