Hooligan

Glass or graphite or a combination thereof. The sole key is that it is a slow enough rod that you wouldn't even consider fishing plastics or a jig on it. I have both, use both for different techniques.

megabass pop-x and pop-max. I really prefer the balsa baits, but they're getting harder and harder to get on a regular basis.

Not really, mate. Those are entry level prices on the mid-range of things. There are collectors baits out there than go in the thousands, both in muskies and bass. I own a few of the upper end baits like Roman Made and ETRC. A few that most of the guys here have never heard of, and a few that are underground secrets. I have no qualms about spending that money on baits, it's not as though I'm ever going to lose it. I've never had a bait so hung- in that category- that I couldn't get back. I've lost more $18-$20 jerkbaits than I care to think about, most to the appeasement of the Esox gods. You say there are more things that you can spend that money on, great, go do that. The caveat to that, is go fish CA or TX when those double digit fish are on that triple digit offering and a $5 crankbait just isn't going to cut it. I've had more fun hucking a 12" glide bait for ten hours catching three fish (For a weight of over 35lbs) than I have catching a hundred fish in the same time span. THe reverse is also true. That said, though, there are times when nothing but those giants work, and when that's the case I'm throwing them. I guess, to me, it doesn't matter whether it's quantity or quality when it comes to baits. I'm going to buy whatever I choose to buy, as are you. Calling me insane, ludicrous, or stupid for doing so is pretty ridiculous.

The Short shank VMC matches up perfectly with the pointer hook. It's the 9650. It's a 1x hook, and not technically a short shank, but it's a shorter shank than other RB trebles. I believe the 9651 is their true short shank. Regardless, the 9650 in #5 is a perfect match.

I fish Hudds and the like on a 7-11 Shimano Crucial with a Calcutta 300D. I've got the same rod with a Curado 300 and a Lexa 300 as well. I've had great luck with all three combos. I prefer the Calcutta. Line- when I can get it, I use Silverthread AN40 in 20lb. Otherwise, I use Izorline 20lb.

Yeah, that's true. I had forgotten that they're moving to Chinese production. Supposed to be by the end of the year.

For the money, the St Croix Legend tournament 7-2 MM is a great stick for light or hard cover. In a heavy hard or soft cover squarebill, the Dobyns 705CB or the Loomis 845.

Primetime- Don't be confused, though. Evercast, though owned by Ardent, is not the same as Ardent. All Ardent reels are US made. Evercast are not. Snook- Been there, and seen it first hand. They use stock for their reels from the US.

VMC Short shank size 5- They're available at Cabela's BPS, and almost every other retailer of note.

True. As is the Gamakatsu Heavy Cover worm and Superline Heavy Cover worm. The RI came about from modifying a Gamakatsu straight shank worm to begin with. Aaron Martens is actually the person that "created" the hook. The Paycheck hook is a Gamakatsu with a different keeper.

Lot of truth in your post, but also some that's not 100%. I'm not going to get into splitting hairs, as it isn't really that important. One thing I will say, is that Ardent reels- their upper end reels- are US made, with the only components that are not being the bearings. Everything else, including the bar stock is from US destinations. There's some conjecture in regards to the location and manufacture of a lot of baits, and I can tell you FIRSTHAND that not all of them are created in the same facilities. A HUGE number of them are, but there are also those higher quality baits that are start to finish made in a single country of origin, two of the larger/higher quality names are such. But anyhow... Good info there.

AFAIK it's a Chinese reel. There's a bit of speculation as to the actual manufacturer. I've heard three different one, but have yet to talk to Boyd to confirm it.

I'm extremely up to date on product releases and, in particular, Shimano reels. This one is so tight, I'd be extremely surprised if there are more than a handful of people on this forum that actually have current info on it. Like I said, when I initially posted here, the proto I handled is nothing close to the release version. As to what that release is, I haven't the faintest, even MY guys have been tight lipped about it and I usually have new reels in hand a solid five months before most.

I don't intend to belittle your experience, nor disregard it, in the following, however: The inherent qualities of superlines, in this case a gel-spun polyethelene, completely disallow them to absorb a liquid. Any liquid. They're completely hydrophobic, 100% waterproof. There's no physical difference in performance of a braid that is soaked in KVD L+L to one that is not. Is it possible that it reacts with the coating and makes it somewhat easier to manage? I suppose that is a possibility, but on the whole, because it cannot be absorbed by the line there can be zero lasting effect. Secondly I love standard Tufline XP. It's a great line in terms of braid qualities- but I hate braid. I fished the Tufline Super last year- you can have it. That stuff doesn't cast, it twists horribly, and has ZERO resistance to abrasion.

Most mid-upper end salt reels are a completely different ball game. In almost all cases, the company that has their name on the reel is the manufacturer of said reel. Avet, Daiwa, Shimano, Penn, Fin-Nor, Okuma. Granted there are some exceptions to that rule, but very few.

