FishTank

Nice Alpha. Those things are sweet and are getting harder to come by. Enjoy.

IMHO, the rod should be the largest part of your investmnent. It transmit all the info on what's going on when it counts most; the bite, hookset, and bringing in that once in lifetime fish. Is an expensive rod necessary? That is up to the fisherman. But my case, I believe big fish are few and far between and I want all the odds in my favor when I hook into a large fish. Plus, if the rod makes it more fun then it's a bonus.

Take it back.....BPS seems to be generous with their return policy, especially with their own products. For me personally, I have given up on fishing tackle bags and boxes and have purchased a Jansport hiking backpack. It holds tons of stuff, it's tuff as nails, waterproof and plus it has a lifetime warranty. I have sent back a few over the years and I always get a new one back in the mail. Just another suggestion.

I'm sorry, but Pacman becoming a wrestler is just funny.

So far I have MBR 843c GLX MBR 844c IMX BCR 803 GLX SMR753S-SP The BCR 803 is my favorite.

In order: GYCB Senkos, Fat Ikas, and Zoom Lizards.

As far as the people at PETA, It's a shame. They are in an organization that has the potential to do so much good. Looks like they have gone way over to the fanatical side.

I don't know about this one. I live and work around several cow farmers. They are operating in the black instead of the red now. But that does not make me happy about paying $3.50 to $4.00 a gallon at Wal-Mart for milk.

My hope is that after the next election things will change for the better, like I said that' a BIG "I HOPE". If things stay the way they are, illegals might be give Diplomatic Immunity as well. ;D

My former neighbor used to breed pit bulls that were true monsters. They came from a special blood line that was know for strength and muscle density. Everytime I saw a puppy leave his house I would wonder when it would end up in a dog fight. But the good side is not all of these dogs are bad by nature, my father-in-law has one of my ex-neighbors dogs and she is a sweet and gentle 11 year old. So I guess it is up to the owner to be held accountable. In Vicks case the evidence points to guilt so much he has been banned by the NFL from participaiting, Nike has suspended his shoe contract and is pulling all of his merchandice from their shelves, Reebok has stopped production of his jersey, and Donruss will not produce a football card for him next year. Vick is a multi-million dollar investment for several companies and their decisions did not come lightly or with out a significant amount of cash lost. Guilty or not in a court of law, the door is closing on Vicks career as a football player. The court of public opinoin has spoken and acted quickly. This is a scar on the NFL that will never go away because it brings a player's "lifestyle" into direct question. Look at this way, if Vick is guilty of having illegal dog fights at his home and with 52 other players on his team and with thousands of other NFL players, staff and ex-players, who else might end up in the public opinion guilty pool. This thing is just beginning.......

Junebug and Green Pumpkin Red are my favorites in either clear or stained water.

Chatterbaits for sure. The original was OK but the next version seemed to be made poorly. One other lure that might make this list later on is the Rapala X-Raps. They are a great looking, well made lure but I just don't catch as many fish with them as I do with Lucky Craft jerkbaits and the original Rapalas.

Senko in any dark color and a Zoom lizard black blue tail.

Sweet reel. It looks like it is destined to be a collectors item. I would love to own one but I don't think I could bring myself to fish it.

Sustain 2500. Smooooooth.........

Chartreuse. This color version is my favorite but in the LC flat mini mr.

For live bait, I will use a swivel (just an old school habit I guess). But for everything else, I tie direct.

I would have to go for anything plastic that I can t-rig, weightless with a 4/0 EWG. If I had to pick one soft plastic that was the most versatile, I'd pick the GYCB Fat Ika. I can rig it forwards or backwards, fish it in just about any condition of water, and when it is used up, I can save what's left of the body and the skirt and use it for a jig trailer.

I've been wanting to try these for smallmouth but I would like to here how you guys have been rigging them.

The MBR783C GLX was the first Loomis I purchased and like you said, it's like a magic wand. I have paired mine with a Shimano Calais 201A. It has become my go to setup. Enjoy the new rod and I hope all goes well.

Great Job.... Glad to see things up and running.

Of the fish you listed I went with the Smallies. But pound for pound the toughest fish I have ever caught was a Florida Tarpon. It took hours to bring that sucker in.

That's funny. A few more seconds and you would have qualified for the Darwin Awards. ;D

I picked up a 200 yard spool for $19.99 and then you get a $5.00 mail in rebate. Not exactly cheap but it is still good line.

The Symetre and the Stradic are probably the best bang for the buck out there. I like Quantum reels but for starting out, the Shimanos are proven proven performers.