tholmes

After a little interwebz research, the Vigilante rod line seems to be sold only at Wal-Mart. Abu Garcia doesn't show it on their website. From what I saw and read, it seems like a pretty decent rod for ~$40.00. Tom

An often-overlooked smallmouth killer, especially in dirty water is the blade bait. Lots of flash and vibration. Tom

I'd go with big, noisy topwater baits (Jitterbug, buzz baits, etc.) a big, black spinnerbait with a soup spoon-sized copper Colorado blade and 10" (or larger) plastic worms, black or junebug. Tom

I loves me some jitterbug action! I fish a black jitterbug at night over submerged vegetation. It's deadly. Tom

Gorgeous! I want one, or two... Tom

X 1,000. This is vital for any fisherman. Tetanus is not to be trifled with. Tom

I've used Rattlin' Raps for years and never had any problems with them running true. The finish is kinda fragile though, I have a few that the top layer of paint is completely gone. Tom

I don't think you'll notice any loss of sensitivity with a 2-pc. rod. That whole thing about 2-pc. rods being less sensitive is something that's hung around since the days of metal ferrules. People keep repeating it because that's what their grandpa told 'em. Tom

Yep! If it's the size of my hand or bigger, then it's worth filleting and frying. Tom

I fish from shore and carry a Gerber multi-tool on my belt and a clipper on a lanyard around my neck. I also carry a Kabar Mule folding knife in mt pocket for serious cutting. Tom

Centrifugal, if I could have only one braking system. It's what I'm familiar and most comfortable with. Tom

My vote goes to Abu, but there's a caveat. I prefer the Swedish-made round reels. While I'm sure there are much more modern designs out there, and certainly lighter, faster reels with higher bearing counts, I'm more comfortable with the round reels vs. low-profile designs. They're easy to work on and parts are readily available, even for my 40+ year-old reels. I can't say that about any other brand of reels that I've owned. Tom

Move down the water column. A lipless crank or a spinnerbait, starting fairly shallow and progressing deeper. If that doesn't get bit, I'll go to a T-rig or a jig. Tom

I've used them for years. They're pretty good baits and the price is right, but the factory hooks are not so good. Cotton Cordell used to (maybe still do?) make a suspending version of the Spot that I really liked. I haven't been able to find them for a long time. Tom

Happy Birthday, J !! Tom

I use the Improved Clinch knot for everything except line to line connections, there I use an blood knot. I should add that I fish exclusively with mono or co-poly. Tom

Overall coloration and stubby tail makes me think it's a starling also. Tom

This is what I do also. I have several Plano boxes that I carry in my tackle box and re-stock them as necessary. The original packages are kept in a big plastic tub in my shop. Tom

Just yesterday at Wal-Mart, I picked up a 7' M Vendetta casting rod for $29.96. Tom

^^ This. The Norman Fat Boy is a killer! I also like the Rapala DT-4. Tom

Lately, I've been lovin' Odell's 90 Schilling Ale. I also like New Belgium's Abbey, Fat Tire, 1554 Enlightened Black Ale, really about anything they make. Tom

I have 2 Avengers (15 and 25) that I've used for a couple of years with no issues at all. They're good reels for the money. Tom

Take the reel with you to the specialty hardware store. They'll have a thread gauge to measure it. Tom

I leave ~ 1/8" or so. I mostly use an Improved Clinch knot in mono, and never had any problems. Tom

The Rebel teeny wee craw is my favorite hard bait for bull bluegills. Very effective. Tom