PGA Dropout

Is that the new Conquest on the left? Either way, seems the new 101 and old 51 are very close in frame size.

I like the Uni a little better than the SDJ for braid. However, I use the SDJ for fluoro and it works very well.

Now that I think about it, for $350 you should just buy a Conquest 51 and call it a day.

Plat has some SS SV's in the garage sale section of their website for like $255. Edit: IAY was faster.

It works well. I think if 12 lb mono is doing the job now, 10 lb fluoro *should* be fine.

8-10 lb fluoro depending on cover. Possibly braid with leader. 1/4 oz Siebert Tournament Swim jig with a Paca Chunk is my jig and trailer idea. Color is up to you.

Tip your waitresses; I'm here all week.

Yellow #4 Mepps Black Fury.

I would consider the Okuma Scott Martin TCS 7'3" HF from Valley Sports. The price is very right. I have one coming this week; I'll update when it gets here. It's rated 1/4-2 oz and I plan on using it for baits towards the upper end of that. We'll see how it works!

Can you swing 7'3"?

I have better luck with EWG's when I set the hook with a sweep to the side instead of straight up. I would also consider a 5/0 Owner Twistlock for your Ikas.

They come up used sometimes. Definitely worth $20 though. The attention to detail is ridiculous.

Sometimes the blue ones come up lightly used for $150.

You'll be happy you did.

Mend It

I usually try to buy Power Pro @ $10/150yd.

Phenix 682 or *** Aussie model 6'10" ML, depending how low you'd like to go.

CH51E is the best you're going to do for a $200 "finesse" reel. I have one and recommend it. It's going to look like hell on the bright blue LTB though.

Sweet Jesus, that's red! Do they make lefties?

You may find this interesting since we fish the same lake. Yesterday I went out with just a Blue Fleck KVD Finesse Worm and a Shell White LC Gunfish.

I do love expensive topwaters. However Zara Spooks and Pop-R's work just fine. I throw Gunfish, Sammies, Popmax, and Giant Dogs, but my PB Smallmouth came on a KVD Sexy Dawg that I got for $3.

Rage Craws fit well if you've left the skirt untrimmed. However I trim my jig skirts so I use Chunks or pop a section or two off the Rage Craw.

Get him a 7" Mike Shaw Slammer. Throw in a couple Siebert jigs and you have one heck of a $50 "thank-you".

My wallet is terrified. I have a Sol and a Fuego that need matching rods!

I don't care for walking baits on spinning gear, but poppers I like.