smalljaw67

That reel was actually more expensive than the EXO, it was $259 retail. Once they were discontinued Cableas was blowing them out on a black Friday sale for $99, I tried to get one but they were gone pretty quick but places that still have them are starting to discount them. That reel will serve you well for a long time to come, give us your review after you get to use it.

I would say the Champion extreme is close to a Loomis IMX, A Champion is on the same level as a GL3, a very good rod in its own right.

You are right, with a bad economy and wages down tackle companies had to do something and what they did was focus making lower priced rods. The good thing in all this is everyone is trying to get in on market share of the value rod market and Abu Garcia was without a doubt ahead of everyone. They set the bar pretty high when they came out with the Vendetta, a low priced rod that looks and performs more like a rod costing much more and then they followed it up with the Veritas which had SiC guides which up until then, weren't on a rod less than $200. Now all the Manufacturers are trying to develop better rods than the next guy but still keep the price within reason. Powell rods were always about performance, they are affordable and fish really well, they use good components, not the best but not the cheapest either and their rods perform above price but this Diesel line bothers me, if they had a 30 day warranty I'd be all for them but no backing at all, what happens if you are the unlucky person to get that rod that the blank got nicked when it was being shipped to the store or to your house, you go out and the first fish you set the hook on the rod breaks. Well now you need to get another and suddenly you're $140 into them, not much of a deal now and it is going to happen, there isn't any product made that is going to have 100% of the inventory perfect and flawless and that is why I think that they should have some type of coverage for just that sort of scenario. They do look like they would be good rods but I'd be scared to chance it, especially if it was something I had to save up to get.

If you fish more than 30 days a year then the Caenan isn't for you, it is a graphite framed reel that will not hold up to regular use and it isn't just that reel but pretty much any reel made with a graphite frame. Graphite side plates are a little different, I don't care for them too much but it isn't as critical as the frame. Once the frame flexes a few times the gears won't mesh together as tight and it will get rough and once that occurs it is done, you can't fix it because the frame will always flex and all it takes is a few good hook sets or a few snags. A Citica is the lowest priced Shimano reel that is worth the money, and if you like the price point add 10 bucks and get a Lews Speed Spool, not the laser MG but the normal Speed Spool, they were 89 dollars but now they are 99, anyway it is an aluminum framed reel that performs really well for a budget priced baitcasting reel.

X2 !! You need some flex for cranks but they do have a little too much for my liking. I prefer graphite cranking rods, they are a little faster than most glass rods but they have more feel and are much lighter. I wanted to go with a glass cranking rod but I just don't like the weight and you don't realize how heavy they are until you use one for a whole day like I did and I'm so glad I got the chance to fish with one or I might have purchased a glass rod. If you find the price attractive then I suggest you look at the Denali Jadewood series or the Shimano Clarus series, both are the same price but much better rods.

I'm not sure about being lighter than the Veritas, I read someone weighed both and the Villian was a hair heavier than the Veritas, nothing that would be noticeable by just holding though. I believe Abu Garcia has the rods made to pair specifically with the MGX and the others were meant to pair with Revo models.

When you see the word "reaction" to describe a rod series you don't want to use it for jigs, at least I don't. The reason is most reaction baits are going to be fished on a rod with some flex, a little more than a standard jig and worm rod. In open water I guess it would be fine but imagine fishing a jig in cover and getting a strike and when you set the hook the rod flexs pretty steep before you get to the backbone of the rod, treble hooks using lighter wire with short shanks will set easily, but a 4/0 flipping hook will require a lot of backbone to drive the heavy wired hook all the way through the jaw of the fish. Plus you are making it harder on yourself when it comes time to try and turn the fish away from cover, if the fish surges that rod is going to give a little more and possibly allow the fish to get into the cover, the normal jig and worm rod will be flexed to a point but then you'll be fighting the fish with mostly the backbone of the rod and the fish isn't going to get any give out of it, instead it will get turned away from the direction is was going and moving to the area of least resistance.

For those techniques I'd go with the Kistler. I think Falcon actually makes a better rod but even their fast action rods are more on the moderate fast side and you're going to want a rod with more backbone.

Jerkbaits are really good fish catchers but as others have said, they are a clear water bait and happen to be one of my favorites but in dirty water forget it. In order to catch fish on cranks you first need confidence in the lure itself, and the only way to do that is by catching a fish or 2 so I have some suggestion to help you. The nex time you go fishing, use your plastics like normal and once you get a bite or catch a fish remember the spot and how deep it was. For example, if you were fishing a piece of cover and caught the fish close to it in say 3 feet of water, look to fish a shallow area with a shallow diving crank. Parallel the shore line at that depth and you will get bit. Most anglers who haven't caught fish on crankbaits either have been fishing them in areas with no fish or they just haven't fished with them very much. Learn the crankbait by focusing on shallow cranks first and then move to mid depth ones and finally deep divers, by the time you begin to fish with deep diving baits you will have caught enough fish on shallow and medium divers to have confidence in them. out of all the crankbaits on the market there is one you need to get and that is the Rapala shad rap, a shad rap #5 is good on spinning gear fished in water 5 to 7 feet deep, it runs about 5 or 6 feet on a decent cast and more importantly it is probably the most effective cool or cold water crankbait ever made and while it does work in all water temps it seems to be one of if not the best crank for colder water, good luck.

