jdw174

I use the FootLoose regularly and have caught everything from bluegill to bass on it. Consider the StrikeKing 1XS and the Bomber Square A as well.

I have to stand with the OP on this one. I have no desire to sight fish whatsoever. I won't say that I've never caught a bass off of a bed, but it wasn't because I could see the bed and was trying to do so.

No thanks. Not at that price. I'll stick to Gammy's or Owners, thanks.

Those bloopers were absolutely hilarious ;D , especially the alarm clock ones. As for the second one....the boat ALWAYS WINS

As the advertisement goes, "you can pay me now or pay me later". $350 now to get things right will seem like a drop in the bucket if the lean carbs actually DO ruin something in that engine. If it were me, I'd get the full Monty while the mechanic has his hands on it. You've had the re-seal, make sure that he checks out the water pump...it may need replacing, and a compression check isn't out of the question. I'm not familiar with the size of your rig, but if it's 18' or better, your speed figures may be a bit high. Most marine speedos I've seen are usually off by about +5mph or so. It's the most inaccurate gauge in your boat.

First, the rod. Bought the spinerbait/worm rod for tossing lipless cranks/shallow &med runners. Spooled with 12lb co-poly, the rod is very good. Threw a 1/4oz RedEye Shad all morning with it. Action seems just right for this type of fishing. Only managed one fish with it, but no problem feeling the strike or playing the fish. Jury is still out on the split handle as it's the first one I've owned. I loaded up my two spinning rods with the Spiderwire Stealth Braid (6lb diameter/20lb test) and tied on a 2' co-poly leader. The one rod I use for worms/senko fishing, the other for dropshot/shakey head fishing. As it was really windy I didn't try the second one, but used a senko on the first. I like skipping the senkos up underneath overhanging trees/bushes and this line skips like crazy. Only complaint I have is that the line lives up to it's name.....too well...STEALTH. I absolutely could not see this line at all. I can see clear co-poly easier than this braid. I will continue to use it and see if I can feel the strikes without seeing the line. If not.....I will try another braid that's colored.

I use both the snaps and quik-clips. Never lost a fish or lure using the clips, but there have been several times when I've retrieved the lure to find the clip just barely holding the lure where the line tie had slipped in between the coils on the clip. It did give me cause for concern for a bit.

Bassmaster rated the Clarus the best rod for under $70 in a past issue. If you like the split handle the Abu Vendetta looks very good and is highly thought of from the reviews I've read. Local shop sells the Skeet Reese Tessera rods for $76.

What unit were you using to take these?

I have two different styles. One snaps over the line and has three large, blunt trebles spread around it. You lower it by a stout cord and it will grab the lure (and oftentimes the brush it's attached to) and get it back. I've pulled up some pretty good size branches with that rig. What I normally use except in real problem cases is a plug knocker made of a LARGE bell sinker (about 2 oz) with a large lure snap attached. I move as close to the snag as I can get, then with a tight line you just snap the weight to the line and let it go. It will slide right down and 9/10 times will knock the lure free. Sometimes you have to jiggle things a bit with this one, but it works really well. If this fails I go to option A.

I normally begin at first light. For numbers of fish, it's from then until the sunlight hits the water, although I keep fishing the shady portions until the sun is directly overhead. My biggest fish have come between 10am-2pm. I've also done very well from just after supper until dark.

If money were not a consideration, the new Bass Cat Eyra would head the list, followed by the Nitro Z9.

All my TW fishing is done with an old AllStar Zell Rowland Topwater Special. I've had that rod for almost 20 years and I can't count the number of bass it's pulled in. Topwater, jerkbaits and shallow crankbaits, it's outstanding. They may make the same rod these days, but the name/model will be different.

Classic Patterns The Bass Pros Fish PAA Bass Edge

Actually, the crankin' stick feels more like a piece of wet spaghetti........

Burley, glad you posted this. Bought the same rod with plans to use it as a cbr for mid runners/lipless but haven't had the chance to use it yet. Now I'm sure I made the right choice. Shop near me sells the rods for $76.95. Might pick up another one.

I've used nothing but SilverThread co-poly since Bagley first imported it years ago. One of the most reasonably priced lines on the market, IMO it's still one of the best. All my rods are spooled with it from 10-25lb test.

I got the spinnerbait/worm rod and I am now wondering about it. The tip seems really fast for any kind of worm fishing, I might use it for smaller spinnerbaits and maybe finese worms/jigs. For this very reason I bought the same rod, but for lipless cranks/shallow or med cranks.

I have an older AllStar SRMLTN that's 5'10", rated for 10-20lb line. I used that rod with 8lb line for skipping Gitzits with a 1/16oz head underneath weed infested boat docks in western NY state. Wish I had a sawbuck for every 3+ LM or smallie I pulled out of those docks using that shorter rod. Still have it but don't use it much these days.

In no particular order....yellow (lake) perch, crappie, bluegill, walleye/sauger, all deepfried using either Shore Lunch or Zatarain's breading mix.

I'm with you on the shad colors on Kentucky/Barkley, along with chrome/black. I have some green/chartreuse colors, but seldom use them unless the water is really stained up.

I have a chrome/black in my tacklebox that looks like it was used as a target in a turkey shoot ;D ....and it still catches fish. I've kinda neglected it over the past couple of years in favor of the SK shad, but I still use it. A very good lure at a REASONABLE price.

Sour Grape is my personal favorite.

I've got one in my boat. Been running fine for the last 12 years. Only trouble is the light burned out..never bothered to get it fixed. Only use it while running at speed though.

If it's breezy with a good chop and I want to fish topwater, the Devil's Horse is my go-to bait every time. I use a cadence much like using a jerk bait, making those props really toss water. Caught a lot of fish like that.