Lucky Craft Man

See, that's where I got confused. Your poem said "Black and Gold" and not "Black and Old Gold." Either way, I hope the Black and Gold or the Black and Old Gold win it this year.

Everytime I hear "Black and Gold," I think of the great NFL Team called the Steelers. Since the Steelers are sucking you know what this year, I am hoping for an Indianapolis (18-0) vs. New Orleans (18-0) Superbowl. That would be great to watch.

Bruce Almighty "That's Right. I've killed women and children. I've killed everything that walked or crawled at one time or another and I'm here to kill you Little Bill for what you done to Ned."

I like the Picasso 1/8oz. Jighead with a 4.5" Big Bite Jeff Kriet Squirrel Tail Worm. I have also started using roboworms, which have worked really well. I fish my shakyheads on a spinning outfit with 8 lb. Fluorocarbon.

I appreciate all the responses. As far as the Shimano Cores go, I have 4 Core 100MgFV and 1 Core 50mg. These are definitely great reels, but when I tried out my friends Steez, I was really blown away. I just wasn't sure what the differences were in the models. With everyone's help, I am pretty clear as to the variation in the different models and I appreciate everyone's help. PS I would go the Pixy route, but I am a little shy of buying anything that doesn't come with a warranty of some kind.

It this the girl that was in Michael Jackson's "This is It"? Whoever that girl was in that Michael Jackson movie was pretty freakin' good as well.

Welcome to Pittsburgh!!! I actually went to grade school in Canonsburg. As far as fishing locations go, the closest one to you that will be worth your efforts is Cross Creek Lake. Some nice LM Bass there, but it has a 9.9 hp restriction and it does get a lot of pressure. I have not fished the rivers much, but there are a lot of people who fish them and do well. But, by being in Pittsburgh, you are on the threshold of fishing Heaven, which of course is Lake Erie. I am not sure what type of boat you have, but Presque Isle Bay can be fished from any type of boat and in the Spring is an unbelievable place to fish. Again, welcome to Pittsburgh and I want to wish you good luck in your new job. PS I wouldn't bring your boat up until mid-April.

I hate to say it, but send some of that rain our way. the Steelhead in Lake Erie can't get into the tributaries, because the flow is too low.

Yes...for swimbaits. I like to have a nice steady retrieve for some swimbaits (like paddletails) and with a higher ratio reel, I would have to reel it painfully slow to get the swimbait at the speed I want. Therefore, I went to a lower ratio reel and my problem was solved.

I will be using 12# Fluoro.

Besides the smaller handle and the "v" spool, what is the difference between the 103SHA & the 100 SHA? I am going to get (actually, my wife is getting me one as a Christmas/Valentines Day/Anniversary Gift) a Steez to match up with my BCR893 for senkos and was wondering which one to get. Thanks for your help in advance.

I've had a lot of success drop shotting a 4" senko. That might be a good lure to start with.

Shimano Core 100MgFV (7.0:1 gear ratio)

The best advice I have heard for fishing shakyheads is to cast out the lure and try to slowly bring the lure back to the boat without the fish seeing it. Usually this "stealth" approach really works well.

I would say the Rapala Weedless Spoon. This lure was discontinued a while ago and I find it to be one of the best lures to use on top of the slop.

If you are selling the Curado, I would be interested. Send me a PM. -Kent The Shimano Curado 200E7's new home will be on a GLX MBR783C for spinnerbaits. If I decide to upgrade the 200E7 on that rod, then it's next stop will be for sale and you'll be the first person I contact.

For Senkos 4" or Smaller - Pflueger Supreme 8035 For Senkos 5" or Larger - Shimano Curado 200E7 (Soon to be replaced with a Daiwa Steez 103SHA)

X2 x3

I have two G Loomis SMR814-CB rods (one has a Daiwa Fuego with mono for Topwater lures and the other has a Shimano Core 50Mg with Fluoro for jerkbaits). I don't thinks it's bad at all to have the same rod with two different reels. If you want to differentiate a little more, put fluoro or braid on one and mono on the other.

I assume you haven't met a Philadelphia Fan (of any team). They set the obnoxious bar pretty high.

With that kind of attitude, you're missing out! The fact remains, GLX rods can be purchased for less than $300 on a regular basis in the flea market. These rods carry a full lifetime warranty - even if they're used. I would argue that the value achieved at that price point is substantial and would be very difficult to beat. The GLX rods are legendary for a reason. They are that good, period. The company stands behind their products, no questions asked if necessary. I suppose it's a matter of how each of us perceive "value." I'm with Bronzefly here. I have close to 10 GLX rods and I have never paid over $300 for any of them (I know I paid less than $250 for 5 of them). It does take some time finding deals, but when you do, you get a unbelievable rod at a price that would blow away any other rod in the $250 price range. I think The Natural is selling some new GLX's for $239 a piece + shipping. So if you look around, you won't have to spend $400 on a single rod, plus there is always that sense of accomplishment when you get a great deal.

Actually, I would order the BCR893. This thing is the ultimate Senko Rod (in my humble opinion.)

Here are the three rods I think will serve you well: GLX BSR852 - This think is an amazing spinning rod and can handle all finesse techniques (shakyhead, drop shot, flukes, smaller senkos, etc). Out of all the G Loomis spinning rods I have owned, this one is the most versatile. (I would suggest a Pflueger Supreme Spinning Reel as the reel you are going to pick up later). GLX MBR783C - This rod can handle all your topwater, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, smaller soft plastics, and senkos. I would match your Revo SX up with this one. GLX MBR844C - This rod can handle all your heavy cover applications like frogs, jigs, & soft plastics. You cold also use this for small swimbaits. I would match this up with your Calcutta. Those three rods should be able to handle what you are looking for and as RW said, you really only need 3 rods to face almost every situation. I would also highly suggest the GLX version, because they are that much nicer than anything else. OhYa.com is having a great sale on G Loomis rods (30% off), which is an unbelievable deal on these rods. Good luck in you selection process.

RW, sorry to hear about what happened to your son. I spent some time in Tucson and that city can be a rough place (unfortunately, of lot of Arizona is becoming overrun).

x2...the routine for me also includes, wiping down all the rods and reels used, cleaning the guides while checking for damage, add a little oil to the worm gear of the reels used, taking the reels off the rods, and storing everything in a safe place.