bassattackerdad

I fished it once in mid summer. Caught a 2lb. lg mouth on a rainbow trout crank. Don't forget Foster which is closer to Sweethome. My kid caugh a 4lb smallie there

Why use a fork for ice cream?

Yep, is sure was. Now on to Lake Norman. 8-)

He just may be the upcoming FLW's version of KVD. Check out Table Rock. We'll see what's in store the next couple of days. But would anyone care to make a wager he's going back to back!!

Wright & McGill has come out with a baitcaster to go along with their Sabalos spinning reel. Any feedback on it yet??

Now why would anyone go out and spend $15.00 on a crankbait and send it out for a $20.00 paintjob? Is it going to make that much of a difference in catching ability or is it just catching the fisherman or perhaps the fisherman's confidence?

Tape? Do you put the tape around the spool and then line it or do you put it on the line after it's already been attached to the spool?

Braid will spin on your spool sometimes without a backing. Spinning sucks and if it happens you will be throwing away that whole spool of braid. So what do you think? Backing or no backing?

I guess if you don't have a wife in the bedroom, a fishing rod will have to do. ;D

1-2 rods. Usually a soft plastic setup and a crank or jerk setup

Anybody have any Japanese Shimano reels? Are they actually better made than the export reels? See: http://www.japantackle.com/Shimano/shimano_casting.htm Seems like there is a lot more Japanese high end equipment out there.

6.3:1, 6.2:1 or 6.4:1 are all good choices for an all around baitcaster. The lower revolution real is better for crankin such as 5.1:1. Sometimes it might be good on a slowly rolled spinnerbait. I think Pinnacle gives you the best bang for the buck. I've got 2 of them which I still use even though they are getting worn after 3 years, but hey for 30-50 bucks at Walmart, how can you lose. They have a deal right now on there top of the line baitcaster which normally retails for 150 down to 90 bucks. Pretty good hardware for that price. MH is probably a good choice for an all around rod, but it depends on the brand. They vary quite a bit in designation. vs feel. You really can't do everything well with one stick. As you get further into bassin you'll realize this and have to gear up and spend more. You'll at least want a worming/jig rod - a cranking rod - a finesse rod.

I would skip the megaforce. The twtichin bar is a gimmick not worth paying for. The Megaforce is a cheap version of the Viento, which is overpriced for what you get.

Congrats. & best of luck to ya. You just got yourself a hole in the water! My kid went about 1 1/2 years between his first and now his second. This is what happens. Then eventually you end up like some of these guys posting with a Z-20 or an I Class Skeeter or some such. A long ways from the first aluminum. Enjoy!

Smith Optics make the best polarized fishing glasses out there. Many of the models are actually real glass. That's why they call them sunglasses, not sunplastics

My kid bought me a Berkley Amp 7' M baitcaster for xmas. I'm not supposed to know but he showed it to me. I haven't fished it but it feels very nice for the money, 30.00. For me it'll be a crankin, topwater or spinnerbaits. Won't know til I throw it though. I have another Berkley, the 6'6" Tactix Dropshot/Finesse TXS661MLF. This rod sells for about 65 bucks and is quite nice for the price. Sensitive.

What do you mean by by best suited for treble hooks?

If you go medium, you may not have enough club for those deep bigger cranks. They'll put too much stress and bend in your rod. You actually lose effectiveness and setting ability.

I throw big cranks with a 7' MH Berkley Lightning with a Ambassedeur 5500c3 and it works great. I can huck them a mile and the rod is flexible enough to really feel that crank. I wouldn't chuck smaller cranks with it though.

Who's used the Cabela's XMLTi rods? What do you think?

I love cheap rods, don't have to worry about stepping on them. Those 200. rods, too much to worry about. I've got enough to worry about. But I think the truth about drop shot rods is to spend more than you would than on any other rod. Sensitivity is key when dropshotting. So if your thinking about spending $150. then spend $200 or 250. You'll probably like it better.

Yeah, on cheaper rods it will leave tiny little grooves in the the bottom guide and sometimes the tiptop. Maybe with the higher end guides it won't do this, I don't know.

Getcha some bait casters, then you won't have to worry about all those spinning rods

Yo-yo I find effective sometimes but I more often use a steady retrieve with an occasional stop & pop. Ripping lipless can be a deadly technigue in summer.

Yes, check my post on smallie fishing.