Brian4618

What landing was this tournament out of? Lake or River?

Thanks guys, the magic eraser worked great, ill try some of the other suggestions if I want a better look.

Is there any way to wash or clean the cork on a rod? Some of mine have faded from the factory white and clean to a dark dirty look. Is there anyway to clean them?

Very good for running into timber inducing a reaction strike. I like to use split tail trailers (same ones for spinnerbaits)

Thank you everyone for your input, helped me a lot on making my decision. I went back to the tackle shop, picked up a Shimano Compre crankbait rod (what I plan on pairing it with) and the the Curado E5 felt great. Im going to spool it with 12lb P line and use it for cranks. Thanks everyone. Does anyone have any experience with the 7' Compre cranking rod? http://www.***.com/Shimano_Compre_Crankbait_Casting_Rods_/descpage-SCCCRD.html

Has anyone had experience with the Compre rods? The crankbait one specifically

Okay, im driving myself crazy trying to pick between these reels. I have decided I need a new reel for crankbaits and I gave my self a limit of $200 for it. If you have any other reels to add please let me know and why you would choose it, but these are my options I have in mind. 1. Abu Garcia Revo Winch 5.4:1. Pros: High Line Capacity and 10+1 bearing system. Cons: Heavier weight (8.5oz) 2. Quantum Energy PT VI 5.1:1. Pros: Lighter weight (7.7oz). Cons: Have never had experience with Quantum products. 3. Shimano Curado 200E 5.0:1. Pros: Lighter weight (7.6oz) and have had good experience with Shimano products. Cons: 5+1+1 bearing system. 4. Quantum KVD PT 5.1:1. Pros: Lightest weight of choices (7.5oz). Cons: Again, dont know what to expect from Quantum. Remember, my pros and cons came only from looking at the specs of the reels and holding them at the store. So if you can add any help, please do. Thank you, Brian.

I just bought a spool of 10lb CX for shallow cranking, am I going to regret this...

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Like I said before, I got a couple TT swimbaits because of the 60% off sale, I got the slow/fast sinking model in a 4inch bluegill pattern and a 5inch blue back herring pattern. When they come in, ill let you guys no how I do. I will probably move up to a better quality bait after this season if swimbaits work out, again, thanks for the suggestions. Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Just bought a 4" and 5" Tru-Tungsten swimbait from ***, they are 60% off! at $12 each, I figured my pocket wouldnt hurt to bad if they arent what I hope for.

The Shimano Clarus is a nice rod, I have a Medium XF one for soft plastics

How is the quality of these baits? I dont want to buy the best, but I also dont want to waste money on a poor quality bait? Also, can anyone give any input on the Tru-Tungsten Matt & Ish Tru-Life Swimbaits?

I have been looking into buying a few hard body swimbaits for the upcoming fall and spring fishing season and was looking for some suggestions on a few baits to start out with. Unfortunately, I have a couple conditions. I dont already have a rod or reel for the massive 8 inch lures nor do I want to dedicate that much money on a setup that will pretty much only do well with the big swimbaits. Before I do that, I would like to test the waters with a couple smaller baits on some setups I already have. Im looking for a couple baits that I can hopefully get under $25 just to see how I like it, how well it produces, and if I want to dedicate a new setup to fish swimbaits more effectively. I was looking at the Spro BBZ-1, Strike King Shad series, Koppers, and the Sebile's. If you have any other bait suggestions please add your input and reasons why. I plan on using these baits on a 7' medium heavy rod with 50lb braid if that helps any. Thank you, Brian.

Just curious, how many rods do you carry to somewhere like this?

Agree completely, I also have a 3000 and could not be happier, they are very smooth and light. The only problem I see in this reel (probably isnt just this reel) but the frame of it has a tendency to scratch easily. But it isnt hard to keep it clean, mine scratched because it got left in the jon boat on the way home. But this reel is worth every penny and more, in fact I have another Saros on the way to my door.

I rig mine using a weighted swimbait EWG hook ( I use gamakatsu). I've had good experiences swimming it back slowly in small ponds I fish. But I normally fish it in larger waters around submerged grass just like a T-rig or swim it back.

My 5 speed switch burnt up in my transom mount the other night and was wondering where the best place to buy parts from is?

