FishTank

G. Loomis NRX 843C and a Shimano Aldebaran. I have felt this combo and it has that magical feel to it that I just can't put in words. I have not fished it but when I had it my hand, what can I say, it felt like perfection.

T-Rigged Fat Ika backwards with a 4/0 EWG Gami or a Zoom Lizard with a 3/16 bullet weight t-rigged. He either it will be mad or hungry, Both will cause him to bite.

There is a 40% off coupon out there but these are some of the best I have ever used http://www.sierratradingpost.com/serengeti-rimini-sunglasses-polarized-photochromic-polar-phd-lenses~p~6060y/?filterString=s~-serengeti-sunglasses%2F&colorFamily=04

It was 5in Green Pumpkin Senko for me. I just wish I could catch more of these fish. They seem either hard for me to catch or hard for me to find.

My overall experience with Fenwick has been nothing but positive. I have yet to see a rod that it is not worth the money from them. I think for $65 you can't go wrong.

My three main casting setups..... 6'8 MH x-fast Jig and Worm Rod (G. Loomis 803 GLX) with a Shimano Chronarch 51e 7 Shimano Crucial Crankbait Rod MH Mod-Fast with a Shimano Cruado 201G6 7 Heavy G Loomis 844C IMX with a Daiwa Zillion My all purpose (if I'm only taking one setup) > G. Loomis 783C MH Fast GLX with a Shimano Core. This set up can do just about anything.

I picked spool of Tatsu FC at Tackle Warehouse. Expensive but great line. Lures though, Fat Impact from Keitech. My favorite fish related purchase this year has been my inflatable pontoon boat. It was on sale for $300. I have seen similar ones go for $650 and up. I just get in the water and I am off fishing. It has been great for a few ponds and lakes that you can only use kayaks, canoes, etc. on

I have one of the previous crank bait rods and so far it has served me well. It loads well and it's actually quite perfect for its intended use.

My Shimano Core 101Mg is my favorite. I have beat this reel up and it just keeps going. A close second though is my Shimano Chronarch 51e. This little reel cast a mile and is powerful as well. My all time favorite, that I miss dearly, Shimano Calais 201A. Heavy but still the smoothest reel I have ever used.

My two cents on this topic...... I love a good deal as much as anybody when comes to fishing equipment and lures. I try not to buy anything unless it is on sale or clearance. With that said, I have tried many other baits (knock offs) like the senko and nothing compares to the original. IMHO, they just catch more fish than anything else but I do get bored using them. I generally get them at DSG for about $3-4 a pack. I just wait until they go on sale, use a coupon or two and stock up. As far as durability goes, if I catch a fish and it breaks, I'm good with that. That seems to be the case with most soft plastics but not all, of course. Maybe it's me but when I set the hook on a fish most soft plastic rip at the tip and push there way up the line. I have caught multiple fish on the same senko but it's rare. So for now, I will stick with the senkos but I will try some of the new stuff along the way.

I read somewhere that they may trade Kaepernick.

Revo Toro. Enjoy....

White Carrot Stix...... Too Funny.... General rule of thumb.... If it has a fisherman's name on it, I'll pass. One exception...... KVD line conditioner...Good stuff. This rule has served me well. On this forum and others, I constantly see..."My Duckett, my Skeet Reese, my KVD, etc... rod/reel is giving me issues."

Short answer no. But think of it this way....... A super car that goes 0-60 in 4 seconds cost $150,000 and one that goes 0-60 in 3.2 seconds can cost $350,000. Is the .8 seconds worth the extra cost? The Stella falls into that category of, "the better it gets, the less return you get on your investment". It is an amazing reel though.

Dinner, jewelry, and the book The Giving Tree.

I saw this and could not believe the genius. http://www.wthr.com/story/29266903/pizza-hut-box-transforms-into-movie-projector

When I first went fishing specific for smallmouth several years ago, I was introduced to the Fat Ika. I have been using it with great success for large mouth. I plan on using it again on smallmouth as soon as I can get to a good spot again. I use to be a small mouth magnet.

Nice fish. I caught my first smallie of the year about an hour ago. I caught it in a local river on a senko. It was about 2-3lbs. I catch so few of these fish that it is a real treat to hook one, especially in a fast moving river. It's easy to forget how powerful these fish even when they are small.

X2. I hope Bantam or someone from Shimano reads these forums still. It maybe a great reel but the marketing price point compared to the Curado leaves me dumbfounded.

Thanks for sharing. I had no idea.

I like green pumpkin for stained and muddy conditions but my favorite is a 5in black senko with a blue tail.

Keitech Fat Impact has worked great for me this year. I wish the held up better but man do they catch fish. Great bait.

I tried the same Spiderwire and had the same issue with it breaking but any toothy fish will cut through line (any line). I would also tie it directly to the lure, no swivel, if you are using braid. If you are still having issues with fish biting through the line, use a wire lead but only as a last resort. Also no matter what knot you use, always wet it before you cinch it.

I would use minimum 20lb FC no leader and a big reel for that bait. I know nothing on the rod you mentioned. I would use either a revo toro, shimano curado 300e or a good, large round bait caster. Good read from TT http://www.tackletour.com/reviewhuddleston.html

Buzzbaits and black shallow crankbaits.