Banor

LC Sammy and Gsplash. I replace the rear treble with an Owner feathered treble hook on the Sammy. B

No. I use quality line that doesnt require the wasted time or expense. B

Then you just need to add the KVD line cond. and spray your spools the night before and that will help the "tough to manage part! The KVD line cond. is worth every penny! Going to vent here but I dont want you to take it personal, Eyedabassman. This isnt directed at you, just the comment in general. It seems like every time a cheap line is suggested it's followed up with "use line conditioner". Crappy line - use line conditioner. Not just this site. Absolutely every forum I've been to where line is discussed. I want a line that is manageable out of the box!! I dont want to have to buy another product, worry about the mess and spraying it on every reel every time I go out. Not to mention it getting all over inside my reels. No thanks, I'll buy good quality line out of the box and save myself the hastle. Rant over. Again no offense to you Eyedabassman. Please dont take any. To answer the question, this line is cheap. Manageability is definately an issue. It is not very abrasion resistant either. Also, I respool often. Not everyone on here can afford to do that. I use line that I respool often because I want to, not because I'm afraid of what will happen if I dont. B

x2 I really like the copoly. For me the Seaguar InvisX way out performs Gamma FLuoro. It's amazing that the copoly is 1/4 the price of the fluoro yet it is much better. B

I'll be down on Kentucky Lake at the end of April. I'm going on the assumption that the fish will be transitioning in or out of spawn using the ledges and road beds as travel routes. I want to make sure I have some crankbaits available incase the situation calls for cranking those ledges or transition areas. So I have questions targetted specifically for Kentucky Lake... not generalized answers for any lakes. Here's the questions: 1) What forage species am I trying to mimic? 2) Popular colors during the pre spawn / post spawn for this particular lake. 3) Depth range most effective for cranking ledge areas. 4) I realize this is going to be a mostly opinion based answer but I'll take it - Any specific brand of cranks that outshines the rest on Kentucky? Those are the questions that comes to mind. Any other advice on cranks that I havent asked would be most appreciated. I normally dont have to ask these questions - I can usually figure out a pattern but I'm not a crankbait angler, in fact, it's my least favorite presentation. In doing my research I'm seeing that it's a pretty effective presentation down there so I atleast want to be prepared if the crankbait bite is on. Thanks for the help, B

I'm no expert... not even remotely close to an expert on this subject so this is just my personal opinion from reading and personal experience... The difference between cheap glasses and expensive glasses is not the polarization. Polarized is polarized and both will net you the same benefit. The advantage to the more expensive glasses is the degree of UVB and UVA protection. You dont wear sunglasses JUST for the benefit of seeing in the water or I should say you "shouldnt". Protecting your eyes should be your primary concern - seeing better in the water a distant second. One other thing to think about - if you buy cheap glasses you'll treat them like cheap glasses and probably be replacing them constantly. How many pair of glasses at 15 bucks each does it take to add up to 1 decent pair of glasses that last longer and will offer you more protection? B

I always said this one would never get me and it has gotten me twice now!!! Nothing like the feel of panic when you are several miles from the ramp and no plug in the boat. :-? Try Lake Erie in 3-5 footers. Color me panicked! B

x 8 B

Banor, ever fish Silver Lake, Lake George, Lake Lavine? theyre close to Coldwater, never fished Coldwater but we play to try it out this year.. aaron No, never fished them. I try to travel away from this area to fish! Most of my time is on the Great Lakes (Detroit Area). I just cant get enough of those smallies. B

I think you are going to find the answer depends on the size of the bait. B

Shaking my head wondering the same thing, RW. In this case there isnt even any room for interpretation of the rules. It's not even a subjective argument. B

I just dont get this. I've heard a couple of complaints like this with no details surrouding the problem. Just blanket statements. I'd really be curious to see a conversation with you involving Bantam1 to get to the root of the problem. I have 6 MG50's that I have been fishing hard with for over 3 years. I've muscled smallies in the 4, 5 and 6 lb class on 8 lb test line and NEVER had a problem not caused by my stupidity. As for the Quantum PT vs MG50 - how can you even make a comparison? Apples and Oranges. MG50 is built for much lighter applications and is much lighter. Wouldnt a better comparison be a PT vs Curado? Isnt that like comparing a motorcycle to an SUV and asking which one is better? The answer is the same - depends. B P.S. I'll give you a plug nickel for your used MG50.

