Lucky Craft Man

Well, I have recently changed my philosophy. I used to have over 30 bass rods, all of which were extremely technique specific (e.g., Frog Rod, Toad Rod, Lipless Crankbait Rod, Weightless Worm Rod, etc.). Over time I realized that half of these rods just never made the trip (as I have only so much space on the boat). So I recently started selling off those rods and gathering a collection of higher end rods that can serve multiple functions (e.g., My Spinnerbait and Topwater rod were sold for a rod that can essentially fish both). Preparation for a trip seems so much simpler now, because I know exactly which rods are going with me dependent on the time of year (and there is no deciding between a T-Rig Rod or a Jig Rod).

I have several of these reels and they are great reels, but I think they only have one real purpose, crankbaits. So if you are looking for a dedicated crankbait reel, this reel will serve you well, but I just think it is too slow to fish anything else that great (at least better than a lot of the other options you have)

Where would a 7 pound Lake Erie Smallmouth get you in this club?

I'm surprised someone hasn't mentioned Tennessee. That maybe the only state where you would have a shot at a double digit Largemouth and Smallmouth (though, a very very remote chance, but a chance none-the-less).

I have a Shimano Core 100MgFV on my NRX 895 JWR, which they don't make anymore. Great reel and it has beefed up gears to handle the extra stress of fishing in the thick stuff. You maybe able to find one in good condition on eBay or in the forums.

They did have a GLX Spinnerbait rod (actually 2). They were the GLX SBR812 and the GLX SBR813. They discontinued both of these for some reason (I would assume bad sales). The only reason I never owned one was because those two models were limiting (the 812 was rated from 3/8 oz to 1/2 oz and the 813 was rated from 1/2 oz to 3/4oz). I like to throw spinnerbaits that range from 1/4 oz up to 3/4 oz and I didn't want to have to carry two rods to cover which spinnerbait I wanted to throw. I then found a rod that fit exactly what I wanted and found it to be the perfect spinnerbait rod, the GLX MBR783. This thing is awesome for casting a wide range of spinnerbaits and it fishes them well. I am hoping that a NRX 783 MBR comes out soon, so I can upgrade it, but if you are looking to the GLX line-up, then I don't think you will be disappointed with the GLX MBR783 when it comes to spinnerbaits.

Bassmasters website posted a GoPro video with clips from Randy's Day 3. Randy really interacted with the crowd and just had a good time with it all. I love to see stuff like that and I bet all the spectators standing on the bridge had a great time. I'm glad Randy won. He seems like a great guy and I'm sure that truly was a moment that was beyond a dream come true. Here is a link to that Go Pro video http://www.bassmaster.com/blogs/2014-bassmaster-classic-live-blog/watch-randy-howell-hook-guntersville-keeper

Does anyone know the predominent pattern he used to win?

Through College, every morning for about three years, I would eat a packet of Ramen Noodles for Breakfast. I even used to just eat them in their petrified state right out of the packet. Now as an adult and a Dad, those Ramen Noodles don't make their way into the house. Though, just typing has me craving them a little.

It's funny you say this, because I did buy a Carolina Rig Specific rod thinking I would be a C Rigging Machine. I used it once and never used it again. I ended up selling it recently. I just don't C Rig much, but if I do, I select one of my other plastics rods that can handle the weight I want to throw. It seems to work fine for me.

Here is a clip from The Bass Pro's that aired on the Outdoor Network on February 6, 2014. "Fluorocarbon, to me, is an absolute must for a jerkbait..." -KVD I am not sure where the KVD using braid rumor came from as I have been searching all the fishing shows I have DVRed looking for him saying that he uses braid. If someone has exact show information on that, I will see if I can find it (I have quite a few shows DVRed).

I like Fluoro and KVD said he uses Fluoro, so I would say fluoro is a good choice.

My absolute favorite topwater hollow bodied lure is actually not a frog. I really like the Live Target Field Mouse. I have had some serious blow-ups when I would find a pocket in the pads, bring the head of the mouse on the edge of the pad, and then just quiver the legs and tail of the mouse is the opening.

I purchased the year pass for the Extended Cast of all the Episodes (for all the seasons). The fisherman explain a lot more in those episodes (i.e., parts that were edited out for the TV version). Maybe there will be a little more explanation in the Extended Cast of the Championship Round when the have it on-line. As far as what aired, according to Marty Stone, KVD would just move spot to spot and make a handful of casts at each. What gets me is that these guys know how KVD fishes, yet there is no one that tries to duplicate his style. His whole premise is reaction strikes, but there are just not many fisherman (even ones I fish with, including myself) that do this. I am the first to slow it down with a drop shot or some other finesse technique as opposed to sticking with exploring various reaction-strike lure alternatives.

