flippin and pitchin

I found them between the Weedless Witches and the Hawaiian Wigglers. Tom Mann is rolling over in his grave I would bet.

Pflueger President. Save a few more bucks and get the XT. Much nicer handle.

IT'S A CONSPIRACY. Ron Howard will make a move about this starring Tom Hanks.

I beat you all !! What I got for Christmas was the joy of going to work and that's the gift that keeps on giving. Happy New Year! Wear your PFD and see next Christmas.

Trevor, the guys before me are so right on. Just find a reel that has quality bearings, a super free spool and a good drag,, 20 pounds at least. A feature some guys take for granted is the handle. Look for a model that you can get on the handle easily and start cranking because many strikes come within a few inches of your lure dropping into the water. It should feel good in your hand. If you are new to BC reels then run a L/H retrieve if your right handed. No switch over and more efficient. I'm too old to make the transition from R/H to left hand. Then have confidence and soak that bait !

My local tackle shop put them in and couldn't give them away. They marked em' down and still couldn't move them. It's a shame that a company in the USA had such a disappointing showing. I hope Ardent can make a go of it and provide a product that anglers will love.

Dixon, If you choose to adjust any brake system like this one, be sure the opposite side is set the same. I like my reels free as possible and only set braking systems, magnets or centrifugal for windy conditions. The best brake is your thumb.

Dixon, He was right ! If you value your wrists you will run a power gear ratio. Several manufactures have 4.8 to 5.4 to 1 models. I bought a Revo Winch and love it. It's great for big spinner baits with large blades too. Read Tackle Tour's review. Happy New Year

Mr Duffy, Okay..first, I am not a Lamiglas pro staffer, a guide or other. I have some long term experience with this brand. I do own, among other brands, several Lamiglas products. I have had the opportunity to check out the series of Excel rods. They are, for the price point, and excellent choice. I am bias and I admit it. I like Lamiglas products and I have my reasons. There are two models in the series that I don't get excited about but that's just me. I chose to support my local retailer so I have to wait a few more weeks to get the models I did select to purchase rather than buy on line. I have also learned through acquaintenances that the Excel series will soon include a 7'6" 4 power as well. That, in my opinion is the best blank in the entire Certified Pro series, so it should be as good or better. Check their web site and the advantages for yourself. I always, always recommend a buyer put the rod in their hand before they buy if at all possible ! Having options is good. Have a good New Year !

Try the BPS XPS Slimdog. Has a similar body design as the LC Sammy at 1/4 the price. Very easy to establish a cadence with this bait. (the Sammy's are top end with top of the line finishes and hardware though.) and you don't have to carry a plastic baggy when you walk these dogs.

Black Weedless Witch White Bomber Bushwacker spinner bait. Natural Ike medium crankbait in crappie color 3/8 ounce hand tied black bucktail jig with blue split worm trailer. Black Mann's jelly worm Heddon Bass Oreno, wht. with red head

That show was with Hank Parker. I saw that segment as well. Okay, rolled pencil lead it is boys. I 'll run it with and without a barrel swivel and let you know. You can use brass eye ball sinkers at 1 ounce or more for that heavy stuff. That's what I use for sea bass and Lings at Neah Bay (WA). Thanks all.

Depth, wind, current and the mood of the fish will dictate what weight you use. The other guys are right, light as you can get away with and get to and maintain bottom contact. Have some 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 ouncers in your bag so you are ready for the conditions. Try a fluke on a chatterbait sometime. Sounds odd but it can be very productive. There's nothing like the " ka dunk" when a smallmouth eats a tube. I loooooove it !

How can I be added to Lucky Craft Man's will ?

Recycle any old mono and blood knot to your braid. Braid is a bit spendy so fill the last 60 to 70 yards, that should be enough. That gives you 3 fills per 200-250 yard spool. Don't trade your SX for the HS. The 6.4 to 1 will work just fine. The great thing about your Revo is it has a drag that tests out around 24 pounds. I forsee Kermit working overtime for you this spring. Merry Christmas !

