The_Natural

I like the 'thin' 3700 for my carry jigs. I'm not sure of the model number, but it is thinner than a standard 3700, and works awesome for jigs.

I don't mean to sound condescending, but the bill is a clear indicator of the running depth...at least within a couple of feet. I keep my cranks organized in 3700's, with each getting a separate box- shallow shad, shallow chartreuse (and craw), medium shad, medium chartreuse (and craw), deep, and large deep. Each of these boxes contain a mix of my favorites, and my most used baits get an additional 3700 designated just for backups. If a crank catches you fish, and you find it on sale...buy 3,4, or 5 of that bait/color. You will wish you did as soon as you have a day where they want a certain crank, and you start losing baits. Backups are a necessity of a serious crankbait fisherman. If you aren't losing them...you aren't fishing them hard enough.

The purple alphas (besides being a great reel), has absolutely the best paint job I've ever seen on a reel. It's not only the most durable paint job, but the pearl coat is just unreal...it has a super-fine bronze/gold fleck in the pearl coat.. It is extremely durable, too. The Pixy will impress you the most though upon initial use. Nice reels...

I own the 803 and 804. I basically liked my 803 so much I purchased the 804 soon after. The best word that describes the 803 is agility. It is the perfect rod to give 1/8-1/2oz T-rigged plastics or jigs the most action you can give them, whether it be swimming, shaking, bottom bumping, or quick drags. When you pick it up, the weight and balance just make you want to whip it around like a light saber. It is awesome for working flukes or twitching Senkos. It is probably the most versatile rod of the BCR lineup. It shouldn't be much of a decision process . The BCR803 was the first BCR that Tackle Tour tested, and Zander claimed it was "The most sensitive rod I've ever fished with." Ditto my friend...ditto.

Man...that's beautiful *wipes away tear*. Ooh say can you see, by the dawns early light, ....oops...sorry.

I've owned the Avid 6'8" extra fast...great rod. The first thing I noticed when I used my XF Avid was I was going wide left on my casts to targets (right hand sidearm cast). The tip won't flex like a fast, and it takes some getting used to. Same goes for the Loomis BCR's. The XF tip bumps up the sensitivity...I can say that for my Avids and GLX's.

In early spring I'll use a 3/16oz baby boo jig in black/red flash with a modified baby brush hog trailer (swimming tails cut off, trimmed down body. When the water warms up I'll go with a larger meal, and use several jigs. As mentioned, a good hook is key, and just select the right weight for the fall you are trying to achieve. If fishing deep water, just fish a 3/4oz and be done with it. Maintaining contact with the bottom is the game, unless you are stroking. Finesse jigs will fall faster than regular skirted jigs of the same weight- something to think about when choosing the proper weight around cover. I'm having success with active fish eating a 5/8oz Jewel Finesse Jig with a Paca Chunk Senior. Fast fall with Claws flappin' violently...great reaction strike bait around cover. If they are being lazier and inactive...dragging around a bulkier Flappin' Hog trailer Has been working well. Mess around with your jig in shallow water to where you can see what it is doing as you move it. Picturing what your jig is doing on the bottom made me a lot better jig fisherman.

Wow! Thanks...that's why I hang out on message boards right there...those are some unreal prices on 'barbs.

I was just educating...it wasn't derrogatory. I'd say most tackle sites/stores are distributors. I just purchased a website, and will be a distributor myself as well. I'm working on making a few products, but will carry others as well. I listed the small time manufacturers I like, and I'll add my favorite small time distributors, which are Backwaters (my fav) and susquanna (sp?).

I'd say 2-2.5lbs, but I've only been fishing small waters this year. When fishing lakes, I have more dinks to average in there.

Brent doesn't manufacture anything; he is a distributor. I like Micromunch's baits (their el gordo tube), Brian's Bee's, Gman's jigs (I need to order some), and a couple of others I can't think of.

I like the speed trap when the water is in the 50's in early spring on warm days. THen I'll go to Clunns RC series through postspawn, and finally the BDS and other fat wobblers when the water gets hot.

