Ben Eipert

$4 X-Raps!!!

I have no clue. I have just started pouring. I like their plastic. Have not used others though.

Norris! It is a hard lake to fish but is nice. Super clean water and usually not too busy. Has huge smallmouth, stripers, wallaeye, laargemouth, crappie, etc.

Check out the Essential Series plastisol. It is from Do-It and is only $45 dollars.

I would definitely look at tubes. They are cheap when you Texas rig them and extremely versatile. As for finding fish I would look in the back of pocket where other places cannot get. I started in a ten foot one and caught most of my fish in places a regular boat couldn't get. Backs of pockets and creeks will be your best friend once the water warms up.

Braid I would go with either 50 or 30. Personally I would use 30 but I do not fish cover that heavy. For a combo I would go with something long with a light tip. As far as combos go I would start with an inshore of flats popping rod. They are not for bass but the lengths are perfect for light baits. St. Croix Mojo Inshore 7'6¨ medium light would work well paired with a Pro Qualifier or Revo S to name a few.

I regularly throw tubes and grubs with weights as light as 1/16 oz. Given it is a long rod (7'10¨) with a really soft tip but I believe if you find the right one you can. The key is a soft springy tip with some backbone. It needs to be long enough to lift the fish out of cover instead of pulling it out because the line will have to be lighter.

I bought an old 1984 Aires with a 50hp Mercury. I have replaced the floor, completely redone the motor, and I am now looking to clean up the outside. There is a lot of dirt and rust from the old fittings there. What should I use to clean that up. Also the previous owner put an automotive clear coat on top of the gel coat so it is in good shape. He just didn't prep the surface very well before it and it is now bubbling up and flaking off. I was planning on wet sanding it to remove it and then wax it. Is this a good idea and is there anything else I should be doing? Thanks, Ben Eipert

The one I have been using is spiral wrapped with micro guides. Its built on an MHX blank. I was just wanting a spinning rod because I feel it is easier to skip the lighter tubes with them

I fish mainly jigs, tubes, and plastics but usually on baitcasters. I am thinking about building a new spinning rod to start using for them. I am currently using a 7' 10" baitcaster with a really soft tip that lets me cast those light baits. I am thinking around 7' and 8 or 10 line. Just would like to be able to use dropshit baits and other finesse baits too. Thanks and any input is appreciated!

I have a Lowrance Mark 4X on the front of my boat right now. It has DI and GPS. I am looking for another one to put up there since I want to move that one back by the driver seat. I am mainly looking at the Humminbird 197C and the Lowrance Elite 3X as options. Has anyone used these or have any similar options? I am also interested in Humminbird's Helix series, I just cannot find anything on them review wise.

I really like the Cabin Creek Salty Critter Gitters. I fish them on a shakey head, texas rigged, jighead, or carolina rigged. Use a weight as light as you can. If the fish are feeding on shad I go with a lighter weight and work it faster and let it glide around. If feeding on crawfish I go a heavier weight and crawl along the bottom. I have also started using the Bass Pro tender tubes and they seem to be pretty good looking also. There really isn't a wrong way to fish it, just some that work better than others.

I always have a tube set up when fishing a jig. I get a missed hit on the jig I put the tube there to to get the same fish. Works 8/10 times and even on big fish, not just the smaller ones.

I would start with a larger stripper and maybe drop down three or for sizes to the runners. On my personal rods I normally go 8, 6, then 4 as the runners. Since you are using leaders I would stay a little bigger on the guide size.

The easiest way to do it is to buy carbon or fiberglass tubing and slide it up onto the butt and glue it on. Just use tape to make arbors and use a lot of epoxy. For cork get a grip and ream so that it slides up the butt of it and glue it on.

If possible you can tear off the cork off the grip, ream a new grip and use arbors to keep it centered. It will seem like a lot of work but once it gets started it goes pretty easy.

3.5 Inch tube on a 1/16-3/16 jighead around wood

Definitely do not use quickset epoxy on wraps. Go with the finish made for them. On the guide set I would also check out the nano microguide sets. It will save some money to put towards the rod dryer and I have had great luck with them. Make sure you get masking tape also. That stuff is super handy.

I would definitely look at MHX blanks.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Tubes if all else fails. Also try one on a 1/16 shaky head and let it fall real slow,

7.9lbs largemouth Smoke with blue flake tube

One thing I have found is that you won't notice how much the torque affects you until you try a spiral wrapped rod. Makes a world of difference. So yes, torque is there.

Has anyone used these? I am not looking for a long lasting solution or high production molds just something that is cheap and produces a good bait. Thanks Ben Eipert

I am on Norris up near the Powell side. I just do not know where to find them. I see the in coves occasionally but am wondering if there is any particular structure they tend to hang around

Longnose and shortnose