RB 77

I have actually worked hard towards simplifying things over the last few years. One box of each major "style" of bait (Cranks, Jerks, Plastics, Jigs, Spinners, etc...) goes to the lake with me with anywhere from about 4-8 rods depending on if I'm back-seating or on the deck.

This! Haha. When I'm on the deck I usually bring 6-8 rods with me. When I back-seat I usually bring 3-4 rods with me. I change out which ones I bring me according to the body of water I'm fishing. I usually just add a few combos a year to help build up the quiver and get rid of stuff that lays idle as I go.

This is perfect.

same amount of material just poured into a thinner longer mold? Me thinks maybe it has a different plastisol, salt, etc composition?

Is there such a thing?!?! Haha. Truth be told the best thing for me actually has been drifting a D-shot rig through them. I think its the subtlety of the presentation that gets them to go.

Well, I was throwing one in the first week of February and of course didn't get a lick on it. It was still fun for about the first 15-20 casts though thinking about getting a Buzzbait blow-up in February. Then the reality of executing an exercise in futility set in and out came the Jerkbaits and jigs. Haha...

Very cool... I especially like the OSP Orikanemushi

Well, the longer rods certainly are nicer for casting and setting the hook, however once the fish is on... that's a whole other story. The short rod definitely gives an advantage. The fine line for me is using a rod just long enough to get a fish around the bow under load if need be.

Well, you know what you have to do... keep the other rods and pick this new one up! Haha. You might want to put a different reel on the flippin' stick with a higher gear ration than the Calcutta. Something that will pick up slack line a little quicker.

Shots fired! Haha.

Well, I have some Cara and Lowrider rods as well and like them quite a bit, no XH rods though. I suppose just like most XH rods that I use that rod would be good anytime you wanted to use a heavier bait, run heavier line, or fish heavier cover. See the trend here? Haha. Generally for me, a heavier rod in turns means a heavier fishing application. YMMV...

This is literally the knot I tie for everything 99% of the time with only TWO exceptions, drop shotting and Hollow Body Frogging. They get Palomar knots. The Frog gets a Palomar with a generous tag end. Raul probably had the best advice (as usual), tie the one you consistently tie accurately. It doesn't matter if its an Improved Clinch, Uni, Palomar, SD Jam Knot, etc. Tie the one that you can tie well.

I cut my chops jig fishing with spinning gear and super micro finesse jigs. With spinning gear a light wire hook and appropriately set drag are a must. I think I was using a 1/16th oz . jig mostly. Now a days all I fish are 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 oz on casting gear with at LEAST 12 lb test.

Anything really. My favorite is a medium sized creature.

This. Hook setting power is the primary reason I prefer braid for frog fishing. The ability to cut vegetation is icing.

I had it fail once (probably the archer, not the arrow) and that was enough for me. I found the Modified Albright and in my mind the double wraps back just made sense to me. I have never had one fail. I started using it and have never looked back.

Yes sir!

Nice! You wont be disappointed.

Yeah, the monkey got you alright! Haha. Nice haul.

I own several Curados and Calcuttas. I have more Curados than Calcuttas, but there is something about that "gold" Calcutta that is just plain sexy. The Curado will be lighter and the Calcutta will feel more "solid" from the all aluminum construction. Either one should serve you just fine. Like others have said I would go handle both of them in person and go from there.

I should have clarified that I use First String. I have used XXX in the past and really like it, but for the price First String cant be beat. No doubt, XXX is stronger, but I prefer the way FS handles more and is still plenty strong enough for me. Personally I just like Izorline in general. The Brutally Strong Spectra is by far my favorite Spectra.

I definitely tend to favor the 100 size, but always have the 78 in the box just in case they aren't hitting the 100 proper.

This sounds about right. On both accounts. Haha.

MH/ F or MH/ XF for me. Heavy also gets the call for some of the bigger swimbaits.

Usually 10 lb. Izorline mono. I'm going to put some 10 lb. YZH to the test this year and see how it goes.