Primus

As mentioned make sure the knot is moistened when tying, and to pull a little slower when you cinch it down. I also like to use a reel with at least a 3000 size or larger spool (learned this tip from a KVD seminar who uses 4000 size Quantum reels). I haven't tried the line conditioner but on my spinning reels I troll the line with no lures, hooks etc behind my boat the first outing of the year to soften my line up. I also like to use a tiny swivel ahead of my dropshot to minimize line twist with this presentation. I like to use the Gamma brand on spinning rods because it has a good combination of manageabilty & strength. I use the BPS or Pline on my casting rods because they are more affordable than Gamma and that manageability is not as much of an issue on a casting reel.

Sounds like your from the BC / K'zoo area. I live app 1 mile from Michigan Tackle and I try to buy what I can there (primarily Yamamoto/ Zoom baits) but if I remember correctly I picked up most of my Muscle Deeps from D & R because they stock them there. I can see why you're a big fan of these cranks sounds like we're fishing some of the same lakes but if anyone ask tell them the Muscle Deep cranks are no good

John G, I agree with you on the Muscle Deep cranks, it's been a very productive crank for the reasons that you mentioned. I think their Super Crawdad color is going to be a hot color as well, I plan on getting a few. I also like the Cherry Zero footer, it's been a very good shallow crank as well seems to have a little wandering action.

I think that it's pretty close as far as the lure weights and line sizes that are described on the rods.

I've used both and I prefer the Yozuri over Floroclear, in my mind these lines are more like mono than a 100% florocarbon line. I like the Yozuri for topwater, shallow cranks & spinnerbaits but I prefer an all Florocarbon line for soft plastics and jigs.

I have 2 of them so far, a 7' MH casting rod along with a 7' spinning rod. They are a very nice rod for their price range and are a terrific value. They are in my opinion comparable to many rods selling for app $200 but not quite on the level of a GLX or IMX. I picked up my first one at a sports fishing show 2 years ago and the owner who is a very nice guy was having people pushing on the rod to demonstrate how tough they are. He certainly got the attention of the attendees at the show, I saw many walking out with one of his rods. Last year I added the spinning rod and have been pleased with the performance of these rods.

I bought one in the White Lady color, haven't fished it yet. It comes with saltwater hardware, very fat topwater, can't wait to see it in the water.

I prefer to have an arsenal of jerkbaits, there are several good ones out there and each seems to have characteristics which will enable to be the best tool for the job on any given day. In addition to some of the ones already mentioned I was very impressed with the Ima Flit and the HMKL suspending K-1 minnow. Both of these baits seem to have a more triangular shaped cross section that allows the baits to have more roll, this is an excellent trigger. The Ima cast a little better and suspends a little deeper than the HMKL, however there are times when fishing weed flats later in the spring when I don't want the bait running as deep. Though the Pointer gets more recognition don't overlook the Lucky Craft Flash minnow, I've had some great days with this bait. Regarding colors you need some transluscent colors like Ghost minnow, Matted colors & Charteuse shad for cloudy days and reflective flashy colors like the LC American shad & Aurors Blue. I'm real interested in picking some of their baits in the new Skeets Magic, looks like it will be a killer. I've also been hearing good things about the Spro Mcstick though I haven't tried it yet.

I just picked up a Fat Sum on e-bay, supposed to be similar to the Sammy but doesn't rattle. I also got a few OSP cranks to try this year along with Daiwa non rattling lipless baits. I've used a lot of the various Lucky Craft and some of the Jackall. I also caught a few on the Shimano Triple Impact 120, very unique bait that I picked up last summer.

I picked up a couple of packs, waiting for the ice to melt. As usual don't need it, as usual couldn't resist.

I picked them up late last summer, caught a few fish on it in the limited time that I had it on the water. Looks like it has a lot of potential, will be in the rotation this year.

I definetely believe in clear water not having a rattle can be a big advantage especially in lakes that don't have a lot of cover. Though I would probably use a rattling lipless bait most of the time, I had a couple of days last fall where the Sebile Flatt Shad which doesn't rattle seemed to outperform my rattling lipless baits. The Lucky Craft RC series is available in a non rattling version, this is has definetely beeen my most productive shallow crank since it came out. Another readily available quiet crank is the original Rapala Shad Rap.

Wake: Excalibur/ Jackall 56 Zero Footer Shallow: RC 1.5/ Baby 1 minus Lipless: Redeye Shad/ Yozuri Rattlin' Vibe Finnesse: Shad Rap Mid Range: Wiggle Wart/ DT 10 Deep: DD22 & Jackall Muscle Deep 15 Plus Honorable Mention: Excalibur/ Bomber Fat Free Series (various models)

Roadwarrior I've been fishing a 3/8 oz Bladrunner Spintrix which is similiar to the Hornet but has a bigger hook for the last 2 years. I've been using the 6" Yamamoto 19-10 series grub as my trailer. The 2 best colors have been the black shad head with the 031 color Blue Pearl Silver Flake trailer and I've also done well with the Chartruese Blue with the 214 Smoke with the Black, Blue,Gold flake trailer. Up here in Michigan it seems to attract a lot of Northern Pike as well.I've used 14 lb BPS Floro for this application on a 7' MH Roque rod. I picked this idea up from KVD's nephew whom you will be hearing a lot from on the trail in the next few years. I've also have tried the swimming hornet with a Zoom Fluke, but I've done better so far with the other combo. I appreciate your suggestion of the Magic Shad, looks like I'll have to try it this year.

I have 4 Roque rods and I've been very pleased, they have a little softer tip but if you go with a MH Roque you'll find it has plenty of backbone. I also have a 7' Heavy action that's been excellent for Carolina Rigs.

If buying an American made rod is important to you consider Loomis, Roque, St. Croix, Setyr & B nR Outlaw all these companies make a very good rod. I haven't used them yet but got a great deal on 2 Setyr rods to try for next year. Hopefully the ice will go away soon.

One of the keys to having manageable floro on a spinning reel is to use a reel with a large spool such as a Shimano Stradic in the 4000 size, also don't fill as close to the lip as you would with mono.

I still use them, clear water, light wind, post spawn. I do prefer baits that I can fish faster like a spook, however there are times at certain lakes where this will be your best topwater option.

I think they are one of the best values out there for a fishing rod. I prefer the medium for most applications, go to the medium heavy for hard pulling or heavier baits.

I have a couple, very nice rods for the money. They are made in the USA, which is a plus. I've been very satisfied.

I've done well on the Outkast in the 1/4 oz size. The most productive color has been the purple green jig with a 5" Yamamoto grub color #214(smoke with black, blue & gold flakes). I also like the the sunfish color with a green pumpkin Yamamoto trailer. The swim jig is definetely one of my favorite shallow water baits.

They hooked me, I just bought 5 today. 1 Popper, 2 shallow cranks & 2 deep cranks.

I think Hawgchaser sumed up my thoughts on the Pointer, if you were only to get one I would try the 100 in the Ghost minnow or Ghost Sunfish. As already mentioned Chartreuse Shad & Aurora are also great colors.

I like the Outkast swim jig, it has doublebarb keeper to hold your trailer.

If I had to pick one I'm going to leave it to Beaver, the Reaction Innovations Beaver that is. The runner-up would be a zoom baby brush hog.