Hawgin

One thing that could help him with his missed hook sets is, with a baitcaster you (or at least I) usually use either a sweeping hookset, or a quick snap hookset. My experience is that this will cause misses on spinning gear, although I'm not sure why. Usually when I set the hook on spinning gear I move the rod tip straight up in a quick motion, and then I keep pressure on the line so the fish can't shake free. What could also really help him, is somewhere on here Low Budget Hooker has a video posted on proper hooksets. He uses mostly spinning gear, and gives good advice on how to set the hook. Check it out with your cousin when you get a chance.

I like the looks of those, and I know a perfect lake for throwing a bluegill pattern. I have two questions about those, that maybe you guys can answer. 1. Do they make them in a bigger size? 2. Can you remove the treble hook from the belly?

The revo seems to be a pretty good reel, but with no proven track record. The curado has been a solid, top of the line reel for several years. There is a reason those used "old green" curados still sell for like new prices. The revo's are PROBABLY good reels, but you know for a fact that curado's are.

I don't know what your malfunction is either ;D The smallest jig I use is 3/8 and I almost always use a 1/2. I guess it all depends on when/where you fish, but if I need a jig smaller than 3/8 I will usually just switch to a soft plastic craw imitator.

Another high quality option, and my personal choice, is a 7' MHF Fenwick Techna AV. Very sensitive, light weight, and a few price points lower than a Loomis GLX. One thing to remember when choosing a rod is don't let a higher price convince you that a rod is better than another. That is no knock on Loomis because their GLX line is one of the best out there, but there are other rods of similar quality at more reasonable prices.

I can't answer your question about bandits, but the best cranks I have found for this are the Timber Tigers. They have a thicker bill, and a great body design that protects the hooks from snagging.

I've heard he is building a house in Texas, why move from the big bass lakes in Cali, to the big bass lakes in Texas?

I have been noticing some of the items (caps especially) that the pros wear are not available on the sponsors sites. The one hat in particular I have been looking for is a Mann's hat like the one Luke Clausen wears. Why would they not make this gear available to everyone?

With the weight keeping the head up, this frog is very easy to retrieve on a "walk the dog" pattern. You can also just bring the frog straight towards you with a series of short jerks that will cause the frog to bob. I like these frogs better than any of the others I have used.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the single biggest fish record get broken last year on the elite series? Something around 11 pounds? I know in the Classic Rick Clunn broke the record with a 10+, and then Preston Clark beat that during the same weigh in? I could be wrong about this, but if not it is easy to understand that many bass pro probably are still chasing their double digit best, just like us. Also, isn't Stacey King from Missouri. If so he doesn't get a change to trophy chase around here, believe me, I know this.

Another thing the nail does, that I have not seen mentioned is after the initial fall, you can lift the worm off the bottom, and then let it fall on slack line and it will fall backwards (away from you) similar to a fat ika. This just gives the bait a different action.

That would be the one.

Let me save you, before Roadwarrior comes on here and smacks you around. Scroll up to the top of this page and look for the sticky title "Got a question about senko's, look here first."

This style of bait is probably my current #1 favorite plastic bait. My favorite way to use it is t-rigged with a 1/4 oz tungsten bullet weight as a flippin' bait. I think it can be fished anywhere a jig is fished for a slower falling presentation. I've also used it on a c-rig, and the smallie beaver (3.5") works on a shaky head presentation. I must say that I do like the Berkley version better. It's called the beast. The body has a bigger profile, and it seems to be a softer plastic. I've had a better hook up ration with the beast.

I like the idea of the hair legs for a little extra action, but that spinner blade has to go.

Don't kid yourself, RW wouldn't waste an ika by chunking it up in the chili.

I will second the Fenwick Eagle GT. Best rod under $60 you will ever buy.

In the price range I think the Curado is as good a reel as you will find. If it is one of the current models, then I would definitely get another one. If it is one of the older green ones, then I would look at the Citica, since it seems to have replaced the older style Curado (and they in turn have moved up the ladder). I will defer to someone who uses spinning gear more than I do to answer your other question.

I will admit it look ridiculous for him to sponsor this "thing", but I have noticed in the commercial that it is mostly kids using it. Hey, if it gets a kid interested in fishing that otherwise might not be, I'm all for it. After a while with that thing, you can get a kid to use a better set up, and then hopefully they get hooked for life.

My experience has been that you also lose some sensitivity with a 2 piece rod. However, when you are in a situation where it is all you can use, you figure out a way to make it work for you. Someday after you have mastered the two piece rod, just think how much better angler you will be when you get in a position to use stronger, more sensitive one piece rod.

If want a rod that is very, very close to loomis in quality for under $200, you might want to take a look at the Fenwick Techna AV's. Very light, sensitive, and good quality.

I will try to do that. My buddy has the Lake Fork hotspots map in his GPS. We are debating hiring a guide for the first day that we are down there. It's a lot of money, but if it puts us on fish so we know exactly where to go the rest of the trip it might be worth it.

Just one in the double digits will make the whole trip worth it.

For all of you attending the BassResource.com Lake Fork trip I found out this week that things are going to work out for me and a buddy to head down then the weekend of Feb. 23-26, so I will try to do some advance scouting for you guys. I figure when we are there a lot of fish will be staging in their pre spawn locations, so hopefully I can share some info on where they will be spawning. I'm really hoping the weather will stay nice enough that there will be some fish already moved up on beds by late Feb. Either way, I hope to have at least one sharelunker out of the water by the time you all arrive.