RB 77

Yup. In actuality most of my setups have braid backing with a mono or flouro 'top shot', not leader, for the simple sake of not having to re-spool the entire spool when its time for new line. It really makes a difference, especially with fluorocarbon.

Super versatile rig, but I primarily like to use it in deep, clear water finesse applications.

You know, quite a bit of people use them interchangeably or use them in place of spinnerbaits, but for me personally I will use a Chatterbait when I want more vibration over flash (IE: stained water). There are others situations as well, (such as crawling, bouncing, ripping, etc. it off the bottom) but for me vibration over flash is the primary reason. Just like spinner baits, its a good idea to have a variety of blade colors and use them interchangeably (brighter blades for more flash, dark blades for a more stealthy approach).

Fly-lined baits of any sort lend themselves to the importance of 'line watching' like several other people in this thread have stated. I throw them on casting gear because of the weight of the baits themselves.

A grub might not be the best candidate for a fly-lined presentation as they are so deadly on a jig head or T-rigged. To each their own though...

Yeah, and they probably wont care either! Haha. I hear ya loud and clear though.

Yup! With a "Nail Weight" in the nose! Shhh... don't tell anyone...

Well I love to eat avocados and I love to fish "avocado" colored plastics, so does that count?

"Crushed it"!

Good grief that sounds like some good Southern eatin'! its been to long since I've been out that way and had a meal even close to that. We also have a lakeside restaurant that services a local reservoir as a tackle shop and concession stand. I have bought some killer baits in there. Picked up some quality Dawia spinner baits that i can't find anymore. Really nice design with quality components.

Always! In all seriousness the only time I DON"T use one is a weightless stik bait or a weightless soft plastic jerk bait.

I use all three "types" of line in anywhere from 6-25 lb. test for fresh water Largemouth fishing, with 10 and 12 lb. being the most commonly used. Light line at 6 lb. for finesse tactics and up to 25 lb. for Swimbaits, A-Rigs and such.

Yup! I use two CU 300E's to compliment my two CT 400's.

One brake and no brakes are the most common settings for me.

I have a Falcon Lowrider Lizard Dragger and absolutely love it for C-rigs and a variety of other various applications.

Frog on frog violence! I have had this same catch multiple times as well. Like Bluebasser86 said, in the right situation it can be a "wide open" frog ON the frog bite!

Sorry for the late reply, I hope I can still be of some help. While I haven't thrown any of the D10's with it, it's a great rod for Deep Lil N's which are a similar size plug, just a tad lighter. As far as square bills go I love them for the KVD 1.5's and the 2.5's. The 1.0 are a tad small for my liking on this rod. My favorite plug to throw with them is a good ol' DD 14. The DD 22's are bit much. Again, this is just my opinion, YMMV...

I have a couple of the Loomis CBR845's and love them for just about everything but the deepest of divers (DD 22's and such), and even then they will work for those in a pinch. I even like fishing traps in open water with them. Grass is a different story though.

I use these same exact scissors. I like them because they are compact, rounded off and sharp. A knife or lighter in a pinch. We have the Mustad and the Boomerang tools at work and the Boomerang is top notch.

Like WRB said the hook is BY FAR the most important aspect for me. A buddy of mine makes custom jigs with Gammy hooks and they are the business! I buy them "naked" and tie my own custom skirts and make my own custom trailers. I buy them in bulk (usually about a 50 count at a time) and he gives me a screaming deal. It helps that I usually come over with some fresh Pelagic fish for him to eat or some of my latest prototype baits for him to field test.

I own 8 versions of the E series and like them all. With that being said, the more I fish my I series the more I like it. Great reel IMHO. I will be getting more in the future, no doubt about it.

I have fished Calcutta's for years and have nothing but good things to say about them. I have used the 400B and 400D for my A-Rig duties along with a Cuardo 300E and was pleased with how all of them performed. I used to fish with a buddy who used a Luna 253 for years in salt water and he put that thing through the ringer with stellar results.

Oh I believe you alright! I don't know what it is, but some baits just flat out catch fish better than others of the same make, color, etc. The only thing I can contribute it to is that some just have that "Mojo" that others don't...

I don't fish with "that guy" anymore (for other reasons), but I used to fish with a guy that would "fake" a hook set on a super slow day. He would perform a fake hook set with an audible "ayyy". It didn't really do anything to me, but it drove our other friend through the roof! After a while I just got used to it and wouldn't even look over any more after a while.

I'm all for people keeping their catch and eating it if that's their prerogative. I personally don't eat Bass because its not even on my radar. Actually any fresh water fish gets a pass because of my fridge and freezer being filled with Tuna, Dorado and Yellowtail. My vacuum sealer is my friend! I love my Pelagics!