RoLo

Given the same line-material, the heavier the pound-test the "lower" the sink rate. Heavier Lb/Test = Wider Diameter = Greater Water Resistance Roger

There is no question that braided line is more visible than clear monofilament. But that only leads to the next question:, "Does less visible line result in more fish in the boat?" For confidence sake, it's a very small inconvenience to attach a yard trace of fluorocarbon leader to braided line, but I tie Moss Green PowerPro direct to the lure, and if it reduces the number of strikes, it's not enough to be noticeable. Roger

Welcome aboard! Love that Grigsby handle, "One More Cast" I would take Roadwarrior's advice. It's always the biggest fish that cause us to make the biggest mistakes, and it only takes a moment of slack line :-[ Roger

On an outfit similar to the one you describe, I'm using 30-lb PowerPro Spectra and I really love it. There's no line-burrowing to speak of, and 30-lb PowerPro is only 0.011" in diameter, equivalent to 10-lb Trilene XL. Awesome stuff! Sufix line is another class-act. Though I cannot speak from experience, I've heard nothing but good reports about Sufix Braid. Roger

I personally am not inclined to use different lines for different lures (can't be bothered). I believe that once you select the line that you deem best overall, you'll soon become accustomed to it's behavior with different lures, and how it needs to be managed. Gosh, it's the only "craft" that's left in the science of fishing. For example, the Sammy. "Walking-the-dog" is one of the most productive topwater retrieves. One of the reasons is due to the fact that the lure never stops moving, and bass never get a good look. Even with fluorocarbon line (I use braid), if you hold the rod-tip high around noon, and keep the lure scooting constantly, I rather doubt that the line will get a chance to sink enough to destroy the zigzag motion. Roger

LARGEMOUTH BASS Plastic Worm Any long, slender, cylindrical soft plastic, IMO, the only 'true' year-round lure SMALLMOUTH BASS Jig & Grub <> Tube Lure A dead heat Roger

It's always best to look at the Big Picture, and not get emotionally involved (unless you're commercially involved). The more blue herons, egrets, kingfishers, cormorants and ospreys that you see, the "healthier" the ecosystem. If you're not seeing any wading birds or piscivorous birds you can rest assured that you're dealing with a sick body of water. I used to have a Purple Marten House when I lived in Edgewater, Florida, and one of my neighbors gave me a big pat on the back. He informed me that Purple Martens eat up ALL the mosquitoes. I thought to myself, yah right, so what are they eating? Roger

Lines are rated according to their breaking strengths, but not rods. Rods are rated according to the line-class that's most appropriate for their range of flex, tip action and butt section. Roger

3/0 EWG Gamakatsu Hook

In my view, "feel" (even for experienced anglers) has very serious limitations, almost like "emotion". I fish the same way I invest in stocks, I try to factor out as much emotion (feeling) as possible, using cold unemotional metrics, it seems to work. All my reel-drags are set to 28% of line-test, and over time that becomes the 'feel' I am accustomed to. (Accordingly, my 4-lb Shimano begins slipping at around 1 lb and my 130-lb Penn International begins slipping at around 35 lbs). Drag-setting though is only half the story, because line-drag in the water is an intangible but ever-present part of the whole picture. I don't subscribe however to the "grocery bag" approach, because I adjust all my reels on the same day. With a second-person it's easy to move from reel to reel, where the other party simply reads out the current pressure. I'd need a few dozen pre-weighted and pre-marked grocery bags to enjoy that same versatility. Roger

The "Zaragossa Minnow" is one of the oldest fishing lures in existence. It was introduced in 1922 by James Heddon and Sons. The original Zaragoosa Minnow was a hand-painted wooden plug. It was named as a tribute to the hookers that sashayed in walk-the-dog fashion, down Zaragossa Street, Pensacola, Florida. Incidentally, don't rush to Zaragossa St, because the stroll aint' what she used to be ;D Roger

