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Pros: Slightly less visible than mono and much less visible than braid; more abrasion resistant; more dense which helps in sink rate as well as getting crankbaits slightly deeper; another advantage from the density mentioned here is sensitivity is higher especially on a slack line. Cons: More expensive; slightly stiffer (depending on brand); loses strength quicker when nicked. Overall I think it's better, especially for certain situations. I use Berkley Professional Grade Fluorocarbon and I've had zero issues with knot strength, line memory, or knot problems. You'll want to make sure you check your line frequently because as stated, fluoro seems too lose it's strength a little quicker when beat up, but at the same time it's tougher to beat up so that kind of balances out. Since I started using it, I've switched almost exclusively to fluoro because I believe it's better. I think you should go ahead and give it a shot!

If you take it to a dealership, they could probably rebuild one for you using the internals that you already have and just put it in a new gear case.

That'll work!

I might have to do that. I absolutely love the Xr and Xcs lines. I've got a bunch and picked up some more when TW had them for half price, but that's almost too cheap to pass up!

if you post some pics it'd be easier to help you out

I'm really wishing I had a DSG close to me! At that price, it might be worth it to hit up the one closes to me that's 2 and a half hours away. That'd suck to drive there and find out they don't have the same deal.

Solid advice from aharris! A few other words of wisdom, respect his water. Draw a mental line sideways across the boat somewhere near the console and don't cast in front of that. It should be common sense to people who fish a lot, but as they say... common sense isn't always common. You'd be surprised how many times I've had a partner in the back of the boat launch one straight over my head, or right in front of the tm as we're turning. Also remember to drop the guy some cash at the end of the day. Gas and oil aren't cheap these days and they're forking over a lot of money to get there boat to the lake and then to keep it running once they get there plus the wear and tear on their equipment.

This article might be worth a read. http://basseast.com/advanced-swim-jigging/

Nice fish man! I'd say either a big male or a prespawn fish that hasn't fed up yet. You should be able to tell by the bottom jaw. A male's will be more pointed than that of a female.

There should be a power block up front that you can connect to. You'll have to take your front panel off and check it out.

Don't lipless cranks cast themselves? haha

A word of warning on those, make sure your rods fit before just going out and buying one. I've got a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee that fits my rods just fine laying down over my folding 2nd row seating and tips came up between the seats a little. I was going to pull the trigger on one before even checking thinking I'd have plenty of room but decided to go out and just look quick. Found out because of the shape of the body, the roof space is significantly less and my rods wouldn't fit.

Haha that one was barely a keeper. The minimum is 40" and that was 41" it attacked a smallie that I was fighting! No problem man anytime!

Xcalibur XR50's and Cotton Cordell Super Spot

Nice work man, you started things off with a good one!

Haha yeah you've got to watch yourself with them. The best way to handle the smaller (up to about 30") is to grab them with your hand over your back like this If they get bigger than that, you can grab their jaw bone behind their gill plate like this Just don't stick your hand in too far because you'll get cut like no other!

I'd say just give it a shot and if you have interference then find out how to fix it.

If you've got the HDS 5 at the dash you could always upgrade your dash unit with a new HDS gen2 or gen2 Touch Lowrance unit and mount the 5 up front. That way you can link them with ethernet and have them share waypoints and even sonar data. You're going to want either side scan or spotlight scan (not capable with hds gen 1 systems I don't think). I'd suggest getting the side scan first.

Put them in the back and run the tips up in between the front seats.

I'd say a St. Croix Premier in either 6'6" or 7' M/F or the 6'10" M/XF.

What type of boat is it and how old and what size are the straps? What I'm thinking is by sliding the boat back on the trailer and shifting more of the weight behind the axle you've created more of a lever system (think riding on a school bus behind the hump and getting launched in the air). When you go over bumps there may be more force than what the straps are rated for causing them to slip a bit. Otherwise, they may just be getting old and need replacing.

Condition means a lot in the value of the boat. Just looking at that one picture supplied a previous owner added a storage up front which could be nice, but you can tell the quality of work isn't very good. The fact that it needs a "tune up" is a big drawback. I'm not going to say that there is for sure anything wrong with it, but a lot of times if a seller is saying that it should be translated into "motor is not running correctly". Either way you'd be smart to have a reputable mechanic check it out before purchasing. As more and more of those little hints are stung together, it kind of starts to paint a picture for you on that boats history. Again, not saying it's bad especially since that's there is very little evidence, but just from the few things I do know make me think it may not be in the greatest shape. I'd say if it was in great condition it'd be worth probably $2300-2500. With the bad carpet and iffy motor it'd be right around that $1200-$1500

It's through State Farm. I originally thought it was super cheap because I didn't insure my boat for tons, but my Dad called and got a quote on his insuring his boat for more than twice as much and I think he got the lower deductible and it was still less than $100 for the year.

You might want to give them another shot. I've got a crazy astigmatism that doesn't allow me to wear major brands but even the ones that I have I love wearing way more than glasses unless I'm really tired.

Very light baits probably best thrown on spinning gear or a noodle of a casting rod.