Big Tom

If you have the funds though, go for it. They can't be that bad...lol.

LOL. I use P-line CX Premium. 8 lb.

For me a GLX is not worth the price.

I have fished both the Powell Max and the Kistler Magnesium and I feel like they are the best rods in that range and you cannot go wrong with either of those. Both rods are exceptionally light and sensitive and have high quality components. The Powell has better guides than the Magnesium TS and more of them too. The Kistler balances a touch better but not enough to hinder anything. Other than that, they are very similar sticks. This is where your money is going to be best spent. I use a Powell 704C for all of my Texas Rigs and Jigs. The Lightning Rod is not even in the same class as the above and I would rule it out if you have the means to afford a different rod. I haven't tried the Mojo Bass rod but I am sure it is decent. I have only tried Quantum Tour Edition PT casting rods and Quantum as a whole are highly underrated rods. The St. Croix, at 100 dollars higher, is probably an amazing stick but I, nor anyone else I fish with will ever be able to afford one.

The Clunn's are pretty solid reels.

Exactly.

Wanna sell any Powells?

Its definitely regional. Its kinda like Castaway's and Texas. St. Croix is a HUGE company in the north. I never had heard of Powell until I was browsing Tackle Tour one day. Still don't hear much about them.

I just now got the 7' heavy model and it looks and feels great. From what I can tell initially, it is light and made very well. I will fish with it this weekend and let you know more about it. There are a few members here that use them often.

I would give anything to have this kind of water around me. We have places where the brush is everywhere but its usually in 30-45 feet of water. My favorite situation is the Top Water bite in the late spring.

Yep. This is used a whole bunch. Not by me though. I suck at it.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1233019157

Meaningless. For $50,000 everyone on this Forum would fish any reel they were paid to promote, regardless of good or bad. Just about every reel looks and feels good right out of the box. That too is meaningless. 8-) You are right. He probably fishes Shimano when they cameras aren't on him.

Man, if they suit you and you like them, why buy something else? If they are good enough for the best bass fisherman on the planet then they should serve you well too. Don't listen to BigRick. I have known him for years and he has more problems than an eighth grade math book!

You will never completely be able to avoid hanging your baits but the right tool for the jobs helps tremendously.

Yeah, get a crankbait that is specifically designed for shallow cranking. My favorite is the Lucky Craft RC 1.5. If you do not feel comfortable spending this much money pick up a Mann's C-4 elite. Its also important to not move too fast if you are cranking the real heavy stuff. Keep your rod tip up and navigate your crank over and around the obstructions. I like to really abuse my crankbaits on thinner laydowns and on logs.

This thread delivers.

A few of Bass Pro Shops cranks have bills similar to that but I have no idea what that one actually is.

That's unbelievable.

But the Banjo Minnows trigger a genetic response in Predatory fish that makes them bite even when they are not hungry. I remember those commercials so well.

Thats what I am saying, Ricky. It sure is a pretty reel.

I bought two Original Zara Spooks a couple of years back. One was the Baby Bass color and the other was just the plain ol' Bone color. Well, I could not get bit on the Bone Spook at all. I could take it off and put the other on and catch a couple. I have no idea what was up. I usually don't pay that much attention to colors but the differences were night and day...and they both have white bellies...I will never understand that. That is the only thing that I have had trouble with really. I was lucky enough to start bass fishing with a couple of more experienced anglers and they really helped keep me away for the junk/gimmicky lures out there.

I really like root beer themed baits for this situation as well. Those baits with a lot of browns and/or greens in them. I have had a lot of success with Lucky Craft's Purple Perch color as well.

Trout are among the most beautiful freshwater species. And you really have some great pictures. We have them stocked here in Kentucky but they are pretty much just walleye food. A lot of people fish for them but they never reach the size of those in your pictures. If we had streams like that, I would not be nearly as bored in the wintertime. Thanks for showing off more pictures. That must have been hard...lol.

LOL Some people... :