ghost

NOPE! I bought a couple of the ones on the right, they don't work that well. They sunk as soon as you start working them. If you're going to get a mouse, look at the Snagproof mouse, those work the best. Or if you want one w/ treble hooks exposed look at the Heddon Mouse. Just don't waste your money on the BPS mice.

Thanks Matt, I needed to know that, since that sound like the same rod I'm getting. I don't mind a soft tip, I can then use it for more applications. You don't have the spinning rod too, do you?

I ordered the 6'9" MH baitcast rod & the 7' Med spinning rod. I'm a little concerned that the power rating of the rods. I've read around that the Carrot Stix are alot stiffer than other rod mfg power rating. The 6'9" MH baitcast rod, will this be as stiff as a Heavy in other rods??? I should be okay w/ the 7' Med spinning, if it's more like a MH that should be no problem.

Good point on the Kistler skipping rod. I saw that at Cabelas & was wondering how it was. I thought the handle was a little short, I too like to skip lures w/ both hands. Shimano makes a Compre spinning in 6'3" w/ the cork cutout for the index finger. Also Cabelas new Magtouch spinning rod has a 6'3" length, it doesn't say its for dock skipping though. Also BPS has a 6'3" in the Pro Finesse & Pro Qualifier spinning rods. I guess theres a few choices.

I so far use both braid & mono. Half my baitcast reels are spooled w/ braid & the other half w/ mono. I like to use 40 lb (10 lb dia) braid instead of 50 lb braid cuz I feel it casts better. I also prefer Sufix braid, but they don't have a 40 lb braid. I don't know what's going on w/ Power Pro lately, but the last couple 300 yd filler spools I bought, it was like the line had dandruff. Wax flaked off the line when I was spooling it on on some of my new b/c reels. So now I use 50 lb Sufix, the line is close to the dia of 40 lb Power Pro. I like the sensitivity that braid offers. But I don't like that the braided line will sometimes snap & I lose a lure when the braided line digs into itself. This has happened a few times & it blows! I guess this doesn't have often w/ mono, since it has some stretch & the line doesn't really dig in itself. The other half of my baitcasters I have 14 lb Sufix Seige, camo color. A couple b/c reels have 15 lb Yozuri Hybrid. On my spinning reels, the main spools have either 10 lb(4 lb dia) or 20 lb(6 lb dia) Sufix braid, depending on the size of the reel. And the spare spools, most have 6 lb P-Line & a couple have 8 lb P-Line. I like most of my gear to be able to do many applications, I don't have a rod & reel for one technique or application. So when I go out on a boat, I'll bring 2 b/c setups w/ 1 w/ braid & the other mono. And a couple spinning setups w/ one setup for drop shotting. The other is a shorter 6'3" spinning rod for dock skipping & can double for worms or light jigs. I may bring a 7' spinning rod to do the worm/jig work. I like both lines. I just don't like the stretch that mono has. But I find mono to be necessary for topwater applications. It seems to work better for topwater lures like a Spook or popper. I don't use flouro lines much, I've dabbled w/ some before but don't care for it much. I've tried using it as a leader but don't like how the connection w/ braid sounds going through the top portion of my rod guides. It sounds like it will eventually ruin the guides...will it, I don't know; haven't used that flouro/braid combo too often.

Who here only uses braid or mono or flouro? Or do you use all 3 or 1 or 2 of the lines? What pound test do you use? Which line(s) do you use for baitcast or spinning reels? And if you use spinning, do you put one spool w/ braid & the other w/ mono? Or the same line on both spools? Or for that matter what do you use braided line & mono line for? Application/technique Your reason for not like either braid or mono or flouro?

I'll agree it's the best braid, better than Power Pro. Thinner diameter & the color lasts a bit longer. ONLY thing I don't like about Sufix braid is it's more expensive than other braid by $10-12 for the 300 yd filler spools. However there is a $6(150 yd filler spool) & $10(300 yd filler spool) rebate going on now.

Talked to someone that says that the blanks are GLX, but w/ a different color scheme; is this true? Or are they GL3? Any of you guys able to clarify this?

http://www.***.com/descpageOPFROG-OPPF.html You guys tried this popper? Does it cast good? Does it have good action? I'm looking for a weedless popper like this, but not sure how well it works. Especially the weight, it's 5/8 oz but I've had some frog lures w/ this weight & it didn't cast well. So I am wondering how well it will cast. Thanks

Look at the 2008 KVD reel from BPS, it's the same reel but different bearing count. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98401_100001001_100000000_100001000_100-1-1 I really like the looks of the new KVD & Quantum Code reels, I wish they would come out w/ a left hand model. I would buy either in a heartbeat.

Just wondering what you guys think. If I use braided line should the rod flex I use be softer. Let's say that I should be using a medium action rod instead of medium heavy since braid does not have any stretch. I know it depends on what application I'll be using. Let's say I'm using it for jigs, should I use med action or stick w/ a MH or heavy action? I guess this would be also for spinnerbaits. I think w/ mono or flouro lines you would go heavier on the action, since there is a little give, right?

