RichF

I feel like the pickeral are taking over that lake for sure. I only get out there maybe once a year but it's been 25 pickeral to 1 bass for the past couple years...for me anyway.

A legend glass will be my next crank rod for sure. I'd probably be using the 7'2 med for squarebills, traps, and dt6s so I'd use a 6:1 reel. Congrats on a very nice stick!

The brown ones like to roam for sure. I've caught several flipping a 3/4 oz jig in huge milfoil beds!

I've only used the regular CT but also have an SS SV (which obviously has the SV spool). 100% go with the Tat SV for the extra $20. I've actually tried to backlash with the SV spool and just can't. It's pretty awesome.

This place sounds like heaven. If I was going there I'd have a 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz, and 1 oz jig tied on. Probably a texas rigged flipping bait and definitely a frog. I don't even bother with moving baits around that much cover.

You're lucky you got a nice big hook in her, using that worm. Those turds throw hooks like Dr. J, when they go airborne! Nice catch!

The new Abu Veritas line will have a 9'0 Heavy, mod-fast casting model for $119.99. Not much of a fan myself, but a lot of people seem to like them. TW says they're do to arrive at the end of Sept.

I have a 6'10 MH and 7'2 MH. Sensitivity is awesome. I use the 6'10 with light t-rigs down to 1/8oz and small football jigs 1/4 to 3/8 oz. It has worked great for me for those presentations with 12-14lb fluoro.

If I have a bad tournament, I want to get back out on the water and compete again, almost immediately. I used to dwell on bad events for a long time after and threatened to quit tournament fishing all together regularly. I've grown a lot. I've realized that in the end, it's just fishing. We're always going to not win more than we win. Might as well relish in the victories and shrug off the losses. If not....beer always helps

Even though Shimano only carries a 1 year warranty, they have a replacement program that isn't terrible. If you break your rod (no matter the cause), you can get a brand new one at 50% off retail. They'll even pay for shipping both ways. St Croix has a pretty great warranty program as well.

Haven't seen any weight info. I would imagine they'd hover around the 6 - 7 oz range.

I throw it on a 7' Heavy glass rod rated to 1oz.

Though I personally wouldn't want a flipping stick that long, St. Croix has a couple new ones coming out this fall (Nov. 11 according to TW) in the Legend Tournament line. 8'8 to 9'11 ranging from $300 up to $400. They will obviously be loads better than the Reese rods but I can't imagine they'll be "light" by any means.

Split grips are supposed to reduce overall weight.

If you can swing the Zillion SV, I'd go with that, but in the 6.3:1 gear ratio.

They are both built on the same blank so sensitivity will not be any different between the two. I have 2 Avid X and my father has a bunch of regular Avids. I've used his and he's used mine. It comes down to micro vs. regular guides and full grip vs. split grip. I personally like the X better.

Christie's response was pretty darned professional if you ask me. The pros know that a big part of their job is to promote, not just their sponsors products, but fishing products in general. Christie knows that tackle companies have been pushing the idea of line-shy fish for a long time so he had to provide an explanation for why he was seemingly contradicting that notion while crushing bass using braid in super shallow, gin clear water. I actually applaud him for providing a "plausible" explanation on the fly like that.

I grew up fishing the super clear, grass filled lakes of upstate NY.. I've always been able to catch bass flipping in those conditions with straight braid (that's the way I fish 90% of the time). I think that Seth thinks it makes a difference but I also doubt he gave straight braid that much of a chance. I bet he saw clear water and thought he needed something the fish couldn't "see." I use 20lb fluoro quite a bit...it's more than visible.

They work pretty well for KVD.

I think you're right. Supposed to rain Saturday I think. Should be less busy, which I like.

I think I might head there this saturday. Unfortunately, I'll be renting a boat and don't have any electronics so it'll be difficult. I figured it would be a good opportunity for me to try draggin the ball and chain around since I never do it. Not catching is still better than not fishing!

I've been using the same ol' Kistler Mag with micros for the past 5 yrs for froggin. No issues at all.

And KVD gets a little bit richer. lol

The Lamiglas website has a few discontinued Excel rods for $49.95 if anyone is interested.

If the competition in South Africa is somewhat similar to that of the FLW Tour, they should do fine. Martin, Dudley, and Canterbury basically make every top 20 here in the US. Botha can give them some insight being a native of the country. Watson will provide comedic relief to boost the team's morale when Fritts and Boom Boom fail to catch a bass;) I kid of course. Interesting event. I'm sure they'll make us very proud.