lecisnith

I did it, yay!

I understand. I was just pointing out why he asked the question. BTW, the only GM line I've used is their mono that I got for free, but it's legit. No issues after one season of heavy use on light topwater.

It's a legitimate question not because of who endorses the product but simply because it is manufactured by Sunline and as far so the price is concerned it's not cheap. It's not expensive, either, but not cheap.

Now I have beard AND fish ***. Envi...?

My eye scale says about 2-2.5. And my eye scale usually runs heavy... That being said, even a 2 pound smallie is a nice fish.

The last time I went to a Lions game it cost a total of $400. That includes tickets, gas for the 500 mile round trip, hotel room, and something to munch on at the game. I thought it was well worth it. I would totally buy season tickets if I lived within a 50 mile radius. That being said, I still understand your point.

There's some simple answers. Extensive research is your best bet...

I usually start off an outing using unproven baits and techniques. I can always catch them later on my confidence baits.

While not having experience with that particular combo, a solid bulk of my gear is made up of Daiwa products, including my two "cheap" spinning combos. They cost $20 and $40, have been going strong and been catching a lot of fish for five years now. Not the best, but they get it done. Daiwa usually puts out good stuff for all price points.

I say BR has a giveaway to the first person that figures out which member is Mark Zona...

I am of the black and white school of thought. I heard or read that white is for bright, sunny days, black is for cloudy, dark days/low light. And the white is a two-way threat because a lot of effective shad lures, such as spinnerbaits, have white as an effective color and the white frog can imitate a distressed or dying shad at the surface. I fish a lot of very clear water, so I go with some more lifelike bait fish and frog colors as well, and those produce in those situations for me.

Trust me, stupid has no borders. Natural, or man-made.

I'm not sure if you're screwing with me or not, so I'll just take that as a compliment.

As a furniture delivery driver I have driven Otsego, Emmett, Cheboygan, Kalkaska, and Crawford counties every day for the last 11 years. I take great pleasure in seeing tracks out into some snowy field and saying something to the effect of "They ----ed up". Every day basically from mid November through mid March.

I'm a professional driver on a closed course. Don't try this at home. That is my credo. I have been incident free going on 15 years of winter driving.

I feel like George Costanza. "Finally, my stupidity pays off!" Abu Garcia Veritas 7'6" MH and Daiwa Exceler for Texas rigs and jigs for a total of $115 plus a bunch of free stuff. Can't beat that with a hammer.

It is obvious that I am the only on stupid enough to drive 15 minutes in a snow shower on slick roads just to get to Gander Mountain to take advantage of the promotions. 10 minutes early and I'm the only one in the parking lot. Yep, I'm an idiot.

It pretty much comes down to personal preference. Same as the difference in spinning reels. The only actual difference I can think of is speed in transitioning from cast to reeling.

A good way to fish them with a weight but with a weightless action is the mojo/split shot rig. Glenn does an awesome video on it. Get a medium or ML spinning rig. You won't regret it.

That sounds reasonable.

Maybe instead of weight or length just make it a simple numbers tournament. I can catch 15 smallmouth in Northern Michigan just as easily as Sonny Jim can catch 15 largemouth in Alabama. But most of them will be under 15 inches and less than three pounds.

I caught my first last year in the middle of March in Northern Michigan. You know what you're doing and where to do it, as long as there's no ice you should be good.

I started using this toward the end of last season and my last three trips I think I caught as many fish with this rig as I did the rest of the season combined. It kills.

Boy am I glad I can feel content only spending $100 on a rod and reel. Better, schmetter. Get what you want. If you're satisfied with it that's awesome. I still use a few $30 spinning combos and catch a lot of fish with them. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not doing something right just because you can't or just don't want to pay an arm and a leg for fishing gear. Man that's irritating...

Jerkbait, tube, weightless stick bait.