Mumbly

Perhaps he saw the Aaron Martens video where he explains that using braid backing makes the spool spin quicker and easier resulting in 10-20 feet extra distance on a long cast. Also A-Mart claims braid backing makes casting more effortless.

How do these compare to the BPS Carbonlite rod?

I haven't seen one made since the late 80's with Shimano's Bantum Beastmaster 2-speed. It had a lever that you flipped up and down for 6.1:1 and 4.1:1. I bought one back then and still have it.

I have only kept one smallmouth in all the years I have been fishing. It was my personal best (4.5lbs) that I allowed myself to be talked into getting mounted. I still didn't feel right about it but I relented and took it home. I placed her in the fridge and the next day I called the local taxidermist to ask about taking the fish in to get it mounted. While I was on hold waiting for guy that does the fish, I kept seeing smoke drift by the kitchen window. Thinking fire, I ran to the window and looked for the cause. I stood there in total shock taking in the image of my Dad standing over the grill, grilling my fish. I stood there in stunned silence for what seemed like forever, then was brought back to reality by a voice saying, "You wanted to get a fish mounted?"........"I did but apparently I was too slow and it is now being grilled for someone's lunch." He had a great laugh and story that he still remembers. Dad still says it was delicious.

nearest BPS to me is 2.5 hours away so I called to check if they had a Carbonlite 7' medium/moderate in stock. Young sounding guy answers the transferred call. I explain what i am looking for......BPS: "We have a 7' medium" Me: "yes but do you have the 7' medium/moderate?" BPS: "It's a medium....a medium is a medium". Me: "Are you saying that power is the same as action?" BPS: <crickets>...."It's a medium". I certainly wasn't expecting an Abbott and Costello routine and I am still unsure if they have the rod in stock or not.

pappajoe222 has summed it up quite well

I don't use deep cranks either so I am of little use in terms of equipment needed but perhaps info from KVD himself on what he used will help. There was another video after the event but I am unable to locate it at the moment. Maybe the one below will help a bit. http://www.bassmaster.com/video/first-look-davy-hite-kevin-vandam-toledo-bend

Super spook jr. has been my favorite for a couple of years now, Really like the chug'n spook and the H2O TWS baits.

What you described is exactly why I love topwater so much. There is nothing like it when it's on!!

I still have a Bantam Black Magnum. That pic sure brings back some great memories.

Hehe...yeah maybe so on the sign. I had the same happen when they were on sale for black friday. By the time I decided I wanted to try one they were sold out. Looks like they have finally updated their website to say "not available online".

Just curious here. Was it the 300 size you were interested in? I handled the 100, 200 and 300 not long ago and 300 felt huge.

Heddon tiny torpedo in bullfrog and a Hubs Chub Rattalur in frog are my favorites. Other solid choices are Heddon dying flutter in clear or baby bass, Bomber rip shad in bass and black and Cordell crazy shad in bullfrog, smokey joe and chrome/blue.

Bass pro is situational for me at best. I absolutely love going into the their stores but it terms of buying tackle I usually only buy something that is on sale for less than anywhere else. A month or so ago they had whopper plopper's on sale around $10 and were offering free shipping. Last week it was red eye shad's on sale for $5.11 which was decent. I had seen them cheaper on that auction site but the color selection was poor. I have over 20 online stores that I scan through when looking to buy a bunch of stuff. Part of this is a result of being on a tight budget and part of it that I enjoy finding great deals. BPS is usually the last place I will check.

I remember that kit from the 80's. That is definitely a blast from the past. I found an unused bottle of Original Fish Formula the other day along with some other tackle that i bought in the late 80's. Always great to find that stuff.

A fantastic selection of baits!! Good luck on your outing.

Some stuff you just have to buy because of the price even though it may not be what you want or use. I just couldn't resist this bundle at of all places.....a gun show?!?! 1st pic was all for $15. I doubt I will ever use the Buzzinator's but at $1 each I couldn't say no. The 2nd pic with the line was from a huge indoor garage/flea market type sale last weekend. Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits were from one guy who didn't know what they were used for. $1 each. The rest was from another guy who claimed to have closed a store he had. $15 for all the hardbaits and $5 each for the line for a total of $30 in pic. I think I did ok at both places.

We don't have largemouth up here so fishing for smallmouth. When you do use a trailer is there a size ratio? 1/4oz spinnerbait use a 1/0 or 2/0 trailer hook and on up from there for example?

I noticed they were sold out of large. I am a 36 so thinking the mediums would be a tad too small. Need to lose some weight anyways s I might jump in before they sell out.

Fantastic!!! Happy to see that she was wrong but at the same time a bit frustrated that she didn't know more info. I see you got a medium....what size waist are you in inches?

Thanks for the heads up. Is there an easy way to search for what they have in 28? update: Just looked at the website and found the Cabela's men's fishing pants in a 28 inseam for $23.88. Sadly I also spotted the "item note" in red which says " These pants will be two inches shorter in length than what the sewn in tag states." I called and the women I spoke to said it would make them a 26 inseam. I am short but not that short. :o)

I will also agree that it is personal preference. I do a fair amount of bank fishing and when I do my rod choice is a 6' and a 6'6". I am fairly short at 5'7" and when fishing baits especially topwater I usually use a downward rod motion so a 6' works best for me in terms of "ground clearance".

I believe the color you are looking for is Red Crawfish which has the black lines on the side. The Red Crawdad has no lines. Might be easier to track down with proper color name. Hope this helps.

Huge thanks guys. Really appreciate all the information. Seems like the screaming eagle is a popular choice. Are you guys running trailer hooks on these? If so what size?

I recently bought a few of the Reel Glove covers in both small (for my 50's) and large (for my 200's) and they are very well made but the Shimano reel covers are much better in terms of fit and a much simpler design in the single velcro strap. The reel glove have 3 and just don't fit as well IMHO.