Mike L

I dont touch the brakes at all.. Just loosen the tension knob all the way and go. Mike

Ive gone through 3 bags this year and finally settled on the Flambeau AZ8 To me its perfect for a co angler. Mike

Well it seems Im in the minority here, but for me its the little ol green, yellow or white Scum Frog.. That thing will walk in place like nothing I've used including the spro, plus its a LOT softer. 2 nd choice is koppers. Mike

The Sweet Beaver is the only plastic I use now for punching mats. Mike

Done Mike

With a 3 day warm up, and considering they were in pre spawn before it turned cold, I'm starting shallow in any grass that hasnt completely died off. I'd probably start with a spook on top and then a shad colored fluke with a nail weight to get it to fall horizontal and slow. If nothing, id look for the beds. The males cant be too far away. If still nothing start working deeper looking for dying shad and start with a trap or soft swim bait, working the entire water column. After 3 days of warming temps, and being in pre spawn just a few days prior, I'm betting the girls should be in the mood. But then again thats just me. Mike

As I'm reading all the posts I'm thinking fluke.... Id try a nail weight in the back to get it down a little quicker if you want if you're in fairly shallow water. Or put a bullet weight on the nose or peg it about a foot up if youre deeper. Mike

For some reason the Mojo is one rig I never think about. Very interested in your responces Mike

Good suggestion, Ive thought about that before but never got around to it. Mike

Good Night Pal.... Sleep Well Mike

Tip.... If you want to apply as you're spooling, use an old nylon sock instead of a cloth rag. It wont get soaked in the rag and you'll use end up useing less to get the same if not more saturation. Mike

20# braid with a 10# floro leader or 8-10 lb Yo Zuri Mike

Now that is an answer!! Good job Smalljaw Mike

Ive fished 2, 21, 36, 64, 73 and a few that should be on the list. This year I have trips planned for 19 and 26. Mike

This is what I do also. I spent too much time thinking I should get bit use a particular bait and/or color to "force feed" them with something I think they should hit. Sometimes it "can be" just a color change to entice a hit, but more times than not just reading what theyre telling me and adapting to that will give better results. I give the least amount of thought to making just a color change. Mike

I use 15# Invizx Mike

These 2 are the only ones I use now also. I've found that the Thumper gets hit more often for some reason. Mike

I'm 63 and just 4 months and 3 days away from retiring after working for 47 years! Every time I say it and subtract a day I feel younger!, Mike

Me Too!1 Mike

All are good suggestions, a question like this will make you crazy... The crank rod I'm useing the most now is the composite Phenix X11, and really love it. It's light enough for me to throw all day, and sensitive enough to feel small Sq bill's with a slow retrieve. The lighter X10 is also a great cranking rod but I like the extra beef because I use the X11 also for rippin traps off the grass. Mike

Merry Christmas from my family to yours, and to all the friends here I've never met! Enjoy and Be Safe Mike

They'll hit a top water [especially a bussbait or a frog] if you happen to drop it on top of them if they're submerged, or if it lands close to shore and they happen to close by...I've had small ones 2-4 footers follow a frog right to the boat! One time on Istopoka my boater threw a popping frog about a foot from a reed line, popped it a few times and the water exploded like a bomb went off. He rolled over a few times, the boater yanked and reeled so fast his reel came off the rod! I thought that man was gonna have a heart attack.. We cranked it up and he didn't stop until we were on the other side of the lake!! True story.. Mike

Ok back to the question.... * Getting up at 2;30 am to be at the ramp by 6:00, and the coffee machine didnt come on... * Un hooking my boaters boat when it's 40 deg and stepping in to thigh deep water, and having no towel, change of pant's or sock's... * Going 70 mph around blind corners through a narrow cut on Big O... * Inconsiderate airboat owners... * Hooking a 14ft gator who isn't too happy about it... Mike

You cut the line, crank it up and Leave!! Trust me.... Mike

Well I was gonna answer your question when I read your 1st paragraph, then I read your 2nd and thought I couldn't help you as I don't own any of the 3 you want to stay with. Then I thought... Oh! what the heck it's Christmas...If you ever want to add another option over the 3 perfectly good rod companies you mentioned, try a Phenix M1. Mike