Hooligan

Sniper's not bad. It's in the same class as Abrazx and XPS, really. It's a quality line with good characteristics in that price range. It doesn't stretch as much as InvisX, but is more abrasion resistant than it, as well.

Ok, now. There are some things you just don't tell people on the interwebz. That's one of them!

It's a very different plastic than is being used by other companies. The Pig and Skinny Dipper look somewhat similar, that's where the similarity ends. The Grass pig moves better, it comes through slop better, it has more belly roll, it's softer but more durable. Thus far, all of the Havoc baits I've used are far more durable than competitors. The Deuce isn't just another twin tail, either. It's got a solid rib on the back of the legs tapering all the way to the ends, it's got more action, harder swimming with more spring back to being curled than other baits. It also has more of a body taper allowing the entire bait to undulate more. Call them similar by looks, that's fine, even reasonable. What's not reasonable is to judge them before getting your hands on them and giving them a shot. You'll likely be very surprised by them; I have been.

Yeah, miss Burley and Fourbizz. Anyone know what happened to Bizz?

The CI4 has a couple things that the Stradic doesn't and I find myself liking it more and more. That said, I have both and am completely happy with both. On my 6-8 MXF I have a Sustain and a Stradic FI. They both balance the rod better than a CI4.

Like Catt, I tend to fish offshore structure and cover in 20+ feet of water and fish mostly jigs, TX rigs, and a couple other things. Swimbaits being a huge "other" at this time of year.

Don't do it. You won't want to fish any other line.

Not really. Far less stretch, better knot strength and better abrasion resistance. Like that Clary kid said, sort of a Cross breed but with slightly better attributes than both. Similar to what Tatsu is but not on the same scale. For the $20, though, it kicks the pants off both Seaguar lines.

Yes you do, because they're going away, at least from all reports... Well, check that, they're changing.

Ande Fluorocarbon leader is about the best there is. blows Abrazx out of the water in terms of leader material. YoZuri HD is good too.

I have been fishing a Hackney as a "compare and report" rod for a couple weeks. Here are my thoughts: It's light and sensitive, but not moreso than a lot of other rods in the same field, some rods that are far less expensive are more sensitive and just "feel" better. The components are OK, but nothing to write home about. The rod is a touch heavy, considering that other rods in the range are considerably lighter. The tip is borderline too soft, but that's a preference thing. I'd also consider looking at the Carbonlite 7-0 MH, the Johnny Morris Signature 7-2 MH Fast, the Cumara 7-2 MHFast, the Avid 7'M Fast, the Veritas 7-3, The 7-3 Verdict... All are either better rods in the same price point, slightly more that will blow the Quantum out of the water, or less money for the same performance. Just my .02.

One of my favorite rigs is my 7-2 Med Xfast with a 51 on it. Number one application is 3/16-5/16 ounce jigs with Baby trailers. I fish very feww TX rigs with it, those get thrown on the NRX. Edit: In terms of line, I've actually got XPS 12lb on a couple 51s. I like it far better than InvizX and slightly more than AbrazX. The XPS has better manageability over time than the AbrazX and far less stretch than the InvizX. The thing that gets me with the XPS Fluoro is that it sort of "wears in." I haven't experienced it with any other line. It actually becomes more manageable over time, then again I could just be soaking up enough KVD L+L with it that that's the case. I do not, however, like it in 14-20.

Order incoming shortly. I was just bemoaning not being able to get the grass jig I used to fish with a couple of guys today.

I've had better hookups on single hooks like the Moaner 5/0. I've also had a lot less damage to baits with that hook in Rage Toads.

Bilge, I'm following you 100%, I've just had terrible luck with them, seemingly changing spool tension from one cast to the next. I have cast a crank all day on one, only to have the reel implode on three successive casts- changing nothing and it's back to fishing just fine. I gave them time, a lot of time. Just don't have the faith in them that I do other reels.

I love the 4". I hate that I donate one annually to the Muskie Gods, but I love the bait.

Top colors for me locally are: Green Pumpkin Top Secret Green Pumpkin Purple/Small Gold/Blue Flake Blue Fleck Okeechobee Craw in it's various forms. In other areas I fish- Camo DoubleHeader Big Tex Watermelon Magic GP Magic GP Candy

I have a 5-4 that I use for skipping some really tight docks, that's the only application in which I use it though. Otherwise it sits at home.

Played my freshman year, found that it conflicted with High School Rodeo, so didn't play after that.

Nice, Marc, as skilled as you are a painter, you'll adjust in no time at all. It's all about detail and thread control. I just finished an order of trebles for a friend of mine. 140 dressed trebles in white, red, and orange; all with Crystal Flash or Flashabou. I used to average 1400 dozen annually. Now I'm closer to 500 or so. It's definitely an enjoyable hobby, and you can make some pretty decent money at it, too.

Oh, the night is young, I'm headed out the door after all the rain to see what I can scare out of a couple ponds. Can you say Cavitron?

Crucial is 100 times the rod than the Duckett Crank stick. The Crucial is DARN close to the Cumara, the primary difference being weight. They're very similar actions.

Because you don't get the right pull from the eye.

Great rod for everything from Middle N to 6XD. The only reason I sold mine is because of the Cumara.

I've found Keen to be the best of anything I've worn. With five ruptured discs, three ACL repairs on the left and two on the right, good footwear are as important to me as anything. I've had great luck with my Keens.