I chose to receive the finesse-tube-drop shot rod, Ive had the rod out about 4 or 5 times, pulled in about 15 fish with it so far. This rod is a 7', Medium Light action, and a fast taper. Line weight: 6-12lb, Lure weight: 1/16-3/8oz. When I first pulled the rod out of the packaging, I noticed the exquisite design and details that went into the rod. Such as the high quality cork handles, which are formed and cut very comfortably, also the aluminum winding checks that smoothly separated the cork from the rod, the whole rod goes together quite nicely. When the sun hits the rod, it reveals a beautiful blue finish under the top coat. The spinning model features the Fuji VSS reel seat and silver finished Fuji Alconite guides. I really like how the reel seat comes together with the cork flush and smooth (I know this isn't just on this rod but it adds to the beauty of the Perfecta). When I paired the rod with a Shimano Saros 3000, I noticed the extreme light weight the rod had. The center of balance is right in the middle of the fore grip which is just where I like it. The rod's sensitivity blew me away, fishing the drop shot rig, or any rig really, showed me every rock, log, or any structure I ran into. I have fished 8lb fluoro and 20lb braid on this rod, it handled both very nicely. Although the rod isnt set up for a t-rig, the bite was slow on drop shot so I tried a texas rigged worm with a 1/8 ounce screw in weight, the medium-light action of this rod proved to have the strength to drive a EWG thru the worm and into the lip of a bass. This also is a great rod for fishing a wacky rig. Overall, this is a five star rod, from its looks to its performance, it exceeds all of my expectations. I am very lucky to have had a chance to try this rod out. I will certaintly be buying other models of this rod when they hit the market. Thank you Pinnacle!

Works for me as well, I agree with heading to Innsbrook for shorefishing instead of a large body of water/

When I dont use a RT baby craw, I like using the Zoom Creepy Crawler (double tail grub), not sure if it has the action your looking for but the legs put off a lot of vibration and movement. They are also very easy on your wallet like all Zoom products.

I chose to receive the finesse-tube-drop shot rod, Ive had the rod out about 4 or 5 times, pulled in about 15 fish with it so far. This rod is a 7', Medium Light action, and a fast taper. Line weight: 6-12lb, Lure weight: 1/16-3/8oz. When I first pulled the rod out of the packaging, I noticed the exquisite design and details that went into the rod. Such as the high quality cork handles, which are formed and cut very comfortably, also the aluminum winding checks that smoothly separated the cork from the rod, the whole rod goes together quite nicely. When the sun hits the rod, it reveals a beautiful blue finish under the top coat. The spinning model features the Fuji VSS reel seat and silver finished Fuji Alconite guides. I really like how the reel seat comes together with the cork flush and smooth (I know this isn't just on this rod but it adds to the beauty of the Perfecta). When I paired the rod with a Shimano Saros 3000, I noticed the extreme light weight the rod had. The center of balance is right in the middle of the fore grip which is just where I like it. The rod's sensitivity blew me away, fishing the drop shot rig, or any rig really, showed me every rock, log, or any structure I ran into. I have fished 8lb fluoro and 20lb braid on this rod, it handled both very nicely. Although the rod isnt set up for a t-rig, the bite was slow on drop shot so I tried a texas rigged worm with a 1/8 ounce screw in weight, the medium-light action of this rod proved to have the strength to drive a EWG thru the worm and into the lip of a bass. This also is a great rod for fishing a wacky rig. Overall, this is a five star rod, from its looks to its performance, it exceeds all of my expectations. I am very lucky to have had a chance to try this rod out. I will certaintly be buying other models of this rod when they hit the market. Thank you Pinnacle!

So how about August 21st at the state park boat launch?

So is everyone gonna be able to make it to Anna on that weekend? if you know yet?

How about the August 21/22 weekend? Have we decided on a location yet?

I usually use a 1/4 oz in calm or shallower water and 3/8 in deeper water. As for the hook, I use a 1/0 Gammakatsu octopus hook, really like this hook, always seem to hook them right in the top of the lip. I like to use a floating or neutrally buoyant with a hook (just what I have had the most success on). Ive been having good luck using Strike King 3X super finesse worms, they are smaller, soft, and very good buoyancy. Make sure you run the line that goes to your weight back thru the eye of the hook so it stays straight up.