Chris at Tech

Agreed. But all the other rods I have (including a "lesser" Kistler MG) are MUCH more well balanced with a reel on it than the LTA/STX combo I handled in-store. Should that by the only reason people should not get one? Absolutely not. I like Kistler rods, and I'm still seriously considering getting an LTA. I haven't heard about any breaking issues. Is that on this year's models?

You ever fish CE any more these days? Let me know if you're ever headed over that way, as I'd like to get over there again and pick your brain. Hopefully this time, without the monsoon

I handled that rod in a local BPS. While can't answer your questions since I don't have practical experience fishing the rod, I noticed a few strange things... Even with a Revo STX on the rod, it's still tip heavy. I also found it strange that (although I have no actual proof) the cheaper Kistler MG series seemed lighter than the "lighter than air" LTA series

Yep, I agree -- I hate that I'd need to buy a different model of a brand new reel and crack it open. I'd really like to sit in on a meeting at Shimano to hear how they justify not making a many lefty reels. 7:1 ratio available in L and R 300 size available in L and R 5:1, only make in righty "There's not enough market" for lefty reels, I'm told. Daiwa and Abu seem to do just fine with it.

Yep -- and he'll be back in the NBA or at another school before the sanctions go into effect.

Well from stories I heard, I don't think the social life was the selling point for JH

Then you must be sweeping your floor with EXTREMELY sensitive brooms. Do you feel every speck of dust you sweep over? Not an indictment of it's sensitivity. M-XF can be a bit stiff, plus I've heard (still haven't handled a Zillion rod) that the Zillions are a bit under-rated in terms of power. Fair enough... And you're correct. I have a 6'9" MH and it's definitely more of a heavy power.

That lure looks mighty familiar

Then you must be sweeping your floor with EXTREMELY sensitive brooms. Do you feel every speck of dust you sweep over?

Well, the good news is that I got out today and landed a swimbait fish on the same bait as last week. Problem was it was a pickeral Oh well -- but I did remember all the tips here, and I think the pickeral was in the boat before he knew what hit him. No slack in the line, no mercy

OK, KY apologists... How is this slimeball, I mean coach, going to rectify the fact that he is 4 scholarships over the NCAA limit? Would you prefer to win at any cost or run a program that reeks of scandal?

Thanks for the input. I don't *THINK* equipment was the problem. BPS Extreme 7'6" H Flippin' stick, Cardiff 301 with 17 or 20 lb P-line CXX (don't recall which). I think I went through every single thought in the 15-20 seconds the fish was on. I started with the "winch her in" approach, then had a momentary lapse where I questions what to do if she was poorly hooked on the single treble. And it seems that's where I messed up I'll just have to remember to turn the fish when I see or feel a jump coming.

Hey all, I'm forcing myself to throw swimbaits more this year instead of the token 10-20 casts I'd make on each trip out of habit. This past weekend, I told myself "today is the day". Overcast, cool, breeze, incoming front. Found a nice spot between 2 points with lots of shad being busted. I'm throwing my el-cheap Storm Kickin Minnow in white when I finally got a strike. One of those "no doubt" strike that almost pulled the rod out of my hands. I set the hook, kept constant tension and then it happened. She came to the surface, shook her head and threw the bait back at me. I certainly don't think she was a 10+, but a REALLY good ~6lber. Sonofa... So let me ask the swimbait experts - how do you fight the fish? Clamp the drag down and winch them in? Take your time and fight them more like a fish caught on a crankbait? I will NOT make the same mistake again

Mine doesn't have Fuji guides/reel seat, but it's a few years old.

I like my Gen 1 Dobyns 704C (H, XF) and my Daiwa Zillion 6'9" (MH, XF) But like The_Natural said, the Zillions are underrated. MH does = H. And they make a 7' MH that may better suit your needs.

I've also heard of people using braid to secure the skirts as well.

I'll certainly defer to any of the skipping experts on here... But I'd think this is where you'd want braid with a floro or mono leader. 6/20 braid with perhaps a 15lb leader depending on how thick the docks and cover are.

Has anyone fished any of the newed Kistler Argons? The Spinnerbait Special caught my eye for throwing heavier moving baits 3/4 oz and up.

Has anyone fished both Reaction Strike Shad and Spro BBZ Shad? I certainly like the looks and action of the Spro, but the casting is terrible. How's the action and the castability of the Reaction Strike?

Hehehe...

I like my Dobyns 683SXF w/ Curado 101D for this. If you like St Croix, look at their 6'8 MXF rods.

St Croix Avid Powell Shimano Crucial

I have the exact same rig, even LH retrieve reel. The Zillion combo just feels so sweet when out on the water, doesn't it?

Something to keep in mind... If this will be your only PC, I'd recommend a USB hard drive, full size monitor, mouse and full-size keyboard The laptop's great for carrying around campus, but the large monitor/mouse/keyboard are much nicer to work from when in your dorm room. And the USB hard drive is good to have (and to backup to frequently) in the event the laptop has an 'accident'. The last thing you want is to have a beer (er, I mean soda) spilled on the laptop and fry it 1 day before a paper is due with no backup.

This is a situation I have not fished in my local waters, but I certainly do want to try it Some things I'd consider (with the caveat I stated above) if I was about to fish a similar situation... 1) 50+ lb braid if fishing in grasses/weeds 2) use a heavy sinker with a small profile (tungsten, if possible) 3) bury the hook inside the bait, as Catt mentions 4) use a compact soft plastic bait that does NOT have a lot of appendages so it slides through the vegetation