Lucky Craft Man

I think this has been discussed before on here, but if that fish is a world record then that guy must be 9 feet tall with HUGE hands. The fish doesn't look any bigger then 6.5 lbs to me.

I use the "assist hook" (Gamakatsu G-Stinger - I posted the link above) all the time. Though, my doesn't have the dressing like T-rig. Very good hook and easy to take off you put on another lure if you wanted.

I agree. There's nothing better to me then pulling up to a new lake with not knowing a thing and being able to figure out a pattern by the end of the day. It always amazes me how each lake has its differences. I went to one lake for the first time looking for LM. By the end of the day I caught 8 smallmouth and 1 musky. So you never know what you are going to get either. To me that is part of the joy of fishing.

Thats a nice fish for sure, but there is absolutely no way that is a 12. I was thinking the same thing, but I didn't want to say anything. Though, since you brought it up...

I only use mono on my topwater rod, because it floats the best, but other then that, I agree with you. Mono is on its way out.

I'm starting to wonder if it's the Curado 100 D that has the problem. I have 6 G Loomis rods and the only one that I every had a loose reel on was the one rod that had the 100 D on it.

I Like Cajun Red (my vote: other)

These are the trailor hooks I use. They have worked great for me. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_45167_100010002_100000000_100010000_100-10-2

I'm surprised that the people as Bass Pro, who proof read those reviews, even let that one through. Look at this review for the same product. "I caught a big Smallmouth Bass that is spits my Banjo Minnows since 1 month ago that I caught from the shore, now I can see the bass striking!!!!!" What the @#*% does that mean? What makes it worse is that "1 of 1 people found this review useful" I guess being mentally challenged is a prerequisite to using the Scum Frog.

Bass Fisherman I see you count all your catches for the 2007 year. This is the first year I have counted what I have caught and I think it will be a good base line as to how each year after this year will be fish catch wise. Have you been counting your catches long? Does anyone else count their catch total?

imho, zebco 33 rods have the best reel seats. With that screw, they are never loose

I've never seen so many penalties on offence as Arizona has committed. This is sad.

I made the mistake of buying this line. It is not very soft and obviously the pink stands out underwater. I used it for one day before I replaced it. I use the line for backing on my other reels now. There are better flouro. lines out there in my humble opinion.

I purchased one about 15 years ago and never used it. Let me know if I should polish off the dust from it.

I think part of the reason my sometimes come loose is because I am affraid of tightening it down too much. I'm sure it is strong enough, but I don't want to crack the reel down screw (I heard someone did this by tring to tighten the screw down with pliers).

I have the same problem with my G Loomis and Curado 100 D. My solution, I just made a habit of checking to see if the reel seat screw down is tight and if it isn't, I tighten it. Haven't had a problem since I got into this habit.

No brainer for me...Cavitron 3/8 oz. in White.

I have a 7'6" Bass Pro Extreme Flipping Rod and I do not like it at all (one reason is the telescopic butt section). It is heavy and doesn't seem to have much sensitivity. I am looking at the G Loomis Mossyback 7'5" Heavy Powered rod. It is much lighter then the BPS Extreme and it is one piece (I would consider the GLX version of this rod, but I didn't want to recoil guides, because I use braid on my flipping stick). My Bass Pro Extreme rod will become a musky bucktail rod (you don't need much sensitivity to feel a musky hit).

That is exactly what I was going to say.

Hmmm...I have 14 combos that I use, but many of these are the same combo, but with different line (example, I have two 6'6" Medium Power Mod. Action Baitcasting Rods with a Revo SC on them, but one has Flouro., which is my jerkbait rod and the other has Mono., which is my Topwater Rod). I could easily get away with having only one rod for these two applications, but the baitmonkey wouldn't be happy. Though, I think you could cover everthing with 5 combos (I couldn't come up with only 4). These would be my 5 Combos: 7'0" Heavy Baitcasting Rod - Jigs, Surfaces Frogs, Carolina Rigs, & Small swimbaits 7'0" Medium Heavy Baitcasting Rod - Most Plastics like Senkos, Tubes, T-Rigs, Flukes, etc. 7'0" Medium Heavy Baitcasting Rod (With Mod. action) - Crankbaits, Rattle Traps, etc. 6'6" Medium Heavy Baitcasting Rod - Jerkbaits, Spinnerbaits, & Topwater 7'0" Medium Spinning Rod - Drop Shot, Shaky Head, and other Finesse Techniques. If I had to eliminate one, it would be the 7'0" MH Baitcasting rod for Crankbaits, but having that moderate action rod for those baits does make a difference. Therefore, IMHO, you could easily get away with only 5 combos, but what fun would that be?

I have two Quantum Energy Baitcasting Reels (same size as the Tour Edition PT) and I don't really like them. They are somewhat heavy and are uncomfortable to fish with for long periods of time (I would get a lot of hand cramps). I replaced these with Revo SC's and am much happier (and experiencing less pain throughout the day). I have several Johnny Morris Reel's and I am quite pleased with them. They are comfortable to use, but I am not sure of their longevity (I haven't had mine long). I never used the Pflueger Supreme. I have the Pflueger President, which I really like, but this reel is different from the Supreme.

What if you were using the Viento for jigs? Obviously I would be using the twitching bar, I can hop a jig without moving the rod! That's why I'm even considering it, otherwise I would. I do use the Viento for my jigs and I use the twiching bar every once and a while, but I guess I am used to using the rod for hoping the jig. For $150, the Viento would be a great deal. I had my Viento for 2 years now and it has been through the ringer (including going into the lake) and is still working great. I actually haven't serviced it yet (don't tell Reel Mech this) and it is still smooth as can be.

I have all three reels (well, I have the Revo SC instead of the SX). Here is my opinion on all three. I like the Curado 100D, but I don't like the Curado 200D. The Curado 100D fits nice in my hands and is matched with my GLX 7'5" Senko Rod. Great set-up. The Curado 200D is just a little too big for my comfort. I purchased the Revo SC, because I wanted a higher ratio reel that fit nice in my hand. I use this reel on my jerkbait rod and am very impressed with it (especially since it is the least expensive of the three). It is very comfortable in my hand and seems to be build very solid. I have two Daiwa Vientos that I use on my soft plastic rods (one of which is a G Loomis 843C and the other is a G Loomis 844C). The Viento casts very well and balances very well on my 843 & 844. It is an overall great reel, but I don't use the twitching bar very much. I think I like the Curado 100D the best, but all three reels are great and you will be happy with anyone you choose.

Here is a Combo that I think you may like. Order a Abu Garcia Revo SC from Cabelas On-line and you can get it for $79.99 + 10.95 for Shipping & Handling (Total $90.94 - Also, you won't see the sale price until you place it in your shopping cart). That leaves you with $209.06. Buy this rod here (that's of course someone doesn't buy it before you get to it): http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-G-LOOMIS-MBR843-IMX-FRESHWATER-CASTING-FISHING-ROD_W0QQitemZ330161973601QQihZ014QQcategoryZ36149QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem That will cost you $211.00. I know that will put you $1.94 over your budget, but this combo would be worth it. That would be my recommendation.

I have an IMX 843C and an IMX 843C. Both have the Daiwa Viento reels on them. It is true, you don't use the twiching bar much, but they are good reels. I probably would have Curados on both these rods, but I got the reels on eBay for $135 each, so I couldn't pass it up.