hawgchaser

I tried to an off brand once and learned a lesson. I kept having fish shake me off( Im talking 5 or 6) before i realized i was using different hooks. Put my gammies on and didn't lose another. I am comfortable using gamakatsu, owner, mustad, and one brand whos name is escaping me right now. EDIT: I realize you were asking about QUALITY hooks so my response didn't really fit your question. But no unfortunately i don't of anywhere.

I don't remember them throwing a swimbait. I do know they were throwing a rapala minnow rap in hot steel. That Doug Stange catches EVERYTHING!!

The 7' E-glass model not the H3 (although I really want it)

Nice fish!!!! Walleye is probably my favorite freshwater fish to eat!

Any reviews of this rod? I a few of their spinning rods and have been very impressed. I played around with the Fritts rod in the store and it felt really nice but haven't fished one. I also can't decide on M or MH. I will be throwing bigger cranks with this rod but I dont know about a MH crankin rod. Any experience with this rod in these 2 actions? I hate choosing an action without ever have fished it!!!

They will take back just about any BPS product. Its one of the reasons I like buying stuff from them. I rarely need to replace anything but if i do, they have always come through for me. BTW...Sorry about the rod. That sucks!

What color were you throwing? I have caught most fish on the olive.

Finding what the fish are looking for is key. Sometimes they want it very fast and sometimes they will hit it while its suspending. Other than that, jerk jerk....jerk..reel and repeat. This time of year is not my favorite time to throw them BUT that is just me on my particular lake. However, it was very effective last month!

I have some titanium guides and the jury is still out. They are very durable and will not bend however they are a little louder...maybe. It is definitely nice to have them bend and snap in place.

You got it. The extreme rods have good action with plenty of backbone to haul those big boys in. You will love the rod. I have sort of grown to love the split grip design. I just bought 3 American Rodsmith Titanium rods and the split grip has been very nice.

My experience with it is limited but here it is. My buddy was throwing it last March on a redfishing trip. I borrowed his rod for about 30 min just to try the line. It casts great, had no memory, and held up well against some bruisers. I didnt notice any stiffness but I don't know how old the line was. The big downside to it for me was that it stood out so much in the water. If you are using it at night or using a leader, then it probably would be a good line. I am a Sufix and power pro fan but they arent florescent.

Voted good luck..

$109 Abu Garcia Revo S $80 Bass Pro Extreme $80 Quantum Code $100 Quantum KVD series $100 Shimano Citica $100 Pflueger Trion $100 Quantum PT Energy (on sale at ***) These are a few of the better ones IMO.

I have seen Red's post about hybrids so I know there is atleast one on the board. I do a lot of hybrid fishing and have a fantastic spinner that is made locally that I throw. Most of the fish I catch are 3-12 pounds. However, I am now looking for just that one bite! I want a 20 pounder...The world Record is out of my lake and a few 20 pounders are caught every year. Anyway, i am starting to throw some large swimbaits and I want to know who has used them and what works for you. Thanks for any info.

It would drive me nutts but its not about being right or wrong just personal preference. Obviously it works b/c he is a pretty decent fisherman

They have been very active on top where I am at. The norman top dollar has been very effective. It is an interesting lure....a walk the dog style mixed with a little pop'r. It is hell on hybrids but have found it to work well on smallies. My experience is that they like big noisy topwaters. However, I admittedly suck at finding the quality smallies. I catch a bunch of them in the 1.5lb to 2lb category. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98857_100005003_100000000_100005000_100-5-3 BTW: The surface temp has been 72-76.

The majority of my fishing is done on a clear lake. If I am fishing plastics they are either watermelon or pumpkin. I have even gone to watermelon crankbaits with much success. But I think your colors are spot on and pretty much all I throw. Sometimes things dont make since though, I use light colored topwaters except buzzbaits I prefer black. Go figure....

It will be easier to learn with something heavier IMO. The best part about quantum is their braking system! Externally controlled centrifugal is the best around. I don't know why all companies don't do this.

Crankbaits are VERY effective for suspended fish. You don't have to be bouncing off of structure to catch fish. However, there are some crankbaits that have more action than others. I like a wide wobbling crank like a warthawg for bass suspended in trees or anytype of structure. I use the Arkansas Magnum Warthawgs but now they are made by STorm. The watermelon has been the smallmouth killer this year for me. http://www.***.com/descpageHDCSTORM-SWWDD.html# The Tennessee shad has been better for LMB. I like something like the Lucky Craft Flat CB12 in Ghost Minnow for open water no structure fishing.

Do a search, there was a similar thread not to long ago. But if it is the new Energy PT with split grip, then it is an excellant rod IMO. I have 2 of them and want more...I paid $100/piece for mine so $60 is a good deal. You will love it...

Not on those specific baits. But I have caught them pitching 7" Black worms, spooks, and spinnerbaits. But i still prefer a small swimbait on a jighead. Redfish are very aggressive and if you find them, they will hit a wide variety of baits. I just got back from Venice, La Sunday. I love redfish!!

I can't afford to keep that up either. I do have to say that included a 3 day weekend with several couples. I had to pull a dang tube around for three days and was probably half the bill. I have a '97 Johnson 225 that chugs gas like no other. The barge has a 225 mercruiser inboard that gets 3 times the mileage of my Johnson. I am fishing tomorrow and Friday and will be staying close to the house!

Dang I just added up my gas bill from the marina for last month..$1018!!!!!! thats just for the boat.....Ouch I have always said that gas wouldn't change my habits but I may stay a little closer to the cabin from now on. Gas is nearly $5/gallon at the marina. So I dont think I will be making those long runs to my favorite holes.

I fish a lot of nights and I have 2 favorites. The first is a 3/4oz black colorado blade spinnerbait that is locally made, however the moon talker will work just fine. I throw this on flats, humps, and points. Throw it out there and let it hit the bottom..then slow roll it back to the boat and HOLD ON!! http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_51780_100006001_100000000_100006000_100-6-1 My second favorite is a 10" Tequila Sunrise Berkely Power Worm Tx Rigged. I like to throw this in thick cover. I have probably caught more 8lb plus bass on this technique at night then any other. My favorite times are from 10-2. It seems that the bite often slows right when the sunsets. Thats a good time to get off the water, grab some dinner, and tie on your night baits. Then get back at em around 10ish.

The Shimano Sahara 2500 on a 7' M rod would be a great combo http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98417_100003002_100000000_100003000_100-3-2 or The extreme combo with a 7'M rod would also be a great choice. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90689_100003002_100000000_100003000_100-3-2 I have both of these reels and like them about the same. However, I do like the extreme rods better than the Bionic Blade. My choice would be the extreme combo but either one will be a good choice!