mozy

Daiwa Sol. Should be sold at both Cabela's and BPS, but you can find them for under $200 on ebay NIB. Another option is a Steez, but it's close to $500.

Stringjam, I am not easily impressed with custom painted cranks, but those things look great! The bluegill/pumpkinseed is amazing.

Just wondering what kind of setups everyone uses for these two techniques? I already have a frog setup: 7'3" MHF Lamiglas Excel, Revo STX, and 50# Power Pro. What should I be looking for in a toad(soft plastic) setup? Length, power, action, reel speed, and type of line and test.

Agreed. I had heard there were plans for one right outside MOA, but that fell through. Latest news is a possibility in the north metro. It would be nice to have the Rogers Cabela's and a BP within 15 minutes of each other.

Larry, what is the bait in the top left corner that's on top?

An expensive rod is not really needed for crankbaits. I would use some of the money you save and put it towards a rod for a technique that requires sensitivity, like jigging or rigging.

I would suggest taking a look at the St. Croix Legend Tournament 6'8" MXF. It might be shorter than what you're looking for, but I have this rod for the exact techniques you listed and I am extremely satisfied with it. It's sensitive, lightweight, and comes with a pretty good warranty. Just another option to make your decision that much harder.

I have mine on a Fenwick HMG 6'6" MH. I use it for T-rigs and spinnerbaits. Works really nice and the combo comes in at under 11oz.

St. Croix Legend Tournament 6'8" MXF Pflueger Supreme XT size 30 Using Pline CXX 8#, but will be trying out Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft this year Owner or Picasso jigs I haven't had a single plastic not work. Try whatever you own. Some of my best fishing last year was using a Northland Sweet Beaver imitation. As far as straight tail worms, I like Roboworms and Reaction Innovations.

Are the Fox inline spinners for bass, or do you have a musky obsession as well?

I love the place. I live 2 hrs away from any decent sporting goods store, and even those have limited selection, so it works out really well for me to have such a huge selection at TW. The free shipping definitely helps. Since I found it last spring I've ordered 5 or 6 times from them and every time the order has come in 5 days and with the proper items. I'll continue to buy from them until they give me a reason to go elsewhere.

I have the 845 and have to agree that it's not a true DD rod. I love mine for mid-range cranks, but I don't believe it has enough power for the real DD. I do however believe it is the best all around crankbait rod available. If you want the extra length, I would say go with the 906.

Here's a good video I found on youtube. KVD gives a lot of good tips.

When you acquire more plastics, which will happen, I agree with this.

I would personally go for the two Daiwas, unless you already have all the combos you need and are just looking to upgrade. All are good options, and I certainly don't think you would be disappointed with the Daiwas despite their lower price.

1. Senko style stick bait 2. Sweet beaver variant 3. Zoom Brush Hog 4. NetBait Paca Chunk 5. Zoom Fluke 6. Some type of ribbon tail, usually Zoom U-Tail 7. Roboworm straight tail I'll take those 7 baits in sizes from 3-10", and in any color, usually pumpkin, watermelon, black, or blue.

I have to agree with this. It's smarter to buy what you need rather than pick something up because it's a good deal, then end up never using the rod. The exception in this case, is that the rod you are looking at can do almost anything. I think if most people had to choose one rod it would be a 7' MHF. It can throw spinnerbaits, jigs, worms, frogs, soft swimbaits, and if you have to, crankbaits and topwaters.

The new 7' MHXF Legend tournament would be a good rod for 1/2 oz jigs. The 6'8" MXF isn't quite stout enough.

I would have to go with a baitcasting setup. This combo should handle almost anything I would want to do with it, with the exception of large swimbaits. St. Croix Legend Extreme 7'MHF Daiwa Steez 12# Pline

It does, but I think you would be happier with the 6'8" MXF. I have it in spinning and it's a great rod with really good backbone.

I really want to try out an Aggrest, and I probably will next summer, but this one is a no-brainer unless you want a burner reel. The Fuego was a $250 reel a year ago.

Wow, quite a bit more expensive than I thought. I might get some cork knobs, but $100 for carbon handles could go pretty far towards another reel.

I have a Mojo and an Excel. Fit and finish is probably a toss up, both are good, Excel may be a little better. I don't think you could go wrong with either one, but I would definitely pick either of these before the Skeet Reese rods. I was not impressed with them when I picked them up at the store. Another thing to consider, if it's important to you, is the Excel rods are made in the U.S.A. Mojos were, but I believe they moved manufacturing to Mexico now.

Another option is the Daiwa Sol. This real is very good at tossing light baits, and is hard to beat for the price. You can find them around $200 on ebay.

Anyone know where I can find parts for customizing reels? I haven't been able to find anything online that's domestic, it's all Japanese. Mostly looking for handles and grips.