WanderLust

Yeah I have a 51E and its my weightless plastic setup. Mine is sitting on a G Loomis BCR803 GLX. Now if this place would just melt a bit.

I used to take my girl with me all the time... She has ADD when it comes to this kind of thing though. last year she bought a kayak and she would go for a paddle while I fished.

LOL - It was the only white blanket I could find. Leftover from my ex-wife I'm sure.

I opt mainly for a split ring these days but for larger topwater hardbait its tough to beat.

There isn't an option for a bigger spool on a 200 series reel. The Revo Winch has an awesome drag and is very smooth. Doesn't cast smaller cranks as well as the Curado and is obviously a larger profile. Curado is a great all around reel minus the color. I have a 201E7 and a 51E. If they made a 201E5 I have that one too. I'm sure you'll be happy with whichever you pick.

*cough* Lake Fork Magic Shad... ;D

I use a Winch for my cranking and I'm a Shimano guy... Its a great reel, very smooth. If you're a righty I would highly advise a Curado E5 though, really can't be beat for the money. I'LL defer to J Francho or DVT or other reel expert as to whether a reel upgrade is good option.

Powell makes a mean stick for a great price. I would recommend a beaver bait and a good flippin' hook (I've used gammy and just got a pack of trokars) with a bait keeper. Chigger craw and various other creature baits (flappin hog comes to mind) are extremely popular as well. Don't forget the JJ's magic either. I'm not a master of this by any means but did stay at a holiday inn last night... ;D JK been researchig quite a bit.

Northstar Gum Drop - Bass Candy.

Gander Mountain also has YUM products for a serious discount. Got 5 bags of dingers for $2.46 a pack.

LOL yeah... Its a great bait; weedless, fairly durable and downright deadly. It's similar to a tube which I also like. I've been messing with different rigging options so the smaller tubes and grubs will be part of the cold water assault on the smallies.

Most of the stuff I fish in that area is shallow cover close to deeper water. Rock piles, bridges, docks and if you like flipping grass there's that too... Find the bait, use the wind and you'll find the fish. Real good largemouth fishing and some big smallies too. I also bagged a 41" Northern last year.

I have access to a kayak and a death trap canoe... Currently looking for a boat for this season so we'll see what happens there. Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat Boat lol soon. Not like we can use it anytime soon.

Could be worse... you could be staring at a closed season, 3' of snow covering the ground with more coming, and mid 20's for highs.... :-[ Story of my life right now... Ice out is in June I guess.

I have access to a kayak and a death trap canoe... Currently looking for a boat for this season so we'll see what happens there.

It works in all conditions I fish. That's why I buy stock in them.

LOL - I have tons of plastics in storage... This is just new additions.

With all this lovely weather in VT I have been forced to clean and organize my gear... Here are this year's additions. Yep, the monkey did a number of me.

Hope we'll be fishing soon. Check out my back deck... That giant snow hill is my grill.

Yo-Zuri ultra soft is much more managable than standard Hybrid. bang for buck its a real winner. If you need a cheaper one Trilene 100% is very decent for the money especially with KVD line & lure. I've tried Vicious, 100%, InvisX, AbrasX and Tatsu at this point. Tatsu is the clear winner but at a premium. 100% and as someone already said BPS XPS are cost effective and work pretty darn well.

I like the palomar as its so easy to tie. Most of my rigs I'm using a Berkley Braid Knot; it has excellent knot strength and doesn't slip. One major disadvantage is that its bulky.

LOL we just got 18" on new snow here...

The Toro Winch is a great reel as well. I have a 2010 Winch, great reel for cranks. Super smooth, nice drag and casts great.

On my crankbait rig I sometimes use a snap. Especially if we're going to hit multiple spots with varying depths. Also use a swivel on spinning gear to avoid line twist.

LOL - yeah that will upset you. Snapping the blades off.