.ghoti.

I remember those. I have a couple, stashed somewhere. Gonna have to find those and start using them again.

No secrets, but here are my go-to baits, in no particular order. PB&J Zman worm on a 1/8oz Gammy Skipgap jighead Fat Ika, reverse rigged, 4/0 EWG hook Yum Houdini shad, 5/0 EWG hook, no weight Okee Craw Space Monkey on a 5/16oz Evo Shake2 jighead GYCB Big Kahuna Kuttail worm, plum, t-rigged, 5/0 EWG hook, pegged 1/16oz steel weight with steel bead Poor Boys tube watermelon rose color, 3/0 Rig-N hook, 1/16oz internal tube weight

Spinning - 6'10" Daiwa TD-X (dropshot) Casting- 6'6" Setyr M-F (jerkbaits and small topwaters) Casting - 6'6" Setyr MH-F (spinnerbaits) On the other end of the spectrum, I used to have five 7'6" rods. I have one of those left, and don't use it. I discovered the hard way that I don't like rods much longer than 7'.

I have a Dobyns Champion 7'6" H-F that I do not like and do not use. I have a Daiwa L&T 7' H-R that I like and use; for buzzbaits, frogs, and every now and then for deep cranks. I could easily get by without it. Where I fish, a heavy power rod is not necessary.

My stuff gets all piled up in the garage. Then I cuss like a psychotic electrician when I have to find a specific item.

Cool story, Bobby. When you coming out with a bait called the U-rig?

Look at the belly on that beast. That fat girl has been at the buffet for a long time.

I recently had some bourbon bacon chocolate chip cookies. They were AWESOME.

That's the most versatile rod I own. Enough so I bought a second.

My most versatile rod is a St Croix LTB 7' M-F. My least versatile rod is a St Croix LTB 7' MH-XF. Go figure.

Being from Illinois, I would have to say that many, if not most, northern anglers are multi-species anglers. Many southern anglers, but probably not most, are primarily bass fishermen. That would be my own observation. I could be mistaken. Many more Yankees fish with live bait. That is simply easier to do with spinning gear. Try fishing a lindy rig sometime with a med-heavy baitcaster spooled up with 14-20 pound line and see what happens. Conversely, try taking your yankee stick, spooled up with #6 mono and try to flip some hydrilla beds. Ain't gonna work out so well for ya. Northern waters tend to be a lot clearer than southern waters. This dictates a stealthier, light line, light weight, approach, and until recently that meant spinning gear. But, at the top of the list would be personal preference. A lot of us northerners did not grow up fishing casting gear, and most southerns did not grow up with spinning gear. You tend to use what you're used to using. I went for almost two decades without ever picking up a spinning rod. (we don't need no stinkin fairy wand) I now have five, and use them regularly.

Got da hat fo dat, mon.

Still to be determined. Caught a bunch of trout on the White River in February, but have yet to go bass fishing.

To answer your initial question; no, you don't "need" an application specific crankbait rod. I have two of the same LTB rods you have, and they are the most versatile rods I own. Try it. You might like it. Try all of your rods for cranking. You just may find something you like.

Today, I'm thinking about retirement. I think I'm going to pull the plug at the end of this semester.

Now, that's what I'm talkin about! If I win the raffle, do I have to fish braid?

To net, or, not to net. That is the question.

LOL Nicely done, sir.

My Fuegos all have Carbontex drags, stainless ABEC 7 spool bearings, four bearing TD-Z handles and a full internal polishing job. Actually, all of my reels except one have the same mods. Once I've tuned up a reel, I just can't seem to sell it.

What's this? You applying for Long Mike's position as Sheriff of the Grammar Police?

Looks like a good place to post my results. I have 26 confirmed for Wednesday evening. I've heard from everybody except BG RTR and Pete-K.

I've had several Quantum reels. Three of the 600 series PT casting reels; the first reels designated PT; three of the 700 series PT casting; and two PT spinning reels. All were solid performers. I had no problems with any of them. All were in good working order when I sold them. A buddy of mine bought the three 600 reels, and they are all still working just fine. I still have the two spinning reels. They are my wife's reels, and they are still going strong ten years in.

I have a rod rack built into my Jeep that holds eight combos; so that's what I need. Which eight depends on location, season and fish species. If I only had one, I could get by with it, and be happy I'm going fishing. I have more, so I take more.

Straight from Jamaica, mon.

I'm not quite as light weight as you. My Alphas are spooled with #10, and are mounted on my lightest power rods. The Zillions are spooled with #14, and are on my heaviest power rods. My Fuegos are spooled with #12, and are on the rest of the rods. Keeps me somewhat organized.