MLF is also a pay per view event that is away from the tour and doesn't factor in points or standings in their respective tours, different as they aren't expected to endorse anything. If KVD is on top of the leader board is he going to ditch his Quantum Jersy for a wal mart jersey as he has to wear a sponsor for the FLW because he can't display his personal sponsor if they don't support the FLW? I doubt it no matter what money is involved because KVD can have any sponsor he chooses and use any equipment he want and he still stays loyal. No amount of money can make him do anything which is why I like him, now if the FLW let anglers display their own sponsors as well as the FLW tour sponsors, well that would be in the realm of possibility.

One of my 2 custom rods is made on an RX-8 blank, and it is an awesome rod, NFC, Gary Loomis' new company more than likely makes a better blank but they come at a price and while that may be true the Batson blanks are very good, much better than the SC ll from Croix.

The bluegill looks alive !!!!!!!! Dude, you have a real talent, I've seen phto finished lures were they put actual pictures of the fish onto the bait and they didn't look as real as your bluegill. You shad patterns are amazing as well as the rest but I have a soft spot for natural finishes and you make Lucky Craft lures look like they were painted by a 5 year old with crayons, simply amazing!!!!

If you use a floating type worm then a standup head like a spot remover will stand but on a bottom that is rocky and uneven most of the stand up shaky heads fall over, that is just the way it is and why I favor a round head with straight tail worms that float most of the time. If you want a good head to try I make my own from 1/16oz to 3/8oz just because I never use anything heavier for shaky heads. If you'd like just let me know what size head you use and I'll give you some of mine, they do use a screw lock so you may not want that style but after using a bunch of different ones I found the best, at least for my fishing, is the round head, very simple yet effective.

I agree with Delaware Valley Tackle, the Falcon has too moderate of an action for using it with baits that you want to feel and were lite bite happen frequently. As for the Lightning rod, if is the best you can afford well then it will work but in my opinion you could do a little better, especially with the reel you have. If you are able to use a credit or debit card and have the ability to order a rod I highly recommend a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth spinning rod. I've been getting some iritated at me for bringing these rods up all the time but in your case were you want a good rod but can't justify paying a lot for one, this is the rod. Even at the $129.99 retail they are a great buy, because I have fished with a lot of equipment in my time, from 29.99 K-Mart specials to $400 dollar customs and everywhere in between and these rods are phenominal at the price. I gave my grandson my Loomis SJR GL3 after getting my Fenwick just because the Fenwick was a better rod, and that is the truth. I'm not saying it is as good as a GLX or other super premium rods but it will hold its own against a St. Croix Avid all day long and you can find them online for 75 to 80 bucks. So if you save a few bucks here and there over time you may want to think about that rod but for now a LR will serve its purpose. And if you ever get into the world of casting I can help you out with good rods on the cheap.

That is the beauty of making my own, I can custom size the hook and head to work with the bait I want to use. jchez444, tell me what size head you are looking to use and I can make a few for you, I use a spring lock on my shakey heads which happen to be of the round head variety. For example, if you wanted a 1/8oz head, I could make them with a 3/0 and a 4/0 hook and that way if the 3/0 is too small the 4/0 will work. I use a 3/0 hook for 4.75" to 5" worms and 6" worms get a 4/0 hook, that seems to work pretty good. BTW, I wouldn't charge you, just helping out, not knowing which head will work with your baits can get costly since some of those heads are exactly cheap.

May I ask what you're using now? The reason I ask is that is a significant upgrade and probably higher end than most pros use truth be told. I agree though it is nice to use good equipment and if all these are in your price range then by all means go for it. Areas were you can shed some costs however would be the crankbait rod if need be. While it is nice to use a great rod, I found that crankbait rods don't require a ton of feel, I like to have some feel though which is why I like graphite cranking rods instead of glass. The other thing with a 4 power Loomis deep flex is you are going to be limited on the type of cranking you do, that primarily a deep crank rod for open water, you aren't going to be able to fish shallow cranks around weeds or cover with it very effectively so you may want a more universal cranking rod in the Loomis line up.

I just tried to find the place I saw it and it is no longer available, it appears VMC now sell one in book form for like 6 bucks. Either way the hooks used on the chug bug are VMC and if you match the size up you'll be fine. As I said, it isn't quite as critical on cranks as it is on topwater especially the chug bug, they designed it to spit and walk by weighting it to sit lower in the water, a slight change in hook size place havoc on the action as I have found when replacing hooks on my chug bug lures which I love.

Great job !!!!!! If you don't mind sharing, what'd she hit on?

