Lightninrod

I bought my Kistler Helium LTAs and my Megabass rods sight unseen but based on reviews on Tackle Tour. More than pleased with both companie's rods. Dan

None added to mine either. I fish in very 'woody' water If the Bass is big, it will inhale the entire bait with the dorsal hook usually ending up in the roof of the Bass's mouth. They aren't known as Largemouths for nothing . Dan

These are the best jigs I've used in 30 years of Bassin'. They are truly different in important ways; almost weedless and woodless, premier hook(set at an improved angle), natural colors(note; they only come in the basic/natural/ match-the-hatch colors and I've caught Bass on all of them), flat bottom(that helps them stay upright[do crawdads lie over on their side?--I don't think so] with a chunk-style trailer--match the trailer color to the jig's main color), ability to attach one or two rattles or leave them off, and a small 'pocket' under the jig where a gob of Megastrike(best attractant) can be placed. These are the chunk-style trailers I use. Dan

One(there are several) of the reasons I prefer these jigs is because the rubber collar that holds the skirt on has two appendages that have a small hole in them. Those jigs come with two, color-matched, buck shot rattles that have a knob on one end that can be inserted in the collar's appendages. You have a choice between no rattles, one rattle, or two rattles. I ususally put on two rattles. They lie under the jig and on a horozontal plane and act as short 'legs', helping to keep the jig upright on the bottom. They don't have to make much noise to mimic a crawdad's 'clicks'. I don't use rattles when swimming a jig. (In case you're unfamiliar with buck shot rattles) Dan

Here's the smallest, Matt's BG Bass for me. Dan

Now that's a good day 8-).

Hey there Matt. Welcome to BR . This man is a trophy Bass hunter and catcher y'all and he lives where they are 8-). Dan

There is a Basser in Texas that has worked on a few of mine. There is a shop in White, GA that works on them too. I'd be glad to give you the info by PM if you're interested. Dan

Caught many Bass on my graphite LTA Medium Helium and a few on my newer, fiberglass MB Shiryu. The Helium though graphite, is very forgiving to the point where I landed two 5 lber with the cr/baits rear hook in the face of one and just in the lower lip of the other. Dan

Thank you RW and js2 but just so there's no misconseptions here, that is a "quote" taken straight from MBUSA's site.

Aw man, that sucks big-time :-[! You made the right choice in not going in after it though....."60' of water".....no way in those temps. Dan

I have one but never got bit the few times I threw it. Dan

If you call MBUSA now and ask to speak to Masaki, you should get all the info you need to make a descision. He listens vey well and will tell you all about them though you have to listen carefully and get past his Japanese/English inflections. He will not hurry you and will give you prices USDs($). Note the time listed that they wish to take calls though. They make their own blanks as far as I know: Dan

FB: You young guys really have good memories . Yes, my PB(and dozens of others from 7 lbs down to 2lbs), a 9 lber, came on one of Matt's Baby Bass. You can get them for about $10 each here. Dan

Congratulations! I love my non-DC Antares ARs. Don't know how they could be improved upon but Shimano made history with their DC reels. 8-) Dan

Some kind of elk :-??

No, that's not me ;D. Dan

Jet: I'm a deep South Rebel but Bill is one fine yankee to do business with. He provides quick and great service. He will also try to obtain specific parts, reels, etc for you if he doesn't happen to have it in stock 8-). Dan

They are also available here in the USA. Click on Office ZPI and Bassart. Dan

Can't see the pics here at work but everything sounds good Avid . Dan

Megabass USA is the only 'factory' source for them. They are the USA distributor/retailer for MB. From time-to-time, you may find one for sale on ebay or at Tackle Tour from an individual. I got one of mine 'used' from an individual. Part of their price is for their appearence; close to if not 'art', at least industrial or technological art. I have never seen their equal in beauty but their inventer, Ito is able to blend that art into technological advances too. They are technique-specific but still have a wide range of bait and line weights covered. I still use and love my LTA Heliums; for their feather-like weight(under 4 ounces for a 7' Medium rod) and their missing foregrip. MB, on the other hand, emphasizes 'balance' over weight. Mb rods are not for eveyone and I rarely 'tout' them but since you asked....... Dan

The Crawford Knot works on any and all lines. It's quick and easy to tie and it does not slip if cinched properly. If it's good enough for Stripers....................... Dan

This is a time for an Emergency room visit. No, they aren't dermitologists but at least you'll get a medical opinion and maybe some relief. Does the rash look like this: It might be Shingles: "Key Facts About Shingles Shingles, also called herpes zoster (HZ), can be a painful disease that can affect anyone who has had chickenpox. It can start at any time, without warning. The first signs of shingles are often felt and may not be seen. These can include: itching, tingling and burning. A few days later a rash of fluid-filled blisters appears, usually on one side of the body or face. Sometimes the pain before the rash appears can be confused with other conditions and this can make shingles difficult to diagnose early on. " "The shingles rash can be painful. Shingles rash usually last up to 30 days, and for most people the pain associated with the rash lessens, as it heals. However, for some people, after the rash heals, shingles may lead to pain that can last for months or even years (a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN)." Don't mean to alarm you; just trying to be helpful. And no, I'm not any kind of a doctor . Dan

I use both IE 7 and Firefox(but not their email) on my home PC . I find advantages to both. Dan

Good luck Lobina! I prefer the Medium Helium over the ML though. Dan