.ghoti.

Exactly. They are a lot more trouble than they're worth. I can tie a new knot quicker than I can change baits using one of those ^$#^^*&%#$ things. A fresh knot is ALWAYS a good thing.

Way more than I use. I keep tying on the same ones over and over until I donate them to the lake. I have a few dozen that have never been wet.

Glad to see ya back, Grizzly. Speedbead and that Low Budget guy showing back up at the same time? Is this a conspiracy?

Nice to see yer still on the shiny side of the sod. You still farming?

Received mine yesterday. Thanks Glenn & Keri, and Thanks Big-O. Got a trip to trophy Country coming up soon, and this will be the first bait in the water.

nastynate, I have an article detailing what you want to know. It will be published in the articles section of Bass resource in the near future. Once you read it, PM me with any other questions.

You're absolutely correct Lunker. That Roadwarrior character despises YoZuri.

If it's brand new, ride it like you stole it for a couple weeks to make sure everything works. Then tear it down for a complete clean and lube. I've seen a lot of new reels with way too much grease in them, or not enough, over-lubed and under-lubed bearings, dry drags, etc. And no, they do not lube all reels the same at the factory. It seems to be a very hit or miss process. My personal process is to spool up a new reel, or a used reel that's new to me, cast it a few times in the back yard, then tear it down. I wnat mine clean and properly lubed right from the start. But, I've heard my original statement (ride it like you stole it) from more than one professional reel tech, so that's my advice to you. Asking what is the best lube is a good way to start an argument. Or at least a spirited discussion. Shimano grease for drags washers and gears. Ardent reel butter oil for everything else. These two readily available products will serve you well.

Foam pipe insulation works nicely for wrapping the rod. Cut a piece long enough to cover the rear grip, another to cover the reel seat, another to cover the tip and and extra piece or two to support the middle of the rod. You can buy enough to ship several rods for less than five bucks.

Bankbeater has deliver the correct translation of those words. I need to add, that in 20 years of marriage, I have never heard the phrase.

For me, tungsten brings nothing to the table but a high price. I can buy 20 Ultra Steel weights for the price of one tungsten weight. Spend your money on something more important. Like a larger selection of plastics.

It's not going to replace a t-rig or a stand up jighead, but is a viable "middle-ground" alternative. I've caught some fish this year with the rig. With my limited time on the water this year I have no conclusions regarding when, where, or what conditions favor this rig. Just not enough time to tell.

Forgot this; Hot Sauce is ok. Go ahead and use what you have. But when cold weather arrives get yourself some better lube. There is no "best" oil for bearings, only opinions. Oust is good. Ardent bearing oil is good. Daiwa red oil is good, if you can find some. The needle oilers from Daiwa and Zebco are too thick for spool bearings. TSI 321 is great, but I haven't used it on ceramic bearings so I won't recommend it for you. Hot sauce is pretty far down on my list.

Vinny, lube them. Ceramic bearings can be run dry, but the noise will drive you crazy. Unless you're deaf of course. If you are very lucky you will get the seals off and back on. Getting them re-installed is a problem. they will normally make contact with the balls and truly degrade casting performance. Must people run them without seals for that very reason. My advice; only remove one seal on each bearing. You can still get them clean and lubed. When you install the bearings, have the seal facing the spool.

For a one rod approach I'd agree with this recommendation completely. I have two of these rods and don't go anywhere without at least one of them. Another candidate is another LTB; a 7' MH-XF. This particular rod is not the usual St Croix. It seems to me to be a true MH. It has about the same backbone as the rod JF mentioned; maybe just a hair more power in the butt, and a nice soft tip. I have one of these, and it always goes with me. I usually have a small jig-n-craw or jighead/creature bait tied on. I have used it for cranks and it does that better than I would have thought.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I use four rods for treble-hooked baits. I could get by with three of them. I almost never have more than two with me at any given time, and normally only have one. I think a good rod for small cranks has almost nothing in common with a good deep crank rod. And a good jerkbait rod is something different than either.

In terms of time on the water, this year has been the worst I can remember. I've scarcely fished enough to justify buying the license. Work and weather are to blame. I've worked a lot more than normal this summer, and when I've had a day off, it's been too danged hot for me to be interested. I've had a kayak for two months and have had it on the water less than eight hours. That's going to change shortly. My fall teaching schedule is going to give me two afternoons off each week. Cooler weather has to be coming, so I'm going to get in some yak time.

It's been a long, long time since I've heard anybody mention King Crimson. Robert Fripp (I think that was the name of the guitar player) was years ahead of his time. For the last three years I've been re-discovering my earliest influences; Miles Davis, John Coltrane, early Weather Report, Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, etc. Kind of Blue, with Miles, 'Trane and Bill Evans was, and will always be, one of my all-time favs. One I tried to re-discover was Ornette Coleman. I remember once being fond of his stuff, but after a recent listen, I came to the conclusion that he must have been seriously unbalanced. Maybe I was too. In a Silent Way, with Miles, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Tony Williams and Dave Holland, was my birthday present from my sweetie last year. A three cd set containing the entire recording session. This one is also in my top 5 all time list.

I been going to TC 3 or 4 times per year for ten years now. Doesn't seem like it's been that long. If I were going right now, for one day, I would be fishing the pit they call Upper Duck. Second choice; The Islands. Let us know how it goes.

try these also http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/silicone-skirts/

At least she wasn't trying to lip it!!!!

This is the one you want. I have one, an older full grip model, and it is the ultimate finesse baitcaster. Mine has an Alphas mounted with #6 YoZuri. This is the rig I pick up when most would choose a spinning combo. At the bargain room price, you can't go wrong.

This is the one that turns my crank. http://japantackle.com/Shimano/Shimano_12Antares.htm I have all Daiwa baitcasters, but I'd join the Shimano Posse for one of these.

Piece o' cake. Find your spot and drop your bouy. Then make a lousy cast and tangle your crankbait in the rope. Four out of six hook-points will be embedded in the rope. By the time you get those unhooked you'll have one point in your thumb and another in your pant's leg. By the time you get those undone you will have drifted to the other side of the lake. Might as well fish there.