Stay with the same size hooks, whie you can go up a size on cranks the same is't true for most topwaters. The chug bug is one of my favorite topwaters, it was the first topwater I used that was a hybrid popper/walker, and I know from experience that going to a larger hook will mess it up. The chug bug walks as it pops, great action but slightly larger hooks make it sit just a hair lower, that tiny bit makes it dive and ruins the action. I even had a hard time using certain brands so what I found works best is VMC cone cut trebles. I believe you can find a VMC hook guide that tell you what size hooks you can use on the Storm and Rapala baits.

I just bought a rod for traps and square bills that is also going to make a great larger jerkbait rod. It is a 6'10" medium heavy power, moderate fast action Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rod, it has a tip like a fast action rod that will let you work the bait and rip it free from grass but has a lot more flex than a fast action rod so you have the fish fighting ability of a cranking rod, and while they retail for $129.99 you can get it on Amazon with free shipping in the $77 - $80 dollar range, a steal for a rod of thiat calibur if you ask me. The only downside is you may not like the 6'10" length, I happen to like rods that are 6'6" with 7' being a long rod for me so this is like the best of both worlds as it is long enough to make those long distance casts but still short enough for accuacy when casting to targets. I just had my frien who is also the local butcher weigh my rod on his certified scale, 3.83oz , not too shabby for a medium heavy powered rod.

That is only a question you can answer, I think both those rods are around the same level. The KVD rods from BPS are different than the normal Quantum Tour KVD but for the price you still are getting a decent rod. The Skeet Reese rods are a little to soft in the tip for my liking but if you truly want the better rod, then make the trade anf get the Johnny Morris for 90 bucks, you'll have a better rod than either of those two. You can also look at a Vendetta or a Quantum Energy PT or an Accurist PT, any of those three are good rods for the money and in your budget.

When on someone elses boat keep your tackle to a minimum, it is common courtesy and when the boater want to use the big motor to move to another area he isn't waiting on you to button down rods and stowing away a ton of tackle. You can do this by using the tournament schedule to pick your rods and tackle. For example, if the first tounament is say in late June and the fish are all pretty much in post spawn well you are going to be using search baits as the fish tend to scatter at that time. So the next thing to look at is the body of water, does it have a lot of weeds or is there a lot of standing timber, things like that and then talk to other club members that fished the body of water before during the same time period and see what they say. And the final thing to do is check the weather forecast for the day of the tounament and see what conditions are going to be like. Then have a small bag with a worm binder for your plastcis, a plano 3700 size box will hold all the cranks you'll need, another 3700 will hold enough terminal tackle and riggings, a spinnerbait binder will carry all of those you need and a 3rd 3700 box to carry topwaters, that will give yoy 3 good size boxes in a bag with 2 binders, enough tackle for even a 2 day tounament. For rods I would bring a flipping stick, a 6'6" or 7', whatever your preferance medium heavy fast action rod for spinnerbaits and worms and jigs, the same 7' medium cranking rod and a 6'6" to 7' medium powered spinning rod, that is all you will need. You don't want to get carried away with frog rods, drop shot and shaky head rods as well 2 cranking set ups, that is too much and the lighter you go the more your boater will appreciate it. And one last thing, always give money for gas, even if he turns it down make sure you let him know you understand that there is gas, oil and wear and tear and not just fuel and that you don't mind paying your share for the ability to fish out of the persons boat. This will get you invited to fish a lot more and gain you a little bit of respect.

Classic mistake, the hook size is a big reason for missing fish and in 50-55 degree water temps a little less action is more of a good thing and the angler was using a finesse worm, not a ribbon tail. A finesse worm isn't goig to suffer from a small change in hook size, in this anglers situation I honestly believe going to a 3/0 versus a 2/0 is the right thing to do, he obviously has the right bait as he is getting bit and his partner is using an even larger worm with a larger hook and catching fish. The small hook could help when you aren't getting bit in the first place, and I agree with the small hook in that situation but getting bit a not being able to hook the fish as they are only taking the bottom have of the worm is different, it happened to me and the small increase in hook size saved my day. I think your remedy is what I would do in warmer water when fish are present but not biting.

that has happened to me in the past, and when it does you need to up size the hook, if you're using the 2/0 go with the 3/0. This will do two things, the first is the longer hook shank will be further down the worm which leaves less "hookless" worm for the fish to grab, and the other thing it does is keep bluegills from grabbing to far up the worm. I believe this will help, good luck.

It will never happen, you will never see KVD put on a "snickers" jersey because he made the cut or ditch half of his sponsors because they don't sponsor the FLW in hole. KVD is a very loyal pro angler, for him to fish FLW would mean they would have to change they way sponsorships work. For instance, if company "A" sponsors the FLW, then an angler in the top 12 of the cut has to ditch his personal sponsors and put on a company "A" jersey, and that isn't going to happen. It is all about the sponsorships, and if you look at the level of competition there is a big difference. In the beginning B.A.S.S was bleeding anglers to the FLW because of the payouts but now that has changed you won't likely see many elites cross over to FLW but instead you are seeing more FLW anglers crossing over fishing the opens trying to qualify for the elite series.