Chaz Hickcox

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This is for the last few posts, when I said ice jig I was talking about jigging rapala. No ice thick enough here ever to ice fish. That's usually the answer I get at tackle shops, "where you goin ice fishing around here?" They are probably some of the best vertical jigging lures I've seen. And this time of year they're stacked and not many people use anything other than silver buddies to get em. Its good to know I will be one of the few who's got something different.

Anyone ever go into a tackle shop and get looked at like you grew a third head when you asked for an ice jig? That happened to me recently at a tackle shop in Norfolk. Why are they so foreign to Va? I just ordered some and plan on killing stacked fish with them. Anyone use these in the southeast?

I know most people would shy away from what seems like a cheap rod but the Field and Stream Tech Spec Flipping Rod at Dick's is awesome. $60 for them and they perform like the expensive ones. MH XF tip 7'6" Telescopic. I have been using their rods for all kinds of applications, use their worm rod as a crankbait rod and it works really well. The only downside is that their flipping rod is only good up to 1 1/4 oz, so if your flipping real thick stuff this may not be your gig.

Unfortunately no gander mountain up here. BPS has their gear guard, but that is a hassle because its not a return policy, you have to send your stuff into the manufacturer. JFranco - not touchy just like my integrity. Its all cool 8-)

Come on people, it broke - I broke it, either way it broke and they didn't ask how or why. No dishonest intentions were planned there. Had they asked id have told them exactly what I said here. I just think its cool they didn't ask, it tells me that no matter how it happened they still take care of their customers. Judge not lest ye be judged. And let those without sin throw the first stone. Christ wasn't talking to himself.

They didn't ask. Literally, 'I bought this rod and it broke yesterday.' 'Oh, so did you want to exchange it?' 'Yes.' 'Ok, go pick out the one you want to exchange it with.' That's pretty close to verbatim.

So about a week and a half ago I bought a 7' Field and Stream M XF Spec Tec Casting rod (their worm rod) from Dick's. Don't think down on it, it's one of the best crankbait rods I have ever used and it's only 60 bones. I have their flipping rod too and that is awesome as well. Anyways, back on point, I used the hell out of that rod during a tournament on vet's day. When trying to retrieve my partner's LC crankbait out of some knees we had some tree limbs drag three of my rods off the boat. I had the Spec Tec in my hand when I dove for my other rods. When I landed I snapped the Spec Tec in half. Luckily it was the end of the day so we didn't have to worry too much. Anyways, I took the rod and luckily still had the reciept back to Dick's and they replaced the rod with no questions asked. Pretty cool if you ask me.

If someone has the money, and likes the rod, then why is it? People pay very high prices for lots of different things. Agreed, besides this goes with the whole tax breaks for the rich thing. Let them have their money, trust me they will be dumb with it and give it to you for STUPID things, like a 6'5" rod. I'm all about it, if I'm the seller!

Just got back from Bass Pro and had to pick up three of these things. They had them in the same isle as the LC and having both next to each other it's probably going to become who of LC to drop their prices. The only differences were tiny subtleties in the colors. I would like to see Xcalibur start making some deeper divers too. I ran one of them this morning and it runs identical to my LC 1.5 that I lost. I was mad when that happened, but now XC has almost the same thing I think I'm good.

Which part of the James has a Speed Limit?

I found this on ***. The concept seem sound. To me, what it looks like and from the explaination on the website, it seems like the flying lure. In the way it's supposed to glide around, not go backwards. So with that being said, who thinks this to be a gimmick like the flying lure or something worth a darn? http://www.***.com/Power_Tackle_Lateral_Perch/descpage-PTLP.html

Spiderwire is all I've used since power pro deemed itself useless. My quantum reels are still good too. You should get over your overpriced stuff and go for what works. In other words bottom of the totem pole is your opinion, not a fact. Unless you're a conformist. As far as spiderwire goes its some of the quietest braid you can get. Power pro will act like a band saw on your stuff, too much ribbing on it. Suffix is ok but my partner has a lot of casting issues with it. But then again some people swear by power pro. Bottom line, yes the grinding sound is normal, nothing you can do about it. Find what you like and learn it. They all have their weaknesses.

If you look on ebay you can find revo sx reels for appx 90 bucks.

Glenn is right, things got much worse in Ramadi in 2007 before we won in Al Anbar.

Trick worms, swimbaits, crank baits, pretty much anything you would use anywhere else. All in natural colors. Or the smoke colored senkos.

Why not have responsible adults instead of more nanny-state regulations? The issue I have the most problem with is the tournament organizations scheduling events on top of each other. 1000 boats between the different tournaments plus all the recreational boats on the lake at the same time greatly increases the odds of something like this happening. The 'laws' would effect the big name tournament organizations scheduling, not the 15 boat club tournaments or non-tournament anglers. It's just dumb to schedule huge events on top of each other. There are other lakes, as well as 52 different weekends a year. That I do agree with. As far as Rhino's comment, to keep people in line keep swift and harder consequenses for breaking rules that are already in place. In short, don't make new rules, enforce the hell out of the old ones.

I like the pumpkin with the chart tips. I don't remember what they call it, but unless I am throwing black and blue, I am throwing that.

Why not have responsible adults instead of more nanny-state regulations?

1/2 oz white Roostertail through schools of shad when they're being busted by bass. Burn it through the school, I think they see it as a runner getting away from the school so they usually nail it. Make sure you have a good ball bearing swivel though. 1/2 weight is easily used on high speed casting gear. Try it with a 7:1 gear ratio reel with a medium power/fast action rod. The hits are usually pretty good. The only place I have found the 1/2 oz is on Cabela's site. Most people think they're just for stripers and pike, but LMB love em. I'm sure smallies would too, but I've never been around them so...

First day out, a bunch of fish. The second and third, not so much. $17k

Here's my issue with jigs, and maybe you can help. I pitch and flip A LOT, but very rarely with jigs. I have to agree with your techniques, but only I use a pegged T-Rig Creature. This is only because it seems that I get false feelings of strike almost all the time with the jig, i.e. setting into wood, but with the t-rig I seem to understand the feeling better. Now when I get on fish during practice times, I almost always switch to a jig for practice and usually catch a few fish. However, like I said before, the feeling of a fish and wood with a jig to me is no different. Whereas with the T-rig it seems easy. Any thoughts?

Well I blew my 93 Johnson on my old Javelin so I sold that and got my first Bass Cat. I was hard set on a Ranger, but this thing won out. Wow, this thing rocks. If you haven't tried a Bass Cat, I suggest you do.

Me, too! 8-) X3, but if I am looking for a smaller profile I will go with a Strike King Game Hawg as well. It's not as long, smaller apendages which makes for a quicker fall, or smoother through grass.