Dan:

yeah, DTT jigs are great, and I like the spinnerbaits a lot also.

wow, I don't know when I will be able to go to the store, but the site looks great. Anyone that carries Dave's Tournament Tackle is sure to get my business..

Nitro, where are you a deputy? I am very seriously contemplating pursuing a career in LE and I might have some questions for you.

The Citica D regularly retails as low as $89. At that price it has to be at or very close to the top of the under-$100 list.

They are built on the SAME BLANK AS A PREMIER, Of which I owned 3 all had insert problems which was common for the Premiers, ALSO THE CRIETERIA IS 1 under 100 bucks, and none of the other St Croix( except the Premier) is under 100/ And the Premiers are heavy and insensitive also. I am just giving my .02 on the rod being discussed.

I am from Virginia but I have to say I much prefer sweet sauces to vinegar

nice! my grandparents are from Mifflintown and Port Royal so I know the Juniata a little. It really is a beautiful fishery. I wish I could fish up there more often.

I use a leader in clear water but if it is stained to muddy I just tie the bait directly to the braid. For a leader though, I would recommend the Double Uni-Knot. It's not hard to learn or tie and it is very strong.

you are hardcore, Rob ;D

They have some really nice looking colors available but I have heard some stories about them breaking at the joints and even KVD (who is sponsored by Strike King) says he switches the hooks out before using them so they probably aren't that good.

Triumphs feel like broom handles when compared to St Croix's other models...

As far as I have been told, you cannot fish Lake Manassas, even if you are a resident there.

I'd say 3+/- a few oz

Paul Hamm isn't at the current Olympics. Is this supposed to be from previous Olympics also?

I've been using Sweet Baby Ray's for years. It is one of the best you can buy in stores....beats the s(*# out of that KC Masterpiece garbage.

haha, I was just joking because their high school and my high school were rivals....that's funny though.

yuck, Clarke County... j/k I've heard that spot is pretty nice.

http://www.***.com/descpageTERMRSTRIKE-RSPPH.html + http://www.***.com/descpageSWIMRSTRIKE-RSFHJ.html My favorite hook and paddletail.

I used to fish the 'Doah a lot two years ago. I would wade at Andy Guest State Park (Shenandoah River State Park) It is difficult wading because it is mainly composed of huge bedrocks that are slippery and tend to make you fall and scrape your legs. I've also fished near Luray (very close to the Shen River Outfitters) and it tends to be more slack current and silty bottomed. It has some nice largemouths and some GIANT carp. Overall though, the fishkill and the massive amounts of summertime visitors tend to keep me away nowadays. I much prefer the greater seclusion, easier wading, and bigger fish of the Rapidan or Rapp.

I just got the same rod after upgrading from a broken Avid. I have to say, I really love the split grip, the light weight, the extreme sensitivity and the action and power of the rod. If I get another spinning Tournament, I would probably get the LTBS63MXF / Shakin' rod for something with a little bit stiffer tip for shakey heads

I actually have a sample from Bobby of the Shake2 that I have completely neglected to try in the rocky shallow rivers I fish. I'll give it a try and see if it fits the bill. Thanks guys

Thanks Brian. I will keep looking and maybe check out the custom option. I just wish the crooked creek jigs had better hooks, other than that they are exactly what I am looking for...

The first thing I was gonna say was maybe the fish have moved from where they were now that it's hot outside and the water has probably warmed quite a bit but the area you described sounds like it would be a good summer location for smallies. I hope you figure it out. Maybe try switching up baits. Try a shakey head, I murder the smallies with a football shaped shakey head with finesse worms in the summer.

I know as experienced anglers and tackle junkies that most of us here have been in a fishing store and seen beginners stocking up on completely useless items that they think they need to fish. For example, yesterday I was at Dick's sporting goods and I saw a father and son getting some supplies. They chose two UL-L spincasting combos and then proceeded to pick out 50lb steel leaders that they thought "looked like they would work" to go with their new combos... My question is: In a situation like that, do you try to help out by giving advice? I always feel like if I bother to tell people what to and what not to buy that I would end up offending them somehow. What is the best way to offer advice without sounding like a jerk?

Alright, I thought I had just found my ideal football shaped shakey head but I just found out my search continues. THe one I am talking about is made by crooked creek tackle. IT looks like this: Now, the ideal jig I'm looking for has a recessed horizontal line tie, and a spike bait keeper like the one posted. The last requirement that I have is that the jig have a strong hook. This is the only feature that the CCT jig does not have (the hooks are flimsy and bend easily). If anyone has found my ideal jig, PLEASE let me know where I can get some!