The_Natural

Nice work!

The Crucials have a sticker on them ..... "Made in China".... Ah man I didn't get to guess & I had that one While I do not have a carrot stick I have spent the day with one and all I will say is you'll never get my Crucial. Even the Cumara's are made in China...

The Citicas are already out! Mine should be here tomorrow or Wednesday http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20331&id=0060365123661a&navCount=1&podId=0060365&parentId=cat20331&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20331&hasJS=true

I like a combination. Hard tackle and soft boxes...

I thought it was Ice-T. It's become a mainstay in rap culture; I'm not sure who originated it, but ICE-T sounds about right. From 'Cop Killer' to an actor on 'Law and Order'...pretty crazy. I've heard tupac say it before?

Pretty cool mousepad I guess...but I'm definitely not jealous of it . It's ah-ight...

I'm not sure why anyone would buy the Chronarch B with the new Curado E coming in a week or two. The Curado actually has better stats than the Chronarch. It will definitely be the next reel to get a remake.

Pline CX Premium would be my choice for a super limp line. CX Premium is very thin...make sure you buy a comparable diameter.

I was breaking off at the knot with Sensation, but I've only tried it once to be fair. Send it in to Pure Fishing and ask for something different. The Trilene Max is a lot better IMHO.

So, does that mean you've already ordered one and it's old news? They say pimpin' ain't easy...shoot...try being a tackle junky! Nah, haven't ordered one. I'm on a bit of a Kistler kick now. Kistler . I'm glad Kistler finally switched to the Fuji reel seat and for '09 ditched the Batson Zirconium guides in favor of Fuji ceramics, but I still think the whole line is overpriced. I do praise them for their plans to roll their own blanks here in Texas...that gets bonus points. However..I've owned two Kistlers (crankbait composites), and kudos to Tackle Warehouse for taking them back. The price versus what I got didn't jibe. I generally respect everyone's rod choice, with the only tangible attribute being the components. With your jig and worm rods already decided and on-deck...it's a blast to shop in the ultra competitive middle rod market for my spinnerbait, chatterbait, fluke, etc. rods to do my 'dirty' work.

I know it's beside the point, but take the caps off and you will come across as more respectable. Quantum may be what more people use...that's cool. Low Budget Hookers says it's the driver, not the car...which I agree with for the most part, but who wants to drive a piece of crap? I did that all the way through college...I got from A to B just fine, but I enjoy my trips alot more in my new 4runner.

Check the link I posted above...they are available right now. Simmons Sporting goods seems to be the first to receive their order. Tackle Warehouse is scheduled to get their shipement 8/6. I've got to wait until Cabelas gets theirs before I get one...it just makes more sense being I live 2 miles away.

I developed a line condition a while back, but school, relocating to Texas, and other things have postponed any further advancement. I am still in the product development phase, and need some anglers to use and review the product. I would like the testers to be consumers whom currently use a water based line conditioner. Water based line conditoners are the way to go in my opinion. We all know oil based silicones do not absorb into the line, and just lube the surface. This leads us to a water based silicone product. Line absorbs water...even a lot of fluorocarbons contain enough resins to absorb water as well. I purchased a water based silicone product that in its pure form is gel-like in consistency. You must thin it with distilled water to produce a line spray, but this is a double edged sword. If I make it too strong...it will leave your line feeling greasy and also not absorb as well. There is a happy medium in there. I'm going to send a bottle of conditioner, and then a bottle with twice the active ingredient. I want to know which one works better. Remember...too much active ingredient will be counter productive. The conditioner needs to penetrate the line to be effective. Compare it to the leading brand. If it doesn't work as well...lets hear it. No sense in releasing a product that sucks. Send me a PM with your name and address ONLY. Also...please be a user of a water based spray already...I need comparisons.

So, does that mean you've already ordered one and it's old news? They say pimpin' ain't easy...shoot...try being a tackle junky!

I forgot to post the link of where you can buy them...like right now. http://cgi.ebay.com/DAIWA-T-D-ZILLION-BAITCAST-ROD-TDZL691MHXB-69-M-H_W0QQitemZ200243041246QQihZ010QQcategoryZ1495QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

Not my house...not yet anyway. I can tell you right now the fit and finish of these rods will be superior to anything available for $199 (have you checked out the Steez rods?!) The Zillion is rolling off the same assembly line. Will the sensitivity hand with the Cumara? Don't know yet. Who's going to be the first to buy one?

