rangerjockey

Iynn Reeves worked for BPS for years. If memory serves, he quit when he was able to obtain the rights to use the Lew's name from Lew Childres family and bring back the brand. That didn't make Ol' Johnny very happy and I don't think BPS ever had a Lew's product in the stores until after the buyout. I will say that when Lews was still on HWY 65 they had a great tournament rewards program and if you had an issue with a reel, you could just drop it in the trash and pick up a new one. That and they gave away a bunch of stuff to local guys.

Lew's moved out of Springfield years ago. Some of the guys that worked at the tackle shop there went to Bait Wrx and Boat Wrx. Boat Wrx just closed it's doors a month or so back. When Strike king or, I guess whatever the parent company is bought Lew's they closed the shop on Hwy 65 I don't think the reason your seeing a lot of returned Lew's stuff is because of the fact that they used to have a warehouse/office here.

Whoever they farmed the hard baits out to this year may not be the same as last year. I'm sure it's who gives them the best deal.

No, but the lucky craft, 6th sense or the ol' Strike king would be a better choice than a BPS house brand.

Cool. I have a silver/red Triton now. I'm in the closest dock to the ramp on the gas pump side. Holler if you see me.

my place is in Cape Fair. I keep my boat at the marina.

I live on the James River arm of Table Rock. I don't think they bite it like they used to either. Really it hasn't been good for a few years. 3 or 4 years ago you could just go down a chunk rock bank and train wreck em. I pretty much put it down last year and just throw a Shakey head. I would imagine down by the dam or Kimberling city in the clearer water it would still work.

War Eagle screamin eagle which is a 1/2oz bait on a 1/4 oz frame and blades. If the shad are bigger, I go tothe standard size 1/2 oz. Both in mouse and purple shad. The Ozark flash is another good bait. Basically, a copy of the older War Eagles.

To me the 873 is quicker rod than the MBR's. I would say it's a bit softer than a 4 power JWR. The new player in the game will be the new Fenwick world class 7ft 3 MH. It's designed by Justin Poe and Dave Brinkerhoff . Same guys that worked for Shimano /Loomis and did the 873 CRR. I have one on the way soon. I'm anxious to compare it to my 873.

Keen Sandles in summer then some kind of waterproof hiking boot in the winter.

You can do it anytime they are bunched up, but I love to do it in the summer months when they get under docks for shade in the boat slips and under the walkways. I like a 3/4 oz War eagle or Dixie jet slab spoon and the R2S Watson spoon. The Watson spoon will flutter away from the pitch and get underneath the walkways. I like to cut the swivel off. I have to cut my line back at least once a day because of the twist but I think they like to see 'em spin.

Black Label balsa has a version that has a weight added. I believe its 3/8. Great paint and hardware.

The MBR has a slower taper than the JWR's. It just depends on how heavy a bait you looking to fish. If your thinking a 1/2 oz. the 844 is the better choice. I have an 853 in NRX and 843 and 844 in GLX. The MBR's are much better moving bait rods.

I don't think Falcon labels the swim jig rod as such anymore. At least the last one I bought a couple months back isn't. I personally wouldn't choose it to throw the ol' Floatin' worm . It's a outstanding 3/8 oz jig rod a spinnerbait, chatterbait and even a crankbait rod. I would agree it's really 2 rods. The weightless worm rod would be a great choice for the lighter stuff and I think it makes the best jerkbait rod that falcon has.

I've owned Rangers, Champions and now Triton. If I were buying another one tomorrow I'd probably buy another Triton or possibly the Charger/Champion 196 or Phoenix. If you fish tournaments I would defiantly check the rewards program that aligns best with your circuit. I

I use a Bass Mafia Deep crankbait box that I had laying around . I leave them in the package until I get ready to use them so I know what they are. The used ones get tossed in front of the console . I go through them once in a while. I make up 2 or 3 jigs and trailers and put them in my pocket or a cup holder so when one gets hung, which is going to happen on Table Rock, I can just retie in stead of opening the lid and looking around . I like the looks of the plano jig box but for me that organization might last a day.

G Loomis has never been a me too kind of company. Heck it took them 7 or 8 years to put out a split grip after everyone else had them.

I've had the Spro line in the 10lb. on 2 of my crankbait rods for a couple months now. It's time for the Wart and RK crawler bite around here and it's getting used quite a bit. It handles well about like invisx . I'd buy it again but it was getting hard to find the last I looked. I got mine from RDT.

If you had 20 ,that's a good day. I had 8 or 9 up the James last Friday. They were on isolated wood and a few on the docks. Table Rock is getting close. I'd expect they will catch them in the Toyota First week of November.

TWR means top water rod. I used to throw flukes on that rod quite a bit also. Probably make a good stickbait rod also. Vision 110, McStick ect.

Basically I throw 3 colors. War Eagles and screamin' eagles in mouse, purple shad and cole slaw w/ painted blades for dirty water. If they won't chase any of those it's usually time to start draggin' something.

One of the topwater or jerkbait rods . I'd guess in the legend tournament.

Falcon used to make a casting rod in the Cara series called the shoal cranker. I let mine get away ,but I still think it was the best wiggle wart rod I've ever had. I use the Medium canker now and it's good but the shoal cranker was better than the 4-17 or Mansfield. The Virtus rods are also really good. I have the finesse jig rod in the red diamond series and it's a fine rod but personally I don't think it or the current Falcon cara version are as good as the original Eakins rod in the lowrider series for the 5/16 ball head. Jewell still makes that jig but it's now call the AJ. I also have a Virtus that never made it to production I believe it was going to be called a Z series . It's a 7ft. heavy so I guess it turned into the Titan but it has no markings on it at all except for a silver sharpie, but if someone is looking for a old school American made rod they are worth a look.

I was part of the initial craze back 10 year's or so ago when guys were paying 50 bucks and up for the thing. They were winning every cold water, suspended fish derby around and you either threw it or got beat by it. I'm not sure they still bite it that good but no question it still works. I like the Yum/scottsboro deal also. We used to throw it on a flippin stick back in the day. I throw a lighter rig now and usually on a Falcon Amitad but anything that can handle the weight will work. In Missouri we can only use 3 hooks, so the 2 teasers go on top and I use a bigger bait on the center wire as it's the one that gets bit most of the time. I use either heavy mono or 65lb braid. If you get the thing stuck, get past it and pull it loose with the ol' Minn Kota.

Yes, it's a good choice. A great multipurpose rod. spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits and 3 hook walking baits as well. Mine are the Cara version but I'm sure the Expert is fine.