gripnrip

Well up until now, people have thought they are a gimmick. If you looked at other hardbaits in BPS, there were some empty pegs. The Livingstons were stocked. Now that Howell caught a few fish at the classic, they won't be able to keep them on the shelf.

No need to get upset Wbeadlescomb. Long Mike doesn't mean anything by his statements. There have been brand posse's on here that want to cram a certain brand down someones throat. davi754 was not specific on a brand of reel for any of us to comment about. He left it open. So I will put my 2 cents worth on this. I suggest a BPS Pro Qualifier for your first reel. It has a dual braking system and if you can watch any of glenns videos, he will also show you how to adjust both internal and external braking systems. Brakes will help you out tremendously while you learn. When Bass Pro has these on sale they are 80 bucks. Go there now and trade in an old reel you don't use and I believe you can get it down to 65 bucks. An awesome reel in that price range. I think they are worth the 100 retail they have on them. Check out this thread that another member has done a 4 year test of a 5 year test on the PQ. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/126636-bps-pro-qualifier-bc-reel-–-5-year-challenge-–-4-years-down-1-to-go/?hl=%2Bpro+%2Bqualifier+%2Byear I am going to purchase my first Shamano bait casting reels this year. I am going to go with a Curado. I do believe based on my research and what has been said on this forum that Shimano is one of the best reels money can by. Like Long Mike said "Read the articles in our Fishing Articles section, and watch the videos, then find a rod and reel that feels good in your hands, and is in your price and buy it. There are a host of rod and reel manufacturers out there that will fit your criteria." That is sound advice. When you get one and need help, start another topic or PM me. I have a few tricks to help you out. Good luck. Darin

I caught a channel cat once when I was a kid and named it "Charlie" Dad let me put it in the stock tank. My Uncle named one of my dogs "Marcel" Other than that, I'm pretty boring!

I shaved mine after deer season. As soon as the first whiff of cold air, I felt like putting an old lady scarf over my face.

I have them on all my reels. I love them personally. I will be putting bass1980's theory to work. With Shimano going to a different color in the Curado, I will be purchasing my first Shimano baitcasters this year. I'll wind up with at least 4 by years end.

That's what it should look like. I can't tell in your pic. http://www.google.com/search?q=strike+king+rage+blade&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=cgEUU9THF66GyQG-6IHYBg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAw&biw=1280&bih=609#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Q8zkEgzzLtiE9M%253A%3BSZRDMiEC647BKM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.***.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F07%252Fstrike-king-tour-grade-rage-blade-rig.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.***.com%252Ficast-2013-strike-kings-new-tackle%252F%3B600%3B340

I used a 7' H Falcon lowrider with a PQ reel, spooled with 30lb PP, Thursday when I did a little bank beating. I fished a Jika rig with a regular Dbomb in bruiser flash. I hauled water but it was nice to get out a few hours!

I like a Big Bite squirrel tail, 4" trick worm, or the 4" magnum finesse worm.

I'm going with 10.2 That fish is awesome!

Tasty filets right there!

You shaved the beard after that? CRAZY! nice fish tho!

Depends. Shaw if it is a sight fishing bite. Ike if it isn't. The next for me is a no brainer. KVD did well in his last Florida tourny. He hasn't had great finishes there but I'll bet he does better than Martens. Just my 2 cents.

I used one Thursday. I threw it for about 30 minutes. I don't think the conditions were spectacular for the bait but I had to get some crankin in! lol I like the action of the bait. Super sharp stock hooks. It hung up in some grass close to shore and I went wading to get it back. The water was COLD! I didn't want to give up the 8 bucks!

The majority of Randy's fish wasn't caught on the Livingston. There has been a big debate over that prototype that he used. I don't doubt that he caught some fish on it but I do believe the DT6 Demon he used won him the Classic. Not the Livingston.

Sometimes it's tough catching roaming bass. They are in their own worlds during this time. I went Thursday to a watershed pond in town. I've caught bass every time I've went. It was my first skunk. The only thing I regret is that I didn't try a jerkbait. I didn't have the setup for the proper presentation but I still could've tried. I always think of things after the fact!

That video helped me a ton last year. I never was any good at getting anything under a dock or boat slip. I didn't realize why until I watched the above video. I was looking at the dock a lot with no confidence in getting the bait where I wanted. So when I focusing on where I wanted the bait, like Gerald said, more often times than not that's where it went. I now have some confidence in skipping.

I will jump on the line topic. I use 50 to 65 pound braid with an occasional flouro leader around rocks. If I am in standing timber, 25 pound flouro gets the nod. IMO mono can be used as well. The only draw back to mono is you re-spool more often. Taking care of your line is a must. Braid can last a long time. I get 5 to 7 years out of my braid, 2 out of flouro, and if I use mono it gets re-spooled once a year.

I've been debating jumping on the Shimano bandwagon. It seems like a quality reel. A buddy of mine let me use one of the previous models a couple of years ago. I was impressed. I just couldn't get past the UGLY green! lol

Pull up one of Glenn's latest videos. He does an excellent job of the techniques.

Practice. Practice some more. Practice when you think you have it!

I'd say close to 3.

They may be by the boat sales area. That is where they are in my BPS.

Flip a 5 gallon bucket upside down and your good to go. If you don't weigh much, you could use an old milk crate.

Hootie works there. He said on another thread that Seaguar is now making the BPS flouro line. I have used their house brand before and had good results. At their price point, I could add a few more bucks and purchase a brand name quality line so I did. I am curious to see how this line performs. I may have to get some to try out again if it is on sale.

I like the Booyah pond magics. They are great for stream fish and catch just about anything. One of my favorite Booyahs to throw is the all black with the big colorado blade on it. I do however like Strike King better. I am partial to their bait because I caught my first bass on a 38 special. About the only other spinnerbait I throw is War Eagle.