The difference is that Abu ditched the magnetic brakes. The SX, STX, and Premier will have centrifugal brakes on the '09s. I'm surprised the '08's are going for dirt cheap; I constantly hear negative things about abu's magnetic braking system. Most common was that the brakes adjust from 'No brake force to very little brake force'. Skeet didn't want them on his signature reel either.

Gblanks are a great bargain. I've seen him at the fishing shows in Tulsa, and he says he will custom make a rod to your specifications. He used Shikari SHX blanks until 2006...not sure what he is using now.

High-end....Daiwa TD-Z (These are the 'old Curados' of the high-end magnesium reels. Flawless performance...I wouldn't change a thing) Midrange....'09 Shimano Citica (with an identical spool to the Curado...casting should be the same)

I think it is hands down the best $59 reel on the market, regardless if it has a gimmicky twitchin' bar. I've read countless reviews of anglers that have purchased them from their local walmart and say they are the best reel they have owned (they probably don't own any higher-end reels, but whatever). I'm a Daiwa and Shimano guy, and feel their reels are unique and they are the only brands not copying other companies designs. Daiwa may have copied some reel designs in the 90's, but for the last 8 or 9 years they have been the most original, and the most copied by other manufacturers. 2000-2004 was the TD-S, TD-X, and TD-Z...very original/unique designs. 2004-present is the Fuego, Zillion, Steez, and the most copied reel in the last 20yrs...the Daiwa Sol. Here is my thread about all the Sol copies... http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1216349426/0#0

The No-Vis is pretty decent line, but I wouldn't be comfortable with 6lb test unless I was fishing a drop shot or slider. I'd bump it up to at least 10lb.

Hands down Gary Yamamoto's 8" grub. Sure he calls it a grub, but it is just a big worm. This thing is fat and has a ridiculous amount of salt; salt content so high if you nick the bait it will turn whitish colored on the spot where you grazed it. The pumpkin (orange) with black and green flake is a secret weapon of mine...it kills! Especially in the spring.

Flat sided baits are the easiest to make and require the least amount of sanding. You can buy a 2ft section of 3/8" balsa at your local Hobby Lobby, after you stencil a shape onto the board; cut out the baits via a small saw or dremel tool. I recommend using a template such as a flat sided bait you already love (I just used the Zoom Hicky for several of my flatsided baits). Use a pen to outline it. After you cut it out, just smooth/round off the edges and then you will be ready to start making hook hangers. Using a tip that I read on Tackle Underground; cotter pins (available at Home Depot) are the easiest way to make hook hangers. You have to insert a weight into the belly of balsa baits to make them castable, so you have to incorporate a weight in with your bottom hook hanger. Tru-tungsten sinkers worked beautifully for my bottom ballast weight. The opening was large enough to put the cotter pin (hook hanger) through. Tru-Tungstem bullet weights are expensive, but require less drilling in the belly of your bait. Just stick the cotter pin through the bullet sinker and bend the ends so that the cotter pin can't pull out to create your lower ballast/hanger. Now you drill a hole in the belly large enough to accommodate the ballast weight/hook hanger. After inserted...you need to fill the empty space with devcon epoxy. For the tail hook hanger you need to drill a small hole through the tail section, and insert a cotter pin. You need to bend the cotter pin at the end so that it can be forced in...yet can't be pulled out. The finished tail section... Let that epoxy dry, and then you need to seal your balsa. You can use thinned out devcon epoxy (thin it with acetone until the balsa can absorb it). Also, Dick Nite's lure coat thinned with acetone is another option. After sealing...you are ready to prime your baits. I apply two coats of good ol' Krylon white primer available at walmart. Paint them and then clear coat them with either Devcon epoxy or Dick Nite's lure coat. If you use Devcon, you will have to make a drying wheel. For a quicker job you can just dip your bait in Dick Nite's and hang it by the bill to dry. I admittedly have over 20 baits that I have made and primed, but haven't installed lips or painted yet. I need to get motivated! When you plan to make more than just a couple of baits; you must make a drying wheel. Search Tackle Underground and you will find instructions on how to make one.

He said they were low in stock dillweed! Just messin' with ya skillet. I've had a few beers, so why don't you throw some sausage and egg in your skillet...I'm hungry!

Please tell me you got drunk before hand . Not sloppy... 'just a beer buzz early in the morning'. Sheryl Crow digs it...and so do I This is Robert after a couple of breakfast beers...ICAST, here I come ! Hey...I'm not too far off from flying down to visit my brother in Modesto. Maybe we can meet up and fish.