Shimano- Built in proprietary factories and production lines wholly owned by Shimano one facility in Malaysia and one in Japan Pinnacle- Owned by Silstar, built by Dawon, Doyo, Kaito, or one of a couple other Chinese Manufacturers Abu Garcia- Pure Fishing can be built by Dawon, Doyo, or Kaito on the upper end reels. Lower and mid range reels are generally of "farmed" Chinese origin; IE: They can be built at any one of the Chinese factories in lots, there is no guarantee which factory they are coming from, generally. Lews- Generally built by Doyo and Dawon, with lower end reels being made at either Korean, Sri Lankan, or Chinese facilities. Pflueger Pure Fishing can be built by Dawon, Doyo, or Kaito on the upper end reels. Lower and mid range reels are generally of "farmed" Chinese origin; IE: They can be built at any one of the Chinese factories in lots, there is no guarantee which factory they are coming from, generally. BPS- BPS Reels are built much the same as Pure Fishing, and Lews- The caveat being that they are the owners of the tooling. In other cases, the bid goes to the mfr to include tooling. Cabela's- Can be made in any number of facilities, from Daiwa's own to Dawon and Doyo. As well, they can be of Chinese origin. Quantum- Mostly made in Chinese facility that shares manufacture of Zebco reels as well. Some are made in a Korean facility, it is unclear of whose facility it actually is. Some say that it is wholly owned by quantum, while Zebco/Quantum deny that is the case. Diawa Have facilities for OEM mfr in both Japan and Korea. A small Malay facility as well. Penn- See Pure Fishing- Some Penn Reels are still made in the USA, some are made in China and Korea Zebco- see Quantum Rods- generally are made in any number of facilities in China or Korea. With few exceptions on the higher end rods. How do you know the parts aren't the same? 99.8% of the Chinese reels will be similar, however, the parts will be stamped rather than machined, lower quality metals are used, and lower quality components. Quantum is notorious for this, as is Pure Fishing.

My opinion of Denali in general is that they're quite heavy, and undergeared for what you pay for. The 905 is a 7-6 rod that has the weight of most other 8' rods. The guides are substandard, and the handles and grips leave a lot to be desired. For the same money you can be in a Veritas flip stick, or even a carbonlite. For a little bit more money you can be in a Crucial and have a MUCH better warranty as well as better build quality and components overall.

I dunno what Z has. It looks like the proto that I've seen, but a different color. The proto that I've handled, I know, isn't going to be anything close to the finished reel- I'm totally blind to what it's going to be. I know it's going to be a substantial change, but that's all I can venture. It's been confirmed, as well, that they are a Classic Release reel.

For the money, the best boot I've found for bow hunting is the LaCrosse Aerohead. Best footwear purchase I've made in ten years. Almost guarantee you, too, that if your feet are getting cold, your boots are too tight. I can wear uninsulated Danners and my feet are just fine in the stand. I put on a pair of another make, with 800g of thinsulate, and they're tighter in the toe and through the foot, my feet are freezing. My lace-up boots are all Danners and Kenetrek. The Kenetreks are the most comfortable boots I've ever worn, period. They're also the most durable I've put on my feet. I did just over 200 miles between two elk hunts and a sheep hunt, and they are like I just bought them, only they fit like a glove. Danners are right up there, too. I have Grouse, Elk Hunter, Mtn Light, and Light in Danner and can't say a bad word about them.

Rarest of rare for me is a 30lb silver pike on Wabigoon. Following that, I'd have to say my favorite rare catches are 10lb and over Brook Trout in Canadia, a naturally produced tiger trout, and a naturally produced Tiger Muskie. I've caught some oddball stuff on the flats, as well. Another rare opportunity, in saltwater, I hit a Flats Grand Slam in the same day in Belize. Even better it was on the fly.

As usual- A-Jay is a hammer and nails are running scared.

Tubes? They don't catch fish at all. You can't flip, pitch, punch, or skip them under any circumstance. They are a terrible bait for deep structure as well. They equally terrible in warm and cold water, and everything in between. I never always have a tube rigged on the deck of the boat. I don't fish Larews or Strike King flipping tubes, and I never fish the LFT craw tube either. I don't have any in Dark Watermelon, Green Pumpkin, or Black Neon. I don't ever fish them in the SK green pumpkin chartreuse tail, either.

It's pretty sick. That's about all I can say.

http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_armor/outerware/ia-suits/icearmor-cold-weather-suits.html This is the suit I have, and swear by. They're bomb-proof

Love mine. Wouldn't trade them for the world. I've not heard of anyone having problems with the bib. They're much warmer than the guide wear and have better range of motion, and are far less restrictive. You have to insulate under the guide wear to get the same levels of warmth as the clam. The clam suit is one that you need a minimum of insulation under in order to maintain warmth.