Teal

Darren is right, it is very debatable. But my opinion is to buy a quality reel and then buy the best rod that fits the remaining budget. I want a reel made with quality components that will last a long time with proper care. Reels have alot of moving parts and ive been on the losing end of trying to save money by spending less on reel to 'get me by'

Here on lake gaston when the hydrilla starts growing, a 7" zoom or power worm can be leathal. I will agree with Francho that ribbontails fell back a little with all the new creatures coming out.

First thing you need to know is, what is the water temp?

I hardly ever keep fish. If i know i am going to be supplying a fish fry then ill make sure to keep them. (But when i play for keeps im targeting stripers, crappie, or white perch) The only exception is Flounder. Everytime i go the Chesapeke bay for flounder fishing, im playing for keeps! and the way that trip works out is, there is a fish fry when i come home.

A dead otter, with two small snapping turtles attached.

congrats!

You really cant go wrong with any of those rods or reels. I am impartial to Lews reels. I like them alot. But it would be either the Tourney Pro or the Chronarch The rod would be the Avid.

IIt could be something as simple as how hard your lure was hitting the water.

Ive been practicing the knot (actully the same waay that Tosh showed, only i use 6 wraps) with a piece of flouro and i have yanked on it pretty hard and it holds good. I figured that more wraps wont hurt. 3 wraps may work, but i felt better about 6.

The 806in or the cumara?

I can never find deals like that when I have the extra money. The only exception is when i bought my boat. 1996 Javelin 400 TE 19'10" 200hp Johnson, meticulously garaged kept. I drove it once, liked it. The next day my wife stole the boat for 5000. The guy originally asked 7500.00. Besides gear, i guess that is our best purchase!

Ive bought SEVERAL RODS from them...never had an issue

I posted about the Powell 766, but i bought a Cumara 7'7"H during the christmas sale (aa steal) and havent even put a reel on it yet. It will be a punch rod, im sure it will be a beast. I have too many flipping sticks but i really want to try the Powell 806 Punch rod. (TW exclusive)

TW is a pretty good company

The 7MH should be just fine and will be so much more than just a jig rod. Keep in mind that if the cover/pads is really thick or you are planning to throw heavier jigs, a heavy action rod is a good idea. I personally prefer a 7'6" rod for pitchin/flipping but like LGM Gambler said, its all what you are comfortable with. St. Croix is a good company.

sweet!

Nothing wrong with that rod/reel combo if you are just starting out. I tell everybody if you are just getting in to itm dont invest too much. Sounds like a combo that you can do anything with. Its a very versitile rod/reel combo.

If you have a friend who has alot of local people on facebook, get them to post. Word gets around quick

Post her up on facebook. I found a dog and put her on facebook and got her home within a couple days.

Are you using the straight shank for most your worms and such or just flipping baits. Whats the method to the madness when choosing which baits get the straight hook?

Jerkbaits and jigs.

They didnt see the trolling motor as "under power" when guys were long lining last year.

Like alot of guys i have always fished my plastics on offset worm hooks and EWGs with an improved clinch knot or a Braid knot when tying directly to braid. I have used straight shank flipping hooks but only with bigger, thicker creature baits. With all that back ground said, i have been reading more and more about pros, local guides, and weekend worriors like myself using straigh shank hooks on almost all of their softplastics (except for swimbaits and such) they say that the hook up ratio is better. Ive also read that alot of people are recommending the snell knot for better hook ups. My questions are , what are yalls thoughts? Are snell knots the real deal? Are they just good for straight shank hooks? Are any of you using just snells? I have actually sat down and learned the knot and have been practicing it.

I live by the alberto knot, but i have flirted with that idea, but i like long leaders (5ft) and i do not want a swivel coming through my guides when i cast. And even if you keep it outside the top guide it will be like chucking a carolina rig. With all that extra hanging over, its hard to be accurate casting. I like to be pin point with shakey heads. So i have decided against it. I always count knots as liabilities. I always try to get by with as few "liabilities" as posible. The fewer the knots, the better i feel. You can always try it and just take some notes and let us know how you feel about it.

Super cool to have those guys on here! I love hearing their input and i dont take into account who they are sponsered by because IM GONNA DO MY HOMEWORK AND USE MY OWN GOOD JUDGEMENT ALSO. Id rather hear their input (sponser motivated or not) than most of the guys that hang out at my tackle shop all day. Im really happy to have Mark, Kevin and all the elite guys here. Their experience on the water can be very valueable in this forum. I appreciate them for posting their opinions. As to the original post, seaguar has won my trsut so far with their fluoros, so the next time i see some on sale, im will probably try some.