The_Natural

Yep...they work . I've used them for a few years. I use the double-wide beaver and the flappin' hog more these days, but in colder water I still like the 'hog. I do modify it though....I cut the swim tails off and trim it a couple of ways. Here is a pic.....

I make my own as well; all of these are footballs.... http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1226903271/0#0

Some scoff at the general color 'guidelines', but if you are an amature basser, it's hard to decipher which color to use amongst the 100's of colors available. The old standard 'Natural colors in clearer water and dark colors in stained/muddy water' is sound advice. . Once you get going, you will develop favorites and style.

This might be closer to reality in the coming months ahead. Megabass and Daiwa have joined, might see some USDM rods headed this way across the pond. We can all hope right? : I thought I had gotten to this point a few years back, the madness continues. I agree with the warranty, but I also think Megabass is wanting to be more mainstream. I think we aren't far away from having megabass rods at our local retailer.

I think the general perception is that if it is JDM....it's expensive. Daiwa Japan and Shimano Japan have full product lines...just like in America. You can spend $400, but that represents the high-end, and you can easily spend $400-$600 here in the states on a casting reel (Calais DC/Steez/Stella). I paid $250 for my pixy's, $200 for my alphas, and $160 for my Scorpions. Let's just hope the new Mg50 isn't at the same price point as the Aldebaren.

I think their are two kinds of fluorocarbon users: Anglers that use Trilene Pro-Grade 100%, and anglers who haven't tried it yet. Seriously...it's the sack.

The mojo is one of the top rods at its price point, and no doubt a bargain, but the Avid will offer lighter weight and a crisper action. At the $90-$100 price point, I would look at the Mojo and the Shimano Compre. Those Compre's are nice...

This is inaccurate; the Iaconelli series uses an IM6 blank. However, Daiwa does claim it to be a 'high volume fiber' or HVF blank, which confused me. I have handled the Ike series and they do seem nice for the money...and fairly good-looking. I just wish they would have done the entire handle in their air-foam instead of 50/50.

I use 12lb trilene 100%....great line.

It's the time of year that will confuse a newer bass fisherman. In cold prespawn water, it's either really fast or really slow. A jerkbait, a trap, and a lighter jig (I like a 3/16-5/16oz baby boo jig), as well as a crankbait are pretty standard baits. Fish the jerkbait slow, the trap fast, the jig slow, and alternate with the crankbait. It all makes sense now....right?!

I've been here 4 years and only have 2500 posts. Some people have been here half that time and have doubled my post count. I better reply to more posts....I'm getting behind apparently. *crap...I just looked at your post count. You average almost 13 posts a day! I average under 2 posts a day. You are an animal....

Pretty much. I've got a BPS XPS suit (the precursor to the Qualifier), and it is awesome....hasn't let me down. I also have a Cabelas Guidewear Jacket, and it has a heavier grade of Gore-tex. You can't go wrong with either. I actually wish I got to wear mine more; it's like I appreciate my nice rainwear when it rains....but it isn't that often I fish in the rain.

I generally use a Gammy G-Lock hook for Baby Paca's and Tubes. It says it's a 5/0, but it is very short...about the length of a 3/0 with a HUGE gap.

About $3.50 a pack this year. I've bought them cheaper, but this is the most recent purchase. Dicks puts Yamamoto on sale for 25% off a couple of times a year. I use the Dicks coaches coupon on top of that (save $5 on a $15 purchase). I bet I used 8 coupons. 3 bags of Senkos comes up $15.72 after the 25% off. Save $5 with the coaches coupon and you have 3 bags of Senkos for $10.72. I'd use 2 coupons per visit (the cashier was cool with doing two separate transactions). You can have your cake and eat it, too if you are a savvy shopper.

You've got to go with the aluminum framed reel. Muy Importante in keeping those gears aligned over the long haul.

I bought brand new Iwata HP-C and a good compressor for just a hair over $200. Both are awesome and make me look like a better painter than my newbie status. DON'T skimp on your airbrush. Get a good Iwata.... Here is the compressor I have...it can maintain 40psi. Seriously. It comes with a moisture tap and auto regulator. I couldn't be happier with it. It's the TC-20T. TCP global puts stuff on ebay a lot of times cheaper than their site. I paid like $120... http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/compress.aspx

Looks like a dynamite flippin' bait to me. Flippin' Horny Toads with a 3/8oz sinker has been a secret of mine...tons of action. This things looks more like a beaver with craw legs....pretty awesome.

I'd get the Citica and a Compre/Mojo/or Quantum Tour Edition PT rod. All are about equal in sensitivity IMHO. The citica will cast light weight jigs with ease...I casted 1/4oz Lucky Craft BDS cranks all day with mine.

As RW said, the 844 is pretty much the standard as far as jig rods are concerned. The rod will work for jigs, C-rigs, and heavier spinnerbaits. I have owned a 784 and really liked it for short range work, but the 844 is more versatile and has a better tip than the 784 IMHO.

This is similar to the carolina rig/football jig debate. Both the beaver and the tube are generally used in the same situations. I've had awesome success with the beaver, and felt it just flat outfished the tube the past couple of years. However; lately I've been going back to the tube about 50% of the time. No rhyme or reason...I'm just trying to always show the fish something different.

I use handle wrap, but I don't like reel grips. I don't buy the rod wrap brand...I buy prince brand racket grip at academy. It improves grip, and I like the feel of it, but it doesn't affect sensitivity at all.

As said; use live bait for the youngster. Minnows never fail.

After every trip I'll wipe off my foam handles with a wet rag, and after they dry, I'll spray them down with reel magic. The silicone really rejuvenates the foam, and is a great UV protectant. It seems to penetrate the foam and turn it back to a deep black....like it was when it was new. It isn't greasy or slick at all. I highly recommend it if you have foam handles on your rods.

I actually like the color....but I admit my taste is more contemporary than your average fisherman.

Reel Magic (silicone spray) is a superior lubricant when compared to KVD. However, a water based line conditioner can penetrate your line and actually 'condition' it. Silicone spray will just wash off your line. I use both silicone spray and a water based line conditioner. Both have their uses. FYI....my main use for reel magic is on my black foam rod handles. Nothing works better IMHO>