.ghoti.

Hey Jack, I'm glad to see that there's someone a bit more OCD than I am about fresh line. I keep el cheapo backing line on almost all my reels; topping off with about 75 yards, at most, of fresh line. Even with that, I go through two 1000yd spools of #10 and two of #12 every year. Plus 330yds of 6, 8 and 14. Nice to see I'm not alone.

Lee, I have reel for your buddy. if you can wait a few days for it, that is. It's a Quantum Energy PT770. I removed the spool bearings for use in a different reel. I've ordered new bearings from Quantum. The weekend after they arrive, I can get the reel cleaned and lubed, and the new bearings installed. I'm working about 70 hours a week right now, so there is no time during the week for anything other than work, sleep and drive. Let me know if you want it. Cheers, GK

Sir Snook, you make a valid point. There is no consistency in rod power ratings. All you really be sure of is, a MH is more powerful than a M, if you're comparing rods within the same lineup. ie, Avid to Avid. I wish all the rod manufacturers would adopt the Common Sense (Cents) System. We could all then be able to make informed comparisons, and decisions.

I'm going to agree with that based on my experiences. In the two places I fish most, switching from #12 to #10 will very often result in more fish in the boat. Dropping to #8, on a spinning rig, will produce even more. Doesn't happen all the time, but it happens often enough that I pay attention to it. I had always assumed that it was a line visibility issue. RoLo may have made a very valid point. It's entirely possible that the effect of differing line diameters on the action of the bait is the reason for the change in productivity, on the days when this occurs. Another variable to consider when trying to solve the daily puzzle.

phoneman, before you buy either rod, and both are excellent sticks, go to a store that has them and mount a reel on one. See how it feels to you. The reason I suggest this is the small diameter of the grips. I have two AVS68MXF rods, and don't use either one. It takes about 30 minutes fishing one of these to cramp up my right hand. The grip is just way too small for me.

There's one thing seriously wrong with your options list. There's no such thing as too much stuff. If you insist on repeating this claim, we're going to revoke your MAN card. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Keep it up Elongated Michael. It will be funny to see an ILLINI throw your old arse out of your own boat. ;D ;D ;D

For fishing in freezing temps, I prefer cognac. Doesn't do much for the guides, or line, but who cares? ;D ;D I don't know what's in KVD, and don't really care. I do know that it works well, if you follow the directions. Applying it to the line, and to the guides and rod does help in freezing conditions. It does not prevent ice from forming. It does make it much easier to rid the line and guides of ice once it does form. As far as I know, the only thing that will prevent ice from forming on the guides and line is an air temperature above 273 degrees K.

Well now, isn't that just plain cool?

Ike's Spike jighead from TruTungsten; 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4oz. Strike King 3X worm. One of these pairings is tied on all the time. Very productive shaken, swam or hopped. Shake2 jighead and Rage Tail Space Monkey. Certainly not what you'd think of as a shaky bait, but, it's hard to beat sometimes. Other times a more traditional jig retrieve is the ticket. 1/8oz Spot Stalker jighead with a 4" or 5" Senko. These are my three main jigheads. I'll fish any plastics on one or all of these.

jUST GETTIN' YER ATTENSHUN, BUDDY.

Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.

last evening's snack a little Danish Cream Havarti some Wheat Thins a bowl of black grapes glass (or two) of Kendall Jackson Cabernet Sweet dreams are made of these

The graveside service just barely finished, when there was massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance. The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, 'Well, she's there.'

Give Daiwa a call (562) 802-9589 See if a TDZ handle will fit. I think it will. I put these handles on three of my Millionaires, and have order two more for my Fuegos. Very light weight, I believe they are magnesium, with four bearings. A nice addition for a reel used for moving baits. Oil the bearings for a more connected feel, but grease them for a very smooth, fluid feel. $40 each, a much more comfortable price than the carbon fiber handles.

Only one way to go when you hook yourself. 1. Use the method described above. 2. Change your underwear. 3. Continue fishing

Now, that's funny right there. Coming, as it does, from one the baitmonkey's prime enablers. ;D ;D ;D If you had looked through my plastics bags last year, you would have noticed that Yamamoto baits dominated the selection. If you look now, you'll find Rage Tail baits about neck and neck with Mr Y's baits. Big O doesn't have the baitmonkey on his back. He has him in his pocket. ;D ;D ;D

Glad to hear you'll be there again, Joe. From one "hophead" to another, I'll have a few new brews for you to try. I actually found one beer that just may have too much hops. I wouldn't have thought that possible, but it just may be true. I'll bring a couple for you, and you can decide for yourself.

gotcha beat, on all counts.

Didn't you get us all drunked up on Saturday nite, not Friday? Who can remember anyway? The good news is RW says there's a Liquor store across the road from the park we can crawl to in an emergency. Oh boy, maybe it was Saturday night. The sign of a good gathering: you don't remember what night it was. ;D Whichever it is, I'll do it again this trip.

Are we having the "Friday Night Wine & Cheese Soiree" again this year? If any who will be there Friday night will PM me, I'll make sure to bring enough this time. We ran out of wine last time. I only brought four bottles, Kent brought two and CJ brought one. That was not enough. CWB, what's this obsession with the Mook shirt? I have one. I'd be happy to trade it for something of equal value. Say a new GLX. Or a new Steez. Or a,......... you get the idea. ;D ;D ;D

mono for treble-hook lures mono for plastics mono for spinnerbaits, etc flouro for nothing braid for my muskie rods

Don't know what your price range is, so I'll give you two options. A BPS Pro Finesse 6'9" ML. Sells for $100, and is regularly on sale for 80. A St Croix LT 6'9" MLXF. Sells for around $220, and as far as I know, is never on sale. I have both of these, and they are both good for what you want. Neither of these rods has a pistol grip. If a pistol grip is what you want, I'll give you another, probably very hard to find option. A Team Daiwa, George Cochran, topwater / twitchin rod. Made in the early 90's, it's a 6' medium power, mod-fast action, pistol grip rod, with a very soft tip. I have one, and still use it occasionally. I normally agree with RW about almost everything, but I'm going disagree with his recommendation of the Avid 6'8" MXF rod. I have one of these, and it's a great rod. One of the best values in the rod market, and good for a variety of applications. But, for an unweighted trick worm, the tip is too stiff to load enough for casting. You need to upwards of 1/4oz to get into this rod's sweet range. The two ML rods I mentioned will load with 1/8oz baits.

I use a spinnerbait a lot. I've completely gotten away from using a trailer. Over the years I've found that faster is usually better. ( see Jack's comment about not letting the fish get a good look at your bait). Most of the time, you can't crank it too fast. Until you crank it fast enough that it rolls over on it's side. You can even make one spin if you can crank it that fast. Adding a plastic trailer limits the speed you can crank a spinnerbait. It will roll over much easier with a piece of plastic installed on it's hind-end. I've never caught a bass on a spinnerbait that has rolled over on it's side. Down-sizing the blade(s) is a good way to get one to run faster. Another way is to add more weight. I use the old rubber core sinkers. Spread the sinker apart. this is easier with two pairs of pliers. Remove the rubber, and clamp the weight on the lower arm of the spinnerbait. Easy to install, and easy to remove. Adjust the size of the weight based on the depth and speed you want to hit. These are the most important variables in spinnerbait fishing; depth and speed. I never use a trailer hook, either. I just trim the skirt back until it just hides the hook.

Let me get this straight. You want to play practical jokes on a bunch of law enforcement types? You are a brave man. :D