Avalonjohn44

It will work fine. I use a 7 foot Med/Fast Abu Veritas, almost the same rod as the vendetta, and have no trouble with hookups. I have never bought into the hype of using a 'wet noodle' type rod when fishing cranks. I use the Veritas for all of my cranking and it has not let me down. I miss a fish or two, but every time I do, it is because of a mistake I made, not because of the action of the rod. Good Luck!

I am quite happy with every Live Target bait I've purchased. I especially love the soft bodied frogs, excellent details and action. I have heard complaints about the hooks, but I haven't had a single problem with them, as sharp as anything else I've used.

I like the mighty bug. I fish it like a brush hog/beaver, usually t-rigging it or sometimes putting it on a shaky head. I bought some salleemanders this weekend, have not yet gotten to try them out.

I grabbed a bunch of the Yum Mighty Bugs and a weird shaped lizard call the Salleemander - it looked interesting. I passed up the Money Frog and Money hounds, they just looked too silly for me. I used to have some baits similar to the money hound and they did not work at all. I also got a few Hula Poppers too. For a buck fifty, you almost can't go wrong. Will head out again later for round two...

My PB came at 11 in the morning mid summer, clear blue skies, no wind. Previous personal bests all came in the evening or late afternoon. I guess long story short, is just fish whenever you can. We can plan and apply science and knowlege to every situation, but we can never control every variable. A big fish can decide to inhale your bait at any time. Clear morning, deep night. It doesn't matter. Maximizing time on the water (or on the bank...) is the key.

Old: I'll once again resolve to try my hand at jig fishing. New: Got some Luckestrike STX's that I will be abandoning my jigs for on that first day out.

Best way to learn is to go out with a variety of spinnerbaits and nothing else. Chuck and reel. Experiment with speed of retrieve, yo-yoing the bait, dragging it through wood or grass, burning it under the surface, etc. My favorite is a simple green/white skirt with two blades, one silver and one bronze colored. If the water is particularly dirty, I like a rounder blade for more vibration. A trailer is helpful, but not always needed. When I use one, I prefer a simple white grub. I never use a trailer hook. I have caught fish on spinnerbaits in just about every condition at every hour of the day/night. They are my go to bait.

Cool, I like the concept of another big outdoor store. If only because when they close up shop in 2 years I can get a lot of baits on clearance...

LOL. I've done it too. I have asthma, so I have a pretty good excuse when the sick hours start to get a little high.

I just bought all the rest of the 7inch Thumper Worms at Gander Mt today. They had them on clearance, $3.97 a bag... Going back tomorrow to grab the 10 inchers. I use the Thumper and Anaconda worms, Rage Shads and the Rage Toads all the time. I love them!

I've seen them at Walmart for the last few years for $1.50 - $2. Reminded me slightly of a megabass griffon knockoff. They might be a Wal-mart exclusive.

It's hard to find just plain yellow. Not chartreuse, or lemon. Plain Boring Yellow. Favorite color.

EBAY: Zoom Swamp Crawler x2 Zoom 6" Lizard x6 Zoom Shaky Head Worm x2 Zoom Taper Tail x3 Wave Worm Tiki Sticks Zoom Tubes Dick's Sporting Goods: Culprit Incredicraw x3 (been waiting to try these for a long time) Luck-e-strike RC STX Jerkbait Rapala Crankin' Rap x2 Wal-Mart KVD Spinnerbait Sexy Shad War Eagle Spinnerbait Sexxy Shad

They have a tight wiggle. You might feel it better on lighter line. I use 6 or 8 lb test at most. I've probably caught over a 1000 fish over the years on the humble countdown, I don't leave home without them.

Yeah, some places still do. SW only has 3 colors left, none of which I use. Other sites that sell them have only the last run of colors (Black yellow lines/dots or lime). Something is wrong with that run, the baits came out very stiff, not enough softener... SenkoSam, PM sent...

Almost grabbed one tonight, but decided to try to make my own. Seemed simple enough.

My PB, 10lb came on a simple green/white Terminator spinnerbait. Almost all of my over 5lb fish have come on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and rattletraps.

I haven't bought the dream shot, but the other KVD Perfect Plastics that I have all sink. Ochos, Rodents and Flukes.

Hadn't heard of these, I just checked them out. Will certainly be grabbing about 10 packs.

Trick worm, Magnum Trick worm, Rage Tail Thumper, Charm Assassin, Zoom Finesse Worm, and since I just got them, the Zoom Magnum Finness worm and the Swamp Crawler will go into rotation...

LCRC1.5 Blue Bream Rapala Countdown 11 in MN (Minnow) Bandit 100 Chartreuse/Pearl Bagley B2 Black Back/Yellow KVD1.5 Black Back/Yellow

I just got a medium diver Little John in firetiger. It's getting tied on this week. Great color. Culprit worms still makes a firetiger pattern 7.5 inch ribbontail, it is a very subdued version of the bright firetiger seen on cranks, but it is unusual. I use it when I think the fish are getting tired of the standbys.

I think the smaller profile puts more overall fish in the boat, while the larger profile nets fewer fish, but the quality is better. Same deal as with the LCRC1.5 vs 2.5 (or 3.5).

I still throw a T-rig almost every time I go out, and most often with a Culprit 7.5 inch ribbontail. It still catches many dozens of fish over the course of each summer. I think the T-rig probably gets a lot more tournament usage than we are led to believe. It isn't new, it isn't flashy, and while it puts fish in the boat, it doesn't put sponsorships on the jersey.

Will have to buy some now.