You know, I have a few older reels with the Flipping Switch that I still use. I actually really like (and use) the flipping switch and hate that the trend has been away from it. I may have to check this reel out. Thanks for the review.

My preferred method/lure is large rubber baits (e.g., Bulldawgs, Medusas, etc.). You seem to get a variety of strikes with that bait. I have had fish hit the lure as soon as hit the water to light slack line bites to hard, jerk-the-rod out of your hand strikes to strikes right at the boat on a figure 8. I do use bucktails, but my experience is that most fish follow that lure to the boat, which is exciting in itself, but the variety of strikes I seem to get on the large rubber baits adds to the excitement of the unknown to me.

It depends what I am fishing for. Smallmouth - Jerkbait or Drop Shot (these two are tied) Largemouth - Pitching Plastics in Heavy Cover Musky - Super Mag Bulldawgs (a.k.a. Pounders) Steelhead - Nymphing (Egg Pattern Fly) Trout - Nymphing (Beadhead Pheasant Tail)

Both of my most terrifying moments dealt with lightening. Once I was fishing a small lake when lightening hit the water on the other side. My buddy had his rod tip in the water at the time of the strike, which he promptly dropped after getting a small jolt through it and all the hair on my neck and arm stood up. Needless to say, we set a water speed record getting back to the dock. The second time, me and a friend were fishing out on Lake Erie. It was overcast, but nothing very menacing. We both started to hear a humming sound actually coming from our rods (like you hear out of the electrical box by the streets). As the humming sound got louder, we begin receiving shocks from the graphite blank it we touched it (with arcs about an inch long coming from the rod to our finger). Then our slack line started to float in the air after a cast (that was freaky if you ever have seen that). Needless to say, we broke our previous water speed record getting back to the dock. You should have seen the lightening cracking down on the water in our wake. Scary stuff there.

How about buying 5 NRX, just to add to the 5 you already have?

I have purchased two demo NRX rods from reputable sellers (actual on-line stores). One arrived brand new. Sticker on the handle, cork pristine, and still in the plastic sleeve. The other was obviously used. The cork was stained and the there was about a centimeter crack in the blank that went through the graphite wall. I didn't mind the staining of the cork as I expected it to be used, but that crack in the graphite rendered the rod unusable (well, I could have used it, but first hook set would have broke it in half). For the good news, since the place I purchased the damaged rep. demo from is a reputable seller, they allowed me to return the rod and are working on procuring me a replacement. The assurance that the company you get your rep. demo rod from will stand behind their product is why I would probably avoid third party sellers or sellers on e-Bay who do not have a full scale store behind them. Other than that caveat, I think rep. demos are a very economic way to get a high end rod. All rep. demos are backed by the manufacturers lifetime warranty and as far as that WildCard goes, I sent in the receipt for the undamaged rep. demo with the NRX Registration form, so I will see if I receive a WildCard for it or not.

I agree with the great customer service at The Tackle Trap. I just purchased a NRX 916 off of him and his communication and speed of shipping was fantastic. Great place to buy from.

Imagine fishing hour after hour casting 8+ ounce lures without seeing a thing only to have on that next cast your lure is shadowed by this large menacing figure stalking your bait closely as you retrieve it back to the boat. This nefarious creature doesn't give a d**n that you are standing almost on top of him as he knows he is King of the Lake. He will follow your lure around and around with what looks like the intention to kill only to simply slink away into the depth leaving your heart racing and knees shaking. So, yes, seeing a fish could be a good day.

How about when the Cable Guy comes over to add a line and enters your basement, which is full of 100 plus rods & reels, shelves upon shelves of tackle, and asks you if you are a fishing equipment dealer? That may signal your are close to the edge.

Congratulations to the Seahawks and the city of Seattle. I always liked the Seahawks (except in the 2005 Superbowl when they played the Steelers as I am Steelers fan). I am happy for them and the city. Just think, the fans of the Seahawks in Washington can celebrate with a nice canibus treat and the fans of the Broncos in Colorado can console their sorrows with the same canibus treats. These two states knew their team was headed to the big game and voted to help their fans in the aftermath (in victory or defeat). Very prophetic if you ask me.

Haha...You might as well shut this thread down, because there is no topping that.