The_Natural

Wait...regret is a mofo.

Yes 8-). The Cabelas fluoro leader material says 'made by Seaguar' right on the box, so I'm not sure why they don't just do the same with the no-viz and no-viz extra. Seaguar probably doesn't want that, yet I guess Seaguar was ok with them using the same product descriptions. Seaquar INVIZX Fluorocarbon Fishing Line The softest, most supple fluorocarbon line ever produced! INVIZX can be used on casting or spinning reels in freshwater with good hooksetting power, exceptional abrasion resistance and knot strength, and it's nearly invisible to fish. Cabela's® No-Vis Xtra Fluorocarbon Our No-Vis Xtra is the softest, most supple fluorocarbon line ever produced! This line can be used on casting or spinning reels in freshwater with good hooksetting power, exceptional abrasion resistance and knot-strength, and it's nearly invisible to fish.

I haven't had a problem with the weedguard, however, the jig snags branches a little more in heavy cover versus a tradition design due to the counterbalance weight. I do think this is an ingenious design though, and I use mine for sparse cover and rocky points/ledges. I have several jigs I use and all have their time and place. The Evolution Jig is just one of my 'irons' in my jig bag.

Pretty good deal for the 600yd spools... http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?id=0042974&navCount=0&parentId=cat602222&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=cat21404_ntw4&parentType=index&indexId=cat602222&rid=

$101-150 It used to be a lot more...maybe even 4-$500 a month, but I just replenish and buy 'new' baits that hit the market these days. I've got enough crap...

Lucky Craft RC1.5 Lucky Craft BDS 1 & 2 Lucky Craft Moonsault cb100 Lucky Craft Flat Mini SR Bagley B2 Zoom WEC Hicky Zoom WEC E2 Zoom WEC Sand Flea and hopefully some of my homemade baits 8-)

I use zip ties for my collars. Just buy the smallest ties they make. I pull them very tight, and not only does it make the skirt stay on for an eternity, but it flairs the skirt out as well.

Yes...it's the only way to go. It's all about the paint atomization...

If you can get over the shimano on a daiwa thing...go advantage. I just sold 3 Fuego's, a Sustain, and a Steez in favor of my advantage. If you go shimano I'd get the saros.

Pline CX Premium....

Gotta go with the Cumara for a Jig and Worm setup. It's a more sensitive blank with SIC's.

You don't need a lot to start out; I'll recommend a 4" finesse worm (pick your favorite brand). I feel this is the perfect bait for Texas Rig training. You need a small bait that will get a lot of bites so you get plenty of practice setting the hook. A 4" worm will offer lots of practice...it gets a lot of attention!

Only that Loomis is stuck in the 70s with rod design. Design yes, blank construction...no. I can't name another product on the market (anything) that was invented 20 years ago that hasn't been improved upon somehow. There still isn't any graphite more senisitive than the GLX blanks, and Gary first rolled those out in the late '80's. That's simply amazing when you think about it. With all the technology of today versus 20 years ago; they still can't better it. Look at the reels now versus then!

CXX I'll change about every third trip, and with fluoro I just check it frequently for nicks and abrasion, and it ends up lasting a month or so of constant use.

After reading the book: "Knowing Bass" by that Berkley scientist I can't help but respect what they're doing. The amount of research that is put into their lure development is staggering. I watched a VHS tape Berkley sent me in the late 80's of them testing the power worm (trying to get sponsored, but hey...I was very young ;D). They sent me several packs of each of the Power baits they had out at the time and a video. I'm not sure If I would watch a video about a bait today...I'd guess it was just an infomercial. Berkley's was different...all footage was in the Lab. Berkley's lab is incomparable. It was the first (and maybe only) lab dedicated to studying how bass strike lures. It was one of the most interesting things I've ever seen. They actually have ponds with thousands of bass they use, and after they see how a bass or (bass) react to a lure...they release them and introduce new fish. I also watched them test the Berkley Frenzy crankbait when it was introduced. They had a large oval with a current, and a Frenzy crank of a line, and they watched how many times the newly introduced bass would strike it until they got the desired results (adjusting lip angle, etc.). You can't argue with what Berkley has done/is doing. Back on topic; I've only tried the Yum Money Minnow and Berkley Hollow Belly, and the Berkley is the clear winner. The Yum Minnow swims, but the Berkley not only swims with its paddle tail but also sashay's from side to side almost like a small roll. Great bait, and worth the money.

I'd wait on the new Citica...it looks bad. If you want a burner; I'd go with the Zillion.

