Just_Old_Fisherman

Here is a link to the Texas Tackle web site that has a demo on how to use the pliers. These are the best pliers I have found, work and last very well. http://www.texastackle.com/pliers.htm

Had 2 Cruxis, after I tried a Citica I now have 4 Citica's and 0 Cruxis. Feel the extra $20 was worth it. JMHO

Been using Vicious Fluoro for about a year with good results. Like you, I like that it cost 1/2 what many other fluoros do. Some argue you get what you pay for, and in this case you get a good line at a lower cost than most. More expensive does not always make it better, only more costly.

If you want to "see" structure, take a topo map and start driving around and look at the "above water" structure and relate it to what the map shows. The "underwater structure" is just what you see above water except it has been flooded.

I have had good luck with the triple grips. Used to use Gamakatsu, but found the Triple Grips just as sharp/strong and at a lower price. I am like you, $1/hook is way too steep. I just set the hook a little harder---lol.

Here are a couple of Q&A statements from the L&L web site that sum up the difference pretty well. Personally I have used both and have stuck with L&L for over a year and I am very pleased with the benefits of L&L. Saw no benefit with Reel Magic. They definitely are not "Same exact product.". Q: How is Line & Lure different from other line treatments? A: Line & Lure was developed strictly as a fishing line conditioner. Line & Lure is a special polymer blend that becomes part of the fishing line it is applied to. Other line treatments you find on the market are primarily silicone oil and solvents. Silicone oil only temporarily coats the line and solvents can damage line. Silicone oil rapidly comes off the line (on your hands and in the water), requiring re-treatment of the line after just a few casts. Q: How does Line & Lure work if it is not oily? A: The special polymers in Line & Lure are hydrophobic (water repelling) and very slippery. Line & Lure doesn't allow water to draw back on to the reel spool, which eliminates the line drag that a "wet" spool has. Line & Lure also protects the line from wearing out as quickly as un-treated line because it resists the abrasion that wears line out.

I have had 50 Lb braid slip through the gap in some Gamakatsu 3/0 hooks when fighting a fish. Got back the knot was all. That was why I have switched to Owner hooks for soft plastics, seem to have a tighter loop in the eye. At least I haven't had that problem with Owners yet.

I have never had that problem so I may not be fully understanding it, but I make sure the band that holds the skirt fibers is in the middle, then just slide it on, holding & pushing the band primarily. If it is a really tight fit, you might try moistening the bait & band before putting it on. Only tool I have seen is the one Barlows sells that you use to assemble the skirt fibers in the band, not to put the skirt on the bait.

Green Pumpkin & Watermelon Red and of course tails dipped in Chartreuse Spike-It.

Personally, I have been happy with my 7.5 Ft telescoping Diawa I found at Walmart for about $40. I matched it with a Quantum reel with left hand retrieve and flipping switch. All my other reels are right handed, but I like this set up for flipping.

Have you checked the pawl to be sure it isn't damaged? I would try replacing it just to see if it helped. Also be sure the spacer under the pawl is there it is part #830 in schematic.

I have read some place that when adjusting the collars you should keep them balanced. If 2 on make them 2 opposite, if 3 on put every other one on, etc.

I used BPS XPS Fluoro for about a year with no problems then found Vicious Fluoro which is as good or better and cheaper. I do use KVD Line & Lure which makes a big difference on all my lines fluoro & mono. I even have a couple of reels with 20# Vicious Fluoro and with the Line & Lure they are as manageable as any line I use. My lake is wall to wall salt cedar and mesquite so my light weight finesse line is 14#. I use Line & Lure conditioner faithfully.

Here is some good frog fishing tips. 75 Frog Tips from Bassmaster magazine: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/fishingtips/news/story?page=b_fea_BMM0805_May_reader_Frog_Tips

My old Black and Decker was about to give out. Decided to try a "real" fillet knife so I got a Mr Twister brand. The blades were too dull to cut anything. Returned it and went to Walmart and got another Black & Decker for about $10. Works fine.

You might try a CD Wallet. Fairly cheap and can store 2 baits in each slot. Also small enough to store easily.

Personally, I like my left handed Quantum Accurist. Left handed because saves having to switch hands since I flip with my right and like the Quantum because it has a flipping switch. As far as drag, I use 65# Power Pro so I loosen it to prevent ripping the fishes mouth off or breaking the line/rod. I also keep my thumb on the spool in case I need to have more drag pressure.

The H20 reels are good products EXCEPT for the handles on all but the Mettle. Had a Maraud that I finally returned and got another Mettle. Tried everything to get the handle to stay tight, but when it came off in my hand while fighting a fish that was too much. When they fix the handle I will try something besides the Mettle till then, the Mettle is the only one I will have.

Haven't seen the Swamp Crawler, but the Trick & Finesse worms are basically the same except for length. Trick worm is 6", Finesse is 4.75". Swamp Crawler is also 6", looks to be ribbed where Trick worm is smooth.

Go with the H2O or H2OC. Dependable and you can download their FREE Enhanced Lake Maps. They are not the detail of the Navionics or Hot Maps but they are free. It also comes with a auxillary power cable that plugs into a cig lighter so you don't have to burn batteries while using it in the car or boat.

Google "Megastrike ShakE2 Jig Heads".

Been fish and catching with them a while. My experience is they run true and the hooks are good. I really like the Tour Grade models.

So far I haven't wacky rigged them, just been Tex rigging with a 1/8 oz weight. I never even consider a Senko, too much money for no more quality, fish. I also fish them deeper with 3/8 oz weight. These baits work weightless, but they also work with weights.

Been having pretty good luck with the *** in a small area, but didn't realize how much the bass liked them till today. Kept 3 fish for dinner last Monday, noticed a bulge in one's stomach and cut it open. It had one of my Trick Sticks in it's stomach for a while. Today again kept 3 fish for dinner, same thing but a bigger bulge. Opened it up a found 2 Trick sticks in this one with one a little older than the other---some fish never learn. Don't even chunk the used one's in the lake, they must be from when they have stripped it from the hook and often when they are fighting they will shake them off the line/hook. Spot I am in the fish congregate pretty good and I often see 2-3 fish trying to get the bait from a hooked fish.

If you feel you need something for freer action, use a split ring rather than a swivel. Smaller and serves the same purpose IMHO.