MIbassyaker

Hold on -- The ad I got says " St Croix Legend Tournament Rods 2017 Models 50% Off " "Legend Tournament Rods 2017", not "Legend Tournament Bass" (LTB)....is this the new model??!! It's gotta be the old model on sale, right? Somebody should to get to the bottom of this.

Wowza.

The previous generation of Pflueger reels did this, and you may still be able to find some on closeouts. The previous version of the Patriarch, originally $199, should come with an extra spool if you can find it.

Z-man Batwingz

Reconditioned items seem like new from my experience and from what I have heard from others. I got a reconditioned reel from them once, and it certainly seemed no different than a new one. The reconditioned items may not come with a warranty (although you can still return). I personally don't mind not having the warranty on something I got a big discount, though. I understand the Aird is considered a very good rod for its price, and they have seemed nice when I have looked at them in the store. But generally whenever i can get something higher end at a discount, that's what I go for.

100% legit. They are the factory outlet for Pure Fishing brands (Fenwick, Pflueger, Abu, Berkley, Penn, Stren, ect.), so they only have those brands. The discounted items are typically discontinued models from one or two generations ago (like the smallmouth rod) or reconditioned (returned and fixed up, replaced a part) that can't go to a regular tackle shop. I have bought 6 rods and three reels from them in the last couple years. Had to return one rod once because of a cracked guide eye, and they exchanged with no hassle whatsoever.

Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'9" MH-F, rated 3/8-1oz: $75

Nothing to be concerned about -- the Fogy is awesome. It doesn't hang up more often in vegetation, and may actually deflect cover a bit better than narrow-headed bladed jigs. I actually prefer the bubble blade version better than the regular version, as I think it stays down a bit better on the retrieve (I can't prove it, but that's what it seems). I like it in the bluegill, bream, bluegill flash, and chartreuse shad skirts.

If you like the Tim Tucker book, there is a sequel: "More Secrets of the Best Bass Pros". Used copies show up occasionally on Amazon and ebay for a few bucks. The red B.A.S.S. hardcover you have is also part of a big series -- there are a whole bunch of those focusing on different patterns, lures, waters, strategies, ect. I have several of them, but looks like the one you got is one I don't have.

Lots more book recommendations here:

Last time I was in AZ, it was mid october, and basically indistinguishable from summer 3 months prior in the place I left! "Fall"...ha! I hate it too -- fishing is supposed to be fun.

Holy smokes you guys -- I can count on one hand the number of bass over 4lb I catch per year, and none of my smallmouth make it into that group. Here's my own modest contribution to the Digitally-masked Costume Party and the Smallmouth-Fest going on here (a little under 3lb, from back in July):

Question! Fluoro-leader folks: How long is your leader (leader knot to weight), and what knot do you use for the hook?

The mojo seems perfect for you. That's one I don't have (I have a Premier, an Avid X, and a Rage), but if I needed another rod right now, that's probably what I'd get.... Or, so I would say if I hadn't noticed the Legend Tournament line was being updated...which means the current LTB should will show up soon on sale at the St. Croix site at a closeout price...which would finally put them in my price range.....maybe I do need another rod.....

I have these: --The Last Smallmouth (bean) --River Smallmouth Fishing (Holschlag) --Smallmouth Bass Strategies (in-fisherman) --Smallmouth Strategies (NAFC) --Smallmouth Bass (Bassmaster) I haven't read the last two in detail, but the first three are really great and different from each other enough that it's worth having all three. The Root book looks like something I'll have to get, too.

Something on top: Popper, frog, buzzbait Something mid-depth: Spinnerbait, senko/stickworm, fluke Something on the bottom: Worm or creature on a texas rig

If you like the way it looks, the bass will too.

After ignoring magazines for many years, I have been getting FLW, Bassmaster, and In-fisherman this year. They're OK. But nothing beats the old In-fisherman from the Lindner era. I have managed to acquire most of the In-Fisherman back issues from before they sold it (missing only about 12 issues). That stuff is gold. Some of the best stuff was compiled into the Largemouth and Smallmouth books, but there's still a lot more in the old magazines that wasn't included. I especially wish there was a book or archive somewhere with all the articles by Ralph Manns published in IF from that era.

7' MF sounds about right to me. I have been using a 6'6" MF St. Croix Premier with a 7.1:1 Daiwa Exceler for 1/4oz traps. The rod is probably shorter than ideal but I like 'em short and it does the job. 12# Trilene Big Game for me.

I want to see a physics validation of the "hinge-effect" of using a snell knot on a flipping hook. And you have to show your work. But seriously, see if you can find the book The Scientific Angler by Paul Johnson. It's old (mid 80s) but it provides a good overview of a number of scientific topics related to fishing.

Yes, I use the same rod(s) for all three. I usually use 6'10" Medium-heavy, moderate-fast. If I want two or more of these kinds of lures tied on at the same time (say, I want a buzzbait and a chatterbait), then I throw the buzzbait on the MH-MF, and the chatterbait on a 6'8" MH-Fast or a 6'9" MH-fast. I like the MF action for all three too, even with mono, except when I'm getting hung up a lot in weeds -- I seem to cast better/farther with MF than with fast, and I think the little bit extra give occasionally makes the difference between the bass holding on in time to set the hook vs. giving up and spitting it out.

Nice try, Glenn. Cat's out of the bag now...

Light is absorbed by water, but it penetrates deeper than you can see. The limit of depth you can see is actually the limit of distance light can travel down into the water and back before it is all absorbed. If you can see 6 feet down, for instance, that means you are seeing light that penetrates into the water 6 feet, and is reflected BACK through 6 more feet of water to your eyes. Even if the limit of visibility was 6 feet, light would still reach a bass 8 feet down...it just may not reach back to your eyes when reflected off the bass.

I think you're wrong about this, but I can't imagine getting bent out of shape about it. I'd be content to say "hmmm...", flash an arched eyebrow at you, and move on.

Don't know how far you're getting into fall season down there, but up here a week or so ago (last time I was out) it was ALL spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and chatterbaits.