Alpster

I have caught more bass on a Culprit worm than all other baits in my box combined. From South Louisiana to New Jersey and a 100 places in between. If you fish them with confidence they will produce. Better than a Senko, in my opinion. Ronnie

I have five Chronarch 50 Mgs and I have had several Curados over the years. The only "Shimano" reel that will outcast a 50Mg is a TE-DC. I have one of those too. Shimano doesn't make the Chronarch 50Mg anymore (replaced by the Core, so you will have to find it on ebay, etc. I am looking for new ones all the time to save them in case the ones I have wear out, but I don't think I will live that long. LOL. You certainly won't be dissapointed with a 50 Mg. They are amazing little reels. Ronnie

If you do a forum search on lefty reels, you can read about this topic for a long time. It usually turns into an argument about which is best and gets locked by a moderator. You just have to do which ever works best for you. There is no concensus on this. I cast and retrieve with my right hand and always will. In 45+ years I have never missed a fish by changing hands during the cast. Your milage may vary. Ronnie

I have LOTS of plastics that have been stored in "Plano" 3700 boxes for years. Some as much as 5 or six years. I can't see any visible reason why they won't still catch fish. I have also had a few melt together and threw them out. I wrote them off to a bad batch. Ronnie

I like the "Charlie Brewer" slider better and have caught a lot of fish with it. http://www.sliderfishing.com/images/1312214067582-1016902371.jpeg Ronnie

I have been building rods for years and reading all kinds of forums and articles. I have tried and even ruined (in my opinion) rod blanks by trying to move the reel seat to a place where it balances. (Defined as nuetral at the center of the reel seat.) It makes for a rod that loses leverage for casting and in no way makes my fishing anymore comfortable. I am more than fine with a rod that is "tip heavy". As DWT posted earlier, my goal in building a rod is now to reduce as much weight as possible overall. That makes a rod you can fish all day with comfortably. When you hold a baseball bat backwards, it feels much lighter, but try hitting a ball that way. I hope that makes sense. Ronnie

I love Spot Removers and you will too. Fish almost any soft plastic that you would on a T-rig. Fish them slow at first then speed up the action until you get bit. They are a staple in my box and I have caught countless fish with em. JMHE Ronnie

I have a box full of 12" Black shad Culprits. I use a leather craft (big) needle to to thread line through the worm to a second hook (remember the little "Creme" worms with two hooks). This is a massive rig with a bullet weight. My second largest bass came to the boat on this one. Ronnie

Happy B-Day Kent! Ronnie

In heavy cover or thick grass, standup jigs are a snagging problem, so I use football and "Arkie" style jigs. Sliderhead jigs are effective in the thick stuff also. JMHO Ronnie

I got on the EWG bandwagon a few years ago because it seemed like a good idea, but I didn't seen my bite to hook up ratio improve and I like the smaller profile of a straight worm hook. I find the narrower hooks get snagged less and pick up less crap, etc. I find myself rarely using EWG hooks anymore. I do still like them on some BIG disc tubes and Fat Ikas. I am using the screw point Mustatds more because they just come loose on the hookset rather than balling up on the hook. The jury is still out on whether this will become my habit. That's my $0.02. Here's a pic of the screw lock hook in case I'm using the wrong term for them..... http://www.crockogatorbaitcompany.com/i//tn_crockogator_pics_226.jpg Ronnie

I like the weight inside and in the middle also. I use Mustad weighted hooks, but if I find myself without I will press a few split shots on the hook and hide em in the tube. Ronnie

Ultrasoft is the only line I use on my baitcasters besides braid. It is very strong line and behaves wonderfully. You will learn how strong it is when you get snagged. As far as waterproof is concerned, the line doesn't absorb water, it is heavier than water and so it sinks. This has never been a problem for me as I don't use many slack line techniqes. Ronnie

example

I have both and although they have always been overpriced, I still like the Loomis rods better overall. As Roadwarrior said, St. Croix is a a "better value" but Loomis has them beat if money is not a constraint. JMHO Go glass for cranking and go "Lamiglas" for glass rods. Ronnie

I have a G Loomis FS905 (7'6" flippin stick) and I love it. Mine is a custom on an IMX blank, but you can buy a similar factory built rod in your price range. It really is a cut above. http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/g-loomis-flipping-stick-bcfr893-mossyback.html The rod above is an 893, which is 7'5" and a Med HVY whereas mine is Extra Hvy (power not weight) I also use mine for frogging, punching and light swimbaits. Ronnie

Hey, who left that door unlocked? How are ya Russ? Ronnie

I never met the guy But I have seen him eat.......... This is where he lives if you want to stalk him.... Oh yea, he would get real mad if I told you he's scared to take a fish off the hook.... Good to see you back brotha! Ronnie

I'm too lazy to count, here's a few..... Ronnie

I have a couple of 5 1/2' rods and several 6 footers. I love em as much as my lengthy rods. Ronnie

Got mine today! So much for working on Monday, got to give these babies a try. THANKS Big-O, you are the man! Ronnie

Get one with a little bigger engine and you can take it on a road trip........here's mine..... Ronnie

Well Tom, I usually just forward these kind of posts to her email address...... Ronnie

This rod is now the "XL705 Glass". I hope that helps. Ronnie

My favorite worm. Texas rig with 1/4 oz bullet in the thickest cover you can find. Ronnie