RoLo

In a recent thread I mentioned Triton, Phoenix & Ranger, depending on the captain's means. However, if Champion hulls were still being built, it would've bumped one of those brands. I wanted to put 'Legend' on that list, which resembles a Champion, but I've never been in Chris Lane's boat

When the Rage 'Menace' was first introduced I was immediately attracted to its shape, a profile I happen to like. But during the 'Swimming Pool Test', I was disappointed by its throb, which didn't have much of a signature. On the other hand, the Menace is great on a chatterbait, a trailer that won't overwhelm the rhythm of the blade Roger

Those little finlets that run along each side of the 'Lobster' distinguish it from its kid brother the 'Craw'. I first seen this image right before breakfast, and hollered to Lois, 'Make that 3 eggs, I'm pretty hungry today'. Roger

I don't like that word 'bumpy', but if you're lucky it may only be cloth remnants in the gears. Either way, you'll have to disassemble her again. Roger

I heard that I'd use violet more often, but it's rarely offered.

Zoom 4.25" Z-Craw - black light Roger

I would imagine that many of the 'big chunks' we catch have already been photographed. A bass that weighs 6 pounds is probably thinking, "Good grief, here we go again!". Roger

Congratulations fellows on a banner day! Ponds can be Dynamite! It seems to me that Big Girls follow you guys around Roger

Don't be too hard on yourself. During the 1950s and 1960s there was no such animal as 'Catch-&-Release', and there was no such contraption as a plastic fish replica (yuck!). If you landed a legal fish during the 1950s, then put that same fish back in the water, someone would likely phone the Goony Squad (men in white coats). All the same, I too feel bad when I know a fish isn't going to make it, but that's a good thing, it's called human compassion Roger

The uni-knot (universal knot) is a knot that can truly be used for all line materials and all types of connections. It offers excellent knot strength, and unlike the Bimini Twist, you don't have to jump thru hoops. Unlike the palomar knot, you never have to pass a loop over treble hooks. Oddly enough, I've seen articles underscoring some specialty knot, and then the leader was joined to the main-line using two uni-knots (flying in the face of the weakest link concept). In brief, the Uni-knot is a strong, secure, easy-to-tie, saliva-free knot with universal application. Roger

WD-40 is not as wonderful as it smells. It's essentially a penetrating oil and water displacement (WD stands for Water Displacement). If you're looking to clean your gear, it would be better to use a cleaner such as '409' or 'Simple Green'. Many swear that the aroma of WD-40 attracts fish and apply it to their lures as a fish attractant. Other anglers feel just the opposite, believing that WD-40 repels fish. I never employ fish attractants, so I'll let them sort it out Roger

I can certainly relate to that

WOW...What a chunk of plastic!

I'll just list what I would buy in your shoes: Dobyns Champion XP 703 7-ft | Med-Hvy | Fast | $250 Shimano Curado 70 CU71HG 6.5 oz | 7.2:1 | $200 If you'll be pitching lures over 3/4 oz, I'd go with the Dobyns 704 If you prefer right-handed reels, you'd be looking at the CU70HG Roger

Best jerkbait value? Zoom 7" Super Fluke Roger

To each his own of course, but this much I can offer. I ran a side-imaging chartplotter for a few seasons, but over time I felt that I was wasting too much time deciphering the side-imaging screen. In fact, the longer I owned the unit, the more time I spent scrutinizing the 3D down-scan, and the less time I spent with side-imaging, not touching it all on most days. Long story short, my old Humminbird Onix (DS/SI) paid for my new Lowrance Elite Ti downscanner. Roger

Yes, the GPS in your Minn Kota 'Spot-Lock' is independent of your GPS unit (like the GPS in your smartphone). Even in a stiff wind, Spot Lock is working constantly to keep your boat on the coordinates.

Whoever he is, this guy is a HOOT!

It is true, a small treble hook will tear out more easily than a large single hook, but there are several ways to cushion applied tension: > Fiberglass or composite blank instead of a graphite blank > Moderate-fast tip instead of a Fast or Extra-fast tip > Reduced drag-setting (blatantly overlooked) > Nylon, fluoro or copolymer line instead of braided line. That said, it's not necessary to deprive yourself of 'ALL' above options to reduce treble hook tear-out. Roger

Your best option is to learn how to tie a uni-knot to uni-knot (it gets easier over time). Tie one uni-knot at a time, beginning with your fluorocarbon line. Snug your fluoro uni-knot while reducing the size of the loop (3/8" is plenty). Now the braided line is threaded thru the fluoro loop and the 2nd uni-knot is tied. Snug up the braided uni-knot, then pull both standing lines apart until both uni-knots close down. Roger

X2

Green Pumpkin

The vibration-inducing flange behind the rage tail concept has certainly been a winner! I don't think there's one best rage tail, which likely hinges on the situation at hand. From all appearances, the "craw" is the most popular rage tail, but my personal favorite is the "lobster". Roger

WD-40 is basically a penetrating oil with an infatuating aroma, something I wouldn't apply on my reels. For superficial cleaning I'd use something like '409' or 'Simple Green'.

Very Kool The universal knuckle lets me quickly readjust the screen to suit the current sun angle. The ram mount also makes mounting and removal a snap (you left-handed?). Roger