Any of you own either the baitcast or spinning rods? I've read the reviews on Cabelas & buyers seem quite happy w/ them. I wanted to get opinions from you guys if you own this rod. Does the XMLTi compare to any name brand rods? How well will the recoil guides work w/ braided line for casting distance. It seems that recoils will have a bit more friction on the line than mono. Is the XMLTi better suited for mono/flouro lines?

Hey, I like the chatterfog w/ the Sizmic toad. I'll have to try that w/ mine. I don't like how the original chattterfrog works anyway. I've added a Blakemore Rollin' Runner underspin w/ the chatter blade & threw on a fluke; way before Blakemore came out w/ their version. I tried it w/ the skirt on it, but it rises up to quickly. So I use this setup w/o the skirt & works great.

Huh, I thought I was the only one that modified chatterbaits. I've added paddle tail plastics, like the swim Senko, or a fluke. I've added a hard plastic lure on a chatter blade before I even saw the new Chatter Sticks or Shads. I was adding on an L & S Mirrolure suspending twichbait, it didn't work but it was fun trying to see what would work w/ a chatter blade.

A buddy that works at Dick's Sporting Goods told me they got in some new Rad Lures. They had the Chatter Stick & Chatter Shad (already have these, works okay). So he pulls those out & then pulls bags w/ these new Chatter Super Shads. It's a soft plastic body & it's has 3 segments. Foil finish inside the body & 3/8 oz. I am guessing around 2.5-3" long. He had these 2 colors & a perch color also. Well, once I saw them I had to get a couple colors. The Chatter Stick & Shad work "okay". The video I saw while at the BPS Spring sale, the lures worked great...on video. So I am curious whether these will work any better. Something new, will try out in the next few days.

Which model Cardiff is that??? I have the 301...now I'm worried, I will be using mine for musky fishing.

The Cabelas close to me doesn't have the Powell rods...yet, don't know if they'll carry them. I did see a Powell rod a few months back & noticed the split grip rear grip was much smaller than other split grip rear grips. It felt nice, but I was not looking at buying any rods at that time. Also by the next time I went back to this store, the Powell baitcast rod they had was sold.

I've decided to get the 6'9" MH baitcast rod & the 7' Medium spinning rod. I like what the specs are on the b/c rod, it seems that this will be a good all around rod. I seem to see more talk about the parabolic b/c rod than the other models, is that what the Carrot Stix b/c rod is best for, the parabolic cranking rod? I don't recall any reviews on the other baitcast rod models or the spinning rods. Are the Pac Bay lite guides any good? You think I'll be able to use braided line w/ these guides? I'll probably pick up an Avid b/c & spinning rods later on, to check out for myself what all the talks about these rods. thanks for all the postings, I'm learning more about these 2 rod models from you guys.

4 lipless lures in 3 days! 2 yesterday, 1 the day before & now another today! BUT, it was AWESOME!!! Took the neighbor kid fishing to a friends backyard, he's right on the St. Joe river. I rigged a worm & bobber for him & let him be. I rigged on an 1/8 oz BPS Uncle Bucks rattle Shad, yeah cheap little lure this time, but I've caught bass & panfish, so it was "lucky" First cast, reeling it in & I think I snagged on some weeds...NOPE, there was a fish on the other end. Forgot to mention that I was using my spincast setup w/ 2 lb line, just going for crappies. Well whatever was on the other end sure wasn't a crappie, it pulled hard & pulled drag from my little Zebco 11T reel, & my UL rod bending big time. I for sure thought it was a carp that I had on the other end, cuz of the way it was acting. I even let the 4 yr old neighbor kid reel it in for a little while, thinking it's just a carp. Finally got the fish close enough to get a look see, & at first it did looked like a carp, it was a quick look. Got the fish much closer & it was a REALLY BIG PIKE!!! OMG, I was not expecting a pike on the other end w/ a small 1/8 oz lipless lure in its mouth. When the pike was close to the surface it dashed back towards open water, I still had him then tragedy struck...the 2 lb line snapped....SOB!!! All I was thinking while I'm fighting the pike is, I can't wait to land it & admire this big pike, it would have been my second pike..& take some pics to show you guys...didn't happen. I was stunned, p*ssed that I lost another lure, but this time to a big fish. I estimate seeing this pike close to the surface around 20-25". I'll tell you, on UL gear this pike felt like a monster...totally cool, but bummed at the same time. After I recovered from the shock of almost landing a big pike on 2 lb UL gear, I dug around the tackle box for another lipless lure...& other lures...nothing...the pike was gone. I know I should've had my heavier gear. But I was just gonna do some crappie fishing & not expecting a pike as the only fish biting. Murphy's Law would tell me that if I did have heavier gear, that situation would or would not have happened. End of story, but a true story, & a most exciting time though.

Muddy, yup I was telling ya'll 'bout the rods & reels I bought. I had some left over cashola so I bought the One Knockers, only to lose both in less than an hour. Should've known after I lost the first one NOT to throw the other one I had. Live & learn...but then I thought that I would freak out if I lost one of my new rods or reels to something really stupid. I know a lure is a lure, but it fishing isn't all that w/o out the lures. I did learn a lesson, NOT to buy anymore expensive lures.

