The_Natural

I generally bring 6 rods with the baits changing depending on the season. The only baits that remain constant are a jig and crankbait. I always have a jig and crank on. The weather has cooled here in a Texas, and I'm headed out in the morning. I've got an H&T HT2 in shad (fat shallow crank), a custom flat sided shallow crank in Tennessee shad, a homemade 3/8oz finesse jig/speed craw trailer, a bone colored Yellow Magic, and a watermelon shad Slug-go. I've got a few spinnerbaits/chatterbaits and several soft baits in the bullpen.

I'd get a Citica, Curado, or Daiwa Advantage, but I'm not a Revo fan.

12lb Pline CXX will work for a variety of baits. I like the Crystal Clear...

Undoubtedly the Moonsault cb100 in chartreuse shad. I had those exact conditions last week on Lake Arlington here in Texas. The cool weather had the fish schooling up around the dam area. I was fan casting and burning a cb100 and caught 15 keepers. No hawgs, but my best five would have gone 13-14lbs. the cb100 dives to about 4ft on 10lb fluoro, which is perfect for the aforementioned conditions. The shad generally school closer to the surface, with the bass underneath them...hence why you see 'busts' or a splash from a shad getting attacked. Give the cb100 a try; you won't be disappointed.

They do look similar, but the peanut has a skinnier lip and has a tighter shimmy to it.

Bagging groceries? I haven't heard that story. Kurt was a quarterback in high school, played QB in college (at Norther Illinois), then immediately after college he played arena football (when he didn't get drafted), and then played in Europe's pro football league before finally getting drafted as a free agent. I had to pull up wikipedia...after reading your post I thought he was some guy who worked at a grocery store and played football on weekends with his buddies before he was 'discovered'. That would have been a better story I guess. He still a great QB...

The Powell's feel balanced to me, but mine are the newer version with the bait keeper in the middle (vs. the side on the older models). I had heard in the past the Powell's were a little tip heavy, so I didn't give them much thought. Last year Cabelas got a shipment of Powell's in, and they seemed very light and balanced, so I indulged. I think you will be happy with them. Great rods...great price.

The best cheap fluoro out there is the Cabelas No-Viz. It is made by Seaguar and has all the characteristics of Carbon Pro (I can't say it is, but I'd bet my arsenal Seaguar doesn't clean out their extruders and whip up a 'special' formula just for Cabelas .

Silstar makes BPS, Browning, and Pflueger reels.

It hasn't hit dealers yet...

Gene Larew Hook Tail worm when they were poured versus injected like they are today. They were softer than Yamamoto's. Color: Tomato 1970's Bagley baits (bring back that old price, too!) Zoom Wobblers Original Luck E Strike Salty Sensations (chicken foots)

I throw it about 25% of the time with crankbaits...the other 75% I'm using crystal clear CXX. I have always used fluoro with jerkbaits; it does effectively get your bait a little deeper.

Assuming you are comparing the Powell to the Magnesium TS...I'd take the Powell due balance and guides. The Powell's balance very well, and have alconites...all for $139.

Unfortunately, the need for the thread speaks volumes.

The Zillion is a little nicer and offers better guides (Sic's versus Aconites), but the Zillion is also more expensive. For $139...nothing touches the Powell. They were a good buy at their old $170 price point. Basically, if you've got the money to spend...spend it. Buy the best rod your budget will allow. I think each aforementioned rod is the best at their price point.

Trilene 100% is the only way to go. Inviz-X is the only fluoro that is limper that I have tried, but sacrifice stretch and abrasion resistance. For spinning...I recommend 8lb.

The Clarus rods are nice; maybe the best at that price point.

Zillions are a little more sensitive. Weight and balance are comparable to the '08 Powells. Zillions are a little faster. Hope that helps...

Burley is a video game nut, huh. Man...Pro Wrestling and video games... sounds like we need to get you out on the town and pick you up some tang!

I throw a lot of larger wobblers; B2's, BDS 2's, RC 2.5's, Mann's C4's, Bomber B's, etc. For those 1/2-3/4oz shallow cover crashers I prefer a heavier action rod. I've used a cbr845 in the past, and have recently purchased Skeet's Lamiglas 705r (I call it the Yellow Zonker). Hook up some 12-15lb CXX and you are golden. For smaller shallow baits, I use my Lamiglas medium power XMG 50, which is about as powerful as an 842 Loomis.

I don't feel the Zillions are tip heavy (my pet peeve with split grips), but the Cumara is going to be a little lighter, granted Daiwa underrated the power of each model.

Same blank as the Zillion rods, and the Zillion rods are very impressive.

Miller Lite definitely has more flavor; it sales were so good budweiser had to come out with a light beer with more flavor aimed right at ML. Bud Select is that beer. At all the bars in Norman (college town), Bud reps were out in force around the launch of Bud Select, and if you happen to be drinking a Miller Lite, they would buy you a round of bud select. I'm still a Miller Lite guy, or ML's as we call them.

I like the look of them; the $200 price point is getting really competitive with the Carrot Gold, Daiwa Zillion, and Cumara. I think the handles on the carrot gold casting rods are a little short. The spinning looks fine. I'd be willing to give one a try...I love trying out new sticks.

I hate to tell you, but none of those reels will cast a 1/8oz Rapala minnow. Casting a 1/8oz shaky head would be very tough with the aforementioned reels, but no way on the Rapala. Its the weight of the Rapala combined with its wind resistance. Tiny cranks and minnows are the hardest to cast with casting equipment. The only reels capable are the Pixy, Presso, and spinning reels.