gulfcaptain

I have 2 of the BPS Graphite Series Musky rods. Both 7'6", both $60 each. Both work well for me fishing large swimbaits in the 3-12oz range without any issues. The H is rated 4-10oz's and the XH I believe is a 4-16oz. I know I purchased it to throw the Matt Lures full sized 13" Dead Twitch which weighs in at 15oz.

I would look into quite a few others as well, Phenix makes a great 7' glass rod that would work great for cranks and spinnerbaits, then you also have *** and the Black Omens as well as the Black *** cranking rods, and can't forget Falcon Rods. Just thought I should throw those brands into the mix as well.

Fished an FLW Rayovac Event out west. Glad I didn't have that experience. Although both days were tough fishing, both boaters welcomed me to give them a call and come up and pre-fish the next event with them. Shoot, one was having a tough tournament, didn't even take the gas money I offered at the beginning of the second day. We just went out and had a good time fishing and made the best out of the tough conditions. Being in the front of the boat comes with lots of pressure. Having ran charterboats and knowing you can't always make the fish bite even if you park on them and know they are there. Both thanked me for being a pleasant fishing partner. This is probably the reason they both welcomed me to join them to pre-fish the next event.

Thanks, something made me decide to put that on over all the other choices and decided to experiment yesterday and see if they would eat other cranks as good. Well found out that they didn't respond to the others as well. Talk about a confidence builder.

Learn to fish the umbrella rig. The few places I fish that have shad, when the bite dies for most fishing cranks and spinnerbaits, fishing one of these in the same areas will pick up fish the spinnerbaits and cranks won't. They just can't let that baitball swim past.

Buy quality and you won't have to buy it again. I personally use only Grunden's. Started using them when I worked charter fishing, so have heavy bibs and a fleece pul over jacket if needed but also the make lightweight rain gear which I think is right about $50 for each (pants and jacket). Have had my set since 09 and it's still going strong.

Being most of my fishing time is done between the hours of 8am and 3pm during the week when my son is at school, found myself with one of the best shallow water crankbait bites I've ever had yesterday on a Mann's 1 Minus. Although no monsters, watching 1-3+lb bass come out of nowhere and inhale the bait was just awesome. Must on had over 30 fish with I would say my best 5 probably totaling just over 15lbs, just an awesome day of fishing. They say when they are hooked on the front hook you know you have the right bait, well 90% of them had the front hook in the mouth and the back hook somewhere esle stuck in them. I know that days like the one I had are not the norm around where I live and to experience such a great bite where you could almost call your fish as you came by certain areas make days like that stand out. Even better when you happen to be doing it from the shore.

As stated above, size and weight. But mico's help eliminate line slap by focusing the line through a smaller area as well as keeping it closer to the blank. They aren't for everyone as braid to leader knots have a hard time fitting through unless you tie really compact knots and are fishing lighter (less then 30lb) braid and topshots under 15lb. They are "suppose to" help casting distance but I can't really see a difference myself.

I didn't know they made a powerhandle for the 300 size Cardiff. If it was an after market add on, then it may have not balanced right and caused the reel to click into gear. The Lexa 300's that come with the power handles are balanced for that reel and to be able to cast so you shouldn't have any issues.

The state would never okay the Mississippi water, not with all the silver and grass carp that live in them. I'm more in favor of De-salination plants and pumping that water into our lakes for storage, but then it would make the ocean too salty. Just ask the enviormentalists, they will tell you.

Lets hope we get some tropical weather systems this summer and have a really good fall rain which would be both good and bad....good to fill up the lakes, bad because most around here have no clue how to drive in the rain. But I did hear that on the News this afternoon that DVL was going to be shut down to private boats, just wondering what lake will be next.

stained you can get away with several swimbaits or glidebaits. Golden Shinner color in a Hudd 68 is a good choice(also the midnight special when available which is all black). S-Weaver 168's your choice of color, MC Mini Slammer and even use a Line Thru 8" swimbait.....if it's stained. Muddy, the 68 should still work due to the amount of tail kick it has. Could fish blugill size wakebaits(shellcracker/ LT Bluegill wakes) which really would be more like big cranks, Spro's new Rat. Smaller swimbaits I would look for baits with a good kick in the tail to be able to put off that vibration for the fish to be able to key in on and would fish them on a scrounger head as well or on the back of a bladed jig.

Power Pro is great braid. I still fish it but have started using Sufix 832, little smoother. But the original PP is still great line. Only other line I use is Spiderwire ultracast and only use that for my spinning reels.

I never have been a fan of EWG hooks, prefer a G-Lock or other style but had a problem getting good hook-ups on those with Fat Ika's. I improved my rate with an easy fix, I basically bent the hook and made it offset. Seemed to help so that may be something you may want to try.

Are you tex-possing the hook, have it burried in the bait or have the hook exposed?

I'd love to fish the golf courses around where I live. I'd get to have two pictures, one with the fish I caught, and the other when they charge me with trespassing. So. Cal they aren't to keen on us fishing in the water hazards.

I tried pitching/casting left handed once on a boat I worked on about 10yrs ago. Needless to say it didn't work out to well when I lost grip on the rod and watched in sink into the depths off San Clemente Island. Thank god it was a cheap rod and reel. Have tried to learn to pitch lefty since then but it's not pretty AT ALL.

Savage Gears 8" Line Thru Floater will work as well with no extra work. Have had fish nose up it and follow it as it drifted around but not eat it.

Most expensive would be a Hudd. ONLY lost one in the last 3 years, but on the bright side, have found several 6 inch hudds and even an 8 inch triple trout. ALL my really expensive swimbaits float. If I'm gonna cast a $100 bill in the water I want to be able to retrieve it if it happens to free itself from my line.

I had a hard time with the cost of tungsten, but after the last couple years fishing it. Other then dropshot weights, I try and go with tungsten. Even have a few of the jigs when I need a smaller heavy compact jig. Yes they cost more, but feel the rewards outweight the cost.

Have to agree with Jiggin, depends on the technique or bait I'm using. My Med power rods aren't ment to fish heavy cover or punch grass. Just like I wouldn't use a 1/4" ratchet when the job calls for a 3/8" or 1/2".

Have the EXO, and like them. Very light and comfortable to fish with. Have the high speed model and use for jig fishing. I have no complaints about the reel or the ACS system on the reel either.

Use it on poppers, walking baits, jerkbaits, and sometimes jigheads for more natural movement on both on FC and Mono, no problems as long as it's tied right and moistened before snugging down.

Thin grass you can get away with 3/8- 1/2oz. 3/4 will get you through pretty much most. Lets hope the OP had his weights typo'd but you never know, that could be some really dense grass. I used 6-8oz fishing in 200-400ft of water for rockfish.

$30 for a rat is CHEAP! I have two of them waiting for me that I ordered when they first became available to pre-order in Sept. Now just waiting to get off work next week to be able to fish them.