U.W BronzeBack Hunter

Pretty self-explanatory. I'm going with tackle box, but that's only because i don't have a tackle bag (don't see the need for one because i already own a huge Plano drawer-system tackle box and a few extra utility boxes that i don't mind carrying around because i have a boat to store them in). I see tackle bags as more convenient for the people without boats, who, it may seem to be a drag to have to carry around a box rather than hanging a bag around their shoulders.

Man, if you are snaping off 50# anything at hookset, particularly on soft liped carp, something is way wrong. Have any of you P-Line fans ever looked at the actual line diameter of p line cxx vs the same# of other comparable lines. It is always significantly larger in diameter, so there is no magic in its performance. Generaly, there simply is not an apples to apples comparison. oh no, it's not at hookset. i fish for carp at a lake filled with fallen timber and such, and carp are notorious for moving from one side of the lake to another while fighting, so my lines take a beating going through so much timber. I've even considered using 100# line once... but turned out to be complete overkill. i guess ur right. i have 10# CXX and 10# original stren in my hands right now, and there's a .002" difference. Hmmm...

I use 50# or so of both Big Game and CXX, on two seperate rod/reel rigs for carp fishing. Stats so far for 2008: Big Game- lost 4 fish due to line snappage CXX- lost 4 fish due to their necks snapping from setting the hook As much as i love the good ol' USA (well, not so much now a days), you can't beat Japanese engineered fishing tackle like CXX or Daiwa. One day we'll be able to stand at that level, like how one day we'll be at the level of Japanese car and cell phone technology ;D 8-) Can you tell i'm asian? but in all seriousness, i've lost 4 carps this year due to Big Game and none to CXX with same #-test line. I might switch my Big Game rod/reel into a PowerPro combo from my good experiences with the 10# powerpro i have on my soft plastic spinning reel rig. But yes, CXX is indeed more expensive than Big Game. and yes, powerpro is indeed more expensive than both, but isn't a few more dollars worth 100 lbs of more fish (4 x ~25lbs carp = 100lbs)? That's my philosophy

I found an old spinning reel under my bed (actually, it's only a few years old. a discontinued model from Daiwa), and it really needs to be cleaned and relubed. It's not that i don't know how to clean/lube a reel, it's just that i want to make sure i'm doing it the right way: 1.) Open everything up 2.) Dip a cloth in some rubbing alcohol or WD-40 and start wiping the crap out of the gears and such 3.) After letting things dry, apply lube sparingly to all moving part 4.) Give everything a nice goaround and then close everything 5.) Tighten all exterior screws 6.) Clean the exterior of reel with cloth until sparkling new eh?

So the BaitMonkey struck you too? The FBI should really put him on the Most Wanted List for "Extortion and Partially Conscious and Consenting Robbery" ;D

Ok, i've been falling into the ruthless traps of the BaitMonkey, and i've decided to STOP, THINK, and purchase the things that you guys recommend instead of buying crap on impulse that frankly, i sometimes don't need (ok... most of the time ) Are there any thing(s) on the market right now or coming up i should keep an eye on? Any lures that seems promising? Some standby baits you've used for centuries? Awesome unbreakable line? Expand... :

I wish i could change my vote. It seems like i'm gonna spend more than 500$ this year haha. Forgot about fishing-license fees, and the new reel/rod combo i'll have to purchase as a gift for my father. Not only that, but i'm already at the 400$ mark, and i'm sure i'll spend some money here and there from lure-buying convulsions ;D d**n you BaitMonkey!!!!!

I've heard the Twitchin' Bar breaks easy? Anyways, I have both the Megaforce, and i'm getting the Quantum Accurist PT (after demoing my friends), and i seem to like the Flippin' Switch better... But honestly, they're both gimmicks But whatever. we all have our personal tastes that we eachother should respect 8-)

so basically, i can't wait till it comes... :

I hooked and reeled in a dead body! ;D See, i beat ya'll

I planning on stocking up on some more jerkbaits for the next prespawn and summer. What do you guys recommend i get? I'm mainly a smallmouth hunter, but i occasionally target for LMB too, so any jerkbaits from the 2 1/2 '' - 4'' will suffice (nothing too big or too finesse). thx ;D

I'm surprised i don't see many ppl here saying: "WHITE!" Personally, white is my go-to jig color for any water, especially stained. It seems to stand out real well, and if you have a bright colored trailer on there like a red crawdad imitation soft plastic.... get ready for action infact, i just purchased 5 strike king bleeding bitsy bug jigs today in white. Gonna last me a month after smallies start ripping them apart during spring ;D