Marshall / Battle Creek Michigan here. I fish St. Clair and Erie alot though. Coldwater has 2 nice chains of lakes worth fishing. I'm about 25 minutes from them. If you are coming to SW Michigan to fish you should definately check out Paw Paw lake. Some real hawgs caught every tournament out of there. B

Thanks. I read and re-read my post several times before posting it because I did not want it to come off in a negative light. The rods really are good rods and I think they are worth the money. I just didnt want someone needing a broomstick buying one of these based on my advice and thinking I'm an idiot Primus, I prefer a shorter stiffer rod for my jerks/tops as well. I go with mono to offset that stiffness since most tops are treble hooks. Just my buddy who swears by that rod for tops. And yes, this ice really needs to go. I've heard they are fishing down in Indiana right now. I dont even have my boat out of the marina!!! LAO, Remember I got their original rods 2 years ago. It's possible they've improved upon them or made some faster versions. You might still inquire about them. Bottom line, if you can find one that fits your needs, it's a heck of a price for a good quality rod. B

Primus, I'm a stones throw from you in Marshall. Coolhand, I bought 4 of them from him 2 years ago at the Lansing Boat Show. I have GLoomis, St Croix and Airrus rods in my line up as well. The BR rods still have a place in my arsenol along side the Loomis and St Croix. The BR rods are nice rods and have held up well but they are definately technique specific for me. What I mean is the action on them is slow compared to most rods. Even the Heavy power rods are too soft for me to use for frogging or flipping heavy cover. Given that fact I have to say their cranking rod is PERFECT for crankbaits. I love it. I havent found a rod that comes close to fitting my needs for crankbaiting as this one. The 7 ft medium is also my preferred rod for wacky rigged Senkos. It loads up perfectly for the hook set needed when wacky rigging. Soft enough so that if I accidentally swing too hard on a bite I dont rip the bait out of their mouth and the circle hook catches the corner of the mouth just about every time. Match a Chronarch MG50 with this rod and I think you'll find it a great combo. My buddy has one of these and swears by it for topwater baits - walk the dog etc. I use the Heavy 7ft6 rod for Carolina rigging but I dont Carolina rig very often. However, it's always rigged up and is my go to when I want to Carolina rig. Finally I have a 5ft6 pistol grip medium action. This one is PERFECT for finesse with a Chronarch MG50 for skipping docks and overhangs. It's great for finesse applications as well. I've landed fish in the 4 and 5 lb class on this rod just fine. So to recap, they are great rods for the price. I got them for his introductory 99.00 price when he first released them so I really got a deal. Even now though the price is definately right for these rods. Just know that the tips are a bit softer than most rods for the same rating. Forget about the technology behind them. Just know they are pretty durable, atleast mine are. I've had them for 2 years with no defects or breaks, and I beat up my equipment. Guides are still in tact, reel seats fit very well. I dont think you'll find a 129.00 rod that can compare to them - given the stipulations I stated. Hope this helps, B

Unless your rod is limp as a noodle I think (just my opinion) using braid with any treble hook lure is a recipe for losing fish. You really need the cushion of mono and a slow rod tip to properly fight a fish without ripping the hooks out of their mouth. Another thing that hasnt been mentioned about braid is that it has a tendency to "saw" through line guides, especially your lower quality line guides. Make sure you check your guides regularly for digs and cuts that can nick and cut mono/flouro line. (If you switch to mono/flouro on that rod for some reason) I am a firm believer in Power Pro braided line for certain applications. You just have to make sure you take precautions when using it. B

