pbizzle

While nothing will compete with the pre-pure fishing All Star's, to say that they're not a quality product is an overstatement in my opinion. They're still a very good rod for their price range.

O'niell Williams, the guy on the TV show O'Niell Outside, is actually sponsored by Shakespeare. Now I don't know if I agree with everything in this video (especially him saying that jigs don't work well in the summer months), but you will see him using some orange Shakespeare reel in it.

I don't know why they would. That's why I'm asking.

I use P-Line CXX so my experience may be different than yours, but here's my thoughts: 1.) For jerkbaits I would go with 8-10. Topwaters I use 12-15. I'd rather use 8 or 10lb for topwaters than 12 or 15lb for jerkbaits. 2.) I don't worry about backing for copoly, but you could use it if you wanted too. Doesn't really matter. 3.) Again it's all your choice. I always use a San Diego jam when tying to my lure and an Albright knot if I'm going to use it as a leader.

I feel the same way about the Big Bite Bait's Trick Stick.

I figured that they were too large to close their doors, but I thought maybe Pradco was getting rid of them. Didn't Pradco buy Bandit out too?

Well just like the title says, is Yum going out of buisness or what? I mean everything on their website is marked down to $2.99 and just about all the retailers are taking stuff off the shelfs or marking it down. I have a hard time believing that a company as big as Yum would shut down, but it's starting to look that way. Maybe their updating to a new scent or type of plastic, but I would think that we would've heard something about that before now. Does anybody know what's going on?

Thanks man. It's my first Revo, and also my first Veritas. Feels pretty sweet though…

I just got my newest combo! An Abu Garcia Revo S and a 7' MH Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0! Going to be a sweet little setup for spinnerbaits, worms, and football jigs.

Okay that's what I usually do to, except for when I'm flipping with a straight shank hook. I don't really know what to tell you then. Maybe the skin is getting torn with the EWG and exposing the hook point.

I remember reading about something like this in an old issue of Bassin'. He'd bite the tail of a lizard and replace it by screwing a colorodo blade into the body. I remember the spinner that he use was made by Mesu Baits and was called the Dingle Berry. I really want to buy some just so I can say I caught a bass on a dingle berry…

I know a lot of guys don't push the hook point all the way through the plastic with an offset round bend worm hook, while you pretty much have too with an EWG. I'm pretty sure that would make a big difference in the amount of snags you get.

Norman's aren't a bad bait. Shoot I even have about half a dozen new in box pearl splatter back Deep Little N's that I found at Academy for $1.45. They'll catch fish, but in my opinion there's better baits out there now. Norman's still catch fish, but they've been around so long that all the fish have seen them. I've been catching more on newer baits. Even the H20's have caught me more fish. So while they're not bad baits, and they definitely deserve a place in your box, they're not the best bait. They do come in some KILLER colors however.

Yeah I've even had hard plastic plugs crack after landing a few bluefish.

I usually hit up Academy, then Gander, Sportsman's Warehouse, then TW.

This or the All Star Classics which are on sale for $40. The Ethos is a better rod, but both are a good buy.

I'm glad Bass Raider mentioned this. I forgot that one of mine also had a clutch problem, but I took it all apart down to the frame, and completely rebuilt it. Now it feels brand new. That was a free reel I won in a bet with my friend though, so I don't know exactly how it was treated before I got my hands on it.

I have two of the first gens and I love them. I can't speak for the new ones, but I don't know if I would like them because of the magnetic brakes.

What do y'all through your big heavy topwaters on? I just found a few of the big 1-1/4 oz Rapala X-Rap Walks for pretty cheap, and I don't know what rod to throw them on. My normal 6'6" M F topwater/jerkbait rod definitely won't handle them. I know the guys that fish the big Ima Big Sticks throw them on heavy or extra heavy rods, but these aren't quite as heavy as them. I'm planning on throwing them on a 7' MH with 50lb braid (my frog setup), but I wanted y'alls input on it.

I've always wondered how much a largemouth actually eats turtles. I know they do, but I just don't know how often. Anyone have any ideas? BTW to the OP I didn't mean to hijack your thread.

I fish use two set ups for my football jigs. For 3/8 to 1/2 ounce football jigs, I'll throw them on a 7' MH F with 12lb CXX. If I'm throwing a jig from 3/4 to 1 1/4 ounce, I'll use a 7'6" H F with 15lb CXX.

The only way I've fished them has been weightless. I seem to do better with them wacky rigged, but texas rigged has also gotten bit. I've never caught anything over 8" on them though.

I'm not sure if it's the largest, but it's close too it as far as soft jerkbait fish go.. I actually caught it on a caffeine shad, but I figured it still counts.

Those are great reels. I have 3 of them. Assuming it was the H2O Xpress Ethos that you bought, I believe it's an even better deal for the price. I also have 3 Ethos, and I like them more than my Vendettas.

Thanks everybody! I know that it was really an unsuccessful day compared to what a lot of the guys on here go out and have (or at least claim to have), but I was really proud of that fish. Being the youngest guy in the club, and going out there as a non-boater fishing against all these men that have fished on the lake for their whole life, it really meant a lot to me that I was able to place first for the whole year.