webertime

There's an old saying I find very appropriate for this sort of thing. Light (sensitive), Strong, or Cheap... Pick 2...

Lamiglas Excel (Casting 734 or 735) (Spinning 704). Wait for their spring sale (February?) and get them for ~$96 each. I love both of mine and am really tempted to get one of the monster 7'11" flippin' sticks. That being said, I think you're going to get a chorus of: Falcon Bucoo St. Croix Mojo Shimano Compre Abu Veritas/Vendetta All Star ASR Denali Jadewood All well respected and strong options.

The Catfish/Bullhead make me all tingly.

They had magic Swimmer Softs for $4.98 at my local Dicks. Picked up a few White and Perch/Bluegill colored ones. I LOVE to Carolina rig these things. Very effective for Smallmouths.

Well... They refused to honor the price... department manager said it was mismarked and refused to let it go. The store manager was useless as well. They offered it to me for $120 which I know is a great deal, but it's just not what I need or can really afford right now.

There's an Avid @ my local shop that is on clearence for $76. What applications would you use this rod for? Really just trying to justify not getting it I guess.

I got 2 Revo S/All Star combos for $49.97 each. Two more left in the store... must be good... resist the urges...

I have the same combo and it's really versatile and comfy. If they sell out of that rod b4 you can get one look at a Lamiglas Excel at TW (705 model) or another Carbonlite from BPS during the February "Classic" Sales.

Sometimes "Pro Staffers" have to act as a rep of sorts and do some local expos and shows. My good buddy is on Save Phace's Pro Staff and he goes to the shows for them and lends a few out to members of our local clubs to try. Kind of like an unpaid sales rep. (short of the freebies and deals).

I have used the Smoking Rooster as a sort of Fluke/Jerkbait. Just jerking it through the weeds and letting it sit for a few seconds.

X2!!!

Your Town Hall (Town Clerk) should have older Topo maps of the area that they'll let you look at. Should have a bunch of information on the map.

Curado 200/201. Keep an eye pealed they can be had for ~$150. Stone simple to set up and about as bomber as a B-52.

My buddy has the 6'9" and like is for some Topwater baits.

I have a spare Bantam Citica that is a 5.0:1 and I was wondering if it was possible to swap up to a 6.2+ ratio, or are the parts just not available anymore to do this sort of thing?

I'd head to Foxborough and try the JM on those rods. I like my C-sticks but I have lighter reels than the JM on them. The Carbonlite looks really really tempting though. As for the Spro, in your area get a Floater in Perch and a Fast Sink in Perch or Hearing (? the shiny one).

20lb P-Line CXX here on baits up to just over 4oz.

Petzl Tactikka is the way too go! ~$37!!!

Got a bunch of Hag's plastics (Tornadoes and Undertakers). Mattlures Perch Swimbait. Assorted spools of Yo Zuri Hybrid and P-Line CXX. Picasso Jigheads and weedless Swarming Hornets in various sizes. Tungsten worm and ds weights. A new tackle bag. A bunch of $$$ on BPS cards. New boots (rated to -80!) and a new auger to keep me occupied while VT is frozen. A great haul!

"Getting Beat and Sucking Feet!" "Toe before Hoes!"

LLBean's Polarized glasses are $40-$50 and made by Smith Optics I love mine and with Bean's customer support you basically bought a lifetime of glasses with one purchase. If you have more $$$ available to you check out Native, really nice at ~$100. Check sites like sierratradingpost.com for amazing deals on glasses.

Check ebay (sheldonsclothing) for Quantum PT Swimbait rods. They have 7'9" and 7'11", rated for 1-5oz. They do a 2 for $100 deal but every once in a while will have auctions on singles. I got mine (7'9") for $40+ shipping. It weighs 5.8oz, and has a really nice action.

Kind of a complete 180 from what you might be thinking and what's been suggested. How about a bush trip to Ontario? HUGE Smallies, no pressure, clean and quiet. A group of friends went last summer and one guy got an 8lb Smallie and numerous 5's were caught. I can PM you the lake if you want. Plus there are nice LM and Northerns so big and mean they'll steal your girlfriend.

Kind of a complete 180 from what you might be thinking and what's been suggested. How about a bush trip to Ontario? HUGE Smallies, no pressure, clean and quiet. A group of friends went last summer and one guy got an 8lb Smallie and numerous 5's were caught. I can PM you the lake if you want. Plus there are nice LM and Northerns so big and mean they'll steal your girlfriend.

Kind of a complete 180 from what you might be thinking and what's been suggested. How about a bush trip to Ontario? HUGE Smallies, no pressure, clean and quiet. A group of friends went last summer and one guy got an 8lb Smallie and numerous 5's were caught. I can PM you the lake if you want. Plus there are nice LM and Northerns so big and mean they'll steal your girlfriend.