I used 6# on spinning for drop shotting last year and it performed very well. Landed several smallies in the 3 -5 lb range. Obviously the fights were a tad longer on that light of line but I had no problems with the line's performance. B

Anyone fish these lakes lately? What stage are the smallies in right now? Water temps? B

Check your local regulations. In Michigan the drop shot is illegal in most river systems. B

In that regard you are sort of limited. Consider the factors. You are new to tournament fishing. You are fishing local smaller tournaments and you do not have a boat. So your options are probably limited to smaller local businesses advertising on your tournament shirt and/or hat. If your vehicle isnt in good shape and something a business would want their logo associated with then you are not going to do any marketing there. I still stick to my original response, however your situation does sound limiting. I suggest you just go out and have fun and do what you can afford. A good salesman can sell fertilizer to a cow farmer though. Do your best to sell yourself. B

I apologize in advance if this is not the correct forum for sunglass topics. If not, move it wherever. I'm looking at getting prescription sunglasses. I obviously want good quality polarized sunglasses. Those of you that have prescription glasses - what do you recommend for tournament fishing. I understand how polarization and protection works. The problem is companies market their glasses well and can put up some convincing stats. I want to know from the field what the best is in practice, not on paper. Thanks, B

To directly answer the question posed... Of the baitcasting reels I've used the one that I get the greatest casting distance with casting a senko would be the chronarch mg50. B

This is going to be just one man's opinion so take it for what it's worth... I consider myself to be above average to expert at frogging. I am not sure that I personally could frog effectively with a spinning outfit. Have you considered a heavy baitcaster with a high speed reel combo? I'd have to try it but I am just not seeing how I could make a spinning combo do what I like and need to do when frogging. The mechanics of it are just all different. I'm always up for new things though so enlighten me. Is it that you are a spinning combo only type guy or are there advantages to using spinning for frogging? I guess I should seek clarification too... when you say frogging you mean topwater over the thick stuff like pads and mats? B

I disagree. You are only limited by your imagination and work ethic. How much do you want to put into finding businesses to sponsor you? Think outside the box. The fishing industry is inundated with sponsorships and anglers fighting for sponsorship dollars. Your local businesses do not have endless people banging down their doors offering marketing for a nominal fee. Get a tournament shirt and put together a proposal for non endemic businesses. 50 bucks here 50 bucks there to put their logo on your shirt and before you know it you could have your entry fees paid for the season. I am a weekend angler. As much as I'd like to call myself a pro - I am not. I am a weekend angler until I get myself into position to fish full time. I just put together a 4 page booklet geared toward non endemic businesses. I had it professionally printed and guess what? I talked to the regional manager of the printing company and worked a deal where I got a 30% discount on the printing if I let them put their logo on the inside back cover. So not only have I reduced my expenses I have also opened an opportunity I may be able to develop later into something that could help pay my other expenses. See how that works? It can be done - don't let anyone tell you different. You make your own opportunities. "Pay your dues" doesnt have to mean fish forever and hope you become popular. B

Taken directly from the Rules on the FLW Kingfish site that you agree to when you register for tournaments: 7. Sportsmanship All team members are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, to FLW Outdoors, FLW Outdoors' sponsors, the sport of fishing and FLW Outdoors' efforts to promote the sport. Examples of conduct not complying with those standards include, but are not limited to, the following: Violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the official rules for the 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour. Consumption of alcoholic beverages or any kind of mind-altering substance during registration, captain's meeting or during tournament hours extending through the awards presentation. Abuse of, or addiction to, mind-altering substances. Conviction of a felony within the past 36 months. Suspension/disqualification from any tournament or fishing organization. Any other words, conduct or actions (including and not limited to discussion forums and internet sites) reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with the tournament rules, or which fail to comply with these standards set forth in the first sentence of paragraph 7. B