Lucky Craft Man

A. Some Type of Carp B. Channel Catfish C. Bluegill D. White Bass E. Freshwater Drum (a.k.a. Sheepshead) F. Flathead Catfish G. Some Kind of Turtle (I don't know Turtle Species) H. Bowfin I. LM or Spotted Bass J. Some Type of Gar H. Some Type of Shad Hmmm...I realize I suck at this, too.

I see a lot of people mentioned Lake Erie. I feel very fortunate to have close access to this fishery (it is an unbelievable place to fish). I would probably say El Salto would be first on my list (actually, Erie would be first, but I am assuming this if for places we have never been)

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It would have to be the Raiders or Cowboys. These teams historically take risks on these type of players (though, it looks like buffalo is trying to add their name to that list)

That's Great News that his parents found him. It just makes you wonder what he was thinking. From the looks of things, he life wasn't all that bad. Makes you wonder sometimes.

...while wearing a long sleeve shirt and jeans.

I would have to say, there is nothing like a smallmouth almost ripping the rod out of your hands while throwing a jerkbait.

The Pflueger Trion combo doesn't come with line, so you won't have to worry about taking any off. Also, my wife has that Pflueger combo, which I had to borrow for a fishing trip, because I left all my reels at home (long story, all I can say is that I am an idiot). During that trip, I used the combo for weightless worms, spinnerbaits, smaller t-rigged plastics, drop shot rigs, soft jerkbaits, and some topwater lures. It handled every one of those applications quite well and I even caught some nice fish with it. Granted, you won't be able to fish in heavy weeds with frogs or throw 3/4 oz. football jigs with it, but for what you are looking for, it will perform nicely.

I saw a Pflueger Trion Spinning Combo at Gander Mountain the other day that I think would be good for what you are looking for. It was $79.99 plust tax.

I agree with you SirSnookalot.

There's a pretty good idea. I am going to have to do that from now on. Thanks!

LOL...ok, here are the rules: You get a Shimano Talavera Trooling Rod (5'9" X-Heavy) and a Penn Saltwater Reel. I get a G Loomis GLX BCR893 and a Daiwa Zillion. We will have to cast a weightless senko 80 feet into the center of a tire. Again, I am not the best caster, but I like my chances with a "longer" rod. There's a couple other things at play on that one. If the rod doesn't load - you aren't going to get it where you want it. You might can, but it's gonna be a whole lot harder. That salt rod isn't going to load. Unfair advantage. I'm with vatech - you can develop the proficiency to be accurate - with any length rod. I can hand someone a 6' rod or a 7'9" - if they aren't proficient at accuracy, they won't do it with either one. RoLo is right too. Basic physics regarding levers comes into play. When you merge RoLo and vatech's comments you get a good picture of what is happening. The average angler is more proficient at keeping the correct angles on a shorter lever - it's easier. Those who practice or are naturally talented can develop a greater proficiency for accuracy with a longer lever/rod. Compare this to a hammer. Use one with a standard length, say 12". Whack away. Now, go make a hammer with a 2 yard handle and try it... which is easier to be more accurate with until you develop your proficiency? **No facts to support - just my conclusions and opinions** The point to my challenge is to show that there is a lot more at play then just rod length when dealing with casting accuracy. Like you said, the rod has to be matched with the lure you are trying to cast and the weight of the rod I'm sure has a little to do with it. I do understand Rolo and vatech's point, but that is only a valid argument if you have two rods that are the same weight, same loading characteristics and the skill set is constant. Therefore, if all those are the same, then I agree, a shorter rod could lead to greater casting accuracy.

LOL...ok, here are the rules: You get a Shimano Talavera Trolling Rod (5'9" X-Heavy) and a Penn Saltwater Reel. I get a G Loomis GLX BCR893 and a Daiwa Zillion. We will have to cast a weightless senko 80 feet into the center of a tire. Again, I am not the best caster, but I like my chances with a "longer" rod.

I'll give you a short 5' saltwater trolling rod and I'll take my 7'5" Senko rod and I will predict I will be able to cast more accurately than you would be able to . I am by no means a great caster, but length alone is not the only variable in casting accuracy.

I think what also helps is how well suited the rod is for the lure you are casting. I feel I am most accurate with my 7'5" rod when I am casting weightless Senkos (it seems to load up perfectly). Though, if I add a slip weight to the Senko, I feel my accuracy suffers a little (the rod almost loads up too much).

That's a perfect example of what I am talking about. Someone may see that they have the same gear ratio, but the IPT is a more valuable piece of information. I was currently looking to the IPT for the Curado 100D, which is not listed on either Bass Pro or Shimano's website. I did end up finding what it was, but it took a little searching. Imagine if you went to a category that was titled "IPT for Reels" and under that category were the IPT for various brands of reels (which could be submitted by various people, but compiled in one place).

I was just thinking that there are certain things I seem to be trying to find on-line and was wondering if there is a place on here that I could goto for reference information? For example, most people talk about gear ratio of reels, but I have found that the inches per turn (IPT) is more of a tell tale sign how fast a reel will retrieve. Sometimes it is hard to find the IPT for reels (especially for discontinued model reels). Also, I am always wondering how deep a certain crankbait will run (I know this can vary based on line size and type), but it would be good to know what it may run using a certain line size. I wondering if there are others out there that are usually searching for this type of information and if anyone may have a good source for this? Maybe starting something like that here might not be a bad idea (unless it already exists). I have used the search tool many times looking for various pieces of info, which some cases yields what I am looking for, but a designated place for it would be cool. I guess this is just me thinking out loud and maybe I am the only one who looks for this type of info.

As much as you claim that this is not an issue, you love stirring this point up, don't you? :-? I don't stir this up, I was just making a joke. I think it would be considered a fact that KVD with a broomstick could outfish me with whatever gear I have. Why? Because KVD has both experience and confidence in his ability, which I assume is the main point of the OP. These intangibles are of infinite importance I think. So if I stirred anything up, I apologize.

I thought success came from buying the most expensive equipment available. ;D

140 degrees? How can a human being even be alive in that heat? From what I have seen, air conditioning is not the prevalent there.

Interesting. I guess I forgot to add that another plus for me with the Curado 200e over the Revos is they fit my hand better. I've got big hands so the 100d would probably be a nice fit. Maybe I'll get one of those too now! Unfortunately, they stopped making the 100D's, though you may still be able to find them around. I know the Gander Mountain by me still has some, which they are selling for $150.00. eBay is another option where you may find some.

I have two Revo's, which i use for heavier lure applications. I also have the new Curado 200E7 and I have to say that I like the Curado 100D better. The Curado 200E is a little wider than the 100D, which makes it not as comfortable to hold (though, the 200D's were terrible and huge). Don't get me wrong, both are great reels, but I would have to give the nod to the 100D (which comes in 6.2:1 ratio)

For what I see, there seems to be a vote in favor of every one, but for what you stated you wanted it for, the MBR844C seems to be the way to go.

I have both the MBR844 (in IMX) and the BCR854 (in GLX). I use my MBR844 for pitching into heavier cover and around wood. I use my BCR854 for weighted plastics in sparse to medium density cover. If you are looking for an "all around" rod with the lure weight rating you mentioned, I would highly suggest the MBR844. Also, another benifit to the MBR844 is that is does not have ReCoil guides. I don't mind the ReCoil guides, but I don't like to use braid with them (it makes an odd noise when you cast).

I was like you. I couldn't get used to a split grip when casting. I use G Loomis and Cabelas XML rods and am very pleased with both.