Robert Riley

Only reason I'm posting here is bc it's so regionally specific. I have to take some younger kids fishing this week, and bass bite is nonexistent, so I'm thinking Bluegill and Crappie. How has the bite been and what's been working? I'm down in Champaign

How many rods do you use? I tend to throw shallow on a MH/F and deep with... Well nothing yet haha.

I can attest to the quality of TFO products, I have a 6'6 M jerk/topwater, great rod. I'm personally interested in a squarebill/medium diver crank rod, would you recommend the veritas over any other Abus?

I'd say the Fenwick then. The Veritas are awful in regards to sensitivity in my opinion. Although my jig rod is a Dobyns Extreme haha a little more pricey than a Veritas.

Looking from a tackle perspective, how do you break down cranks? I mean of course you have rattles, colors and flat/round. But it seems to me to be mostly about diving depth.

I always bring granola bars (mostly cliff bars), gatorade, and of course, BEEF JERKY. But I always bring floss too, crap gets stuck and bothers me.

So what's new about this Veritas 2.0? I'm looking at the winches and I'm curious what the difference is, can any of you abu fans give me some info?

If you are cranking, Veritas Winch is what I use, since sensitivity is not super important. I have a Fenwick Elite tech ($150) I use for dropshots and shakeyheads, and I've heard good things about the HMGs. I'm eager to hear what the Maxim is like too. That's my $0.02

Cool, I figured as long as the rig is heavy enough it shouldn't be a problem. Thanks guys.

Hey guys, been a while. So I just bought a new muskie rod, it's my newest addiction. I'm also going to be fishing a highland reservoir this spring, aka A-rigs and Jerkbaits. I have nothing heavy enough to use with A-rigs, except the muskie rod. Good idea? It's a St Croix Premier, 8'6" MH, with a Revo NaCl 5.4:1 with 80lb braid.

I'll use Fluoro, I really like the Sunline Reaction, it's got a bit of give to it. A budget option is always Seagaur Red Label!

3/8 is my sweet spot as well. I like to use chatterbaits as my alternative to a spinnerbait. The biggest reason for me choosing a spinnerbait over a chatterbait is if I am targeting schooling bait fish. Only time I'll throw a 1/2 is if it's burning a WarEagle over grass. I think that the chatterbait is a "let's tick the bass off" lure, and the spinnerbait is a flashy "let's grab attention or mimic baitfish" type of lure.

I've had the issue that they are too thin to get really attached to the head. I usually buy the screw in jig head. As someone mentioned ahead of me, putting a ragecraw like bait on one works really well for me.

It's for muskie guys. This forum is much busier than the muskie one, I figure bass guys will mess with the 60-50lb line too, close enough.

I'm looking for some 80lb braid. I'm thinking of getting Suffix Performance Braid. But I've never used it before, so what do y'all think?

Tournament MG is my favorite bottom line reel, best for the buck! I know some people will point out that Lews and Abu are made in the same factory, but I seriously like Lews over Abu. I can't compare out side Lews and Abu, but Lews get's my vote!

Well I now have a plethora of colors to choose from! I'll probably go with Brown Shad, Firetiger, Gold Chrome and Black Chrome. I also can get Sebile Action First Seekers for $3.50. Any word on these?

By the look of it, it'll be jerkbaits, and considering I'm fishing a tournament down at Lake of the Ozarks this spring, it'll be needed.

I'm about 2 hours away from my lake, but I'm fortunate to have a friend who is very close and VERY into muskie fishing.

Any muskie guys out here? I'm big on this page for bass, just getting into muskie with a friend with much more experience. I'm attempting to build my first rig, Toro Winch NaCl 5.4:1 on a SC Premier XHF (I really like the slanted trigger grip) *We usually throw big cranks*

He's not Romo though, that's for sure. Let's move back to the fishing topic though! So I tossed a football jig down a point today, was a muddy point with sticks and crap. Lost 2 jigs.... Not the best spot I guess.

I just realized that I can get a new Toro NaCl for a bit less than the Luna. So i'll probably get that instead. Not too sure how I feel about that handle though

It is hard to hear when you are choking every post-season

Awesome! Thanks guys, I found a Luna for rather cheap. I may buy that one.

Just lost my last lipless crankbait.... so sad. What colors should I buy my next set in? I'm thinking of a silver/chrome, red craw, and firetiger.