Alpha Male

That slight bend is the difference. Benefits??? you got me.

If you're on a budget then just get a Truimph. the Triumph and Premier use the same graphite so its no more sensitive than the other.

magnesium is lighter and more expensive. others may know more but thats what i know.

I would recommend a quantum Accurist (the new white PT version) or a shimano symetre with a ***, fenwick HMX, or even a St.Croix Triumph for a spinning combo. For a casting combo I would recommend a BPS Proqualifier or if you can find one on sale a Lews BB1 speed spool with a Fenwick HMX, Abu Garcia Veritas, or if you can swing it a Pinnacle Perfecta rod.

yes they work. even these will take some practice but like i said there is no better knife to practice on than a cheaper one. Also look for a honing rod.

Opening weekend would be lake mille lacs as fas as quantity. Everyone is out there to fish so noone is to disrespectful.

I have a rapala fillet knife and have used many others as well. The rapala works as well as the others, when sharp (but that goes for all knives). Most people cut themselves with a dull knife because they needed to exert a lot more force and when the object they were trying to cut lets the blade through their hand was the next thing there. You need to invest in some sharpening tools. You will need to do some research but I can get you looking in the right direction. First you need to buy a "hone" these are the steel or stone sticks you see chefs using. It will be about a quarter inch in diameter and about 6-8" long with a handle. This should be used by you every time you fillet a fish (not that you need to do it between fish and in fact I would recommend not doing that). This isnt sharpening it perse but removing any burs on the cutting edge. Second you will need a sharpener. Now you need to try as hard as you can to find out the bevel (angle) of the blade. Find one that gets close. Preferable one that has a steel (carbide) side and a ceramic side. There will be instructions. If you feel the blade is getting dull you start with the steel side then move to the ceramic side. Then a quick hone and your good. Like the act of filleting a fish this takes practice and a cheap rapala fillet knife is a good blade to practice with. Not a nicer koa fillet knife that you were asking about in a previous topic because even that knife will get dull and need sharpening. Lastly I would still recommend finding a place that sharpens knives. It wouldn't cold that mich once and a while to bring you blade back to perfect.

thanks for all the input guys!

I have all my tackle in various models of plano stowaway boxes. Do any of you guys put more than one crankbait (hard baits) in each spot? If you do put more than one in the same spot do you worry about the hooks dulling or scratching the other bait? thanks

I would consider the quantum accurist or the smoke.

there are a lot of companies that still offer a full range of 6' models

I have 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50lb braid on baitcasters and havent had a problem...yet. when i do you can all say i told you so. but for me the thin diameter is the main advantage of braid.

"Inches per turn" The revo STX - SHS "Super High Speed" has a 8.1:1 ratio with 33 Inches per turn of the handle while the rocket has a 9:1 ratio and 37 inches per turn of the handle. I just didnt feel that 4 inches per turn is worth 100$.

mitch nailed it. the only thing I would add is look at a BPS Pro Qualifier reel. they are worth the money, they perform great for the money.

I really like my Revo STX, but an extra 100$ for an extra 4 IPT over the Revo STX-SHS doesnt seem worth it.

Yeah the baitcasters were never like the spinning rods. I really like it but never liked the baitcasting rods.

I have the older uglystick lite spinning rod, and I was looking at some of the baitcasting versions and they werent the same at all. I have heard relatively good things about the GX2 series as far as cost to performance is concerned. However thats where they cut costs and it is huge in diameter. a Medium action might be better for you. I have a "rhino titanium" spinning rod that has a diameter of nearly 3/4" just above the handle.

I have a PQ and 2 revo STX's. I had a tatula for a couple of months and you can go wrong with any of them. but as far as feel goes, there is a reason the PQ is the cheapest.

I prefer the reels that have both. the centrifugal brakes work the strongest during the acceleration on the spool at the beginning of the cast, while magnetic brakes work during the whole cast. thats the shortest i can make it. You definitely need to do some research.

I would say a St. Croix LTB or a pinnacle perfecta rod with a lews BB1.

The lews reels that have dual brakes are the tournament speed spool and the tournament pro. the PQ is a decent reel, nothing wrong with it. the knob your talking about is the spool tension knob and not "really" what they're talking about when talking about brakes. check youtube and the manufacturer site for the best description for each reel. they can explain it better than I can type it.

Sorry that was perfectly unclear...It would be for my casting setup, Pinnacle Perfecta and Lews reel. if not invisX then?

St croix premier, Pinnacle Perfecta.

maybe not the "best" but i really like my Veritas rod. I felt that as a reaction bait rod you dont need a 300$

All of the techniques still apply. just have to be aware of the difference in size of fish. you're not going to throw a 7" 3oz swimbait here unless you're fishing for musky or pike. plastics, jigs, dropshot, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. they all still work.