Hooligan

Everything I've read would suggest a net would be more likely to do damage than holding a fish by the lip. Besides, it's hard to get a picture of a fish when it's in a net. Yes and no. Old style nets with knotted bags can remove scales and slime coat. Newer nets like the Frabill conservation series are far, far less likely to result in problems. For that matter, when it comes to holding a fish out of water in any capacity, think of it like this. Run a hard 50 yard dash, hold your breath for as long as you can. That's about as long as a fish can stand it out of water. Same concept.

I cannot say that I disagree with your thought process, but I can still say that it comes to opinion on what works in your situation. I fish a 7'11" rod that I might get 10 feet more out of a cast, not 15 yards. Also, I don't need the extra distance. Sure there are situations that it would be nice to have a bit longer cast to cover more water, but it's so rare that I'm lacking it I can't remember the last time it was a perceived issue. In your situation a 7'6"+ may be better for the longer casts you're afforded. I can't say that I've ever run into the problem.

I can't say that I agree with you on that Burley. I picked up a Cumara CUC70H and it fishes much more comfortably than my CBR906. Can rods used to fish...say a DD22...double up on ...say...a DT4? Sure. While it isn't the most optimum, you can certainly use a rod for a wide range of baits. Then again, it's my opinion of what works for me. What Burley's opinion is, is that which works for him. The best possible thing you can do is get them in your hands at shops or from friends and make that decision yourself. (FTR, one of my favorite cranks is SK Mini, I fish that bait on an Avid AVC70MM. I'll also throw Fat Free Shads, DT16's, Thugs, and DD22. So far, I'm enjoying throwing all of those same baits on the Cumara as well.)

This. I love InvizX. Ordered a spool of Tatsu in 6lb today after fishing heavier line on a casting rod for a couple weeks now. I'm in love with Tatsu, and may well be switching over to it across the board for fluorocarbon.

Congrats man. Stellar pics as well.

http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/fw08/shoes/men/trailhead/wasatch%20crest%20wp True anatomical footbed, light weight, waterproof, breatheable. When it comes to casual shoes, all I wear anymore is Keen. I also like the Jasper, Obsidian WP, and Targhee II. That said, I wear the Wasatch more than any other. I've got 6 pair of Keens; they came recommended by my orthopaedic surgeon after having 3 ligaments repaired in my right knee.

They're actually really easy to sharpen. The flats are so large that a small mill file or diamond file sits on them nicely.

I've got something like 13 or 15 Citica's. They're a great reel for the money. They're no Curado, but they're darned near indestructible.

That's the majority of the reason I went to the Samurai. I've got it on two rods ATM, a couple guys I fish with have it as well. I'm surprised at the problems too, but it's consistent on both rods. The other guys have been having issues similar to mine with it. One of them has resulted in a 2 piece GLX.

I have both, I like both. If you're fishing jigs up to 1/2oz, I'd think you're fine with MH. If you're pulling bruisers out of muck and punching mats of vegetation with big jigs, a heavy would be a better rod.

Wow, haven't had a problem with breakage at all, haven't had a problem with dulling either. You guys are making me skeptical of continuing to use the ones I've got.

I've gotten 18 or so packs from various events, fundraisers, and raffles. I love them, to be honest. If I could justify it it, that's all I'd be using.

Typically I'm fishing that rig on spinning gear; skipping docks and the like in relatively shallow water. If I'm not skipping it I'm straight flipping cover, not pitching.

Casting, spinning? T-rig, Shakey, Drop Shot, Jigworm? Do you have a price range you want to stay in?

I've got a few different makes of Crank rod, they all share 2 things in common: 7' or over, and all are MH/Mod. The one thing you need to look for in a crankbait rod is that last designation. If you want to spend around $150, that's not a bad rod, but I'd also encourage you to look at the Avid AVC70MHM for $30 more. Another option that I'd throw out there is the Cumara Reaction series. I've currently got 3 in the Reaction series and I love them. (Specifically the CUC70MH)

Right now I'm using Tatsu for my crankbait rods and love it. It's rapidly becoming my line of choice for Fluorocarbon. My balde bait rods are spooled with either Trilene 100%, YoZuri, or AbrazX. I guess I have one light Crank rod with InvizX, too.

I'm fishing braid on both my jig rods, no leader. One one I'm fishing Power Pro 50, the other I'm fishing Samurai 55. So far, I hate the Samurai. I don't like anything about the line, much less why guys say it's the best braid in the world. It tip wraps, it doesn't lay evenly, it digs into a tight spool on a hookset, it's probably the worst braid I've ever fished when it comes to being manageable. PowerPro on the other hand is easily castable, moves near silent through Recoil guides, I've never had a wrap or wind-knot. I've never had a problem with it laying on the spool evenly, or digging on a packed spool. Regardless of which braid you're fishing you're definitely going to gain sensitivity in using braid over mono or fluorocarbon.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1269094312 There was some discussion on it already. Like others I look forward to the series.

I'm a fan of two different set ups for different water types. I REALLY like the SK 3x on a SK head around here. For many other areas that I fish I'm becoming quite fond of a standup football head and Zoom Trickworm. I've also been fishing a Northland Shakey Worm here lately that's been producing fish over the Zoom.

http://www.castaicswimbait.com/ is Castaic's site.

My favorite tube is the old SK Pro-Model in Green Pumpkin blue tail. I'm rapidly running out of them, however.

Big Ika pegged with a 3/16 oz Tungsten. (That's right BIG Ika, not Fat.)

You'll see hybrids that will still "go through the motions" much like white bass in riverine environments. Here in NE, they'll run, often, with white bass. They'll move with bait, but when they're moving into the river they're of another though process. RW speaks truth of White Bass x Striped bass hybrids being sterile.

Culprit in Crawdad or Red Shad. 1/16th oz Tungsten on a 2/0 Owner.

GYCB DT Hula Grub on a 1/8 or 1/4 football.