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http://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_81_1335&products_id=9086 me want

Thanks Micro, for clearing that up. I knew I wasn't completely nuts. I really like my STX's now that they are quiet. It seems to me that they cast better. But, that just may very well be a perception issue. The noise bugged the spit out of me, and now that the reels are quiet, they just seem to work better.

weightless, t-rigged, split-shot, jighead or keel-weighted hook. All will work sometime. I use both Salty Super Flukes and Yum Houdini Shads. The Yum baits have been better this year, and last year. I fish them unweighted on a 4/0 EWG almost all of the time. Want a little quicker drop, use a superline hook faster yet, split-shot faster yet, keel weighted hook. fish on the bottom, jighead or t-rig.

I think the Avid rods are the best value in St Croix's line-up. They are light, crisp and sensitive. Quality componenets with excellent fit and finish. I have two Avid spinning rods. I do not use either. I gave them to my wife. I find the handles to be way too small to be comfortable for anything other than short term use.

There's a lesson to be learned form that story. But it's a hard one to apply. I've caught fish like like. Usually after a backlash. Cast out backlash spend 5 minutes picking at it. get a drink light a cigar pick up the rod fish on. I just don't have to patience to let a bait sit that long.

I use five of the double-sided binder bags like these. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_37109_100011010_100000000_100011000_100-11-10 10 bags on each side, organized by types. One bag has straight worms in one side and curl-tail worms in the other. One bag has Senkos in one side and Ikas in the other. One bag has flukes on side and tubes in the other. One bag has critter baits in both sides; craws, hula grubs, rage craws, rage lobster, space monkeys, lizards, GYCB Kreatures, etc. The last bag I keep for day trips, and has a small selection of everything in one bag. The small zipper pockets in each side of each bag hold the correct terminal tackle for each category. very handy.

I have two fo these reels; one 6.4:1 and one 7.1:1. Both were noisy during the cast, and during a high speed retrieve. One of the reels was a gift, and one was bought from the flea market, and was new in box. Others had reported that these reels tended to make some noise during the cast, but that it didn't seem to affect performance. That was my experience, but I still did not care for the sound. So, I started by experimenting with different lubes. I also got out the trusty, old Dremel, and polished up all the high speed contact points. I tried Shimano oil, Daiwa oil, Yellow Rocket Fuel, Reel Butter oil, and the el cheapo Zebco oil. The Zebco oil is the only one that had a positive affect on the noise, and that was only temporary. About 20 casts later, the noise was back. So I did what I would normally do to a reel making this type of sound, and replaced the spool bearings. I remembered that I had two pairs of spool bearings for Energy PT reels. The bearings were the same size, so I cleaned, lubed and installed them. Problem solved. Both reels are smoother, quieter, and cast better. I'm not bashing Abu, or Revo's, but what are the odds that I would get two reels, new, with bad bearings? And, since others have reported similar symptoms, how many reels did they sell with flaky bearings?

That's a no-brainer.

If you want a true finesse rod, go with the med-light power. I have two, and can recommend either as a good choice for finesse plastics. The best value is a BPS Pro Finesse rod; 6'9" ML, sells for $100. This rod goes on sale every year for 80 bucks, and is a great value at that price. I use mine for flukes, small jigworms, split-shot rigs, etc. For a better, but more costly, alternative, I have a St Croix Legend Tournament 6'9" ML-Xfast rod that is just sweet for any small offerings. A 7' medium power rod is good for a wide variety of bait weights. I use two Setyr rods in this length and power. These are for me the most versatile of the rods I have. This is the right power for 4" Senkos, and any other baits of similar weight. If you're mostly using baits in this weight range, go with th 7' medium.

#54 is pure genius.

simple instructions. 1. catch a 7 pound bass. 2. put it on the scales. 3. read the actual weight (about 4 pounds)

a 7" Senko is my go-to finesse muskie bait.

4" senkos 3/0 most of the time, 2/0 for a slower fal, 4/0 for a faster drop 5" senkos, 5/0 almost all the time For power worms, offset worm hooks, not EWGs. 4/0 mostly for 7" worms 7/0 mostly for 10"

I could not agree more.

bounce worthy.

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU. One day the professor shocked the class. When he came in he looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.' The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am, God. I'm still waiting.' It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him, knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked, stunned, and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, 'What the heck is the matter with you? Why did you do that?' The Marine calmly replied, 'God was too busy today protecting American soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So, He sent me.'

Bassn, I heard a report on NPR, national public radio, a couple of months ago about this particular problem. The report included interviews with two doctors who were successfully treating this condition with exercises designed to re-align the stones. A search of the NPR.org site should show you something, and maybe a place to go or call.

