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If you are going to wait a little bit, and buy some higher end rods. I would suggest looking at the flea market here. You might be able to pick up a higher end rod for the price of a mid-low end rod.

Has anyone ever thought of rubbing their hands in Coffee grounds? I can see it masking scents on your hands, and I guess bass like coffee scent.... coffee tubes. ;D

I just learned how to use a baitcaster last year. The night before and sometimes a little before I go fishing I will spray some line and lure conditioner on the spool. A couple spritzes, reel a little so you turn the spool some, and spray a couple more times. I have no problems with fluoro when I do that. I would also like to note that I'm still using the same bottle from almost a year ago. You can also put line and lure conditioner on non fluorocarbon lines to make them more manageable.

I remember hearing KVD say that you can actually go a size up because of the short shank on the KVD Elite Triple Grips. edit: I actually looked at TW and here is a quote from their description: "the shorter length of the Short Shank design also allows anglers to use larger hooks, further increasing hooking potential (i.e. you can replace a stock Size 4 hook with the KVD Size 2)"

The only problem is when you don't have money to buy new stuff.

I thought they also changed color because of the water color. They get darker and more defined in darker water, and the opposite for lighter colored water. For example, the fish in my avatar is from light brown water.

That's a nice fish CSimon. I went today and only caught one little guy on the same 1/2oz red eye shad in chartreuse bait color. I thought for sure with the warmer weather today the fishing would be better.

I don't think you can go wrong with power pro.

Caught these guys yesterday... this one went almost 4lbs I also lost 2 more... and foul hooked a couple carp.

I'm in northern Illinois and I was fishing a pond today that still has some ice on it. I caught a couple decent fish on a red eye shad worked pretty quickly. I tried catching them on a senko and didn't have any luck with it. I even tried dead sticking it in areas I had hits on the red eye... nothing. I would say go for the reaction bite like a lipless crank or spinnerbait.

Is it easier to feel the connecting knot with braid than fluorocarbon? Because when I used a blood knot on mono(backing) to fluoro, I couldn't feel the knot. Maybe it is possible to have the connecting knot towards either end of the spool as to not slide over your thumb while casting.

Yo-Zuri handles well and is pretty strong. I tried P-Line Fluoroclear.. it seems like they wrapped the line on the spool wrong. I can feel and see where the line knicked itself from being wrapped too tightly or something. The line was almost dug in. That was with 1 spool of #12 line so it may be a fluke. I would definitely go with the Yo-Zuri Hybrid. p.s. the Mist Green Yo-Zuri line looks like a neon green out on the water. It is very easy to see. I would also like to add I've caught fish in gin clear water with this "neon green" line. ;D

I know that they sandblast with a lot of different media nowadays to protect the metal. I know they use baking soda, and even walnut shells to protect softer metals. You can always talk to some media blasting shops in your area to see what they can do for you.

I was thinking Northstar Stunner. It would just be called a stunner... kinda like senko, spook, or fluke.

I've had success with the X-Rap. I plan on getting some LC Pointers as well.

I just started learning last year, and yes it gets a lot easier. I actually prefer baitcasters now, because I feel like I have a lot more control over how my bait enters the water. Also, the "feathering" technique will feel natural to do when you use a baitcaster more.

I have not had a chance to handle a Dobyns spinning rod. Is the handle as comfortable as it looks?

I use an improved clinch and put the knot in my mouth to get the whole knot wet before I cinch it down. Without the spit, I can hear the line rubbing against itself. Also, the knot cinches down cleaner and easier with the spit on it.

I would handle both of them before you buy one. I ended up going with the Johnny Morris because it felt more solid to me. I don't see the signature series reels on the basspro website anymore, which is disappointing since I wanted to pick up a third one.

Here is an article explaining it some: http://www.westcoastangler.com/articles/spiral_wrapped_rods.php

I hate you, David. Send me them Dobyns. I'll give em a good home. Haha, I can't fish for another 5 weeks with this broken hand. Only got a few trips with my new reels before I broke it too. Now I know how all the guys stuck inside cause of the snow feel! The only difference is... we have two hands to pull our hair out with.

All you have to do is hold the spool facing the reel, and wind the line on the same way the bail arm is spinning. Skip to 1:27 where it is explained

The earth goes through natural warming and cooling cycles.

x 3 I'm so used to reeling lefty it feels weird to reel with my right... and I'm right handed.

I thought it was common sense to watch the line. If something is pulling with enough force to bend your rod tip and you can't feel it, there is something wrong.