A-Jay

The "Brown Truck" just delivered the reels. Got here a bit earlier than expected. I have to ship them back to TW next Monday ( the13th). Plan on using them in a few different applications utilizing assorted rods and lines. I'll post a thorough review in a separate thread. Initial impressions out of the box - they're compact, smooth and feel Very Powerful. Now, it's off to the lake, it's hard work but someone's got to do it. A-Jay

2 Glass Cranking Rods 1 Graphite Cranking Rod and 1 Graphite / Glass Composite Cranking Rod So that's 4 - I like each for different situations. A-Jay

WTG Dwight ~ Very special catch - and I'm digging that hat ! A-Jay

I was thinking the same thing Review to follow ~ A-Jay

I fish in some fairly remote areas. These spots are definately no exactly easy to get back into. Waters that have no boat ramp and really no access road to speak of - something close to a two-track at best. It always Blows My Mind - to find all kinds of assorted crap on the way into / out of these lakes. What kind of a knuckle head goes through all the trouble to get way back there - and then leaves a trail of waste behind ? Makes no sense. I shake my head and pick it up. A-Jay

Thank you for your input - I'm happy to hear such a glowing report on this reel - I should get them tomorrow and Now I'm really looking forward to checking them out. A-Jay

Good Info - I'm looking forward to trying the "up-side down" swimbait trailer idea. A-Jay

http://www.bassresou...attach_id=20515 http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=19745 A-Jay

I've been fishing the vmc spin shot drop shot hook this season and I like them. From what I noticed, here's some additional feedback; your results may vary ~ They do drastically reduce line twist. I fish very clear open water with this hook - I have not noticed a reduction is bites with this hook. The hook is sharp out of the package and stay sharp - as I do not fish this hook / rig is cover. I have not had any line tangling issues with this rig, any more than with a traditional drop shot set up. I will add that I do not use fluorocarbon line (for reasons I will not get into here) As stated, I fish mostly open water with this rig so I can use light line and a light drag setting. With that said, I have not had this vmc spin shot hook straighten out. On a separate / somewhat different note. Drop shot is always thought of as a finesse , small bait technique. And there is no doubt that it is very effective that way. But I've been having good results using a bit larger profile bait. Baits like the small version/size of some of the more popular creature baits. (4" power hawg, 3.5" Big Bite Fighting Frog, the small Lake fork Magic Shad - to name a few) Match the hook to the baits size if course. But even so, the small hook and open water allows the use of very light line which I think translates into more bites. Also using a bit larger bait has induced a bit bigger bass and reduces the number of dinks. A-Jay

Very cool footage right there. It has quite a multi-species flavor to it. Is this something you get to do on a routine basis ? A-Jay - welcome to BR btw.

That Bottom Bait is a Decorated "War Hero" . A-Jay

Cool video of 2 excellent Michigan Bass ! Save that footage to enjoy again around New Years - you will get excited all over again Nice Job. A-Jay

Thank you - good read - btw - did you get in of those "68's" before they were gone ? A-Jay

WOW ! That thing is Sweet & Sick at the same time ~ A-Jay

Congrats ~ Nice Photos. A-Jay

I'm scheduled to demo a couple of these reels next week (from TW) the 200 & 300 size. I realize that these reels just hit the street but is anyone using this reel to throw swimbaits (Hudds and the like) ? If so, I'd really appreciate some feedback. Also which size reel and what line did you spool it with ? Thanks in advance A-Jay

Congrats on the new Puppy Jeff - she's looks like a real sweet heart. And for the record (Lund) we have four currently in our pack - (not counting the ones we're fostering back to health for the county) A-Jay

Excellent replies to this question so far and it's a topic that might not have only one definitive answer. Setting the drag for me is dependent on my style of fishing at the time; this includes but is not limited to the cover (or lack there of) and of course the tackle being used. A fish that makes repeated long sustained runs (usually not done by bass) requires a different setting than a one that makes a few short powerful bursts (more of what a bass does). Fishing a drop shot say in open (Clear) water with very light line (4-6 lb test) I'm going to set it on the lighter side. There is less worries of the fish getting me into anything. A lighter drag may also help keep that small hook pinned in the fish. A long run here is fun. I do however often use the boat to move/keep the better fish out in the deep stuff (40-50 ft) On the other hand - If I'm fishing heavier cover (wood, pads, heavy weeds) or flipping the slop with heavy braid (jigs, plastics and Frogs) - No Drag Slip is the rule- Slam the hook home and winch them in. This is not a give and take situation - it's all take. Anything else usually results in a fish getting free. Of course your tackle must be rated to handle the demands required. Moving baits and treble hooks baits (topwater, crankbaits, spinnerbaits etc) are somewhere in between. They are routinely fished in and around some cover as well as more open water. Hook pulls are a concern and a overly tight drag here can contribute to this. Separately from your drag setting, your rod and type of line play a role here in keeping the fish on. A softer / slower action rod may absorb some of the stress applied in a fight where a stiff / faster action rod might not. Rule of thumb here could be a bit of drag slip on the hook set is a good thing. This setting could differ widely depending on your tackle (rod, reel and line combination). So what does all this mean - like most everything, this comes with experience. But at some point, we stop thinking about it and just do it. Until then, most of us learn the hard way, by losing some fish. Hopefully, it's not "The One" that keeps us up at night. A-Jay

Brilliant - reminds of this guy ~ A-Jay

That's Crazy ~ So he's the best Flying fish fisherman around . . . A-Jay

Hang in there - As for your "Team Leader" - Carma is headed his way, and it might not be pretty. A-Jay

YUP ! Unfortunately - these individuals are job security for Search and Rescue Professionals everywhere. A-Jay

I know - It was Joke J . . . A-Jay

Clearly you are not going to be able to focus on your job there with this very serious situation going on at home. This makes you more of a hazard to your unit than any help. They should be helping you get home any way they can. Have your family or the Hospital Re-contact the Red Cross - Your situation is what Emergency Leave Is For. Go find your Chaplin (Or your Senior Medical Officer if there is no Chaplin available) - plant yourself in the office and tell them that you're not able to focus on anything but your situation at home. Have the Chaplin contact your Command while you're there. Don't leave until you have solid arrangements that get you home. What's the worst thing they can do - No Officer worth his salt is going to fault you - don't stand for this - We all understand "needs of the service" but this is your Life man - Good Luck and I hope your wife is OK. A-Jay

This is a new one . . . . A-Jay