zell_pop1

The 5/16ths size has enough wait to cast for distance and they flat out bite em. Blue Glimmer for clear water, white and chartreuse for dirty water.

I do not have a Lews, but that KVD reel in maroon coming out looks sweet and would match my Falcon Lowrider rod. Nice to hear they have great customer service.

Exactly. It is more about where they are fishing than anything else.In Louisiana, Texas, Florida throw big lures on H action rods and horse them out. Come up north and Finesse them. Electronic advances have changed things too, finding off shore schools or fish on stumps and GPS marking them. Personally if the pros are so good I think they should not allow sonars with DI/SI or the baitfish mimicking sound devices, no waypoints....let us see how good they are. Probably see KVD and Skeet back on top and Wheeler/Lee as has beens.

Great choice really

You can still buy the big beetle spins. They are listed as saltwater version.

I still use them, most of my hard baits are either LC or Xcalibur. I have bought a few of the one knocker square bill cranks to try out .

Gitzit tubes catch em

Good ol fashion single tail grub works fine.

Yes I do. I guess you could call Daiwa and make sure the gears are the same as the BG which has a good rep if your concerned about it.

Shimano Citica E and Pflueger Asaro are two reels that are quality you can buy cheap.

I have the Eliminator, it is basically the BG line so is just fine for Stripers.

I do not buy the ones made in Mexico, but at least that is a St Croix owned and operated factory unlike Falcon or Fenwick or All Star that is just a Communist Chinese blank with an American name. Now if all you can afford is a Fenwick Eagle/Daiwa Aird type rod then fine.

Asian companies can make their products in Asia, i do not expect Daiwa or Shimano to be US made. US companies should be made in the US. I bet the price of the Cara is close to if not the same as the US manufactured ones. I will just buy St Croix instead.

The only Pline I ever used was cxx occasionally for it's high strength, I think I will give this line a try in 12lb test.

The Fritts 6'8" MH and a SLX or Fuego 6.3to1 would be great for your shallow cranks.

I use both, but man I suck at getting accurate casts with a spinning reel. They do skip easier though.

I was just gifted a 7'UL Premier with a 1000 Shimano Spirex and I think it will be ok for crappies, but honestly if you are planning to catch a few bass too, I would opt for a L action. The UL I have, unlike most St Croix rods is not a little over powered but a true UL.

Try a Sebile Snagless which has a double hook like a frog lure.

X2 on Gator Grip. I have the white one with black interior both durable and US made. Also have their bump board.

I throw em all year, they work all year...and yes try a smaller one or a silent one.

Keel weighted hooks work great and pick up alot less weeds. I like the Damiki hook with the little clip that makes rigging them easy.

The 5/16ths Finesse War Eagle is bass catchin machine but yeah you pay for it they get beat up pretty easily.

Idk maybe some of you did not lose their factory job to the Chinese and still make the same money they were making 20 years ago, but me from rod blanks to auto parts I buy USA made whenever possible even though it costs more. Now an Asian company making things in Asia fine, but not US companies.

Released in US?

How about Daiwa release a non T Wing reel in the $120+ category. I like the Fuego CT but how about something a little more hi end .