Columbia Craw

I can say this much, I wouldn't be caught dead demo-ing a rod dressed in a sweater like that.

I was out with the wife today and went to JoAnn's Fabrics. After reading another post here on storage boxes, I took a look at what they had. I found a two sided box (48 compartments) designed to store/organize spools of thread. It was perfect for my jigs. Strangely it was manufactured by Flambau. Go figure. All boxes in the aisle were 40% off and it cost me eight bucks. I grabbed another box (16 compartments) that will hold all my jig heads for tubes, grubs, Hula Grubs, shaky heads, weighted wacky heads and so on for just two bucks. Not a bad deal at all. It's worth a look.

I have a 3000 Stradic FJ on my 742SF and have had no problems at all. The seat is designed to fit a range of reel foot sizes so there will be some variation depending on reel model.

Bass are driven by two factors, feeding and reproduction. They need to gain weight going into winter but many bodies of water are in transition, water levels, temperature, vegetation die off, algae blooms and so on. Find the bait as best as you can. For me this means rock rock and more rock. It's a time when cranking shines but that's my area. It will come together.

That's why we fish. The look on your face tells it all.

Yo Zuri Rattlin Vibe is a great bait.

I've had my Tatula SV for a month now and it performs beyond my expectations. I was able to get mine for just under your price limit. That would be my suggestion.

The new Dobyns Colt 705CB would make a great rod for your 8-15' range. At 79 bucks it's a great option. There's a recent eval on the Dobyns website.

Happy birthday and nice smallies !

Bummer.

The Dobyns 736CB is really good.

Radioactive isotope. Enjoy.

Way to go!!

Have you fished them ?

Savage Gear has a top water bat ? What's next, the Pot Belly Pig wake bait ?

Take a look at the Luhr Jensen Speed Trap. In my region it is a must have. The Crush 75 A-Jay mentioned is also a great bait. For deeper applications, I like the Normans Deep Little N.

This demonstrates you are not just a father, you are a DAD. That warms my heart.

Both will do you well. Gary Dobyns uses the 766 himself. If you want a little more reach and a bit more flex without sacrificing power, the 805 Flip & Punch is the deal. I myself fish the Extreme 795 and that model is awesome. Dobyns has them in the refurbished section of their store from time to time at a great price. It's worth looking at.

" I will also use it for chatterbaits." If that's the case, the 736CB is a great compromise as a duel purpose rod. The miss marked rods are a heck of a value. I bought mine for chatterbaits and love it but I would throw DD22's or 5-6XD's in a heart beat with it. The 805CB as a dedicated stick would be best but you are looking for a duel purpose rod.

I don't fish week end days as a rule. I try to make it out once a week. My closest location's ramp has been in such bad shape I won't launch there anymore, which is a shame. I used to fish it three times a week. The most days in a row is eight on a trip to Clear Lake.

" How many times to I have to ask you? Please lift the seat!!!!!"

This is my standard: 2 feet or less is dirty 2 to 5 feet is stained 5 to 12 feet clear 12 feet or more is gin clear

When I started with a bait caster (level wind) there were no left hand models so all my casting reels are right handed. I tried a LH for part of one season on a pitching rod. Not gonna happen. At least I tried it.

When I watched the video, this is exactly what came to mind ! So what do you want to watch, your line or your rod tip ? I prefer to watch my line. I understand the concept Matt Allen is stressing but it needs to be tempered. Not everyone is fishing a Dobyns 742SF with a drop shot. The more bites and type of bites you detect or don't detect is the best learning tool. My buddy John Sewell taught me that decades ago when I learned to fish a worm. I found I was actually pulling my worm out of the fishes mouth, thinking it was vegetation, until one would not let go. The light bulb lit up. I told John I had to have a bass commit "Sewell-cide" to finally get it. I then caught *** in a row.

Baby Rage Craw nose hooked with a wide gap finesse hook. The Big Bite Baby Yo Mamma is also a very good lure to drop shot. Again, use the wide gap finesse hook.