Nine Miler

My head would not like. The OP asked about your face...

It seems like one of the most commonly misused words here is "loose." You can lose a bait to a hang-up. You can lose a ball game, or in Shane Mosley's case, a fight to Floyd Mayweather. You can tighten a loose bolt. You can turn a fish loose at the boat after you take the hook out. You might never get that chance if you lose it before getting it into the boat because you didn't loosen your drag enough though. :-?

Buy it once, learn about it, take good care of it, it will last forever. Sure there are some accessories you need to purchase, replace, replenish... but it is the way to go IMO. http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/7149828/7303071.htm

Funny I mentioned the DSR, just saw one in the Flea Market... No affiliation with the seller. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1272638672

Depending on your budget and preference for grip styles... St. Croix Avid- about $180 retail AVS68MXF AVS69MLXF St. Croix Legend Tournament- about $230 retail LTBS68MXF LTBS69MLXF For over $300 you can check out the Legend Elite and Legend Extremes too. Check out the G. Loomis DSR and SHR series as well.

Don't be afraid to use a lure differently than it what it is obviously meant for. Sometimes you can be very productive with a new or different presentation of an "old" bait.

I'm sorry sir, that magazine has been in the bathroom.

Here is the short version... Turn the dial (magnetic brake) on the side to 0. Tighten the knob by the handle (spool tension/cast control) so that the lower slowly falls. Turn the dial to 6. You should not need very much thumb at all like this. Go practice. When you think you can, turn the dial to 3. Don't turn it to less than 3 this year. Next year, experiment with the dial on 0 and less spool tension.

I own an LTBS69MLXF. I really like it. It is very soft in the tip and would be great for finesse presentations. I took it out one day a few weeks ago at a friend's lake fishing from shore and did not have many issues driving hook sets, even with 3/0 and 4/0 hooks and relatively large plastics. I think it is a great rod, maybe a little gimmicky with the color and split grips, (which I don't really like) but I got it for a great price. It has done its job very well.

Hang on, we only have to wait six more days! I'm trying my best - but it's no walk in the park. The snow the past two nights has been a little disheartening. A-Jay I have thrown baits from the shore on a friend's private lake. I have about 10 fish for the year. If I hadn't been able to do that, I am sure I'd be in a bad way by now.

They were gettin' down. Throw your down-shot. ;D

Mine starts next weekend.

Maybe, better chance he's a St. Croix fan though

50lb Test 12lb dia. ??? That seems huge! No, its right. 20# braid is for a spinning outfit.

Sounds like a good small spinnerbait rod as well.

I think there is only like 2 or 3 inches per turn difference in the Curado and the Citica. I own both models, let me check. Edit: Citica 200e- 27 IPT Curado 200e7- 30 IPT That isn't enough for me to tell much difference when fishing, really. Both reels are fast. It's easy to slow down though. Most slower presentations, like jigs, etc. you are moving the lure with the rod, not the reel so much. Just need to take the slack up quickly with the reel if you're bit.

Get some of these to make the loops. Don't ask how I know about that website... http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H201605TL

It is really good; stronger than the line test rating, and very manageable.

Yea, it sucks. It doesn't bother me long, though. Think about all of the other things you could be doing instead of missing a trophy fish. That happens to everybody.

Question 1: C-Rigged Lizards are a great tactic for the spawn. You don't have to use a C-Rig in deep water or ledges. Drag that lizard into the bed and shake it. Sometimes the commotion stirred up by the weight will fire up the fish just in time for the lizard to crawl through. I can't say if the fish are bigger- if they are I haven't noticed. You can discourage some of the smaller fish with a larger bait. Small fish will still hit big baits, and big fish will still hit small baits, though. I think it has more to do with pressure, visibility, bait they are keying on at the time, etc. Question 2: You should have started a new thread. This has more to do with the casting technique. Always throw a sidearm or underhand lob cast with a C-Rig. Don't try to throw it really far at first, and besides, you have a heavy weight on there so it will travel pretty good anyway. If you are casting over your shoulder, the weight sliding around is the best case scenario. Knocking yourself in the melon or your buddy in the face, eye etc. with the weight or the hook is the worst case scenario.

Just noticed it today. If I found it two weeks ago, I probably would have tossed it up on the forum then. :

FYI- The Bass Pro brand Extreme Spinning XTR68MS (6'8" Medium) is on clearance for $39.77. Seems like a smokin' deal. They also have the XTR60LS-2, 2-PIECE Spinning (6' Light) for the same price. Probably a great rod for bank-fishing for panfish with the kids. For that price you can get one for you and the little guy(s) or gal(s) and get them pumped about using the same gear as dad (or mom). EDIT- Click on the scrolling Bass Pro Banner here at BR and then navigate to the clearance rods.

I bought this one, and have been very pleased- great deal on it right now. I have been fishing a private lake as the season hasn't opened up yet, and it has handled nicely so far. http://***.com/All_Star_Platinum_Series_Casting_Rods/descpage-ASPSCR.html

Kind of, I guess. It just feels finished. :-/ I can't really describe it. To me, its like halfway in between the raw cork, and still having the plastic wrapping on it. It is supposed to penetrate the cork and have little effect on the feel, but to me, it just doesn't feel right, maybe there were too many coats on the one I felt. Lots of people love it, from what I hear.