Hawgin

I'm a little late, but I got a 6'10" Team All Star Big Boy flipping stick, 2 Trophy Series Scum Frogs, a pullover windbreaker, the original 3 Star Wars DVD's, Kevin Van Dams DVD 3 pack, and some new KC Royals gear. I also treated myself to a Shimano Citica 200D I bought from the flea market section of this site. I also got another year of great times with my wife and my son.

I WOULD recommend Froggs Toggs if you plan on using them just for fishing. I would not get them if you planned on wearing them hunting, or around a lot of "snaggy" situations. However for fishing I think they are great because the entire set (tops and bottoms) weigh less than 1 pound, they breathe very well, adn they are affordable. No, they are not insulated for cold weather, so you might have to wear layers with them. Oh, and if you are sitting on something wet for a long time, you deserve to get your butt soaked.

I haven't cleared space on the memory card on my camera yet (my wife took a lot of pictures of the kid), but I did get a 6'10" Team All Star Big Boy flipping stick from my folks, and I bought myself a Shimano Citica 200D from myself to myself off the flea market section on this site.

Spinnerbait or pitching a plastic beaver bait(berkley beast)

RW, I agree with you that the Zebco spincast are the easiest set ups to use if you are brand new, but I would recommend to anyone who plans on fishing more than a few times a year to at least consider picking up a spinning set up instead. They are pretty easy to learn and maintain, and you can buy a decent combo at a pretty friendly price. It may be a little more money and time to learn at first, but if you plan on fishing with any regularity I think it would be more worth it in the long run. If a beginner turns serious about the sport then a spincast will quickly be out the door due to it's limitations, where as a spinning outfit is something you can use for almost any application (as you are the living proof of). As far as lures, well that's a much harder decision as the numerous debates on this site can attest, but I think the list you gave is a good "starter" package.

How do the Guidewear compare in weight to the Frog Toggs. The super light weight is what I really like about the Toggs.

The two that I really like to use are a Yum Dinger t-rigged weightless with a 3/0 EWG hook, and a Zoom Magnum II t-rigged with a 1/4 oz tru tungsten weight.

I bought one of these rods when they first came available because I was under the impression that it was going to be the same quality as the Premier. I was very disappointed. This rod is okay, it's fairly light, but it is not a very sensitive rod. I only use the one I have now for topwater, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. If you are looking for a cheaper rod to use with these types of baits you will probably like it, if you want it for jigs, plastics, etc I would look at something else like a Fenwick Eagle GT or a Berkley Lightning Rod, or I would save up for a St. Croix Premier.

BE sure that you realize on the twiching bar that when you use it, the reel handle spins. Therefore you cannot be holding onto the handle when you twitch it. If you get a strike on the twitch, your hand could be out of position to set the hook and start reeling.

For under $100 I would look at the Abu Garcia Revo S. Seem to be hearing a lot of good things about this, and I know that Abu products will last you a long time and will work hard for you. Here is the link: http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=84683&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=1&hvarSubCode=1&hvarTarget=browse

Most everyone will get on here and tell you to buy a G Loomis, and if cost really doesn't matter to you (like paying $300 for a Loomis) then you should look at those. However if you are looking for a reasonably priced rod that is just as sensitive and light then I would recommend that you look at a Fenwick Techna AV. For my plastics I use this rod in a 7' foot medium heavy and I have no problems detecting even the most subtle bite. You can pick up one of these rods for around $170 new. For a second choice I would tell you to look at the Powell lineup of rods, or any of the Kistler rods.

Thanks guys.

Does anyone know if I am wanting to return some reels I recently purchased to Bass Pro, do I have to return them to the location I got them at, or will they accept returns at other stores? I have two new reels (unused so far) that I think I am going to return but I don't want to drive 4 hours to do it.

I understand there is quite a market for some of those horse hormones and steroids.

Okay Raul, I have to ask. As a vet in Mexico, are you supplementing your fishing income by distributing "medication" to professional U.S. athletes? I only ask because you've spent more on japanese fishing tackle in the last month than it cost me to buy my house (and it's a nice house.) All these other guys want you to share your tackle with them, I would just be happy if you got me an autograph the next time you hook up Barry Bonds. ;D

What a better way to break in a nice new Loomis than to use it to throw some Lucky Craft jerkbaits in the upcoming cold water months.

I have a falcon spinnerbait box completely full, so however many it will carry is usually with me.

For those of you who live in the Kansas City area I was at Cabelas tonight and they are having a half price clearance right now on Lucky Crafts. They had LV's, Fat CB's, Pointers & DD's, Sammy's, and G Splash. They had several colors, and they were good colors (american shad, tennessee shad, table rock shad, sunfish, shell white, etc.) They also had Norman cranks for under $2, rapala dt cranks for $3, bombers for $2, booyah spinnerbaits for $2, yozuri, and many other brands.

Power Pro braid Suffix Elite mono Yo Zuri Hybrid

Speaking of hear-say. I do not personally own a pinnacle, but my two fishing buddies both use pinnacle reels and rave about them. One of them sold his green curado's and now has Matrix on all 8 of his set ups. He tells me that are slightly heavier than other reels because they are 100% metal, but he also swears they are the smoothest, nicest reels he has used.

The only good thing I have found so far about the water levels being so low is that it has allowed me to mark a few spots of cover that I didn't know were there on my maps. Good info to have when the water levels go back up.

I'm guessing at this point that she will never touch another one of your reels for any reason, but just in case you might want to consider reel covers. I have one on each of my reels anyway, but since I have a small child I'm even more glad I have them now.

Matzuo Spit n Sputter Zoom Horny Toad War Eagle buzzbait

You can get away with using spinning gear for those applications as long as you plan on using small crankbaits. If you want to use deeper/bigger cranks I would recommend considering a baitcast set up. I would recommend a rod probably 6'6". Then it depends on what you want to spend. If you want to stay in the $50-$75 dollar range I would recommend another Lightning Rod, a Fenwick Eagle GT, or a Bass Pro Shops branded rod when they are on sale (something like a bionic blade, extreme, or rick clunn). If you are looking around $100 I would consider a St. Croix Premier, Fenwick HMX, or a Team All Star. If you spend more than that I would consider going up to a Fenwick Techna AV, or a high end St. Croix (unless you want to get really serious then you can consider a Loomis, but I wouldn't buy anything below an IMX). For reels, that's 100% personal preference. Most people really like Shimano. However, in my opinion most companies make pretty comparable reels based on their price range.

Apparently the monkey isn't the only one who been working overtime lately. I think Raul has spent more on Japanese tackle in the last month than I will make this year.