Mike L

My punching rod is rating to 1 1/2 oz. And had to use a 2 oz. a few times last summer and didn't flinch. 7' 4" Smoke H/XF Mike

I only use braid for punching, very heavy cover and for on top for casting reel. I also use braid on my only spinning outfit, but with a floro leader. Sometimes you just can't keep a tight line, I don't have to worry about it useing floro. Mike

I'm slowly accumulating more Rage products than anything else. But ther will always be a place for a RI Sweet Beaver and a brush hog Mike

I also just saw this...0119 is exactly right. Coco Plum (us old timers call it 9 mile canal) is where you want to be in the No Port Pt Charlotte area. At the top end there is a boat ramp with 2 docks just south of the dam off NP Blvd behind the YMCA behind the tennis courts. I used to take the grandkids there. You can fish off the docks or walk the shoreline. Travel south on US 41 to Cranberry turn left and then right on Hillsborough, 9 mile will be on your left all the way down. You have to look for openings to the canal as there are homes and heavy vegetation all along it but you will see some. The farther south you go into Port Charlotte it'll be a little easier. There are monster's in there! Good Luck Mike

Look into the Phenix M1 series. I bought a 7'2 mh/f that I intended to use as a plastics rod but to me it fishes more like m/f. I use it now as a designated spinnerbait/chatterbait, swim jig rod and for that it's perfect. Mike

Ditto Mike

Koopers and the under appreciated, seldom talked about, little 'ol Scum Frog. I know, I know, all the mainstream brands like Spro, Live Target, Ish's Phat etc. and all the other mainstream brands get a lot of play here and are good product's that work well for most, somebody has to stick up for the little guy Mike

Ooops, that's green pumpkin for the hog. Mike

For site fishing on beds I like either a Sweet Beaver, standard sized Brush Hog with the end tails cut off or a BB Cricket. Colors are allways june bug for the beaver, green for the cricket and white for the cricket. This year I'm gonna try the Rage Structure Bug. I only have june bug and that Alabama something colors, so we'll see what happens this weekend If we find any. Mike

When I use a spinning set up for that it's 20# braid with a 12# floro leader. Mike

Captain is exactly right. If you got the cash enter all of them at the same time. If you have a boater who does the same you're good to go. If not, you'll be put on the waiting list for a guaranteed boater who's looking for a co angler himself. Until then you will have priority for all dates regardless of the priority deadline date for each tournament. Mike

I only throw a Skinny Dipper or a Big EZ. For both I'll use either a 6/0 1/4 oz weighted screw lock hook or a 5/0 unweighted screw lock with a pegged glass bullet, or a 1/16 oz bullet weight. I re-rig my frog rod when I do. 7' H/F, PQ with a mid 6 ratio reel, spooled with 30# braid. Mike

Ditto I started useing the bass pro ones but the rods kept pushing through the tip. Mike

Ditto Mike

Thanks Fella's You answered my next question... Mike

I use 2 Custom 7'6" MHX blank, 7:1 Revo with 60lb braid.. punching and very heavy vegetation. 7'0" MH/F Fenwick Techna AV, 7:1 Curado E with 15# Invisex (soon to be either sniper or shooter once I make up my mind) for all other cover. Mike

Rage Shellcracker which isn't talked about much and the Smokin Rooster which is once in a while. Mike

IMHO, when sensitivity is key. Mike

You're gonna love that thing! Mike

Thanks Pal! Mike

Ty If I may, what application to do you use Sniper, Shooter and Tatsu for? Mike

Ditto Never had a problem with a single either Mike

Ditto I won't put it through a gill, the chance of permenant damage is to great. A hole in the bottom lip, tho not ideal either, will heal. Mike

Try a skip gap hook. Holds much better than any other style. Mike

Neither 3/0 Skip Gap for Jr's / 4/0 for supers Mike