I like a little less bulk when truly flipping, so I'll say the Jewel 5/8oz heavy cover finesse jig. Heavy finesse jigs like the jewel will sink like a rock and seem to be excellent at getting a reaction bite. Throw on a Paca chunk or as of late the flappin hog, and you are in business.

Hard to beat a BDS 1 or 2 or Bagley B2 around shallow wood when the heat is on. I think the BDS 3 and 4 are different acting, slender baits that I wouldn't really consider a wobbler. The RC series are awesome baits as well...they have been a factor in many tournament wins over the past two years, but maybe have what I call a 'searching' wiggle rather than a true fat wobbler. The WEC Wobbler that Ed Chambers makes is one I tie on when I really need to get bit, but it rolls maybe a little more than it thumps, but is just superb (got any for sale ). The Brians B's are stellar...worth the money versus the H&D's that I think are overrated. I honestly use quite a few...

It's just a bigger and heavier new addition to the Alphas lineup...I wouldn't trade one of my purple alphas for one. They are cheaper than the Alphas or Alphas type F (not in quality I imagine...just noting). Bass.jp has them for $205, the type F for $215, and the Alphas 105 (purple) for $218.

Now you're talking. Your Heliums might get lonely ;D 8-). I'd keep them separated...they might brawl in your rod locker

's Yes...the new LT's will have a split grip. I think they look neat, but most split grips have felt tip heavy to me (except for the Steez rods I had). I guess it is all in the balance point. The blank exceeded my expectations in weight and sensitivity...I'm really happy. Sure I dress up my rods with my little foregrip covers and the little band that seals my rod wrap, but I have never really considered buying a reel due to its color, but I'm seriously considering buying a blue reel or having two of my TD-Z's painted. I just can't help it...it would look pretty sweet with Viento or blue daiwa smak.

Improved clinch. In Tackle Tour's fluorocarbon shootout part two, they tested knots on several different fluorocarbon brands. The improved clinch consistently tested out 6% higher than the palomar. I've actually noticed a difference since switching over a month ago...you'll notice it when you break off a bait that is hung up.

I don't know anyone that owns one and haven't read any reviews other than Tackle Tours.

No, just colored foregrip covers I put on all my rods. Thanks for the compliment. I really didn't need any new rods, but I am worse than a woman when it comes to something being on sale.

I couldn't pass up Tackle Warehouse knocking these down to $154.99. Stats are... Rod #1- 7'10" 'Magnum Cranker' Heavy Power/Moderate Action 12-25lb line 1/2-1 3/8oz rod weight 4.6ozs msrp $250 Rod #2- 7'11" 'Big Gulp' Heavy Power/Moderate Fast Action 14-30lb line 1/2-2oz rod weight 4.8ozs msrp $280 Here is my review and today's fishing report... http://forums.basspro.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=023409#000000

Why do I repsond to these threads *shrug*. I guess Tackle Tour uses the mbr glx as the benchmark in all their rod comparisons due to the Loomis warranty?! I guess when Tackle Tour tested the new bcr803 glx and claimed it was the 'most sensitive rod we have ever tested' it is just miraculous that a $50 rod with a $250 warranty can perform that well (these guys aren't bias...they are Japanese rod junkies, not to mention the guides alone are $70+). The funny thing is...no Loomis owner purchased an IMX or GLX as their first rod...or second for that matter. Ask them what they used to fish with and how it compares to what they fished with previously. Are my GLX's 3 times better than my fleet of Shimano Compre's I had 2 years ago? Yes. Would I pay the premium price of a GLX regardless of warranty? Yes. Why do anglers with lower end or less expensive equipment need to constantly justify their choices or decisions...we don't care what you fish with. You will never see a thread about people that own IMX's or GLX's say that anyone has wasted their money purchasing a less expensive rod...it is always the other way around.

I've got like 7 Tackle Logic worm bags I don't use...I'd sell the for $5 each if anyone is interested...

+1 on the Compre...I'd match it up with a Daiwa Exceler.