Mike L

I bring the same combos every time regadless if I'm fishing with a local club, BFL, TBF, Bass Nation or the ABA It doesnt matter which, I always bring the same combo's.... Casting Phenix M1 mh/f...Spinner/chatterbait Phenix X11 moderate composite..Crank, Top water Fenwick Techna AV mh/f...Plastics Falcon Heavy (carolina lizard dragger)...Frog/swimbait Allstar ASR mh/f...Jigs Spinning Phenix M1 m/xf...Wacky, Shaky etc Mike Communication with your boater is key. I'll adjust the amount and bait styles accordingly, but the equipment doesn't vary.

Not to confuse you with more suggestions, but Ive gone through 3 bags the last few years but none had enough storage space, or the right compartments in the right places for my liking. Then I found the Lambeau AZ 8. There are smaller versions, but this thing had all the right things in the right places for the easiest access for anything you'd need. Mike

This is gonna get crazy, but I'll add another that deserves your consideration... 7' 2" Phenix M1 mh/f Mike

Texas Rig Spinner/Chatterbait Shakey Mike

I have 3 Phenix rods and love them all.. The M1 7'2 mh/f, X 11 composite crank rod and a M1 m/xf spinning rod. Never owned a Powell rod so can't help you there. I agree with 21farms, Phenix could have put more thought into the location of the hook keeper but it's certainly not a deal breaker. They are light, balanced, strong and very well made rods for sure. I'm also thinking about getting the M1 Heavy as I hear great things about them. Not too many folks comment on the Phenix line here, so I just wanted to throw in my thoughts. I'm sure you'd be pleased with either. Mike

Glue, mono line, parasite clips, tooth pick etc. All work and are good suggestions. If you dont want to use anything extra, imho a twist lock or a skip gap hook are your best option. Mike

Ahhhh You young guy's don't know what real music is Cruisin down the street in my '65 GTO with my best girl sitting in the middle with her arm around my shoulders, it's hot out, but there's a nice breeze blowing. The windows are down, I'm slouched really low in the seat with my elbow resting on the door... The 389 is rumbling, she's buckin just a little so I give her a pop of the accelerater just to push us back in the seat, at the same time turning the wheel to the right ever so slightly to slide her a little tighter to me... I turn the radio on and "Cruzin" by Smokey "Bill" Robinson starts playing, I turn it up.. Then the Temps come on, "My Girl" starts playing and I...I...well you know... Boy's, thats music! Mike

Question sir... How would you compare the AETOS to the AV..Sensitivity, balance, quality of components etc. I was thinking about getting one but to me, that mh/f Techna AV I have now compares favorably to any high end rod made today. Mike

With a swim jig I'll cast and retrieve it back after letting it fall to the depth I want first. Then about 1/4 of the way back let fall, give it a 2 to 5 count and bring it back, stopping to let it fall 1/2 then 3/4 the way back to the boat. With a sq bill crank bait I wait for all the ripples to subdue after it hits the water, give it a few sharp jerks, let it rise to the surface, then reel it back. For a mid to deep diver, I start reeling when it hits the water, then periodically burn the reel or give a few short pulls of the rod. Mike

Thats too bad. Fenwick stopped making the Techna AV about 4 yrs ago which is a shame. I have a 7ft mh/f baitcaster, which is my go to plastics rod. They are one fine fishing pole. Mike

Like most of you I used left handed spinning reels and right handed spin casting reels growing up. I'm right handed. But For the life of me I just cant get comfortable reeling a baitcaster left handed. I tried too many times and finally gave up. Don't know why, cant explain it. Now I can pitch left handed quite effectively, which is an advantage. Strange Huh... Mike

Nothing wrong with that at all!! You can catch most any freshwater water fish that swims with that reel / combo and do it with confidence. Is it ideal for all larger species, no but I've been fishing for a looong time and some of the equipment I use isnt ideal for all situations either. But I own it, like it, its good enough for me. Just go fishin and catch a big one!! Mike

You were there!! Mike

I never used anything bigger than 10" and that's in Fla where a larger worm can dominate in the summer. Honestly I really cant see where a 12" to 16" worm will catch larger numbers or larger individuals. Thats just me. Mike

The hook size is bigger, the molded weight will be smaller as it is lighter. Since the hook size is bigger the overall weight might be pretty close . I hope I understood your question correctly, and helped Mike

The one I remember the most was a 2 lb LM who hit my 20yr old Pop R about 3 ft from the boat. He hit it so hard I got wet! Mike

Okeechobee craw sticko Mike

Yeah Buddy! As I posted on another thread my pb was on the standard size brush hog. It's one of my top 5 plastics. T rig, C rig, or Fla rig in sparse cover, doesn't matter. The only time I wont throw it is flippin into heavy cover for obvious reasons. The only time Ive had any success with the baby is when the water turns cold (by Fla standards) but even then I've had success just cutting back or cutting off entirely the middle tail of the standard size. Mike

Harry Truman had 2 more years to go when I was born! Whew!! Mike

Agree Mike

My PB was on the regular sized brush hog! It's one my top 5 plastics Im really surprised some of you guys struggle with it. Anyway I struggle with any type or size of a Spro frog. I gave all of mine away a while back, I just dont have much confidence in them, and just use the Koppers and Scum. Go figure Mike

RI Sweet Beaver / Rage Bug...5/0 twist lock hook BPS Stick O / Sluggo..4/0 skip gap hook Brush Hog..4/0 skip gap hook Mike

I trim them to the barb if needed. Most quality jigs youll find that is where they are. Mike

Felix pretty much covered it. What I do also is, I'll rig a bobber stop on the line and adjust it up and down as the cover changes while trolling an area. This way I can use the same combo without stopping. Mike

Contact our very own Memphis FF. He is a firefighter extrodinare who I have the utmost repect for, not only as a firefighter but also as a friend. I'm sure he would gladly answer any question you have. Mike