SeanW

The ranking were based greatly on longevity in the sport. All of those guys have been at it for a long time. Bill Dance give's himself a shoty appearance of greatness by fishing the ponds. He was a great competitor back in the day and elected to make sure money from TV. For those of you discounting Skeet, I just dont get it. He has dominated the past 3 years. The new AOY format is not an AOY at all. Its Nascar! You just dont start the AOY over after the season. Its also all Alabama, not what I call an AOY race. Angler of the year? Means best angler over the course of the regular season. McKinnis will fix this, as it was a bad move. : Lets not forget these guys are trying to make a living. Skeet dominates there as well. Nobody is making the money he is. He is marketing himself better then any other. KVD is a great fisherman. Perhaps the best on the big stage. KVD has a killer instinct like no other. Now if he could just figure out those California fish. That said I respect all the folks on that list. I also believe that bass fishing is much more competitive now then it was back then. It has more to do with the number or people fishing. The sport grows just like others, and evolves.

I generally fish 2 types of jigs in the winter. For shallower waters with a stain to it I use a standard jig in 3/8 to 1/2 oz with a pork trailer. I do more of a slide the drag. Slide a foot and stop. There are also times for dead stickin a jig. The second is a 1 oz football head with a twin tail. I fish this much faster, hoppin and scootin it along the bottom. I usually fish this on deeper lakes with steep rock banks.

Fishing tournaments will be the same as last year. Im building towards bigger plans in 2012. So this year will be all about trying to establish my new career to allow me to follow my dreams. Hopefully the fishing in Nor Cal returns to the better days of the past.

Fishing tournaments will be the same as last year. Im building towards bigger plans in 2012. So this year will be all about trying to establish my new career to allow me to follow my dreams. Hopefully the fishing in Nor Cal returns to the better days of the past.

Fishing tournaments will be the same as last year. Im building towards bigger plans in 2012. So this year will be all about trying to establish my new career to allow me to follow my dreams. Hopefully the fishing in Nor Cal returns to the better days of the past.

I dont winterize cause I fish year round. However I do this every october when all my tournament obligations are done for the year. I also inventory all my gear and place orders to replace all the items Im low on.

I personally use 8lb, 10lb, and 15lb fluoro depending on cover, depth I want my bait to run and water clarity. For rattlin baits I use 15lb. All of the above are fished on 100% Fluorocarbon by Trilene. When I fish the California Delta there are times I will use Berkley Big Game in 15lb test.

I use Zipper hand pours. I pretty much only use worms as far as hand pours go. Its a great way to go when ya want a good soft buoyant bait.

I have several friends that fished the Vendetta all year and had no problems. The Veritas is even more durable. Im placing an order for about 8 of em tomorrow. Sean, I think you were the guy that mentioned that Mike Iaconelli was using one all year. If he hasn't broken it yet, I don't think we have to worry too much. I must say, though... I set up pretty hard on a 3lber this morning and heard a fairly audible crack. I caught about 15 more with it during the course of the day with no issues (incl a 4lber). maybe some epoxy around an eyelet?? Not sure, but I was a little gunshy for awhile this morning.... I am guilty of that. He was also using the other 2 rods Abu has out, the Verdict(should be out soon) and the Veritas. From time to time rods will make some odd sounds. I never worry about it. If it breaks take it in for warranty. Just about all rods can break. Sometimes they can get some damage from shipping, or even poor handling in a store. One thing with Abu Garcia, a Pure Fishing Company, is they take good care of their customers. My guess is its fine since ya caught so many more fish. Usually if a graphite rod has been compromised it will give with very little pressure. The unique thing on the Veritas not on the other 2 rods is paint. If anything happens be sure and let me know.

The Vendetta is the least expensive and lowest grade of graphite of the 3, the new Verdict being the highest grade of graphite of the 3 rods. Its lighter and more sensitive then the Veritas and the Vendetta. You will notice a difference between each line of rods. The neat thing about the Verdict is the butt handle is adjustable. I believe it is about $139. The Veritas is much lighter then the Vendetta. That said I still believe the Vendetta is the best rod in that price range, and the same goes for the Veritas. I will own some of each before long.

I have several friends that fished the Vendetta all year and had no problems. The Veritas is even more durable. Im placing an order for about 8 of em tomorrow.

Amazing! You did a great job on that boat and should be very proud. 8-)

Sorry I didnt really answer your question very well. I think their ratings are dead on. The 682 I use for smaller lighter baits, speed traps, LC Staycee's and smaller. The 703 I use for Staycee's and bigger. The 682 is a fine rod, and I think you will find it has alot of back bone for a 2 power.

Id go with a 703CB over a 683. I have a 682 and a 703 glass.

I assume you meant XT. The XT has the better drag system.

There are alot of choices that will fit the bill here. The abu Veritas in a 7' MH at $99. A Powell 703 or 734. The new Abu Verdict would be a great choice as it has the adjustable butt handle. Im sure there are also some Dobyns rods, but Im not familiar with the model #'s. Duckett fishing has some really light rods if you can see the eye's well enough to thread the line(I cant). Id suggest taking your reel and a weight to the tackle shop and try some rods out. Its the best way to test em and find what feels good to you.

They really shouldnt get ticked off, and you should not have to feel like they would.

BPS is pretty good about returns. If ya dont like it take it back.

Id get a HDS 5 instead. That said I just ordered a Hummingbird 798SI from Cabelas for $699 which I think is the best buy right now. Lowrance offered me a 5x for some graphs that kept breaking when I hit a boat wake(at a discount). I decided Id rather spend the money on something Id rather have. The HDS is on my bow, the 798 will go on the console.

I have never fished a KVD marked product. I do have a friend that does, but its the rods. Personally I thought the rod was sub-par and no better then the Skeet Reese stuff that was alot cheaper. Im not sure how KVD allowed his name to be put on sub par equiptment, but it seems that it has happened I fish all Abu reels and I am sponsored by Abu Garcia/Pure Fishing. The Soron is an outstanding reel, as is this one http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/products.php?p=77 . I contacted them and applied because I was fishing their products already after being frustrated by other brands. Yes including Shimano. The brand new Revo spinning reel is amazing, but its at a different price range for sure. If I can help you with the Abu or Pflueger reels please let me know.

I had a Merc 200 EFI on my last boat. I loved the motor, it was very fast and dependable. If you drove at WOT all the time then she was very thirsty. If you dont its not so bad. That said, the newer DFI motors are much better on fuel.

I expect 2 new pairs of gloves to arrive tomorrow. First is the Glacier fingerless fleece, the other is Orvis Performance Fleece Fingerless. Ill report back once I see em. Here in California is rarely to cold if its raining so these are just for cold days. Its been in the high 20's low 30's the past week, but thats highly unusual.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Hopefully I can contribute something useful.

Zipper Hand Pours and Robo Fat Worms.

Congrats, thats a very solid combo.