Dan:

I totally agree. She is also prematurely wrinkly (just a bit), maybe too much time in that Miami sun.

Not a bad looking crank but it doesn't look much like any bluegill I've seen.

Lather it up with some Icy Hot

Ohhhh. That makes sense then. I just bought a spool of leader material. It isn't tapered so I guess I don't need it. The leader I got looks like it is just mono line.

I like Split grips because I like the look and the weight reduction and greater sensitivity they offer.

:-?

I like it too, although I watch them out of order and can't really get an idea of what is going on with the search for who "burned" him. It's a pretty cool show. I am also really starting to watch "Psych" a lot. That show is hilarious.

I already got some backing, but I didn't really get the purpose of having tippet as well. What does it do? So you don't use any backing? I wasn't sure if I may want to get some if I happen to hook into something a little bigger that might take my 5wt for a ride.

yup. I watch Bear's show to see all the "I don't understand?!?" athletic and dietary stuff that he does. I watch Les because he--like 98% of people--can't climb vertical rock walls, shimmy up trees that hang 50 feet over alligator infested canals, drink liquid elephant poo or battle venomous snakes for the fun of it...so it's much more informative.

My first thought was a soft jerkbait (I would use a fluke, but I know you are partial to the slugos)

Simon, let me know if you go for some with the fly rod. I just got a fly setup myself and I'd love to use it. I definitely need to practice casting though. BTW, have you used your fly rod for smallies? I have a 5wt and I was wondering if I need a tippet or backing.

Hmm, the egg sinker defense. I'll remember that one.

I never expected to ever watch an episode of that show but for some reason I find myself watching it. I can't explain it, its just kind of interesting. I don't keep up with it or anything but if I find it while surfing I will stop and watch.

This should be a sticky. Fo' real.

I have the 7' Medium Fast spinning rod. I use it for lots of presentations, mainly flukes, weightless plastics, shakey heads, topwaters, etc...I think it is great for topwaters, small cranks and weightless plastics because of the fast tip but I would like a stiffer tip for shakey heads/small jigs/texas rigs. But some of that is just personal preference. For the applications you want to use this rod for: do you like a stiff tip for those applications, or a softer one? If your answer is stiffer, go with the XF, if the answer is softer, go with the Medium.

The angler can only do so much to increase his feel. On the other hand there are many variants in ways rod design can increase sensitivity. You can hold your hand however you want, but to really give yourself the best odds of feeling a bite as possible, a high modulus rod is a must. If both grip and high graphite modulus contribute to overall sensitivity, then I'm going to use both.

hot d**n! the hook must weigh a half ounce too!

I agree. a) it was not very late at all the tackler couldn't even see above Palmer's waist because he was falling/being blocked down to the ground. I don't think you can assume he had ill intent if he couldn't even see if the ball had been delivered or not.

Ron, keep available gear ratios in mind. The Curado comes in a slow ratio version (more aptly used for cranking) and a high ratio version (more aptly used for flipping, pitching, burning baits, etc.) and a traditional multipurpose 6.*:1 ratio is currently unavailable.

What kind of hook are they expecting people to use with that thing?

If you are casting the rig farther away from you, wouldn't a longer bait-to-sinker distance help to keep the bait higher in the water column at the lower angle created when the sinker is farther from your rod tip? I hope that makes sense.

Nice, fourbizz. Good read. I am just getting into drop-shotting and I was thinking about trying braid for the very same reasons you mention. Thanks.

Wow. Just wow. I'm done here. I can't stand to argue the merits of hurting people "because it's legal" or "it's fun". We'll just have to agree to disagree and leave it at that. Go Cards! You're dramatizing it. I just meant that if you take the shoulders and head out of a hit like you want to, what you have left is people trying to arm tackle. It is an inherently dangerous game and if they keep trying to make it so no one is at risk, then the resulting game would be boring. This recent hit was an example of the inherent dangers of a game in which the goal is for one man to make the other man go to the ground. Clark went in at chest level. McGahee lowered his head into the hit and their helmets collided. Sure Clark left his feet, but asking him to stand there as McGahee plowed into him at full speed is absolutely absurd. And that is what you are asking him to do. Or we can make rules that keep defenders from running through ball carriers or from making contact with their torsos and only allow arm tackles. Then less people would get hurt. But then what happens when someone pulls an arm out of their socket and offenses score 70 points a game? If you want a tamer game, may I suggest girls lacrosse? ;D

I dunno, dude. 20ft is too close for me, especially if there is a lot of bank. The best thing to do is to not be shy and just ask. When you get near him say, "am I too close to you?" or "let me know if I get too close to where you're fishing."

upgrade if you can.