CWB

Nice report Dwight. I don't remember if it was 2011 or 2012 (tough getting old), but I do remember in 4 days getting a 6-0 and a 6-4 and several 5's. We had an awesome 4 days despite the weather. My PB came on my birthday- 10/28. Could have been a disaster when I slipped and fell on the ice on the dock the first day. Luckily I only dislocated my shoulder and was able to keep fishing. I remember seeing a few guys out in standard bassboats bobbing around fighting the wind and waves and we were drifting by in relative comfort. Definitely the way to go. Maybe now that things have settled down here, we can get together again (if you'll have me). I think the biggest asset Dwight has is a wonderful wife that lets him get out and fish as much as he does. You're a lucky man my friend.

Take a look at the Damiki D-Hold line. Super easy to rig and hold the bait better for me than any other type. Never cared for the twist on type. Maybe I set the hook too hard but I seem to get the bait coming back with a big hole in the head where the spring was. Reaper Keepers by Kumho work good too if you use a rubbercore or similar weight as Wayne suggested. A tad pricey though.

36 are great. Been using Gammy magic eye short shank with great success. Both are inline, which I prefer, sharp as heck, but Gammys are a much better value and they work.

Haven't heard from Dozer in a while. If you zoom in close you can see a couple cinderblocks tied on near the bottom and can barely make out Bass Dozer on the shirt. Anything we should know about?

Called the closest warranty center and talked to the service tech and he said he has done several that had composite shafts. Dropped it off a little while ago and picked it up during the week. Got a chance to try it out today and it worked perfectly. I can now go into water shallow enough that the hull drags on the bottom- a foot or less and still have 6 inches to adjust the motor lower when needed. Exactly what I was looking to accomplish. If anyone was thinking about doing this and was dissuaded it can be done.

If you are looking to stay around $6.00 or less, Strike King especially KVD line, Norman, Bandit all make good cranks. BPS and Academy have some good baits as well. Alot of times you can get some of the more expensive baits on E-Bay for bargain pricing. usually have to be in the right place at the right time. Xcaliburs are a tad more but a good bargain IMO.

I've seen the videos Sam is talking about. Taken on a shallow crystal clear river in Florida if I recall. I also recall an article by Rick Clunn stating that he stops the trolling motor when retreiving the bait in as O N said. I fish a lot of very clear natural lakes and often see some hemongous bass and carp cruising in the shallows. Most times if the motor is on low and steady, it does not seem to matter but sometimes it does. Stop and go is definitely a no no in shallow water as almost every time the fish bolt off when motor is started. Best to be safe then sorry. Not sure there is a definitive answer. Based on the situation, I usually keep it on steady at the lowest possible speed I can get away with. Or I set up a drift with the wind and use it to reposition as needed between casts. Sometimes you are at the mercy of the wind or current and don't have much of a choice.

The point was not about fraud, but response that "house" brands don't stand behind their products.

Anyone have the BB1 series? Thinking of getting one for crankin. Never had an original but had a BPS David Fritts which employed the same concepts. It cast a mile but weighed a ton. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Brand of what? Line, rod, reel, baits? I have had several BPS products through the years without many issues. (find Gooses write up on the Pro Qualifier reel). My son broke an Extreme rod in his trunk so I took it back to BPS CS counter and told them it broke setting the hook. They said get a new one off the rack and exchanged it. All you can do is try and see what works for you. Might find yourself some bargains along the way.

I'm with A-Jay and Catt and everyone that said Big Game for mono. 600 yd spool and botttle of KVD conditioner if needed. $15.00 on sale? For crankin it's Yo- Zuri Hybrid Copolymer. Super tough stuff. Braid with flouro leader has seved me well also. Closing your bail correctly does greatly reduce wind knots, or in this case loops that turn into knots due to just reeling the bail closed, but your still gonna get them now and then. Fortunately if you don't pull it tight it comes out pretty easily.

Don't know about the Extreme, but I bought a PQ with the wide spool and love it. Got the high speed model. Smooth drag, casts far and silky smooth retreive. Got it for $60.00 on sale. Be worth a look.

You're still an ugly old fart Mike. Everything back to normal now?

I use 2 O-Rings and criss-cross them and then pass the hookpoint through where the rings cross. Super simple and keeps the hook at 90 degrees to the bait which I feel improves hookups. Everyone I've shown this to has tried it and never looked back. Could be wrong but I think by action cad meant that enticing shimmy or wiggle as the bait falls.

I always thought the Ambassadeurs were the father of the Modern baitcasters. When did Shimano become the one. If I recall an Ambassadeur still holds the long distance casting record. My dad still uses his 5000, small white knobs and all, and has the leather case it came in. Gotta be pushing 60. Shimano wasn't even making reels until 1970. Think maybe they got a few of their ideas from Abu- Garcia? That being said, I do have some and they are darn good reels. But considering you can get 2 PQ's for what you would pay for todays Curado 200 G, which is nothing more then a green last generation Citica, I would probably opt for the PQ's. JMHO

Hopefully 8 - 10 lbs with a fish hanging off it.

Never really seen a difference. Tried black at night, gold on overcast days, and no noticible difference. Catt is on to something in the blade style or # of blades. I use mostly double bladed baits like the Persuader. Contrary to what Cavitron says, you can fish any double blade buzzbait slower. Now, if you want to start a discussion on skirt colors..........

I get a roostertail from the transducer from my 597 ci HD DI unit but it's because I have it mounted a little below the hull. Had it flush but was not getting readings at higher speeds. After some research I concluded the weld in front of the transducer was messing up the water flowing over the transducer. Lowered it about 3/16" and problem solved. Roostertail doesn't bother me as it shoots out behind the boat. Frankly I do not remember any hole in the mount that a plug would fit into. The mount has a kick up feature but I have it screwed in solid. Might need to take a closer look.

Go to W 2 F and check the video from Aaron Martens on why he uses braid for backing. Also found the "baitcaster over the top of the line spool, spinning under the bottom of the spool" tip interesting.

X3 on the Xcalibur- especially the XR50 one knocker. Killer.

Xcalibur Xr50 one knockers and regular. S.K. Redeye Shad KVD 1.5 Norman Thin N S.K. 3 XD Bomber Fat Free Guppy S.K. 5 XD Rapala DT16

Got a chuckle out of this. Using this logic, why would you get a Japanese Toyota when you can buy a Swedish engineered Volvo or German engineered Mercedes (Abu) Judging by the responses there are several anomalies out there.

Also if I recall, the equipment traded in is evaluated, rejuvenated as needed, and donated to needy children.Not always about $$$$.

I have a PQ high speed that I use for rattle baits, which is quite often, and I believe its at least 5 years old and still,going strong. Also have a Blue Rick Clunn BPS reel that is 6 or 7 or more years old and it still looks and works like new. Of course I don't put in near the days Goose does. Excellent report. Like Rooster said, you don't always need a $200.00 reel to get the job done. For $80.00 the PQ is a steal.

Looks like a white bass without stripes.