Hooligan

If you want to learn more about these dynamic fibers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high-molecular-weight_polyethylene http://www51.honeywell.com/sm/afc/ http://www.dyneema.com/ Some really cool information.

I follow your original statement after reading it again. As for the rest of it, much of it we're saying the same thing There are points we disagree on and I'm fine with that if you are.

Pick up a used Loomis. They can be had in that range.

Couldn't possibly agree more.

I heartily disagree. The names of the fibers are the primary difference. They are both ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with the same natural coloration (Or lack thereof) and have the same abrasion resistance, the same molecular structure, and the same molecular weight. Any perceived difference is just that, perceived. Again, if you are talking about a processed and finished fiber that is ready for consumer use, such as that for thread, bowstrings, faring, or any other; you should be comparing properties of the finished material, not the fibers themselves.

Excellent advice. The other rods mentioned really don't compare to the Cara. I no longer have any in use because I've upgraded but one of my partners is Falcon rods to the core. He would rather fish the Cara than an NRX and I mean that in every sense. I don't understand it, but he's in tune with the rod, so I don't question it.

I would disagree, as politely as is possible. There are days where an Xrap won't snag a fish, nor any Rogue, or Husky Jerk, or even a Pointer. Drop a Vision 110 in the water and you get knocked over by fish. There's a definite difference in some, not all, higher priced baits. And by difference I mean their effectiveness. Now, that doesn't always correlate to expense, but in those cases that it does, it makes me very glad a I have a decent collection of LC cranks, or Megabass Jerkbaits.

No, and it's killing me that I blew my rod budget on "other" things. I'm still going to find a way to sneak it in the rod locker.

I've been very impressed with the two Veritas that I picked up. Initially they were meant as back-up rods but I've been fishing both of them pretty regularly on small ponds locally. I bought a 6'6" Med Fast and a 7'6" MHF. Both are surprisingly lightweight, and both have very good sensitivity for the price. I definitely had lower expectations than what the rods have performed to thus far. I've not heard anything good about the Wild rods, other than the price, which soon becomes very apparent. I've only messed with a friends a couple times, and he took it back after a week, roughly. Not impressed with the rod at all in terms of weight, in terms of the way it felt, or in the way that it reacted to loading. It felt quite dead overall.

It's worth every penny to me. I love my Chronarchs. They're much more adept with lighter lines and light baits. I regularly toss the 3/16 ounce shallow shad raps on a Chronarch set up. I can't do it as efficiently with a Curado, all other things being equal.

I don't believe I've ever paid attention to the actual color. I'll remember to look or take a snapshot of it.

All the rods listed thus far are excellent choices, the 765 being a very good choice. My favorite in a "Big bait" rod is the Loomis CBR896DF. I love the way the rod reacts to everything a bait is doing. It's a light enough rod that it is more than comfortable to fish all day throwing big baits without being sore. It's sensitive enough to feel a fish swim over a bait, which used to be something I had trouble with from time to time. I couldn't feel it.

Grease that puppy up and it comes through grass and milfoil really well. Someone on here gave me that tip, and I didn't believe them until I tried it. Might have been RoadWarrior. Makes a huge difference and I felt like a buffoon for not believing the guys that said it. I thought it was the old "sky hook or liquid board stretcher" kind of thing.

The color is "Top Secret". It's a custom paint that is very similar to gold TN Shad on gold prism. It's a neat color.

You'll fall in love with the reel immediately, as will you the Avid. They're likely the best bang for the buck rod on the market today.

I have two reels spooled with the first spool of Tatsu I bought last year in March (I think it was March) and it still performs like I put it on there a month ago. This is in 15lb. By comparison, I have a couple reels spooled with Abrazx 25 that I spooled last fall, and I couldn't stand it anymore and respooled recently. Definitely doesn't have the memory issues that many lines do. Don't get me wrong, it's got memory, but not like a coil-spring.

Might as well get 6 of them made up in 3/4 Willow Willow gold/Gold. Put it on my credit card.

That may be the reason I'm so in love with the 803 NRX, I had the Mossyback, not the GLX. It's insane, the difference between the two.

I had ordered the line from Tacklejapan late March. I hadn't spooled and used it when I originally posted. When I saw you post it reminded me that I had it so I tried it. Fished it for a couple days, and let you know what I thought of it at that point.

I like the Northland Shakey worm more and more. I've used them off and on for 3-4 years now, but never really thought about it. I've also used the Squirrel Tail when I can keep the bluegill off it, and the Big Show. Bog Show is a fun worm to fish.

Three outta four say 3/4. In other words, 3/4, near always. The lightest I throw with any regularity is 5/8, and I want those in a Willow / colorado. If you want a bait that shows a smaller profile, check out Northstars. I've been fishing his baits HARD this spring, and have had really excellent results.

The 803C is incredible thus far. It's got a lot of power, is incredibly sensitive, and will handle a worm better than any rod I've fished. The 853 is an awesome rod for fishing jigs up to and including 1/2. It has a huge amount of power to move fish, but the tip is light enough to work smaller to medium jigs with incredible accuracy. It will bounce a jig better than any I've ever fished. The 873 I'm up in the air about. I love that the rod is sensitive, and light, but I don't really feel that I am gaining anything from my Cumara for this purpose. I really wouldn't say the rod is a double duty rod, either. It's so specific to Carolina rigging in its action and feel, I don't think I'd like the way it fished a jig or other plastics.

Same thoughts. That said, my favorite grass jig is still probably the Jungle JIg from Northland. I wish they still made it in 1.25 ounce.

They're not different species, they're color patterns based on geographic location; more commonly referred to as a strain. (I don't CARE what wikipedia says, there are many biologists that discount E. m. immaculatus/ohioensis and will classify all as E.m.masquinongy. Tigers are a hybrid of muskie x pike or pike x muskie. As was stated, it's a process, one which I've been at for close to 25 years and still learn every day. They have the most amazing way of frustrating you, and some days they do just what the books say they should. There's no hard and fast rule to answering any of your questions in terms of habit, habitat, or difference in size and appearance. There are times, for instance a Leech Lake strain looks just like a WI strain. There are times, as well, that WI fish are smaller than the LL strain and comparable sets of fish are different every time. They're weird, and that's just starting. Get your hands on "Muskies on the Shield" from Pearson. If there's one guy that knows muskies better than anyone on the face of the earth, it would be Dick. Also, be prepared for what you're getting into in terms of tackle. The Bass bait monkey has NOTHING on the Muskie Bait Monkey. I literally have a safe for my muskie baits. Literally. I keep them in a Browning fireproof. I've got some 300 jerkbaits and pull baits, all are wood. Add a some plastic to that and you're talking 500 baits. Add in bucktails... well, you get the picture.

Yes, but definitely not finesse baits. I've become disillusioned with the KVD Finesse worm, and am now back to old reliable Baby Ring Fry and GYCB Shade shape worm.