Go buy about 20 of them. If you don't like them, I'll take them off your hands for what you paid plus shipping costs.

St Croix has just what you're looking for. Legend Tournament 6'9" ML-Xfast. It's very light and sensitive. Has a very soft tip, very fast taper, and more backbone that I expected. It has become one of my favorite rods, and my first choice for anything under 1/4oz. I have the older version, without the split grip. The newest incarnation feels just like the one I have, but looks cooler.

NewAngler, I have a deal for you. I have a BPS Rick Clunn model rod. 7' Medium, worm/dropshot casting rod. And a Energy Pt reel. 6.3:1 2007 year model. I don't use either one. Send me 30 bucks to cover the shipping costs, and they're yours. The only hangup will be my work schedule. I'm very busy right now, and may not be able to get to the post office until next weekend.

Over the last couple of years I've been upgrading all my rods. Been selling, trading, or giving away all the older rods. The only BPS rod left in regular rotation is the Pro Finesse, 6'9" ML. Got it for 80 bucks, on sale, and that is the best 80 bucks I've spent on a rod. A very good rod for 1/8oz jighead/plastic, flukes, trickworms, etc. An excellent value for $100, even better when on sale, which they are regularly.

A bud of mine sent these. Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: What are your green fees? Staff: 38 dollars. Caller: Does that include golf? Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I need to get some information from you. First, is this your correct phone number? Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, we have a tee time for two weeks from Friday. What's the weather going to be like that day? Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I had a tee time for this afternoon but I'm running late. Can you still get me out early? Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, do you have one of those areas where you can buy a bucket of golf balls and hit them for practice? Staff: You mean a driving range? Caller: No, that's not it..,,, Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I'd like to get a tee time tomorrow between 12 o'clock and noon. Staff: Between 12 o'clock and noon? Caller: Yes. Staff: We'll try to squeeze you in. Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you have any open tee times around 10 o'clock? Staff: Yes, we have one at 10:15. Caller: What's the next time after that? Staff: We have one at 10:22. Caller: We'll take that one. It will be a bit warmer. Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: How much to play golf today? Staff: 25 to walk, 38 with a cart. Caller: 38 dollars? Staff: No, 38 yen. Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: What do you have for tee times tomorrow? Staff: What time would you like? Caller: What times do you have? Staff: What time of the day? Caller: Any time. Staff: Morning or afternoon? Caller: Whenever. Staff: We have 16 times open in the morning and 20 open in the afternoon. Would you like me to read the whole list? Caller: No, I don't think any of those times will work for me. Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you have a dress code? Staff: Yes, we do. We require soft spikes.. Caller: How about clothes? Staff: Yes, you have to wear clothes. Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, do you have a driving range there? Staff: Yes. Caller: How much for a bucket of large balls? Staff: Sorry, we're all out of large balls. But we can give you twice as many small balls for the same price. Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Can I get a tee time for tomorrow? Staff: Sure, what time would you like? Caller: Something between 9 o'clock and 10 o'clock. In the morning, if possible. Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you rent golf clubs there? Staff: Yes, they're 25 dollars. Caller: How much to rent a bag? Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, my husband just called me on his cell phone and told me he's on the 15th hole. How many more holes to play before he gets to the 18th? Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, do you have a driving range there? Staff: Yes. Caller: How much for a large bucket? Staff: Four dollars. Caller: Does that include the balls? Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Do you have a twilight rate? Staff: Yes, it's 15 dollars after 2 o'clock. Caller: And what time does that start? Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: Yes, I'd like some info about your golf course. Staff: OK, what would you like to know? Caller: I don't know, that's why I called. Staff: Golf course, may I help you? Caller: My kids just came home with pockets full of range balls and said they stole them from your driving range. Would you like to buy them back?

A man and his wife were celebrating their 10 year anniversary by taking a trip to a sunny Caribbean island. The wife insisted the husband accompany her as she shopped for a new swimsuit. While on the way to the mall, she asked, "should I get a bikini or an all-in-one"? He replied, "get a bikini". Why, she asked. Because you'll never get it all in one, he replied. The trip was cancelled.

*** used to sell the *, a Fat Ika knock-off that many folks here used with success. They no longer offer them, and I've seen no other alternatives. I'm with you; love the bait, don't like the price. I keep buying them anyway. They simply catch fish.

Shelbyville is about 20 minutes from me. I have a couple of buds who fish clubs tourneys there, and they have had nothing good to say about the lake this year. From March through June, we had an unusual amount of rainfall. With this lake being a flood control impoundment, water levels have changed drastically. the weather has stabilized lately, lake levels should be more stable, so the fishing may very well be on the mend. Give me a shout when you're in the area. I'll meet you for cup o' joe, if I can get away. Cheers, GK