Rich K

Thanks Paul, but I already bought the lipper (see previous post).

I have used Power pro on a baitcaster and did not like it. After a couple of overruns the line cut into itself and weakened tremendously - to the point of a couple very frustrating break-offs on 30lb test. I have been using Suffix now and love it! Nowhere near the same problems. Anyway, as most of the braid manufacturers recommend dialing down your drag a bit. They caution that you will tear hooks out, but the flip side is bending hooks. I use some fine wire worm hooks and have bent them from time to time - could be the differences in consistency from hook to hook, but I think my drag setting may have played into it as well. If you like the hooks you bought, you could always try another brand of plastics. I know rhino sells a hardnose series that they claim does not have the same problems...

You need to buy this now! It is normally $99.95, but they have extra inventory (called them) and are selling it on special with a sheath for $35! http://www.evolutionproductsinc.com/landingtool.php Mine is on the way! This one is also IGFA certifiable and the review compared it to Boga and Rapala, with this one coming out on top! Thanks for the input! You guys make this site great!

After reading the review - this looks like the one for me too!

I clicked the link the previous Chatillion poster sent, but it was a bit awkward to find where I could buy one and the price. Do you recall where you bought yours? I really like the fact that you can calibrate it! That has been my problem with other hanging scales - checked them with free weights laying around and they were off with no way to correct it...

Nice fish! What kind of length does a fish like that go?

Just wondering if anyone on this board has had any experience getting a reproduction from Wildlife Creations - this is the company that BassPro uses. From what I have seen in the stores, they do a good job. Here are the examples they have posted on the BPS site. What are your opinions of their work? Thanks, Rich

What do you guys recommend for the best, most accurate fishing scale for the money?

I use RW method a lot! Fishing weightless senkos in the wind makes it hard to feel the bite. One other suggestion I have that works for me is to cut leaving about 6 inches. I tuck the lose end of the line through the gill plates and use that to pull the hook eye through the gills. Makes it a little easier than trying to force the hook eye through with your fingers.

I have BPS fluorocarbon spooled on my Symetre. I like that a lot better than vanish. Holds knots without breaking and I have hooked some big fish from shore that buried in the weeds and was able to get them out without breaking off.

Cabela's Fish Eagle II. I got last years model in their bargain bin for $39.99 (or maybe $29.99). 7' ft - 2 piece - mh - 3/8 - 2 1/4 oz lure weight, 10 - 20 lb line weight. GMU 704-2 is the model number. It has been a great all around rod for me! The tip is moderately fast with a lot of backbone. I caught plenty of largies on weightless senko's, c-rigged senkos, spinnerbaits, in-line spinners (mepps and blue fox), and cranks with this rod. I use 20 lb suffix braid with a fluorocarbon leader if the water is clear. For me, a lot of my success depends on getting the drag set right.

Thanks Reel Mechanic! Do you know if I can use Ardent Reel Butter Reel Grease? Is that going to be similar to Shimano's grease?

+1 - I have a couple of BPS Tourney Specials (7' - MH) and love em! I also have a Cabela's Fish Eagle II Casting Rod that works just fine for me! I think I paid $39.99 for each of them.

I fish Suffix performance braid and love it! If the water is super clear I tie on a 3 - 4 ft fluorocarbon leader. I use BPS fluoro for that. When I first started using this setup, I had a hard time not breaking the leader knot. Figured out I was tying the braid know too tight (I use a uni-to-uni knot). The braid would cut into the fluoro and I would lose fish. The beauty of this line is that unless the water is super clear, or you have line shy fish, you can tie your lure straight to the braid. Currently using, 20 lb which is 6 or 8 lb mono diameter. The 10 lb is 2 - 4! P.S. Stay away from power-pro if you have a baitcaster - a couple of good overruns weakened the line as it cut into itself causing much grief about losing big fish!

I just got back from fishing in the rain. I am using a Shimano Symetre reel. My crank handle started sticking to the point where it was not fishable any more. I just pulled the reel apart and see that the drag washer got wet. Is it supposed to have some sort of grease and/or oil on it? I have a reel cleaning kit and now am not sure if I just need to let it dry or apply oil/grease - anyone know? Thanks! Rich P.S. I think I might have lost a big largie because the drag was not working properly and my line snapped. Doesn't happen often to me, but happened twice just now!

I have thought about a drop-shot, but just not sure how that is supposed to work in current. Do you want a weight light enough just to slow down the lure or one that will hold it in place and let you control how fast it moves with the current?

Not trying to argue, but the articles that I have read about these rigs is for crankbaits most of the time. I just read one about using a jetdiver as the "weight" with a flatfish. Granted that was all about Luhr-Jensen marketing their products.

Hey I have really tried to research the differences in polarized lenses. I went so far as to go to my local "For Eyes" and ask to see their expensive polarized. The rep showed me how to verify that lenses are polarized, then said basically there is no difference in the level of polarization between cheapies and their more expensive ones. I have $15 Walgreen's brand ones right now, but I do notice that there are times when I cannot see as well through the water. Which I thought was attributed to the angle of the glare as polarized only works with certain angles... What good brand would you recommend?

I have a river pretty close to me that I started fishing this year. I got hooked when I was pretty much just there for casting practice and hooked into a 3+ smallie on my white spinnerbait! I misplayed her and lost her at the shoreline (which sucked), but was amazed at the fight she put on - in word,... BALLISTIC! My question to you all, I have read a lot about using a 3-way rig in current which keeps your bait in the striek zone longer. Have any of you tried this? If so, what lures have you used? Thanks for your input!

I love senko's and their other company Kinami baits, but find that they are a bit soft and tear after 1 or 2 fish - sometimes getting hung up in the weeds tears em which is frustrating! I have found that BPS stick-o-worms are a bit more durable and have great action! I also have found that once they do get a bit torn up you can rig em by the tail the same way and they still catch fish. My favorite color on the pond I fish is Junebug (purple with green flake). Works like magic! My 2 cents...

How 'bout the video of that guy catching a 15+ on the huddleston Delux on that page? SHEESH!

The only thing that deters me is lightning! Something about holding a 7 foot long graphite rod with a lot of electricity in the air turns me off a bit. I do like to fish while it is raining tho. Senko's seem to work the best when it is raining! Like already stated, I think fishing is better when there is a bit of a chop on the water. I try to fish the windward shore line.

Caught the one in my avatar at night using a strike king (black/blue skirt) midnight special switching the OE blade with a bigger gold hammered finished one. I also used an uncle Josh pork frog (black- #1) as a trailer. I have caught a lot of fish on this particular bait at night - this one must have a certain tone to the rattle that makes it work that much better. (sorry this is almost 2 mos after your original post - I just read it today) Let us know how you did/do.

Congrats! What were you doing differently?

Just wondering if anyone on this board has had any experience getting a reproduction from Wildlife Creations - this is the company that BassPro uses. From what I have seen in the stores, they do a good job. Here are the examples they have posted on the BPS site. What are your opinions of their work? Thanks, Rich