The_Natural

Wow...paired with a Stella the fish near you should run! Err...I mean swim! That extra sensitivity should really pay off while working a drop-shot or shakey head in deeper water 8-)

The disadvantage is the hook angle. When you rig a worm with an EWG hook...look at where the hook point is aimed. Right at the fish's lips, or right in line with your fishing line. When you set the hook, it can force the fish's mouth open before the hook can stick the bass. This obviously doesn't happen every time or maybe not even 'often', but this is what anglers are speaking of when they mention straight shanks have a better hook up percentage. If you rig a worm with a straight shank hook, look again at what direction the hook point is aiming. It is directly up (or down), and will stick the fish before your sinker or hook has a chance to force the fish's mouth to open. Straight shanks or offset hooks are what we used 15 years ago. The Eagle Claw 'High Performance' hook was the first EWG hook, and it was mainly used for tubes. I noticed when I started bass fishing again and using the EWG's, my hook up ratio wasn't what it used to be. When I read KVD's newest book, he relayed what I said at the beginning of my post about the hook's angle, and said he started using straight shanks after fishing with master worm fisherman Larry Nixon. Straight shank hooks can't be effectively used in every presentation, mainly thick, bulky plastics and Carolina Rigs. Why not Carolina Rigs? Straight shanks are not as weedless as EWG's when Texas Rigged, and will cause you to inevitabley snag when you drag your rig. KVD also stated that the offset round bend props your bait off the bottom just a hair, which he likes in a c-rig. An offset round bend is still better than an EWG, but not quite as good hook-up wise as a straight shank.

First of all, there is indeed a very noticeable difference in the Croix' Premier and Avid series; deserving of the higher price tag. I owned a Premier for about a month before trading it in on an Avid (although the Premier is superb at its price point). If we had to pay retail prices for Loomis rods, the Croix' versus Loomis debate would be a little more difficult of a decision. But we don't. There is no other brand that you can buy directly from a supplier at around 10% over cost like Fat Fish Farmer's Ebay store provides. For $170, there is no rod that will provide you near the performance of an IMX. I love my Avid spinning rods, but my IMX is a noticeable step up in weight and sensitivity. I paid $260 for my first IMX, an 844c at Bass Pro, and it blew me away...worth every penny of $260. The fact you can buy that same rod from Fat Fish for $180 is unreal. Take advantage .

You can mention brands, but if you are a brand new poster, and your post looks like it is promoting a product in any way, shape, or form; it will be deleted. Don't feel bad...it has happened to me as well with some foregrip covers that I make but do not sell. I was bent out of shape about it for a minute, and then got to thinking that it is a good safety net for the site, and benefits us all from spam

+1 +1 as well I also owned a 784c pre-Shimano Loomis with the Weible reel seat, and I majorly regret selling it. I love my 844's, but there was something special about that 784. I like to swim jigs and paddle tail worms with a 6'6" rod, which the 784 excelled at. It was a mean tube shaker as well . So I think you can gather from these responses that the Loomis 4 power MBR's are versatile and have a very loyal following 8-)

I'm not a Quantum guy, but my old club tournament partner had a slew of Accurists, and he liked them alot. Seems like the most popular Quantum reel, or at least the one I hear the most positive reviews about.

It's only been three years for me, and the same goes for Daiwa. I was a Quantum Pro Staffer in high school, and that was all I owned up until I started fishing again 3 years ago.

+1

Yes it is a single hook, albiet a razor-sharp, 8x hook. My hookup percentage with the fish that actually take it down has been great, but as you know, fish miss the frog half the time.

+1

That ranks right up there with the greatest thread titles of all time ;D. I have never purchased anything from the television, but it seems people have had some success with them. I can just see it now "KVD takes Elite Series event on Rayburn with a Banjo Minnow!"

+1 I use the Rick Clunn Oval rings. They keep your knot directly in line with the bait, and help keep your bait on track.

Correct. The counterweight helps the head to stay up, and it rocks forward on the retrieve like a Sammy, making the bait easier to work. I purchased some Kanji frogs from Backwaters a couple of months ago, and they are hands down the best frogs I have ever used in terms quality and ease of working the bait. Here a few pics...

I'll never forget the first time I fished a Rogue. I was 11, and my Uncle, whom taught me how to bass fish, had me tie on a gold/orange bellied Rogue. He said to jerk it. He didn't instruct me to pause the bait or anything complicated..."just cast it out there and jerk it back to the boat with swift jerks." I just killed the fish that spring day. I probably caught 20 bass, and I was hooked on jerkbaits for life. On another note, I highly recommend the Slender Pointer. I almost like it's erratic action better than the Pointer, and I don't think the fish have seen it as much as a Pointer. With a feathered treble...they are down right deadly!

It's the same way with charlie brewer's slider heads! (although I love them)

As Raul said, you can get the 1000mg for a lot cheaper. I like the longer handle on my mg50's, but I would have gone with the 1000 if they were available for $184 from Ginrinpeche like they are now.

Hehe...I lost the differentiation of needs versus wants long ago ;D

Wowzers...that is a pretty hot combo 8-). Merry Christmas...I love the Holidays!

Yes, that should do fine. Go back a page or so in this forum and you will see a thread about crankbait line, and what everyone uses.

The Daiwa Light and Tough are definitely light in weight, but I haven't fished with one and can't comment on sensitivity. The people that own one seem to be happy with their purchases from the reviews I've read.

Yes Dan, it's all over for me. I already want another one, and am finding myself on Tackle Tour more often, lusting after the Japanese stuff. I wish all the Japanese rods had a USA division and were available.

I've held a Cableas XML...very light weight; on par with a Johnny Morris BPS rod it seemed like to me (even though I have NOT fished with either). For $200, a Revo and XML sounds like a good deal.

I forgot to add that I do throw Senkos on a shorter rod, my BCR803, when I will be twitching it back to the boat. I just generally pitch them and let the Senko do the work.

+1, with customer service being significantly better at Cabelas.

Husky Jerks roll, with limited side to side movement similar to a Smithwick Rogue. X-raps 'slash' or perform and exaggerated walk-the-dog action under the water similar to a Lucky Craft Slender Pointer. Sometimes with a slower bite, the action of an X-rap or Slender Pointer will trigger some reaction bites that won't come with a Rogue, and sometimes it is the exact opposite. In the heat of jerkbait season; I will usually have one of each tied on.