NitroZ9

I have installed the Rod Buckles in two boats. Installation was easy once you get past that feeling of cutting the hole in your boat. I used the template provided and cut holes inside the gunnels with a jig saw. If you don't want to cut a hole, they also make an adaptor which mounts to the deck.

I have one I've been using for a year and a half or more and I love it.

Harbor Freight sells an aluminum tool case that has a foam insert that can be cut out to fit your unit. Works great for my HDS8.

Before you decide, take a look at the Denali Jadewood series. They have a 7' MH Shakey Head and a 6'6" Med. Finesse. I don't think you'll find a nicer rod for under $100.

I have a buddy who swears by the Carbonlites. He has about 20 of them. Rod power depends on how heavy a texas rig you will be throwing and with what size line. I use a 7' MF for fishing 1/8 oz. shakey heads with 6-8 pound line. If you're going to be fishing 1/8-1/4 oz. or greater texas rigs on 12 pound or higher line, you might want to consider a medium heavy rod.

I use both BPS XPS and Berkley 100%. They both work well.

Congrats. You'll love it.

Line & Lure is polymer based and does not contain oil or solvents. It actually bonds to the line and will not wash off like the other products. It can only be removed by friction. Products that contain oil and solvents can get into the inner workings of your reels and attract dirt.

As stated, L&L will absolutely not harm your reels as it is a polymer based product. Other line conditioners are silicone based and can cause problems. The anti-corrosion properties in L&L are beneficial to your reel and any other fishing related items. I have found L&L to work very well on flourocarbon. Most flouro. is fairly stiff and starts coiling after being on a reel for a short period of time. L&L softens my flouro., making it much more manageable and allows me to use it longer. With the cost of flouro., that's a big help. These same properties also help with the manageability of any line used on a spinning reel.

Before you make a decision, take a look at the Denali Jadewood series. They are $90-$100 rods with a limited lifetime warranty. I honestly don't think you'll find a nicer rod in that price range.

Congrats! You'll love it. If you have any questions about it, let me know.

The Z-9 comes standard with a lot of things that are options on the Z-8. I think Nitro does that to give guys the option of keeping the price down on the Z-8. If you're looking at a new 2011 Z-8, now is the time to buy it with Tracker's special 35th Anniversary deals. You will get a $1,000 gift card, a BPS VIP purchasing card, and extra two years motor warranty and if you buy a new 2011, 20,000 Rewards points. By the way, I have a 2011 Z-9.

I do not use a swivel to attach the flouro. to the braid. You don't get the line twist and coiling with the braid like you get using only mono, flouro., etc., on a spinning reel. You can continue using the braid for a long time and not need to replace it. Since any kind of braid is no where near invisible, I use the flouro. leader. I'm not sure the name of the knot I use to connect them but it works. I don't use braid in other situations where I would need a leader. Only finesse fishing in clear water.

When I'm fishing techniques that require more sensitivity, ie., texas rig, dropshot, shaky head, C. Rig, etc., I want every edge I can get. That's why I use a rod with a high modulus blank and low stretch line, such as flouro., in order to transmit subtle vibrations as well as possible. When fishing dropshot and shaky head on spinning gear, I use braid with a flouro. leader. Not only does that combo. eliminate line twist, in combination with a high modulus rod, it provides maximum sensitivity. The modulus in rods differ. Normally, the higher the modulus, the higher the price. I think you can probably get to a point in price where you are gaining no more benefit. I just try to get the highest modulus rod I can afford.

You might be interested in looking at the Denali Jadewood Dropshot rod. It's a 6'6'' med. rod with a moderate fast action. It's under $100 with a limited lifetime warranty. I use the Rosewood series Dropshot Rod with the same action in 7 ft. The fast tip allows you to efficiently cast and shake your rig while the rest of the blank gives you the back bone and flex to handle large fish with light line. I dropshot a lot and it really works well for me.

If you have non-carpeted storage boxes, you can spray L&L in there to keep down mold and mildew. You can also use it on crankbaits, etc., to keep hooks from rusting.

I would also recommend using some KVD Line & Lure on your flouro. and braid. Flouro. is fairly stiff and has a tendancy to develop coils. L&L will really help to keep it more manageable.

I don't have the Denali Rosewood Shakeyhead rod but I have the Rosewood dropshot and several baitcasters. They are as nice of rods as I have owned, including Loomis's. I also like the fact of the ring lock guides on them.

I you want a really nice cranking rod and don't want to spend a lot of money, check out the Denali Jadewood cranking rod in medium action. It's a $90 rod with a limited lifetime warranty and I don't think you'll find a better one for anywhere near the money. I'm very impressed with the one I have.

I have used Sea Foam for years . Recently, I read an article comparing different brands of fuel treatments in regards to the ethanol problem. The article said you should not use a fuel treatment which adds additional alcohol or attracts water. Sea Foam does both of these. That made sense to me and even though I have never had any problems using Sea Foam, I changed over to another fuel treatement that doesn't have alcohol or attract water. This seemed to be an impartial article and was not endorsing any particular brand of treatment.

I started using Revo Premiers a year ago. They're the best reel I've ever used.

Love my Guidewear too. Been wearing it a long time. First set I had was 6 years old and some of the lining was tearing in the jacket and bibs. Contacted Cabelas and sent it back to them. They gave me credit for the majority of the purchase price on a new set. It's kind of heavy for summer time but I've never gotten wet in it.

The good thing about L&L is that it actually bonds to the line and can only be removed by friction. It doesn't just coat the line like other products and wash off in the water. In addition, it is a blend of polymers. Other similar products are petroleum based. L&L also makes a big difference in taking the stiffness out of flourocarbon.

I don't know about this, but when you're spooling new line on your reel, apply L&L to a synthetic cloth and run your line through it. One other thing about L&L, since it's not petroleum based, it is completely safe for your reel and will actually help fight corrosion. .

Line & Lure is a water based polymer, unlike many of the other line conditioners which are petroleum based. It will not leave an oily film on the water. Other line conditioners just coat the line, which is what you see coming off in the water. Line & Lure actually bonds to the line. It can only be removed by friction. It was specifically developed for flourocarbon and braid but will help the manageability of all types of line.