WCCT

You are going to get a lot of opinions on this one I personally like XPS Fluorocarbon. It has performed really well for me. I am however, going to give Gamma and Yozuri a try this year as well. I have heard good things about both. I know people who fish Vanish and love it. Not me. I can't stand it at all. Seems too brittle.

I used to fish Daiwa exclusively. I had tried a couple of Quantums out a long time ago and didn't like them. When the new PT series came out, I tried them in a tackle store and thought it felt pretty sweet so I decided to buy one. Well after that, I now fish nothing but Quantum. They are a very smooth, well made reel.

Count me in too!

The most popular way to rig this bait is skirt up with a 4/0 EWG hook. In other words, insert the hook through the top of the bait with the skirt on it and rig it texas style. Fish it with no weght, as the bait itself ways quite a bit. You can basically fish it like a senko, just cast it out and let it sink on slack line. The bait will glide away from you so the slack line is good to have so the bait can fall freely. Once it hits bottom, I like to give it a little snap up and let it fall again. Work it back to the boat this way and you can kill the fish on these.

I am going to install 2 new units, one with gps in my boat. I think I am going to go with this "backbone" setup. I understand the basics of it, but I am not sure if I still need 2 transducers or not. Can my units share one? I am also putting in a temp sensor, and possibly a fuel sensor as well. I hope these work as good as they claim to.

KVD line conditioner or Reel Magic.

As far as cranks go, I would have to say a Baby Hot Lips in a craw pattern. I get some really big smallies in the spring by fishing this really fast and erratic.

Glad to hear you are coming up to the Northwest I have not fished that stretch of the Columbia, but I know quite a few people that do. The smallmouth fishing can be awesome anywhere on the big river. Cranks, dropshots and split shot 4" lizards are always right at the top of my list. Give me a shout a little closer to the date, and maybe I can make the drive down there. It is about 3-4 hours away, so not that bad. At least it would get you off shore and into a boat. One thing is for sure though, the wind can really blow down the river, so if you do get out on a pontoon or float tube, make sure you are in a protected cove

I don't think they make the blanks available to builders.

I can't stand the sound the recoil guides make when you cast I have a friend that has 4 of Gloomis GLX's with them, and he hates them too. He wants me to put new Fuji's on for him.

KVD could catch fish in a mud puddle All of those top pros are excellent fishermen.

1. Quantum 2. Daiwa I used to be strictly a Daiwa guy until the new Quantums came out.

What I tow: 20' Viper Coral What I tow with: 04' Chevy Silverado longbed diesel 4x4

I like the feel of a big hook set So I would go with a texas rigged soft plastic or jig.

http://www.fishingworld.com/M-F-Manufacturing/Default.tmpl?Cart=11050 This is what I use. Some people like Calhoun's plastic. It is good too. You can get it from http://www.del-mart.com. Lurecraft has plastic too. It is really a preference thing.

Where can I get a 1/4" mandrel? I emailed Lamarr, and they said they no longer sell to the public.

I do not make the skirts. They are made by Getbitlures.com. Skirts need to be injected due to their shape. They have awesome action.

"Western Hula Stik" My version of the "Fat Ika"

One more angle

Here is the one I am making now. It is called the Western Hula Stik It is 4" long.

Get it! They are awesome reels

O.K. I get it now. Thanks everyone.

Flechero, you stated you would use the TSG and the TLSG guides. I checked on these and they say they are fly guides. I don't know much about the type of guides, so are these really what you meant? Thank you.

Maxxum all the way. I got rid of my powerdrive after a couple of months. I couldn't stand how slow it was to steer.

$7.48 per bag on Yamamoto's website That is a lot of money for soft plastics IMO. I must say though, that if I didn't pour my own, I would still buy them ;D