Columbia Craw

I'm a 1/5 oz. guy when deeper that 16 feet. So far so good.

Easy. Rage Structure Bug or a Rodent. Good Luck

Well, it was a numbers game during my annual trip east. We had to wade through the rats to get a better fish. But it was fun with both largemouth and smallmouth. My biggest was just under five pounds and I caught more than enough three pound fish to keep it interesting. What was the most rewarding was my goal the catch fish on a series of techniques and baits. We caught fish from 6 feet to 31 feet. My biggest fish all came on deep cranking from 13 to 20 feet but the Dark Sleeper made me a believer. Lots of drop shot fish and Ned Rig fish. We had to cancel our last day do to wind. Can't wait until next year.

Storm Thin Fin

The shorter days really dictate the changes in bass behavior here. I have a 4 day mancation starting Monday and plan to fish until my hands fall off.

You essentially have three (3) options to find the power and action you are seeking for a crank bait rod. Blank taper and wall thickness will dictate the action. Materials will also dictate the blank action and sensitivity. All graphite with a moderate action design seem to be the most popular. Increased sensitivity but the rod will react much quicker. Quicker reflex. All Glass (E glass) will be much more moderate but through proper design will possess ample power in the lower 60% of the blank. The trade off is most designs for all glass are larger tube diameter and add some additional weight. A well designed glass rod has a signature feel and action and some anglers like that slower blank reaction. A blended blank or composite blank marries the best of both features. The lower 60 to 66% of the blank is graphite of some grade while the tip section is a transition to glass of some grade. This is an attempt to reduce blank mass and weight, improve sensitivity and generate the more moderate action and slower rebound properties. As RW mentioned, the Lamiglas SR 705R is a model that is all E Glass and is very effective through proper design. I also have this model and a Cousins 735 Glass. The Dobyns rods and Daiwa "Glass" rods are actually composite models and both have achieved the goals of blending the two blank materials. Quantum deserves mention here as well. Dobyns also has is all graphite Crank Bait series. The actions are moderate through design but the blanks react or rebound quicker that their composite brothers. Sensitivity is much better. So you have to decide what action, power and level of reaction/reflex you want and then seek out the configuration that fills that need. You also have to be aware that crankbait rods are less prone to being broad in their lure weight ranges. That's just the way it is so expecting a Dobyns Fury 705 CB to throw a 6XD is not realistic. You also need to consider that the model not only has to cast a weight range but work the resistance level of the bait. Crankbait rods are like fly rods. The size of the fly dictates the weight of line to move and present it and then the rod has to manage the line to present the fly. Enough for my morning tutorial. CC

Robo worm

Dry Creek. They provide come color options that are really effective in my region.

That's it. My first Brush Hogs were green pumpkin. It's a staple in my boat.

I was wondering why my tournament partner hasn't called.

No bones about it, this Dodge has a roomy cab.

I totally agree with RW. Extremely well made and the "Big Fog " has it's own unique action, especially when tipped with a Fat Impact.

1963 Chevrolet Impala SS with the 327 and automatic on the floor. I traded it a year later and got a 1965 GTO 389 CI 4 Speed with Crager Mags. I really miss those vehicles.

Don't complain....shipping is free!

Unless a bass has COPD he should be fine.

I have a Champion 736CB and strangely a Tatula Elite 7-4 Bladed Jig rod as well. The Champion is faster and just a bit more powerful than the Tatula. The Champion is more neutrally balanced. The Elite, like all their models is short one guide and under stress, flexed over, the line hits the blank when you roll your wrist at all. That bugs me because it's such an obvious flaw and would have been such an easy fix at the factory, Don't cheap out. Put the 10th guide on Daiwa! I don't do St Croix. The handle/grips are way to short and are a deal breaker. Good blanks, bad handle design.

Brain fart. I'm guilty.

176 Green Pumpkin Bruised Blue Ayu Watermelon Red Flake Bluegill Flash California 420

Remember the law of expectations. It also applies to fishing rods.

Rage Structure Bug Rage Craw RI Man Bear Pig Zoom Trick worm Keitech Fat Impact Senko Hula Grub Robo Worm Strike King Dream Shot Zoom Brush Hogs I have to throw in Dry Creek Tubes too.

Normans Deep Little N. I've been throwing this bait for over 30 years and when the bite is on it's magic.

Absolutely. Totally weird.

I love the history !!!!!! There are so many pioneers that young anglers have never heard of and those innovators paved the way. NO computer design, no off shore production. Just trial and error. Nick Creme, Tom Mann, Bobby Garland, Lonnie Stanley, Cotton Cordell, Gary Yamamoto and the list just goes on. Rod builders, reel designers, boat makers, electronics. Remember wearing a vest with patches? Great memories man. Keep it coming!

I remember the old Classic issues and loved to read it all. The Day On A Lake series is still worth reading. I also remember being perturbed about coverage dedicated to smallmouth. What was I thinking??