Mike L

Agree Mike

SDJ is a Pitzen with one more step, going through both loops. I also use this for evevy line other than braid. For that I still use the Palomar. The thing about the SDJ, as with the Uni is that the knot continues to cinch tighter and tighter to the hook, or eye..The double SDJ which is just passing the line twice through the eye as you do with a Palomar, is what I use now for all flippin or pichin in heavy cover with heavy floro. Just less twists. Mike

Phenix 7' 2" mh/f M1 for spinnerbait and chatterbait's, Cuado I with 15# Invisex. Mike

Hey Jon Dont forget about your roomates!! We may have to just throw everything on a table and start grabbing Mike Mike

Thanks I know I have a few somewhere. There water is starting to warm down here so Im gonna give them another try soon. Mike

Me and Mrs Mike are in. Mike

Man, I gotta be one of the oldest guys on here. On Saturday morning's for me it was either Mighty Mouse or 3 Stooges! That was it!! There were no fishing holes, ponds or lakes in my neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. Mike

Thanks Tom As I've never fished for smallies I really had no idea what to bring. Everything I've learned about them is from here on this site. I'll be going shopping soon! Mike

Thanks Fella's Mike

Always used the Sweet Beaver, but I'm gonna have to get some Pit Boss's and try those. Mike

Fellas I was wondering, to those of you who are bringing your wives or significant others, will they be fishing?? I ask because Mrs Mike would like too, just not all day everyday ( if that is what is planned) She'd be just as happy hanging around the lodge and taking advantage of what it has to offer, or seeing any local sites ( if there are any) for the 4 days we're there. But being the kind, thoughfull, considerate, understanding guy that I am, I thought I'd ask if anyone else has other plans. Thanks Mike

But nothing!! Nothing wrong with that little fatty!! Mike

No it doesn't.... I didn't know that about Cabelas Mike

[quote name="ProCrafter" post="1492920" timestamp="1396277274"Hey Grizz, come anyway I dont have a boat either. We can always go swinging on the hammock!! The next 29 days are going to be crazy getting geared up for this trip..... Sunday.... thought I had a Stroke but thank goodness it was just Bells Palsy.. a Virus related to Chicken Pox and makes your face look like.. well... you had a Stroke! So I might be looking like Popeye The Sailor for the next few weeks until the symptoms resolve but will be there to rope some giant Smallies!!!! THE ADVENTURE HAS ALREADY STARTED!!!!

A little bigger is always better especially if you're gonna layer. It also gives more room for casting, sitting etc. My experience is that they do run a little larger for the size thats marked, but every manufacturer will cut thiers a little different. If you dont want to drive to try them on and you normally wear a large sized winter jacket, start there. But you may have to send it back and pay shipping but at least you'd have a starting point. Mike

Phenix X10 and X13 casting rod. Phenix M1 heavy 3 Curado I or E reels I know you said 5 but those would do me just fine. Mike Mike

X2 Mike

A new Dobyns or M1 would set you back a lot more than the suggestions you've already got. Any of them are good combos that would suit your needs. Mike

Yep, good idea Mike

Those work great but really any bottom half of a ball point pen will work also. The advantage of the tool is that it holds spare rings. Mike

Same for flippin, 15# for swimmin. Mike

At a kids tourn last week 19# won on Trafford. Talk about exciting for a lake that everyone thought was dead and would never be back. Great News!! Mike

Me too!! I told Mrs Mike I'm not leaving the state without hooking up with one. Mike

I use a thier "Carolina Lizard Dragger 1" as my all around top water rod. Its a heavy but has the right amount of flex for hook sets and enough backbone to a haul a fish out of anything Mike

RI Sweet Beaver Brush Hog Lizard Mike