Same here! Rapala Jointed Shad Raps have caught me countless numbers of trophy smallmouths. I use the 2 inch, red crawdad colored version (dives about 8 feet). Just cast it parallel to structure, crank it down, and because it suspends, reel in with a twitch pause retrieve. My opinion: Rapala makes some of the truest running and effective crankbaits on the market. ;D ;D

Woo Hoo!!! ;D

The solution is to melt them in a vat, oxidize the carbons with some sulfur oxide compounds, and then toss in some potassium permangenate with a strong acid like hydrogen bromine. trust me, you'll end up with a super rod able to radar-detect the big uns. i call this post the result of a gazillion dollars of college tuition

Ok, so instead of getting myself a low-end reel (my last topic: Daiwa Procaster_Daiwa MegaForce), i ended up purchasing a Quantum Accurist PT (the 7.1:1 burner version). Good decision? Have any of you used this reel before? How do/did you like it? Does it last for a long time? How's its cranking ability? Smooth? I've owned a couple quantum reels in the past, the Energy PT spinning and the Energy PT baitcast. The spinning reel i've used for about 4+ years and it's still like new today with minimal lube maintenance. The baitcast, last week, totally blew up (not literally :) and is beyond repair - a funny story for next time. But overall, i really like the quality and reputation of Quantum, and it was on sale for a ridiculously low price (reg 130$, got it for 60$).... so i got the accurist.... and i hope i don't regret it. but what's there to regret with 60$ huh? ;D If i didn't have to pay for my college tuition, i would have treated myself with a Daiwa Steez 8-)

Hey now, there are some really good Largemouth lakes out here in WA . and don't get me wrong, i do have a H rod in my rod locker for a reason haha But Smallies woop largemouths anyways ;D 8-) :

and by the channel, do you mean the little passage waterway that leads to Lake Union? the one that goes under Montlake Bridge?

also, about that twitchin bar... a gimmick? or is it actually useful and effective? it seems kinda flimsy... idk.

Simple... 30# braid with 1/2+ ounce jig topped off with a trailer FLIP FLIP FLIP(...pitch...) FLIP FLIP FLIP

BAIT MONKEY STRIKES AGAIN! Already spent 300$ this fall/winter preparing for next year... :-/ oh well ;D

Anybody own either of these two baitcast reels from Daiwa? I'm debating on which one to purchase because my quantum energy broke down after 5 years (should've lasted me longer, but some gears went to crap, and it's beyond repair even with replacement parts... it's hard to explain...). Anyways, i'm tight on a budget, and these reels seem to incorporate Japanese engineering along with a Made in China price, so i bet both of these will be nice bangs for the buck. Any comments will be appreciated.

a tip for smallies: i ALWAYS trim my jigs. i trip so that the outer skirts are short and the skirts near the hook remain untrimmed. Then i trim a portion of the weedguard off to decrease lost fish from wimpy hooksets. i also add a crawdad trailer onto my jigs. i personally prefer the ones that show a lot of detail (like the claws, head, antennas, etc). the trailer should be no more than 2 1/2''. Remember... for smallmouths, you gotta downsize. Cast one of these modified jigs into riprap, jiggle it a bit, and you'll get a strike i guarantee it. Doesn't hurt to also spray your favorite bait scent onto your jigs. also doesn't hurt to spray some reelmagic or KVD lure and line spray to get the most from those silicone or rubber skirts.

Unless you have money flowing out of your wallet like a Vegas Strip Casino Jackpot... don't get the Steez. My fellow fishing buddy purchased the Steez you're looking at... i've tried it out... he's tried it out... and he returned it within 30 days because it is just way too d**n overpriced. I agree... get the GLoomis Bronzeback. Not being BPS biased here, but the Johnny Morris Sig. series rod is also one dam nice rod. I purchased one recently, and to be honest, i think it outperforms the Steez. Not sure about the elite series JMS rod... but nonetheless

I agree with you. In-line spinners are very productive, but it doesn't require much skill to fish with, and that's why i believe most people don't like to admit inline spinners are awesome for smallies (especially shallow or river smallies). I voted soft plastics because of their versatility and effectiveness. Favorite rig: texas rig a small creature with a 1/4 ounce bullet head and a red wide gap offset hook. i prefer using the white colored soft plastics if i'm using a red hook. Just cast it into 10 feet of water, let it sink to the bottom, shake it around and BAM!