Sobering but true. I've seen 'weedless' lures, but not too many WOODLESS lures Though I recognize the superiority of Lucky Craft lures, I've made more but smaller contributions to Rapala and Bill Lewis. Not to worry, I intend to phase them out, as soon as bass stop eating them. Roger

The "splashdown" after the cast may be mistaken for a feeding bass (bass and anglers are both familiar with that sound). Bass in a fish tank will turn and face into the sound of a splash, as if looking for some crippled escapee (easy meal). If you're fishing in water that's deeper than 2 feet, I wouldn't be too concerned about noise, after all, noise and splash are what made the 'popper' such a famous lure. On the other hand, in water under 2 ft deep, bass are very defensive because they instinctively know that in shallow water they may be prey rather than predator (ospreys, eagles, otters, bear, man ~) If I'm working in water under 2 ft deep, I'll use a spinning outfit and an underhand lob (I stink with baitcasting gear). Roger

Smallmouth bass are real scrappers! How long did it take to subdue him? :-/ :-?

I use PowerPro Spectra and have no complaints. Roger

I've said it before, but what the heck, I'll say it again: the Sizmic Pop'N Toad spits better than a chug bug, costs a fraction of the price and best of all, it's totallly "weedless" (pitch it wherever your heart desires). If you'd rather pitch a "Quiet" topwater, there's the 'Sizmic Toad", which has great foot-action at very low-speeds (killer in spring). Be sure to specify "High-Floater". Roger

Beautiful bass, and I like that C&R shot too Vyron, you're really on the roll Roger

Congratulations to your friends!! I even enjoyed the Bohemian Rhapsody Roger

I was actually afraid to mention the Daiwa Light & Tough, because of my serious positive bias. Their 6-footer is single-handedly responsible for turning about two dozen other rods into expensive dust-collectors :-? Roger

Over the years, I've owned Flashers, CRT, LCD and Graph Displays. Brands I've owned include Columbia, Ray Jeff, Lowrance, Humminbird and Eagle. For my money, the nod goes to Lowrance and Eagle, (a division of Lowrance), and to LCD display. Sidenote: In saltwater, I've used sonar units literally as "fish finders", but in my opinion, their worth in freshwater is chiefly as a depth sounder. Not for nothing, wherever you the best bottom contour you also find fish. PS: I live 12 minutes from the Kissimmee River, the launch at FL-60 (next to Kissimmee Lake) Roger

Senko77 supplied 3 good reasons. To that I would add Research & Development and Quality Control. We've got Uncle Buck type companies who simply copycat the R&D that the Lucky Craft types had to pay for. Business is all about making money, and any company that does good business should be rewarded. As Avid indicated, this is accomplished by charging whatever the traffic will bear. The consumer isn't ignorant, and in the final analysis, it's you and I who set the price, not the manufacturer. Roger

That's funny Avid...LOL I think it's as simple as the "Water-Ski Phenomenon". As long as you keep it coming, water-resistance skates it up to the surface. For example, a lot of fellows refer to the Zoom Horny Toad as thier favorite topwater frog, yet the horny toad sinks like a stone, "Without A Hook". Ditto for the Yum Buzzfrog and Gambler Cane Toad. Although the cane toad is heavier than water, it's broad body skates on the meniscus at surprisingly slow forward speeds. I use the term "meniscus" for its Cosmic Significance ;D Roger

FLOATER Manns Jelly Worm Gambler Ribbontail Worm NEUTRAL (same weight as water) Charlie Brewer's Slider Worm SINKER Yum Ribbontail Worm Zoom Trick Worm Yes I know the trick worm is advertised as a floater, but fill your sink with water and throw one in...you may be surprised! Even the worms that float cannot be used as surface lures, because once you attach the hook, they all sink. Hannon's Snake has greater buoyancy and is a true surface lure, but IMO it's nothing to write home about. Roger

In the spirit of pure guesswork, I agree with the consensus, she's appears to be an honest 6-pounder. No wonder you're hooked Roger

I think you already know the answer. You can't force a Republican to vote Democrat, and you can't force me to throw crankbaits with casting gear Roger