Chris at Tech

Coverage on Varner is nowhere close to 75%. Closer to 10% maybe around five % matted on top. The 75% is a huge lie made up by the lake managers and spread to the media. I am guessing they are doing it to get support for grass eradication. They seem to be spreading lots of other lies to the media and other places right now to get support for stocking grass carp. There is a movement started by a study on eagle deaths at the University of Georgia to eradicate all Hydrilla all over the South in the name of saving Bald Eagles. Varner is just the second lake where they want the grass removed. Once they get a precedent where they can say they removed the grass and the eagles are not dieing anymore in this study it will not be long till lakes like Guntersville, Clarks Hill and the lakes in Texas will no longer have grass. In the case of a lake like Guntersville where almost everyone depends on the fishermen spending money it will be the end to great year round fishing and the local economy will suffer a huge loss. Staff reporter Crystal Tatum; Sep 16, 2010 Quote: "About 70 percent of 820-acre Lake Varner is now covered in hydrilla" Link: http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/newtonnews/headlines/103104724.html No one is disputing that the quote was made But the truth is not there. I can't claim to know anything about the study or the bird issues, but I can say that the lake is nowhere near 75% matted. And I was there yesterday.

Braid

I'll also add the Sebile Magic swimmers to the discussion.

Micro nailed it.

Green pumpkin, watermelonseed, junebug, black, smokin shad, pearl white

Because Shimano doesn't make a lefty E5. Get a Winch and don't look back

Just like the results I got out there last Sat and Sun! Riiiiiggggghhhhhtttt......

Tell them you're a big fan of the Fair Tax.

Anyone been on Guntersville lately? Wondering how the frog bite is. I'm going out there in a little over a week and I want to be prepared

Just in case you haven't noticed the trend, let me add one more endorsement for Hi's

Went and visited the folks for the annual family reunion on Hilton Head, and booked a trip with my guide as I always do. Let's just say the excursion was a good one The guide put together a pretty good video of it too... http://www.youtube.com/user/OffTheHookCharters#p/u/6/rzJ9KDsBA2A

I'd say a 4 power for jigs up to about 5/8 oz, and a 5 power for heavier jigs.

Chris and BASSclary, thanks for the feedback...... Chris, Do you also use the 703s for dropshotting? I will mostly be dropshotting with the sissy stick, but shaky heads and darters are always an option. I typically t-rig with 3/16 to 1/4 tungsten wieghts depending on current and or depth. I rarely go any heavier unless I am punching hydrilla or mats. With that in mind would you still recommend the 4 power? I don't dropshot much, I use this rod mostly for shaky heads, slider heads and split shot rigs. If you're anticipating 1/4 or less T-rigs, then the 3 power should be OK. Since you already have the 683, I just thought the 704 might fill a small gap in your arsenal.

Here's my recommendations for part of your list. This is based on the rods I have experience with. 1) Extreme 703s for shaky heading and finesse 2) Extreme 704c for weighted plastics and jigs. The 703 is good for me for T-rigs up to 3/16, but I step up to my 704 for anything bigger, and all my jig fishing. Since you already have the 683, you can use that for lighter/weightless plastics

Well, it's going to be hard for Boise St. to get in the title game with one loss just because they're Boise St. The good news is they'll be losing their first game so losing early is better than losing late. VIRGINIA TECH ALL THE WAY!!! I hope your coach doesn't whine to the refs about the blocking this year when GT beats you. Again. Come on Chris, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. GT just happened to find one last year. But, since you want to bring up past events, VT is 4-2 against GT since 2000, so..... Obviously, if Frank Beamer was whining at all, ever, GT must have been doing something that the refs just flat out refused to call. Beamer is not one to whine just because his team may be losing. But since you're so confident with your 'Again' statement, lets make it interesting. Your pick of a Lucky Craft bait against my pick of a Lucky Craft bait? November 4th. You in? 'Again' is a big statement seeing as how GT has never beaten VT 2 times in a row. VT though, has beaten GT 2 in a row, two different times. Hmmm.... First thing's first. Stomp the crap out of Boise. Please. Secondly, I'm all in. Bring it, turkey! ;D GT was blocking. Legally. The average college FB fan doesn't know the difference between a cut block and a chop block (and I really didn't either until my alma mater installed a triple option offense), but bottom line is that the cut block is legal. As far as two game winning streaks, I welcome you to look at the wonderful "helmet to helmet" call you guys got in 2008, deep in VT territory on a 3rd and long in a tie game with under a minute left. If this call doesn't get made, does GT win? Who knows? Was is a terrible call in a pivotal situation? Yep

Well, it's going to be hard for Boise St. to get in the title game with one loss just because they're Boise St. The good news is they'll be losing their first game so losing early is better than losing late. VIRGINIA TECH ALL THE WAY!!! I hope your coach doesn't whine to the refs about the blocking this year when GT beats you. Again.

I've only fished the Dobyns Champion out of those 3, but I've played with the LTB quite a bit. To me, the LTB is tip heavy and my Dobyns balance significantly better.

weightless super fluke, Zara Spook, jerkbait and my favorite -- a scrounger head with a fluke on it.

I don't believe the Stradic CI4 comes with a spare spool, whereas the other reels you mention do. I don't know if others feel the same way as I do, I find the spare spools that come with most spinning reels to be very handy. Being able to easily switch from 8 lb fluoro to 20 lb braid greatly increases versatility. So with that said, I'd recommend the Saros or the Stradic over the CI4

MK

Not too shabby you gonna be out on Varner tomorrow? I'm thinking if taking the drive over there.

Had the same "problem" with a 500lb + blue marlin we caught on our honeymoon. The fish hit while it was my turn in the chair and my job (at least that's what I told myself) was just to make sure the rod and reel didn't go overboard. The mate was yelling at me to crank, which I thought was funny, since the fish was still running. After about 20 min of just holding on for dear life and trying to crank, I tapped out. Friggin' nuts.

You shouldn't really "feel" a difference between the SX and the STX. Externally, they're just about identical except for color. And both should be fine for "heavier stuff". I'd spring the extra $$$ for the STX. The main upgrade you're getting is the dual casting control which has been outstanding on my Premier. The SX does not have this dual control.

2 schools of thought... 1) 10-12 fluoro since it sinks 2) 10-12 mono for small diameter, less line resistance as the lure dives. I recommend P-Line CX Premium if you go this route

Yea, I used to play competitively as well back during and just after college. Always had a great time and I miss it now, but I'm not as young and recuperative as I used to be.