RandySBreth

Maybe... :-X - maybe not.

Another good place for spoon blanks is lurepartsonline (Stamina tackle) for building your own. I would never spend 6 or 7 bucks for one - especially one that doesn't even have a dressed treble!

I know about CCA - I don't know why I used the term "reserve capacity". Just typing something else and my mind found the wrong term. I'm not really looking for a "deal" - but I don't want to spend 170.00$ if I can get a good warranty and spend 100.00$ instead. Times are tight, senor. :-/ Oh - it wouldn't be paddling from upper James to Aunt's, it would be Dam area to Mill Creek. Worse. Much worse!

Yeah - I don't run too much stuff, but I still want to have the reserve capacity to start on cold days like you're talking about. I've been pricing some batteries locally and hopefully getting ideas I didn't think of for the best deal.

Braid (and fused lines) are not a 'must". But you could only use a cane pole if you want, too. ;D

I've read through the threads about this, but I still wanted to get some feedback - Are there any really good deals on a new batteries my "big" boat. It's not really big - it's a '03 Lowe 170W with an Evinrude 90. So? I'm really more interest in the battery for the motor.

There are a couple of guys I know who are using the Bass Pro brand Ascend SOT's. I've paddled the 12' around a little bit - it's pretty good as far as SOTs go. http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-trade-FS12T-Sit-On-Top-Angler-Kayak/product/10213830/-1759668 I don't know of a better deal new than them - although most of the guys got there's at the Bass Pro outlet store - demo's and scratched models are usually under 300$ - that's a pretty good deal on a starter solo fishing boat. It's too bad that the outlet store is retail only - not online.

Silver /black back, like every one else. If you like the Shad Rap, you'll love the new XRap Shad - shaped just like a balsa Shad Rap - but has the XRap long-cast thing in it, and is a fantastic lure. My favorite color in that is "Purpledescent."http://www.rapala.com/products/lures/x-rap_shad/

Some of the guys who fish Erie might need to chime in on this, but I thought most of the time the weights used by people drop-shotting there were a little heavier than what I'd use. I'm just thinking you might want a little heavier power than Med/Light if you're using 1/2-ounce or bigger weights.

Depends. On "the big boat" the rod locker could have 15-18 rods in there, mostly spinning but 4 or 5 casting. In the tandem canoe for pond Bass when I'm lucky to have someone play trolling motor for for me (paddle me around) it's usually 2 fly rod combo's. In the solo canoe it's 4- to 6- one is always a spinnerbait casting rigs, then the other ones come and go as the seasons change. Walking/wading local Smallmouth creeks is usually just my favorite 6-weight fly rod. Hard for me to answer with just one response!

Nice fish. Steelhead?

I like to keep it simple - obviously you don't! Hey - if it works for you - that's the way to do it. Wow - even an outrigger set-up, complete with trolling motor! Keep them coming.

So? How do you go hit those spots? I'm using the solo Old Town Pack Canoe - 33-pounds, just a perfect Smallmouth Stream/small lake canoe. I even patrol Table Rock and Beaver Lake from it from time to time.

I like the DT 4'S and 6's. I haven't broken one - yet.

I use tons of smaller cranks for lake and river Bass, and I like to throw smaller ones on spinning tackle. I wouldn't get locked into the whole "you need a moderate action for crankbaits" thing - it's more about how much the rod bends than what the action is. For example, one of my favorite inexpensive rods for small cranks is rated as an extra fast action, but it's medium light in power. It bends about a third of the way down the blank when retrieving a Bandit 200, which seems a little soft at first, but when a fish hits, as long as I don't let them take the slack out of the line, they are coming to be lipped. I think any decent 7' fast or extra fast medium/light rod would work. I do have to add that with that type rod I use either 4/10 original Fireline or 4/15 Stren Superbraid, and a fluoro leader. Works great.

I prefer straight braid on my Spinnerbait/buzzbait rods, but you have to remind yourself to set your drag and check it - especially with heavier action/power rods. As for jigs- try straight braid and if you fish clear water and feel the fish just aren't buying it, you can easily throw a leader on there. I think the rattlebaits are more of a drag issue again, if it gives a little instead of pulling the hooks out (or bending them) you'll know your doing it right.

I usually go with a leader about the length of the rod I'm using, or about a foot longer. So 7' rod -> about 7- to 8-foot leader. If you tie your knots well (and aren't using a rod with the silly "micro guides") the line leader knot passes through easily.

If you pour your jigs with the pin in instead of pouring with the weed guard, it's a very easy thing to powder paint with the same pin in to keep the hole clear, cure in the oven, and then glue the weed guard in after curing. I've tried many other ways to skin that cat, and always came back to that. It's much easier than messing around with tubing and still trying to keep paint out of the weed guard. I need to make a video of this.

You might also try Bass Pro's rod and reel repair center. The have parts for lots of brands - not just their own stuff. I'd call them first.http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&appID=40&option=2

I'll agree that the EWG jig hooks are a gimmick. Will they hook fish? Sure. Will they hook fish as well as a good round bend premium hook? Umm, no - not in my experience.

Weighting the shank of the hook (or using hooks that come with weight already attached) work just fine - it doesn't kill the action like you would think. I like the Powerbait Jerkshad.

Yep. What he said.

I was referring to original Fireline, what I use. Never tried Fireline Braid. As often as Dodgeguy refers to it, I know excactly what he means.

I use the fluoro leader/superline (Fireline isn't braided) set-up for my rocky rivers - best of both worlds. But some folks can't tie a decent line/leader knot, I know. Even with a 6- or 8-foot leader the sensitivity versus mono or fluoro is unbelievable. We have this thread every - what - two weeks? People need to learn how to use the "search" function. :

The main problem with very small diameter line is it can get between the spool and sideplate. Also like has been stated a number of times, it tends to dig in to the spool of line under it. Every reel is a little different, and you may have no problems.