FishTank

Here are the different versions of the Perch color. The last one is the matte finish. There maybe a few more but this is what I am current with...

Thats a good deal. I wish I had an Academy near me. I make it a point to write an email to them every year asking for a store here in Indy but no luck.

Bang - Shad/Crawdad Smelly Jelly - The pink one?

In case you don't know, the fishing at Disney can be amazing. Just sayin...

You should watch their video on Megabass crankbaits> Insightful but expensive.

Bantam again.... 6.X:1. Smooth and built like a tank but small and compact. Only complaint is taking the side plate off to adjust the brakes.

I broke the latch on the first one I had but I gave them a second chance and so far so good. I am pretty much all Edge boxes now except for swimbaits and soft plastic. I think the deep box may be a good option for swimbaits in the future. We'll see.... Also, I thought about putting soft plastic in them but after I had a jig trailer melt inside one, I changed my mind. It was a mess. Granted, I left the box out on the deck on a 90+ degree day and I could have put it away. I'd rather keep them in their original bags and the boxes in good condition, just a personal preference.

This is still one of my go to baits. I have one rigged every time I go out. I always catch something on it but it requires patience and you can't have the trolling motor going none stop. It's a sit and pop bait for me. As far as what I have given up on..... KVD crankbaits.

A little more info on what is available.....

Abu Garcia Winch. For the money, it's a great reel. I would also suggest the Curado K.

I have two of the rods you may be looking at.... The St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M and the G. Loomis IMX Pro 903C. Out of the two, for their intended purpose as a crankbait rod, I like the Legend Glass the best. It is heavier and less sensitive than the IMX but it is ideally suited for its task and seems to give better hook sets. On the other hand, I do like the IMX for chatterbaits and smaller deep divers. For topwater I would not use either one of these rods. I like the IMX 844C for those techniques.

Based on what I could I find, it looks like a Mod-Fast taper.

Just in case, I have no experience with this rod but I think it fits what you need...... Shimano Expride 7'11'' X-Heavy Mod-Fast It is more of a swimbait rod but to chuck a crankbait that big, it might as well be a swimbait. It is rated up to 3oz so your 2oz bait should hit the sweet spot.

I ordered a rod from them about a month ago and it came directly from St. Croix. It was packed well and had no issues.

Just wait> It only takes one and all of a sudden you're handing your money over like it ain't yours. On a side note, some of the lakes you spoke of, if memory serves me right, are pretty clear. If that's the case, pick up a matte colored one. The lack of reflection seems to cause more bites.

Smackdown and X-Plasma

I have two swimbait setups and at first I caught a few fish each time I used them but since then not so much. It's fun to fish but it can get tiring. I tried a friends set up originally and a had a nice 4lb LM blow up an 8in Huddleston. I knew I was hooked at that point. I will try again this year but I am starting to question my investment.

Not exactly a finesse tube, but I like the Venom Stubby Tube in black and blue flake.

Best Seaguar Tastsu Seaguar Invizx Seaguar Abrazx H.M.> Daiwa J Fluoro. Still evaluating this but looks promising Like but Not as Much..... Trilene XL 100% FC Sunline Shooter Sunline Sniper Gamma > like and sort dislike One's I Have Tried but Dislike Berkley Vanish Seaguar Red Label On a side note.... P-Line FloroClear is not a true Fluorocarbon line. It's copoly with a coating. I used this stuff for years and never had an issue. I used it for crankbaits mostly and always used 12lb. It lasts as long as mono and is not very abrasion resistant. Overall, it has a short life span> which is why I have stayed with my favorite FC's and not gone back.

How much convincing you need.... About $410 at Asian Fishing Portal (Ebay). I have ordered from them 3 times and have had great luck.

I picked up a Plane Edge Terminal Tackle box last year and so far so good. It's pricey but it's the best thing I have seen so far.

I would donate it or trade it in at BPS's Spring sale.

Not sure what your budget is but I like the G. Loomis 844C IMX for what you mentioned above.

I have them on a couple of rods and don't really see any advantages or disadvantages with them.

Antares 70A. One of the finest reels I have ever used. It is a work of art but its pretty much flawless in every way. If I could afford it, I would have a couple more. My only gripe is fishing it in cold weather> It's like holding an ice cube.