Road Warrior, Nice Smallies. I would post my picture but I was featured on America's Most Wanted last week. Just Kidding. Do you find the flex of the e-glass 705 R to be a problem when running that deep of bait ? That's why I went to the composit model which is 7'2". Merry Christmas back.

A 7 foot MH casting will be the most versatile set up you could buy. At least it will allow you to fish spinnerbaits, medium weight jgs, buzzbaits and most any plastics. There are a number of surprizingly good reels in the 40 to 50 buck range if you shop around. I had a local tackle shop run the AG Black Maxx for only $29.97 on a two day sale. Merry Christmas !!

Large mouth and small mouth ? Here's both: 5 inch stick worm Yum Wooly Hog or Brush Hog Sweet Beaver/Yo Mama/Wooly Bug type bait 3.5 inch tube in a green pumpkin variation Rage Toad Fluke type bait 4.5 and 3 inch 5 inch finesse worm Crazy Leg Chigger Craw Warning ! never mix elastec baits with other baits. What a mess.

I love it !! The first step in curing an addiction is admitting you have one. The second step is not flaunting it. Looks like you past hope. ;D In all seriousness...you might want to check your home owners insurance policy. Many policies only cover sporting goods up to a $500.00 cap. After that you will need a binder with an itemized list....LIKE THIS ONE ! Merry Christmas !!

Stick In The Weeds, Thanks for the........Complement ??? You and Island Bass may want to go to Lamiglas.com and register on their forum. It has a bass section. Just one more option to research before you buy. There are a lot of good products out there and I encourage you to put it in your hand before you buy if you can. Not every brand may have a model that fits your needs. I may have your answer. If you want more info, message me direct and save the forum space. F & P PS Western side.

If the water is stained, and most flippin water is, braid has advantages. It's stronger, has no stretch, cuts vegetation and is somewhat more sensitive than most lines. If the water is clearer 100 % flouro may be a better option but you will have use a heavier test rating depending on the cover you fish. I try at all costs not to leader any line when flipping. The knot is where the failure would most likely be. Hope Santa brings you a gift card to buy new line.

Hope your still reading replies. I too have 2 trips. The first is the day I made my first REAL bass fishing trip in a real bass boat. I was a new club member in the extinct Lower Columbia Bass Anglers. I caught one 13 inch bass on a black Bomber bushwacker spinnerbait with my brand new Ambassaduer 5000 and Fenwick Lunker Stik. My hand seized by the day's end. That was a special day that impacted me over 30 years ago now. Number #2 was two years ago when my God-son, Ryan went out in my Ranger with me. His dad and I lifted him from his motorized wheelchair into a push style and moved him into my boat ( using every safety measuer possible ) and took him out for his first real bass trip. I had to cast for Ryan and help him reel and set the hook but he wacked a three pounder and we boated it ! It makes me cry to remember that day. He's the bravest bass fisherman I know. Period ! Thanks for asking !!!! Love you Ryan.

I pre-ordered a Lamiglas Excel 703 to add to my Certified Pro XPS 702TN which is no longer in production. I like the 7 footer for hook setting and playing out a fish on 6 or 8 Lb test. My first DS rod was a 6-6 XMG50 661. If it was a 6-10 or a 7 footer I would have been set. Sensitive is good.

Interesting question. Brad's Wigglers has had a lighted bait for at least two years I know of. It requires the lure be submerged to ground it so it lights up. Steelhead and salmon guys have been using them at night and one guide told me they have had some decent results. See Hawg Quest TV show for that show. However, I have not heard one thing from Brad S. if anyone has used them for bass. I'll ask him and re-post.

Each manufacturer sets there own rating, some by light, medium, med heavy and so on. Some use fast action, super fast and so on. Some use powers, 2 thru 6 or even more. Glenn is right. Pick a rod that fits the technique(s) you plan to fish and then do everything you can to put that rod in your hands or talk to someone you trust who has used that rod in that action. Having the right rod makes your fishing more efficient and a whole lot more fun. My tackle dealer has never refused me when I asked to put the reel I will match on the rod and at least run line through the guides for a pull down to check the flex characteristics. A one ounce lure on any MH scares me.