Aaron

I currently use a 6'6" St. Croix Triumph ML and a Quantum Kinetic 20 reel with 4 or 6 pound Gamma Copoly line. In the near future I am wanting to get a shorter, 5'6" UL probably a Lightning rod and smaller UL reel either the Abu that Jake mentioned or a BPS extreme.

I have been looking at Cabelas website and the Nikon Monarch ATB's are looking pretty nice. They seem to be the best for the price I have found. I am not wanting huge binoculars and these seem like a good size, bu I am going to go put my hands on some before I buy them.

I've only used two - the Spro (my vote) and the scum frogs. I never have any luck with them so they don't see much water, but the Spro seems like a nicer lure.

My biggest catch was a 12-15lb striper/rockfish. My biggest LMB is a probably only 3 pounds. Hopefully I catch a big Musky when i go on my guided trip at the end of the month.

I have my carry permit but hardly ever carry. I usually have one in my truck though. I used to work with a guy that brailed on KY lake and he said he kept an SKS with a 30 rd magazine on his boat. He was feuding with a guy about spots and got in a pretty heated argument, so he started keeping it onbaord for intimidation purposes. Seems a little extremeto me, but to each his own.

Those are some nice fish. I am taking a guided musky trip on Lake Minnetonka at the end of July. I hope to catch fish that nice.

Thanks for the suggestion. Those Leopolds were actually one of the ones I were looking at on-line. I am going to try and get to Cabelas soon and was just wanting a starting point. Leopold and Nikon were the main ones I was looking at but I will look into Bushnell as well.

I use the Faclon spinnerbait box. It stores them horizontally. Mine isn't completely full but I don't get any tangles. Most of my spinnerbaits have trailers on them.

I am in the market for a pair of binoculars. I am looking for a compact set. My budget is in the $200-$250 range. Also, I wear glasses so they would need good eye relief. Any suggestions?

I also would go with the PVC tubes. I made two of them similar to Ballpark Frank's. I probably have less than $30 in them including the hand saw I bought to cut the pipes. I also purchased some rod sleeves from Cabelas (they are very similar to gun socks) that I put the rods in before putting them in the tubes as added protection. My rods safely made the trip from KY to MN with no damage and they were crammed in the back of the truck.

I love those falcon boxes. I have the jig box, spinnerbait box, terminal box, and a few crankbait boxes. Will get more in the future. The only problem I have had is that one of the latches on the jig box is cracked. I think it was the like that when I bought it though.

I missed the fight (no PPV for me). All my friends thought Rampage would mop the floor with Griffin but I am not surprised that Griffin won. He can take a beating so I thought it could go either way. I am pumped for the Silva fight.

After reading this post I ordered a Pointer 100. I never have really cared for jerkbaits but thought I would give it a try. Like sigmapiotto said it may take a while to use it though b/c I do not want to lose it.

I agree, I have a Curado 200DPV that rarely sees water because I don't fish deep cranks enough. My 6.2:1 reels handle most of the crankbaiting duty.

I use a MBR783C IMX for my jigs and soft plastics. It has a Curado 200DHSV with 17# Berkley Flurocarbon. I use a wide variety of jigs but stick Zoom super chunks or fat albert grub trailers. In the near future I hope to get a MBR844C as my jig/soft plastic rod. I occasionally use a BPS Bionic Blade flippin stick with a Daiwa Advantage for flipping heavy cover.

I always look in the bargain bins and usually end up buying stuff. Two of my most productive lures have come out of the bargain bins at Gander Mt.: an orange and black crankbait and a white Gary Yamamoto jig. For the most part I buy name brand stuff but I still get outfished by my friend that uses "generic" stuff from wally world. Just use what you can, fish when you can, and have fun.

The 200DHSV is a good reel it's just larger and heavier than most low profile baitcaster that are out or soon to be released. I really like the Curados (I have a 100D, a 200DPV, and a 200DHSV). If you don't mind the size I don't think you will be dissapointed if you buy one now.

Is that the big green one with the small red light in the main compartment? That's the one I have. Mine is packed full of Falcon boxes in the middle and plastics on both ends, with tools and stuff in the front pouch. I use the sunglass holder to keep my spare spinning reel spools in. I really like mine but it is almost too big to carry around. I only take it with me when I am going out in a boat. Otherwise it stays home or in my truck. I have a smaller PLano tacklebox that I carry most of the time when beating the banks.

I like Bandits as well as rattle traps(various mfg i haven't got one favorite brand)

Most tackle stores should have it I think. I have purchased it from Gander Mt as well as local places at home. I think I even saw some at Wal MArt.

Yeah it gets pretty warm in KY in July. If the temp is in the 90's the heat index will probably be close to 100. THere is still good fishing to be done though. Hope you enjoy your trip. If you have any other questions you can shoot me a PM.

I voted for loomis. I only own two spinning rods 1 loomis (GL2) and 1 croix (triumph). My opinion is a little biased toward loomis.

What size spinning reel do you have? I use a Stradic 2500 and 10# is the heaviest line I use. If you have a larger spinning reel the bigger line won't matter as much. Give the yo-zur hybrid ultrasoft a try in 6# or 8#. I don't use braids or superlines much either but if I do I go with suffix or power pro.

I would recommend Gamma Copoly or Yo-zuri Hybrid US. I have used both with no problems. IMO 14# or 15# mono seems too much for a bass fishing spinning reel. Also don't base yor opinion on super lines on Fireline as it is not one of the better options, IMHO.

You should be able to catch fish deep while you're there. Not familiar with that guide but you are staying in a good area, right between KY and Barkley lakes. You will probably get some better info before your trip. Good luck and have fun. If you like BBQ you should eat at Knoth's. I think that is the name it isn't too far from green turtle bay and has some really good BBQ.