My Momma always told me not to "hate"...but today HATE was the main theme! Especially beginning of the season & I just bought them yesterday. I bought a couple of the Xcalibur One Knocker in royal red & royal shad. Great looking colors. First I lose the royal red when I made a cast w/ my Curado 201D & the wind comes up out of nowhere & my braided line digs into itself...& SNAPS..while the lure goes sailing...& I'm dumbfounded...$10 down the drain! Later on, I thought I'd press my luck & use the royal shad. Casted parallel to shore & once again the wind come out of nowhere & some of my line get caught on a branch from a tree on by the side of the channel. I was able to flip the lure on this branch, but did not see that the line was caught on the other branches. I tried & finesse the lure from the branches but it just got worse, so I tugged on it & there my lure...tangled up in the branches & I'm now out $20.... I HATE FISHING!!!! Well for today, I hate fishing w/ the wind gusting up when it feels like it...like when my lures are sailikng through. I did catch a couple bass, but that doesn't make it right for losing $20. I guess I have to just look at it as sacrificing a couple expensive lure to the fishing gods for a good fishing season for me. You guys lose any expensive lures lately???? I'm ticked, now I HAVE to replace those 2 next time I go to Cabelas...I really hate fishing...for today.

Looking to getting a baitcast & spinning rods from these 2 mfg's. Price, they are not too far apart. Components, which one has the better? Graphite blank, which is lighter & more sensitive? Split grip or full cork grip, does one design have more sensitivity than the other? If you have both rods, which of the 2 do you like better?

Baitcasting & spinning rods, are these any good in quality & sensitivity for the price range?

Makes a very good frog rod too. I use it for worms & spinnerbaits also. It has very good back bone for frog lures like the Spro Bronze Eye on mats.

I bought both a few days ago. The Cabelas close to me FINALLY got in the Magtouch rods. I've been waiting for them to show up & check them out. Also at the same time, the XMLTi rods were on sale for $109.99. That's $70 off the regular price. I ended up buying 2 of them. 6'10" med/hvy baitcast rod & 7' med spinning. The models I bought were the split grip ones. They feel quite balanced & the recoil guides intrigued me. I've read that braided line aren't good for the recoils. And then I hear & read about the recoils on Cabelas catalog that braid should not harm the guides. I'll use them & see for myself, if the recoil guides fail, I know Cabelas will take them back. I bought 5 of the new Magtouch rods, 4 spinning & 1 baitcast rods. I like the graphite handle & the exposed reel seat. It has pretty good sensitivity & very nice looking also. One big complaint is that there is no hook hanger. You have to buy separately the Fuji hook hanger. Another thing I noticed is the handle of the Magtouch rods are a bit smaller in diameter than rods w/ cork or eva grips. But the graphite weave does give you a pretty good grip. That was a concern whether the grip would be smooth & slippery cuz of the graphite. But the graphite weave does have some texture that you can grip the rod, not sure how well it will be when the handle gets wet. But I think I have a solution. I'll wrap the butt end w/ black cloth tape so I have better traction when gripping the handle. I don't need to wrap the whole handle, just the part where my hand needs to be when gripping. Even though both rods are made in China, the quality of the builds are spot on. I did go through the models I wanted & checked out a few to make sure that the guides & overall quality was there. I did see some of these rods that the guides were just a shade off. I really wanted to pick up a couple E21 Carrot Stix at the store. But they still don't have any in stock. Also online, they show as N/A...till when? I want the LTX which retails for $150. I think these are great looking rods & was ready to buy. Since the store didn't have any, I settled w/ the 2 XMLTi rods. I may get a third XMLTi rod at the sale price, which ends March 12. I have not used either rods, but will be giving them a shot tomorrow. Just static testing these rods, casting 1/2 oz weighted plugs out in the front, they worked pretty good. Now I need to find out for myself if they handle as good as they look. 3 of the Magtouch rods, I got them as combos w/ the Prodigy reels. 2 spinning (2500 & 2000) & 1 baitcast reels. The reels seem to be very good quality & are similar w/ slight modifications of the Daiwa Advantage reels. I still want to get the Carrot Stix, but just waiting till I can handle them. I hate buying when I can't see for myself the quality of the fishing rods. However, the sales guy told me that the Carrot stix will probably be online orders only. But you can go to a Cabelas store & order it & get free shipping to that store, then you just have to go & pick it up. I did buy a new BPS Extreme 7', medium extendable butt baitcast rod. I like the concept of this rod, you twist the end & it can extend 6 more inches. I wanted this rod for crankbaits & rattle traps. It has good flex amount w/ good backbone. Also bought the new BPS Pro Qualifier 7'6", medium spinning rod. It has a split grip & has great feel for a long spinning rod. I intend to use this for drop shotting & for river fishing. Also these new 2008 BPS rods have hook holders...FINALLY!!!