Infidel.

I think a bass is keying in on the big picture, not the little feet. The most successful baits resemble something edible. They aren't exact matches. For example, a 3/8 black and blue rubber jig with a #11 pork frog on the back hardly looks like a crawfish if you placed it next to a real one, but bass eat it all the time.

Probably what ever you want it to be. I frequently use the Shad Rap RS size 9 as a jerkbait, and I have caught a lot of large snook by cranking a husky jerk.

It's just like the discussion about the Zara Spook. There is no right answer to this. But I tend to get the best results when I walk this bait.

Like KU I have both right now. I do like that Shimano has a Lifetime warranty but those are only good if you have to use them. I have had Shimano break under normal conditions and though I did get a new rod for free, the thing still broke on me and left me down by one rod for a while. I own several St. Croixs and I have never needed to use the warranty, which to me is more important. But I do like that the Compre has better guides.

I have never used the 9" Sluggo but I have used the 10" Fin-S-Fish with some luck. It is not something that I throw a lot, but under the right circumstances it will make them bite.

I'm like you, I haven't used it in years.

A red craw pattern, a shad pattern, and a chartreuse pattern.

I have a 7' TD-S cranking rod that I absolutely love. I brought my Lew's speed spool in the store and put it on every cranking stick they had, Loomis, Lamiglas, St. Croix, Kistler, etc. and the TD-S was the most comfortable and balanced of the whole bunch. I used it all last year and I love it! I just bought the 6'6" TD-X dropshot rod for my girlfriend and she just raves about it. Plus I just love the handles on Daiwa rods.

I had one that I threw on 20lb mono and it swam fine but it only lasted about three trips. I managed to decapitate the thing while casting it. I didn't hit it against anything, it just separated at the first joint.

I used to have luck with the Mister Twister Timber Doodle... do they still sell those? I haven't seen one in years.

I agree. I really can't stand how they have a "news room" that they base the show out of on In-Fisherman. It's a fishing show, not a football game.

That could be my problem, the lakes with smallies out here are few and far between.

Well when I first started bass fishing (early nineties) blue fox was a reputable company that made baits with quality components. Now it seems that the blue fox baits I see are of poor quality. It is like they took these generic, Chinese made baits, and threw the Blue Fox name on them. I haven't seen the old spinner baits that I like in years. What really ticked me off about them messing with the Storm line up were the Thundersticks. I just really like the old ones. I don't like the Normark "let's flood the market with a bunch of cheap stuff" mentality. I don't think they spend enough time on R&D before they put baits on the market. Once the original X-rap became popular, they created a ton of spin off baits in next to no time. I don't know, just my opinion.

Sounds like everyone has some nice stuff I throw senkos on a 7ft medium Techna AV with an Abu 1600 Morrum Ultra Mag spooled w/ 12lb Cuda. Works for the situations I get in.

Thanks Raul, that is the first reel I have seen with the brakes on the handle side.

Hey, please don't take offense to what I said. I'm not talking about you. We are just in a time where there is so much good stuff out there that I could never restrict myself to one brand. It would be like going through high school and only having one girlfriend. I was just trying to clarify that I don't think he should buy it because I am a "Quantum man." It was not my intention to offend anyone.

I third that opinion. They already had a spinner bait line and screwed that one up. The Blue Fox "Big Bass" single willow leafs used to be my favorite spinner bait.

I have better luck with the Husky Jerk in cold conditions. I just wish it would cast as well as the X-rap.

One of my most consistent deep cranks is the 3/4oz Fat Free Shad. I like the LC CB20 as well but it doesn't seem to catch any more fish.

Proline.

That's funny dude. The same thing happened to me at Perris on Saturday morning.

I never listen to people who have had problems with Quantums because I have an old EX500 that has been through hell and back and is still working smooth as can be. But I am not one of those one horse loyalists either. I can understand why you are having trouble deciding but I would go with the Accurist. Main reason is the Advantage is too low profile in my opinion and I don't like the way it feels in my hand.

I love the old Techna AV rods by Fenwick but I don't like the components they use now. My favorite off the shelf rod manufacture is St. Croix. As good as any rod out there and the price tends to be lower than comparable rods from other manufactures.

I agree with you guys. Looks just shy of 10 IMO. But we weren't there so who knows.

That has been my experience with the magazine. It's like the one that Pure Fishing puts out for their products. It's helpful info but it seems their main objective is to plug their own stuff. But I only have a limited experience with that publication so maybe you should listen to someone who subscribes to it. I used to love In-Fisherman but it really seems to have lost something since Al left. All I read now is Bassmasters.