gr8outdoorz

Over the last year and a half (before I tore a tendon in my arm that sidelined my fishing), I spent a lot of time on the water improving my deep cranking. One thing that I found pivotal to my success was having the correct dive angle in relation to my cast & where the structure/cover was that I was fishing. Through much trial & error (mostly error), I found that, since I am not the longest caster, I had better success on cranks that had a sharper dive angle so the bait stayed "in the zone" longer. That being said...when looking at a crankbait in the store or online, how can you determine what dive angle it will have? Is it the angle in which the bill comes out of the front? Where the line tie is (close to the bait or closer to the end of the lip)? The shape of the bait? What about the build of a crank determines the angle at which it dives? Thanks guys! Carlton

A new rod!

Don't know what your friend is doing for them to break. I have several Micro Magic's and have never had any trouble with any of them. He may have banged them around previously and had nicks in them that finally gave way. That is only a guess though.

All are equally important...a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

You want a round reel for the line capacity. You will be using big line (20-25lb mono) and making long casts with swimbaits. I have an Okuma rod. I used to use my revo winch on it. On a good cast I could almost spool it. Got a Cardiff 301...problem solved. If you go with a low profile reel you need to step up to a 300 series like a curado 300 or revo toro winch.

All of the above! You should never limit yourself.

If you are talking about the jointed ones I have some. They have a really nice action to them. I haven't caught anything on them yet because right after I got them, I tore a tendon in my elbow & fractured the ball joint. No fishing for me for a couple more months

6'6" MH/F when throwing them at targets. 7' MH/F when throwing in open water.

Braid w/ fluoro leader on one spinning setup. Straight fluoro on the other. Different lines for different jobs.

Yamamoto D shad & Caffeine shad. Pearl white, white w/silver back, & watermelon red fake.

Either reel will be fine, but I suggest you move up to a 300 size in the Cardiff. You need all the line capacity you can get. As for a rod, Okuma Guide Select is very hard to beat. The 7'6" Heavy would be perfect for up to 8" Hudds. Mine is rated for 1-5oz baits.

You CAN use 4x tippet on a 5x leader it just might not turn over as well. Just keep the tippet short & you should be ok. If it is a new 9' 5x leader, cut about 1.5 ft from the tippet end and tie in your 4x tippet if that's what size you need to use. What you want in your leader is for it to taper down. Thickest at the butt section and thinnest at the fly. What I used to do is put on a 4x leader then add 5x tippet. When slinging smaller flies, I would just add smaller tippet to the end as needed. As long as you keep the taper stepping down you will be fine.

Actually I did work 4pm -4am for 12 years and never had trouble staying awake. I guess I have been lucky enough to have a bunch of energy. I use to do endurance workouts back in my climbing & hiking days. When I took a break from those workouts, I noticed my energy decrease. I started back exercising and I felt energized again. So that's why I have that philosophy. Works for me. Btw...congrats on dropping 35lbs!!!! Man that's awesome!!!

I always choose my colors depending on the water clarity/color. In the clear lakes I fish, I just choose the colors that best represent the forage. With the plethora of colors on the market, I try to keep it as simple as I can. IMO, color is not as high on the list as some other aspects. Once fish are found, I focus on size & action first. Color comes last.

My philosophy is...If you need energy drinks, then you need exercise! Exercise will give you all the energy you need

Catching limits is not about which rod, reel, line. It's ALL about locating the bass. Study as much as you can about bass seasonal movements then spend LOTS of time on the water hunting them. There are no shortcuts...just lots of time on the water.

Happy Birthday Jeff!!!

As others have said, that rod is underpowered for 8" hudds. I have the same rod and use it for hudd 68's & throw 8's on an Okuma xheavy. Here's a tip until u can get a new rod. If your in a boat, make your regular cast, put your reel in free spool, and back the boat up with the trolling motor. You can give yourself all the distance you need.

My home lake is full of grass. Most hate it...I love it. Lots of great spots for bass and, more importantly, their forage. You can use lots of lures. Crankbaits, lipless cranks, jerkbaits, and swim jigs are deadly ticking the tops of submerged grass or running grass lines. Where the grass reaches the surface & mats up, hopping a frog can't be beat. If they are not hitting the top, punch a jig or soft plastic through the top. Hope this helps!

Haven't had a lure hit me yet. However, I have taken a number of heavily weighted streamers to the back of the head when I was learning to cast sinking lines. Kinda makes you learn real quick.

Medical Scientist.

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/09/18/alabama-men-to-spend-30-days-in-jail-for-cheating-in-fishing-tournament/?intcmp=latestnews

Big Brown trout in rivers throwing big streamers on my saltwater xtra fast 6wt or fast 8wt.

Congrats to you and your family Raider!!

Yes they are Jeff! I have been wanting to get a new dog for a while and now that I bought the house It was time. She is already becoming daddys girl!