JIGFISHERMAN.

Those look great! I really like the use of rubber. I'm planning to do the same with my next batch.

I've bought all my unpainted jig heads from LureCraft. Poor Boy's tackle business.

I think it is *** that I bought a BUNCH from. They are great. One of the best alternatives. Cheap too. My other choice for an alternative is Snack Daddy Lures, stick bait. But not exactly common in lots of areas. Still, they have a few colors I can't find from anyone else. EDIT: Why is ********************** on the forum filter?? Weird.

I suspect others feel the same way, but just don't want to be negative. That would explain the few posts. I don't care for him at all either. I think he would promote fishing with dinomite if he were payed to do it.

I use a 7'6 MH, XF rod. I don't need a heavy rod, because I don't flip. And I'm curious how many people actually do, today, with the higher fishing pressure our waters receive. I use a 7'6 Johhny Morris signature rod from BPS. It's to bad they don't make them anymore because it's a perfect rod....Light, fast, sensitive, etc. I guess in the end, I would say ask yourself where and how you will be using the rod, because for me anyway, I don't need a rod that is as heavy as most "flipping stiks"

Keep in mind I don't use braid/flouro leader setups on spinning reels, so that is why I'm asking the questions I'm going to ask. For me, the biggest reason I would use flouro is it's more dense, therefore sinks. Because of this you have more direct contact with light weight baits. Less line bow, less effected by wind/current etc. Aren't you giving up this benefit by going to braid/flouro leader? Sure you have the invisibility benefits of flouro but not density. To answer my own question, is it because the diameter of the braid can be so small so as to offset the fact it isn't a sinking line?

I'm fine with that too. Like roadwarrior said, a nice reel is nice to fish with. IMO though if it will cast well without backlashing, and without breaking, it is a good enough reel. My favorite reel I've ever had is a BPS Pro-lite from a few years ago. Just wish it had a faster IPT.

Good Post. FWIW I don't mean to imply that all Abu spinning reels have poor line management. Just in my experience, the ones I've used, and the ones others have used that I have fished with have had problems.

Not arguing. I just don't agree. The best value for your $$$ in rods IMO is right around $100-$120. After that return in performance for your $$ starts to fall off quite a bit. I feel the rod is more important, but IMO you can get a REALLY nice rod for $200. Nicer than a $200 reel.

+1 Always seems to perform pretty well IMO. I think sometimes folks get hung up on the Japenese is better, or if it costs 25x more than the old standbye's it must be the best. I really didn't have any complaints when using Berkley's 100% either.

I'm not sure about line twist since I haven't used it, but I have been in the boat with my brother and witnessed him have multiple breakoffs using the stuff. It's bad enough he switched to Viscous flourocarbon and loves the stuff compared to the Vanish. FWIW 100% Flourocarbon from Berkley really isn't a bad line. It's my second choice-but I haven't and WILL NOT use some of these high dollar spools costing 25-40 bucks.

7'med spinning rod. All depends on your budget. IMO $100 is the best bang for your buck price point. Maybe up to $120. After that your gain/$ spent starts to taper off. For budget reasons, and the fact they are rock solid reliable, regardless of their cost, I'd go with a Pflueger President spinning reel on that rod. After that I would go with a 7'MH baitcasting rod. And Revo S, BPS Pro Qualifier, or Citica. Keep the classifieds section in mind. You will be able to score MUCH nicer equipment by carefully buying used vs buying new. I've saved $100 on rods that cost $250 new. That is a BIG chunk of savings. EDIT: I see most of that is already covored. I really think that the two rods above are the most universal rods you can find.

Make sure the lower unit is full of fresh oil, and has no water contamination, and other than that make sure you lower it to drain any water out through the exhaust. About all you can do. Winterizing from that point is pretty much done. Especially since you should be using Stabil anyhow.

Snack Daddy Lures salty sticks in St Clair Special color. Otherwise Paca Chunks, or Poor Boys Erie Darter, or Drop Shot Darter in Mango Melon

Very well could be the reel. I've seen several instances actually of people using the same line on similar sized but different reels, one have all sorts of issues and another not having issues. I like to use smaller reels than most use. Pflueger supreme 8030's. I've found they manage line great. Even without wizbang line management features. Abu reels I've used were terrible, and I quit using all but one, and that one is a big spool reel w/braid on it.

It's better for the reel too. Honestly, once you do it awhile, you won't notice the difference otherwise. It will just be second nature.

Please post any nerf gun mods you find.

Good post IMO. I agree

Do you click your bail manually? Click your bail manually, and give a pull on the line to straiten it out. For things that will twist your line, use a very small spro swivel. FWIW I've had Abu spinning reels give me issues also, even when using the same sized reel from someone else with no problems.

Speaking strictly to fish hitting jigs when they won't other plastics...... To me, a jig is a middle of the road bait. They aren't strictly finesse baits reserved for days when fish will bit nothing, and they aren't really the best choice when a crankbait, swim jig, jerkbait etc will catch bass much faster than a jig.

Other than the ease of throwing lighter baits, one of the areas that a spinning combo has an advantage over a finesse baitcasting setup is the slack line fall. To me most finesse presentations I would consider truly finesse, I feel the slack line fall is pretty important. In which case the spinning outfit wins out.

Pretty nice setup. If you don't mind, I'm curious did you do the work to the reel yourself or have someone else do it?

Yep. There is a place for all boats. That is why they were built in the first place. I don't have a sparkly rocket, but a bigger Deep V aluminum boat, and I wish I had room, and $$$$ for either a Jon boat, or smaller V bottom to fish a couple rivers that I like to fish.

It's entirely possible I'm wrong, but to me, the point of the post was very clear. It is a reminder that you don't have to spend huge money to get into fishing. Or, for that matter, you don't need to spend huge money to fish tournaments.

I could, but facebook is used and checked more frequently than e-mail accounts.