Hooligan

I have both left and right reels, depends on which reel I pick up. Doesn't bother me at all to use right or left retrieve.

Met Jay Yelas at our Bass Pros first Spring classic (its only a few years old) and he was an awesome guy,very nice.Talked one on one with him and also watched his seminar which was also very good.He's very comfortable with people,which some pros arent. I've been around him a couple times and I'd agree with you entirely. He's a super nice guy to talk to. He's GREAT with kids, which many pros are not. Denny Brauer comes to mind in dealing with kids; likely one of the best guys on the planet to have talking to youth about fishing.

Not sure, I thought that it was a Copoly, too. As far as the line goes, I've never had any luck with Sunline, at all. I've tried a couple different lines several times. No dice.

Gary Parsons (Whom is a super awesome guy, and a phenomenal angler) Jim Carroll (Know nothing about him other than he's a walleye guy) Both 'eye guys this year. Last year I think it was Jay Yelas and Woo Daves, or something like that. Can't remember.

I think that it was Robert Montgomery that touched on this, or a really similar topic. He made the statement that the reason many events are won on a hard bait is that pros were/are keying on active or aggressive fish. Most of the time they're not in the need of slowing to the point of methodical plastics fishing. I'll see if I can find it and post it.

Alberto's or blood knot. Tie a true bloodknot a couple times, and you'll realize it's quite easy.

I'll fish Jointed Raps for bass sometimes. Not often, but they do well from time to time. More than anything we catch pike and walleye on them.

I still like the Mustad Denny Brauer. I've used the Trokar and Owner as well. Straight shank, J bend- allows for more leverage on the set to drive it home, or so we're told.

I'm very fond of the series on the whole. I have the 6-9M, 6-9 MH, and the 7-0 M and MH in the reaction. I keep hearing so many good things about the 7-11 for fishing grass, though. Can't help myself in terms of wanting it. Stoopid Monkey.

That's what I keep hearing about that rod, specifically. For 1/2-1 ounce traps, it sounds like it's a sweet rod.

Flipping: 7-11 MH Crucial with a Castiac Punching XMLti 6-9 Pitching rod with a Castaic

Not to hijack this, but what were you fishing on it? I'm looking at that rod for fishing big lipless baits in grass, as well as running big inline spinners.

DING! A lot of pros, though, will tell you what they do their baits, how they get them to where they want them. I think most are very forthcoming with information when it comes down to it. If you're ever in the situation, ask one to see their treble box, most will tell you straight up they change every hook on every crank; even on quality baits with quality hooks. I believe that it was printed at some point that KVD changed every hook on every bait. I can remember hearing it from guys like Shaw Grigsby, Hank Parker, Paul Elias, Clunn...the list goes on.

I fished one brand pretty heavy for a few years, then found I was unable to get them anymore. Last year I fished Powerbait Lizard, only to have them be destroyed after one fish. Fished the Rage in CA a lot on a couple pits and caught some nice fish. I'm sure I'll fish both this year again, but wonder what brand you guys are fishing, too, and why? The thing I like about the Berkley is fish would hold it longer when I wasn't paying attention like I should. They weren't as aggressive with it, but they wouldn't drop it as fast, either. I don't like the durability, though. The Rage, it seemed, produced more aggressive strikes, but I also missed more of those, some my fault for not paying attention, some I have no idea why I didn't hook. Just curious, I suppose...

I haven't found this to be the case.

I've never really fished anything but the Zman. If it isn't broke, there's no need to fix it.

The only time I use grey mirror is blue water. When we used to chase sails and billfish. The Copper, to me, seems to be about the most "all around". I've noticed a difference, though, between the Mirror and Copper. The mirror reduced eye fatigue for me when I'm on the water for longer periods of time. I don't get headaches when I wear them all day, compared to copper lens.

I guess I'm odd man out then. I don't throw many soft swimbaits, other than 4" and smaller. I wasn't thinking of Hudds and the like, I'm throwing more 6-8" hard bodies from guys like Muskie Snax and Crypto that are solid wood. I've got three snax, for instance, that weigh in excess of 3.5 ounces and they're only a 6" bait. I'll concede that you're right. I wasn't thinking of plastics, more solid bodies.

It isn't spectra though, is it? It's gel spun polyethylene isn't it?

Oh wow, didn't even come to ind until you mentioned it. I wish I had a dozen of them.

Great article JF.

I've been fishing them all on the XH, the Crucial, to me, feels like a 6" bait will overload the rod and I lose control of the bait. They're much more friendly on the XH than the H. Notice, though, the last statement I made that the H will handle the range if you aren't going to throw bigger baits. It's a preference thing, sorry I offended your taste. its not ok. Now I'm heartbroken, I don't know if you knew you were my BR hero, you were.

BA makes great stuff across the board. I have two bags that see extended use annually. The first is a Marmot Trestles 20 degree. Great bag, great price, and it's warm. The second is a Kelty Light Year down 20. It's a 600 fill bag that is very warm, and very light. It packs perfectly for backcountry, and has the features of a lot more expensive bags. Ground level seams, chevron stitch, full baffles. I've been very happy with it, wouldn't hesitate to recommend it at all. It's not particularly cheap, @ $190 but it's worth it compared to a $300 MSI or Mountain Hardware with the same features, fabric, and fill.

I've been fishing them all on the XH, the Crucial, to me, feels like a 6" bait will overload the rod and I lose control of the bait. They're much more friendly on the XH than the H. Notice, though, the last statement I made that the H will handle the range if you aren't going to throw bigger baits. It's a preference thing, sorry I offended your taste.

Clear water I almost always end up with Ghost Minnow. Stained water, I usually start with Crack or Gold.. I also do well on Skeet's Magic, Chart Blue, Gunmetal Shad, Aurora blue, Aurora Perch, Table Rock Shad... that list could cover all 47 colors, really. I have all of them, and at some point in the scheme will fish all of them depending on where I am, and the fish's mood. If you're fishing stained water, in general, go to a brighter color, Chartreuse Shad, Crack, something like that. If you're fishing gin clear water, Ghost Minnow, Aurora Blue, or Ghost Shad are good bets. As far as retrieve, erratic is the best way to describe it. Early I might dead stick a jerkbait for as long as a couple minutes. It's painful to do, and you're not going to cover a ton of water, but it works. I'll fish them on some lakes like Tablerock by letting them deadstick over points in the wind. (I picked that up from a guide I fished with down there a couple years ago...) I might rip them fast as the water warms. It all depends on the fish, what they want, and their mood.