Boy when you said deep divers you weren't kiddin'! Excellent work! Those are the paint jobs I'm after. I fish mainly shad patterns, and I'm huge on the spot of blue on the gill plate. I'm painting a few as we speak that are getting a shot of blue on the gills.

I'm a pretty big tube guy, although I've been throwing the Beaver more lately. I've used a lot of brands extensively. I used the Bass Pro flippin' tubes for a while (not bad), and then on to Mizmo (definitely better...a good tube). Then I ordered a bunch of Right Bite 5" tubes which I really liked (still use the green squash 5" tube). Then I found ISG. The difference that ISG brings to the table is the most uniform and precision cut tails on the market. No joke. There isn't one tenticle stuck together or cut funny...they are all perfect and cut nice and fine to give the most action. Love 'em! I am using the Willy's Intimadator Tube, but want to try the dream tube when I run out. Here is their sight...the picture really don't do them any justice. They don't look special at all in the pics. I'll take a pic of a couple of mine next to some other tubes I have. http://www.isgfishing.com/acatalog/Online_Catalog_Plastic_Tubes_14.html

The bait in the first pic has a matte 'frosted' look because I hadn't clear coated the bait yet...I got excited and just snapped a pic. I should have waited to take a pic until after I clearcoated them; it made the sparkle in the metallic lavendar paint jump out, and just made the baits look a lot better IMHO. Here is the same bait and another one painted and cleared. I did not put a primer or base coat of white on these baits in an attempt to make a 'ghost' bait, as in ghost lavendar shad and ghost olive shad.

I've owned one and it is indeed a very good reel. The newly released Daiwas are some of the smoothest spinning reels I've used. I actually like my TD Advantage spinning reel the best. The only real advantage it has over the Tierra is a sealed drag. As far as comparing it to the sustain; I'll give you that they are probably equally smooth, but they both have their pluses. The Tierra is arguably the best value in a spinning reel out there. It is the entry level 'TD' reel, yet has all the features of the higher end Team Daiwa reels like the airbail, hardbodyz frame, CRBB's, etc. I will say I don't think the Sustain is $130 better, but the Sustain is legendary, and you pay for the reputation as well.

I don't know the answer to that . You'd think in today's age that any of the higher-end reels would last a decent amount of time. Since I only keep my reels a maximum of 3-4 years, tight tolerances/build quality and attention to detail mean the most to me. You know how you can just tell? I'll know within 20 seconds if I think they have moved forward...I just need to pick it up and turn the handle 8-)

Quantum has really stepped up their game. There all new PT is looking quite good. Carbon Fiber handle?! Verrry nice touch that we enthusiasts can really appreciate. I mean...the first production carbon fiber handle offered on a reel...and it's on a Quantum! Sure wouldn't have predicted that one. 7ozs is also very respectable for a rigid aluminum framed reel. The red highlights also speak of Quantums desire to be in the mix with the likes of Daiwa in producing some very contemporary looking reels. Bravo... Here is the new energy...

The best football head I've found is Picasso's Fantasy Football Jig. It has the bottom side textured, and a recessed line tie. There is a source that has the same mold for dirt cheap. I'll PM you the info...

Did you buy your ito off of Tackle Tour? Someone had a new Ito for sale a bit ago. Anyway...since your into the limited reels, I sent ya a pm...

I was taught by my dad while in high school to reverse engineer. When I got into my internships at Daiwa® and Shimano® in the repair dept. in 1985, it helped to be able to layout without any trouble the reels infernal (oops) internal parts, and figure how each module laid out and what it did in the reel. Now 25 years later, each new reel is different in it's layout and the modules, which is always a learning process. I would find an old reel no one is worried about, and learn from it. I have a book that I produced awhile back that I have been revising, it covers how to take a reel apart lay it out and the whole cleaning and lubrication process, then the re-assembly. Hope to have it ready again this winter. Aaron, Well that's great, and if he has never opened up a modern LP reel, he knows what's involved and how they work and will figure it out quickly huh........ Good Luck & Tight Lines!!! And we are going to test those skills coming up shortly...in just two weeks! Reelmech is going to be given a pile of parts and see if he can assemble them back where they belong (x6) ;D. Granted I do have them separated out to a degree, but there isn't any way I would dive in to these. I'll hollar when they are on the way buddy . I'm going to include the aftermarket Abec 5 Ceramics I got in as well (VBX's). My TD-Z's are getting a full makeover...new paint and bearings...should be sweet.