Hooligan

I don't like the term reaction strike. Primarily because of the fact that all bass strikes are reactive. They're reacting to their instinct to feed, plain and simple. Regardless of moving bait or bottom contact, their instinct tells them that they can't afford to pass up an easy meal. Ralph Manns wrote a great piece about it in In Fisherman a while back. I don't subscribe to the theory that there is any difference in any feeding behavior other than in a competitive situation or in a situation that the fish has more time to inspect the bait. I guess the way I look at it is like this. The theory of a reaction strike is that even if that fish is not interested in feeding, by putting a bait in front of them, you can get them to eat it. You can't. You simply can't force feed fish. By defining a difference between conditions you define the correct timing for use of a moving bait versus a bottom contact or stationary bait. There is no singular defining factor, either. You have to let the fish tell you what they're after. You have to experiment with presentations based on an educated guess to make a decision on what you will have the most success with. Moving bait- generally more active fish; those willing to move to chase down a meal. Many times in dirty water a moving bait can be more successful simply because of the ability to cover greater area. Put a bait in front of more fish and you are simply upping the ratio in your favor. A jig, for instance, is generally a little more methodical and allows you to pick apart a given area. Often not putting the bait in front of as many fish, but giving those fish present greater opportunity to find and inspect that bait. Primary forage is as much a consideration to make as anything. There are many that will argue this point, but far too many biologists point the other direction, in terms of a reaction strike. When you read information from those whom have studied it closely, they agree on one thing, and that is that the term isn't entirely correct.

How is that a deal when Wally World has them for $2.50 all the time? Furthermore, Sexy Shad only? Pass.

Far better rod than the original. Far, far better. Their primary problem remains availability. The short rear grip has no effect on me at all. In most situations it is actually more comfortable because of the balance.

Of late, deep grass lines and a D-Bomb or Pit Boss on a Bass Pro Dragon or Yum Punkin- Ed have been the ticket. I also very much like the Chompers Flip Shakey head for it. They really stand the bait straight up. Beaver baits I fish- DBomb, Pit Boss, Bass Pro Bull Hog, Zoom Z Hog and Z Hog Jr (jr is incredible so far), and not as much of the SK rodent. I just don't like the appendages.

I've had the issue. Contact SPRO and they'll make it right.

Not to be snide, search the forum for this very thing. It's been hashed out a lot in recent months.

The worst flipping hook I've ever used is the Trokar. I've rolled points on a single fish, once that happens you can't get the point back. I've lost a ton of fish because of how big a hole they punch, and thirdly they tear up a bait something fierce. Best flipping hook I've ever used isn't a flipping hook at all. It's the Gamakatsu Straight Shank Bronze hook. They're great about hook ups and they are phenomenally strong. The Heavy Cover Worm is a super hook, but the keeper sucks. I've taken to soldering the pin in place, and that works well enough. I've got a pile of the new Mustad flipping hooks to use, but haven't really been on a flipping bite of late. Everything is geared towards a jig bite so far, so I have had much an opportunity to play much with them.

Flat on a heavy Jika type rig. I also flip them an awful lot.

PopX and Pop Max. I've also done extremely well on a modified yellow magic that I've learned to make. The MB baits are just unreal, though.

Pretty sure that the factory Pradco owns over there. They build baits for about every company but Strike King and Megabass. I'm told they inject some of the lucky craft baits there, even. This one I have no first hand knowledge of, however.

The ci4 4000 and the 9530 aren comparably sized reels. They just aren't. To insinuate so is patently false. CI 4 isn't composite in the traditional sense. It is carbon fiber. It's as strong as titanium, fact. The rest of what I said is fact as well, not my opinion. Pflueger builds a good reel, but they are not on the same level when comparing the two reels in question.

I believe they're a pradco product.

Doesn't have as much to do with clearance as being ergonomic. Most other reels that have a straight handle have a wider arc, the bent handle reduces the offset and increases torque and comfort.Also, at Capt. Bob- the bail is actually a better design. One piece with less chance of snag and it provides better line flow. It's actually more expensive to produce than previous models. Secondly, the new material is actually stronger than previous Carbon Fiber models and is very nearly the same strength as aluminum without the much higher associated cost. But, then, you've already made your decision that Shimano has made everything cheaper and poorer quality so the only way to go is other reels now. (That's said entirely good natured teasing, and 100% tongue in cheek.)

By whose measure? Cheaper bearings, lower grade drag, poor sealing mechanic, lower quality of construction, looser tolerance, and far less reliable line handling which results in more line twist. Lighter than the CI4? Wrong. 7.75 for the Pflueger and 6.45 for the Stradic CI4 in comparable size. (I just weighed them, with 5lb fluorocarbon on the Pflueger and 8lb on the CI4.)

I've noticed the same thing, but it is limited to the left hand reel for me. I think it has to do with where the uplocking reel seat connects with the reel foot. It isn't the frame flexing, I'll put money on that.

Avid 6-8 or if you want an upgrade the GLX852S. That's a great senko stick. As great as there currently is, imo.

I fish everything from a 5-9 to a 7-2 in everything from Light to MH. The sole caveat is that all are XF taper rods.

Rage Menace vertical, and a Subwoofer have been good for me.

Have current intel on both from some folks I don't always believe or trust, looking for something to back it up or to cast it out. I've got four tournaments in three weeks on those two bodies of water coming very shortly, one of them is pretty important for me. Any info you might provide would be greatly appreciated. I'm not talking specifics, really, I'm familiar enough with both to place myself correctly. More looking at early summer pattern or not, are they transitioned to traditional areas in relation to the time. Again, thanks.

Superb trailer in open water. Not so much in weeds.

2 on ans set at about 2. I started the reel at 2 on and roughly half way on SVS.

Megabass knockoff. It doesn't have the same balance or internal weight, and it doesn't have all of the gill slits. As well, it's missing the good hooks and finish.

I believe the 12lb Abrazx is right around the 17lb mark. 12 Invizx is more towards the 15 mark.

I have to agree with that. That's a very, very good estimation. I love my Antares, but for the $$ the Metanium is phenomenal.

Once because of the brake pins coming loose and damaging that side of the spool. Second because I somehow bent the lip of the spool. I am completely unsure of how that one happened, but it definitely had a flat spot on it and it just wouldn't cast.