hawgchaser

I really like the Quantum Energy in that price range. It's a very underestimated rod.

Its easier to catch these in Arkansas. Fishing start in February

None of them have the action of the Red Eye Shad IMO. The XcaliberXr50 is my second favorite and then a bunch tied for third.

James Niggemeyer, Brooks Rogers and Larry Large have been good guides for me. I have had several bad ones also. Fork is not my favorite lake but it is a pretty good one. It is crowded but I think you would have a good time for sure. Or best results that time of the year were on red rat l traps and occassionally chrome/blue.

SHaw is my favorite TV fishing personality. I sed to think he was annoying but now I don't miss One More Cast. I will be getting this book this weekend if Barnes and Noble has it.

Not knowing! That's what keeps you up at night. I got broken off at the boat this spring on what I think was a PB black. I felt a burr in my line but we were about to leave so I didn't retie. Sure enough I hook a hog and she broke off AT THE BOAT! No doubt she was double digits but I still think she could have beaten my pb of 11lbs 02. It will haunt you for a long time. But it will also be a lot of fun trying to meet up with her again. Good luck!

My lakehouse is on a clear deep rocky lake. It is great for watersports but I do not like fishing clear lakes like i do stump filled reservoirs. Anyway, Senko's, trick worms, shakey head, drop shot, and tubes are great clear water baits. I prefer watermelon seed, watermelon red, and pumpkin colors. For topwaters, I use walk the dog baits like the sammy and jimmy on points and open water. I use Pop'Rs near brush. The best colors are clear, smoke, and chrome/blue. Lastly, I use deep diving crank baits on rocky points and XRaps/pointers as well. I also believe lighter line is better as well. I catch more fish on 6-8pound test.

These are the cats @#$... http://www.cocoonseyewear.com/sunwear/clip_ons.php The clip ons actually look decent if you match them up just right. I wear contacts but I have some new eye issues that make glasses much more comfortable. I just bought these clip ons and love them. I got the amber lenses and they perform very well....easy to take on and off, and have a lifetime warranty. Plus you don't have to have the bulkyness of the fitovers.

The Abu Garcia 701!! Especially if you are going to use it for saltwater. I have a 701 and a 702 that I use for specks when i go to Venice, La. I use the reel with 4 pound flouro for trout here in Arkansas... then put 30lb braid on it for redfish and specks in the gulf. Now that is a versatile reel!!!!(I do switch rods) The reel is so small but has a monster drag and with braid, can easily handle a monster bull red. I use the 702 for bass. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpxEipeHka8

I use BP Extreme combos for just about everything...bass, redfish, trout, crappie, and even occassional catfish. I have 10-12 different extreme combos and have caught many fish on them. I have yet to have a single issue with any of them. However, i do like the older version bc they have centrifigal braking vs the new magnetic system. I actually like the spinning reel very much BUT they are not as good as my Abu 700s. They are some of the best equipment i have used! The casting rods and spinning rods are very tough, good sensitivity, and good balance. They are not as light as a loomis or as sensitive...but certainly good enough to NOT be at a disadvantage.

I have found all bass pro rods to be of great value. I have 10 of them...or somewhere around there.

You missed my point. The gear does NOT limit his ability to put fish in the boat. Another way of saying it....its NOT THE GEAR. Many fo the Pros end up using rod and reels that are not top of the line because they are endorsed. This has no effect on their fish catching abilities. Agreed. I think higher end gear makes "fishing" more fun, but has a nominal impact on the "catching". Well I was perfectly content with my extreme's and army of older reels until i picked up the new curado. I should not have done that! I hated the last few curados and especially the citicas. However, the new ones are a whole nother story!!

Big is different for everybody I guess. For me anything over 8 pounds is big. I have caught a half dozen over 10 and probably 20 or so between 8 and 10...maybe a little more.don't know. But the majority have come from 10" Power worms at night, brush hawgs and jig'n pigs during the day. But my neighbor caught an 11lbers on a crappie jig so who knows

You missed my point. The gear does NOT limit his ability to put fish in the boat. Another way of saying it....its NOT THE GEAR. Many fo the Pros end up using rod and reels that are not top of the line because they are endorsed. This has no effect on their fish catching abilities.

Just find a rod/reel you like that is in your budget and go fishing. Too much is made about equipment. A classic example is how many people that are "serious" fisherman on this forum claim Quantum is junk. They also do not consider Quantum rods to be good enough. However, KVD seems to get by ok. Thats just an example, I do not use a lot of Quantum stuff mself.

Gambler Sweebo, Roboworm, or the basic Zoom Finesse.

I have always used white. I have also used a few different color panther martins.

Abu Garcia Cardinal 700 or 800 series. I bought 2 of them for redfish and specks. They double as my bass rigs as well. They are bullet proof, saltwater rated, smooth and have a monster drag system on them.

I caught her using a 3" Gulp! new penny shrimp on a 1/4oz jig head. Something about that gulp just drives the reds nuts. Yeah my arms were pretty sore, but I am still young so that went away quickly. I got her at the taxidermists right now getting ready for the wall. I go to Venice, La several times a year and that GULP is the real deal! It outfishes everything else nearly 2 to 1. Awesome fish!!! I caught one an inch shorter than that last March with my camera sitting on the dock!!!!!! > There is nothing like redfish IMO. Rodbending, aggressive, and great to eat.

Ive got 5 or so that are 5 years or older. Not to mention one test that no others could survive. Durability is second to none. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1207490444/0#0

The Extreme reels are the way to go. I have about a dozen of them.

Yeah, I couldn't remember how they spell it. But I figured people would know what i mean. I fixed it. So any experience with them?

All the above! I have been very impressed with the red Eye Shad. its a great bait....

A few weeks ago I bought a few Jimmy's on sale for $7. I have had a chance to fish them and have been catching a lot of fish. These seem to work as well as my sammy's and the smoke color in the Jimmy is perfect for my lake. What are ya'lls experiences with Jimmy? How do you think they compare? i haven't had them long enough to make a true comparison but so far they are great!

Man that is an AWESOME fish! I would to take a Musky trip sometime. HMMMMM I may start looking into that!