Hooligan

My top three are Aurora Black, Nishiki (clown), Ghost minnow. as a fourth MS American Shad or Chartreuse shad.

When I was on the hunt, I asked about those as well. I was advised to stay away because you can get better rods for the money. I got a Cumara CUC-72MH. It's really a great rod. I would recommend the CUC-X72M. Or look at the Dobyns Champion 702 or 703c. I'm with RW on this, even though the Cumara is likely my favorite series right now. I'd definitely not send people to a Xfast versions off the bat, they're going to miss fish if they're not used to how fast the rod really is. I'd hold out for an 842C, as they come around often enough that it isn't likely you'd be waiting forever for it. I have several of both series, Cumara and Jig+Worm. (IN GLX and IMX) and I can't say that I'd tell someone to stay away. They fit a bill that many people will like, and others will not, in terms of both rod series. I'd definitely recommend the use GLX over the Dobyns, very likely I'd recommend the Cumara over the Dobyns as well.

All I manage to do is lose them to pike.

I'm crying bunk on that one. I've used a diamond wretched file to smooth them and have never had issue. I did it on about 25 1.25 oz weights and use them regularly with no ill effect on braid or fluorocarbon.

Lucky Craft won't break the bank when you consider the baits durability and year in year out productivity. Generally, three colors of LC Pointer 100 and you're gold on most water you're going to see. For me, they're an excellent value. In terms of less costly baits Xcalibur, Bomber, Husky Jerk, Xrap, Rogues, Wild Shiners; there's a multitude and you're going to find some that say one better than any other, while others have another favourite.

There's been much speculation from Strike King, to BPS, from Cabelas to Bullet Weights. I've heard Picasso, even though it's under the Fish Harder umbrella and bankrupt just as TT. While I'd be excited about it, I'm certainly not getting my hopes up, for there would have been more news by this time.

For me the 100 is more erratic in retrieve. What I mean by roll is that the bait doesn't move just side to side from the lip back. The belly rolls out on the bait which is what makes it more erratic.

Sounds like you know from whom this would be coming. Care to share?

Dip it three to five seconds and it's there. There's no chance of it not being there if it's JJs. The stuff can out smell a grizzly bear farting bull moose. And that's why it so daggone good.

http://www.jjsmagic.com/ Dip the tips of a craws claws in chartreuse and hang on. Dip in clear for just scent. Chartreuse and methylate make orange that is irresistible on a PB+J craw/jig in stained water. A touch of chartreuse on a finesse worm rigged on a shakey. I'd never have believed one thing could effect catch rates as much as it does. I'm a believer in that it will convert fish that are negative or neutral; whether it be reaction from a different color, scent, or from an anger sort of bite. It isn't a magic bullet, but it definitely provides an edge that can help push otherwise not interested fish into hitting.

Interesting, the Xcaliber is more appealing to me in terms of action and the way it comes through cover in comparison t the Bandit. It definitely comes through wood better than the KVD. It's funny how we've all had different experiences with the same series of baits and have all formed different opinions on them.

Wow, Catt. Thanks for posting that, hadn't seen it.

Usually a Chompers head. If not that, 1/8oz Tungsten unpegged on a 3/0 flipping hook.

I fished with the originator of that a couple times, that stuff was unbelievably effective. I don't think it's as effective as JJs, though.

You and me both SJ. I grabbed two when I was in CA in December and haven't seen any since. I love that bag.

More than anything, I think garlic is a mask, but I really don't know and I really don't care because it just flat works. If you don't want to deal with those ring fries, just send them on over to me.

Good luck on it. Plano bought that portion of Falcon and the older ones are getting harder and harder to find.

I'm with Ronnie, the IMX is a better blank in my opinion. I fish most of my 1/2oz and heavier jigs on it. It's counterpart is the XF 7-2 MH Cumara.

Top looks to be a Bagley of some sort, the middle is a Swim Whiz or Believer.

Ghost Minnow, Clown, Aurora Black. Top three colors for me regardless of where I fish them.

IMO they're different baits and not necessarily interchangeable. The XCalibur baits are a wider wobbling bait with substantial roll in the 200 and 300 sizes. The SK baits seem to be a tighter bait with almost no roll at all. I haven't really had the opportunity to throw the SK 1.5 and 2.5 a whole lot, that's my experience on them thus far. That said, I love the Xcalibur baits in the smallest size. It has a great finish, the right roll and wiggle and it comes through cover excellent.

Agreed. There are far better rods out there in the same price point. If Gary put his name on them, that has to be just about all he's done. They just don't feel like anything he's ever had his hand in previously. I mean, really, a GL2 is less than $100 more than the TFO. If you just have to have the Loomis name, you might as well save your pennies. Not to mention that the GL2 feels in every way superior to the TFO.

I picked up the Veritas 7-6 MH on a whim. Stuck a Castaic on it and now that I've gotten used to the reel seat and trigger I think the rod is likely going to get a lot of use. I've got Loomis and Shimano flipping rods, and a Dobyn's on the way. While this is definitely not of the same caliber as the others, I'm still really liking the way the rod fits, the sensitivity is there, the recovery is there for pitching, and it's light enough that it won't break your arm. Not bad for a $99 rod. I'll fish it with pride.

I ordered a couple as replacements, I'm hoping they show up before I head south.

Grass Pig catches fish.