rangerjockey

I use the good ol' Pro guides for the trolling motor and usually get 4 or 5 years out of them. I did go to an AGM for the cranking battery but that's about as high tech as I care to go.

No, The Zodias has always been as sensitive as Expride in my hands. You are giving up aesthetics and the TB seal of approval.

Dobyns moving bait actions are among the best regardless of price. The 705cb and 734 were always my favs along with the 702 spinning rod. Back when I had a deal with them I got 50% but that was with Gary. If you get 35% that's a deal. Personally , I don't think the Xtasy is as good as an NRX or Steeze but at 35% off I would be giving it some thought.

Yum and the Shanes blades of glory are reasonable and good quality.

As of now on a casting rod and heavier weight I think the frog hook is the way to go for me. How to add the weight is the wild card. On the smaller size like the 13mm on a spinning rod I'm sold on the Talsman hook w/ the clip on weight.

One thing that concerns me with the treble or quad hook is that when you fish it like a jerk bait around brush it's fairly easy to hang up. From the first time I fished it that way, I worried get one deep and I'd really hate to tongue hook one.

Everyone seems to be speculating at this point, so I wouldn't rule anything out. But most seem to be putting the weight at the back of the bait opposite the line tie and holding it right against the body. I'm not convinced that the elastomer is the best material. It was fine when we were just basically neko rigging the thing but trying to shove frog hooks and weights like the freak-o through it is a PITA.

I noticed that Davis is releasing a new frog hook with a weight attached via a split ring. That seems like a great idea; I've personally been using a free-rig weight secured with a piece of a TRD worm to achieve a similar setup. While getting a standard frog hook through a typical Coike isn't too difficult, those Hags baits are definitely tougher than a Kroger steak!. I've taken to opening up the existing hole with a drill bit rather than risking a trip to the ER to get a frog hook out of my hand.

The Mann's are pretty easy to find on the auction site. Even the original double stamps don't bring much so they are still affordable.

I started with a #1 treble hook and a nail weight. Now, I really like a frog hook with a dropshot weight . I slide the weight up the hook to the line tie and let it swing back between the hook shanks and shove the whole thing through the Coike. I use a 3/16 cylinder weight

The ol' Cordell jointed redfin. Some wake great but some never will. My method is 2 suspend dots in front of the joint for starters and a feathered treble on the back. Some guys like to heat the Bill with a lighter and bend it down, Personally , I've put a couple in the trash behind that method. If you can get one in chrome or smokey Joe that wake right they are magic.

The markers are fine. I like a jar of JJ's magic because I think the coverage is better . As Chris said, you want to try to avoid getting it on the carpet. If you do shaving cream and a broom will help.

Since your a highly accomplished professional I'm sure you've never blew one up. I've been at it over 40 years and I'm not ashamed to admit I did it Saturday casting one of those ignorant Coike's. Max distance ? step on the trolling motor . If you've ever fished with FFS you can see how far they will come to get a bait , 20 feet one way or the other ain't gonna matter.

I wonder what size hook the Stanley ribbit uses. I've got a few of those somewhere .

What are you looking to throw with it ?

I have a friend who made fantastic balsa squarebills as a winter time hobby. He had a color similar to Bill Norman's mountain dew he called pizz ice . It was inspired by his buddies who would hang around his shop and drink beer and relieve themselves outside. I don't know how patents work when it comes to naming baits. A local guy , Tim Hughes , was the originator of the Table Rock shad color. He told me that color has won over a million bucks over the years and I don't doubt it. Now everybody and their cousin sells a stickbait in that color.

12lb. Invisx.

Before they got bought up by Pradco they made some great baits. These days, Just buy 6th sense , lucky craft, Spro ect. ect.

Dobyns champ 795 and a Lews BB1. 25LB. flouro,

If you want to try it just buy a couple of the Cumberland Blauket jigs. They are well made and reasonable.

I use a #1 BKK treble and a 3/32 VMC neko weight. Jewel has a new, contoured weight. that has teeth on the shank to hold it in place that I'm going to try.

I've been using the Evo tungsten this spring and really like them.

Pretty much, We have rock (hence the name) and some wood.

I've never seen that myself. Invisx bows just like anything as long as the bait is really on the bottom.

Great rod. I have it in the AGS version. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and bigger topwaters are normally what have on it. I don't throw swim jigs much but I'm sure it would work fine.