Jrob78

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/106413-how-to-cast-a-baitcaster/

I would personally tie on about a 6' leader to start the day. That way you still have room to retie a few times. If you're just going for braid with a fluoro leader, the leader doesn't need to be very long.

I've never had an issue with them sucking up gravel but I have had them suck up some sand. My kayak was covered in sand too though so I don't know if the problem was the shoes or the sand.

The Columbia Aruba pants are nice and usually cost under $50. I also have a pair of North Face Horizon pants that don't have the zip off legs, they are great too but cost a little more.

I 2nd the thought that you should look for a reel with an aluminum frame. I believe TW has the Daiwa Excellers on clearance and the BPS PQ is also a good choice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Lews either. Any of those reels should serve you better than the Laguna or Max reels.

Look at some of the Frabill rainsuits.

Just change the palm plate and spool bearing.

I like the Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot hooks and a 1/8-1/4oz weight for drop shotting. 10# mono probably isn't the ideal line but it will work just fine.

Yep, the Shad Shaped Worm was designed as a drop shot bait and it is very good. I've also seen Jarrett Edwards fish it weightless, nose hooked like a fluke. It would also work well on a darter head.

I didn't hear about this either. I always enjoyed watching him shoot, (on tv.) RIP Tom

Spinning reels can be tough to get used to when you've been using spincasters because everything is upside down and backwards. Baitcasters are a more natural transition but good baitcasters are expensive and also involve a learning curve. Keep practicing with your spinning gear, it will payoff big time in the long run.

Braid is prone to snapping off when you have sudden stops during a cast. The way line spools onto spincasters can cause overlapping which in turn causes sudden stops. I would stick with mono on your spincasting reels. Look into getting a spinning or baitcasting reel if you want to use braid.

I personally could care less if my braid holds its color.

I don't think there are any pros that would say they only use their sponsors products. There are there to win, bottom line. They all know there are cameras in the boats and if they lie, people will know. The sponsors don't want them lying either. The other thing you have to consider is a typical tournament day is 8 hrs. The clip for tv you see lasts 30 seconds. They may very well have used what they said, you just didn't see it. You will also hear guys say they used a "medium diving crankbait" without being brand specific when it wasn't a sponsors bait.

68 Weedless goes on sale Thursday!

I normally buy tackle on days that end in Y.

You are correct. 10-20# is 4 carrier, 30-40# is 6 carrier and 50#+ is 8.

You and me both. I use a custom built on a Lamiglas blank but I would love to have the Megabass rod.

Megabass Hedgehog with the stinger tip.

They are both great braids but the 832 sinks while the PB floats.

Shimano has to be thrilled with the buzz this reel is getting, especially considering how the last batch were received.

5 pages of thoughts. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/120786-little-shimano-sneek-peek/

Black/blue flake green pumpkin/red flake Pearl white Aaron's Magic Those colors cover 95% of the plastics I fish.

It's so foreign to me to think that there are people who only use spinning gear. I could be completely wrong but it almost seems geographical. People in the north are more likely to use spinning gear while people in the south are more likely to use baitcasters. Here in TX, it's the opposite, most guys will have a boat full of baitcasters and maybe 1 or 2 spinning combos that only get used if all else fails. I don't care what anyone uses, it's just interesting to me. Fishing is supposed to be fun, a person should fish with whatever makes them happy, it doesn't matter what anyone else uses or what anyone else thinks about it.

I am primarily a 2 handed caster. I think the main reason for this is longer rods. It's hard to whip around a 7'+ rod with one hand and have much power or control, (for me at least.) Two handed casting is also why I prefer split grip rods. That fighting butt makes a perfect handle for your bottom hand.