Cephkiller

I have the PC version and I quickly grew bore with it. Too bad they can't feature some baits besides Rapala. You'd think they could swallow their pride and feature spinnerbaits, soft plastics, etc.

The Storm baits are hard to beat if you want to get into swimbaits on a budget. I have had great success with the Kickin' Minnow and I really like the new Kickin' Slab.

Well, how did the search go for you?

I have used a friend's Corvalus and it seems like a good basic reel. However, most of the hardcore muskie anglers I know choose Ambassadeurs at that price point. The only Shimanos I know that are regularly used for muskies are the Calcuttas, which will set you back about $300 +. I am sure the Shimano will work fine. I suspect the Abu guys are doing so out of tradition.

I like and use many brands, but the Yo-Zuri Rattlin' Vibe is probably my favorite.

The only problem I see is that when using a deep diver, we usually use a really long cast and light, stretchy line. This would make hooksets with a single hook difficult. For shallow divers it might be useful or it might actually increase snags because the longer shank of the hook would extend the point to the rear where it would not be as protected by the body of the lure. May be worth a try.

Have any of you ever tried the embossing powder? My wife uses this for crafting and I was thinking it might work well for lures with a protective finish over it. You brush it on as powder and then melt it with a heat gun. It turns out really shiny.

Uncle Josh Sizmic Toads come in a popping version that floats. If you want a stop and go presentation, these might be just right for you. I would also recommend using much heavier line. Not only will this kelp keep your bait on top, the fish often bury down in the thick weeds and a stout line is necessary to land even a relatively small fish. I use either 20 or 25 pound mono or 50 pound plus braid. Good luck.

A really good value for a beginning baitcast combo is the Shimano Citica/XPS Extreme from BPS. These are usualy $160 but can be had on sale occasionally for $140. Make sure you choose the rod based on the baits you plane on throwing. I like a 7' MH for an all purpose rod. You may prefer a 7' M since you also target other species. good luck.

Although the idea intrigues me, I always wonder about the following: Cheap rods sometimes have fewer guides which allow the line to contact teh blank when under stress. This supposedly heats up the line because of the friction and can lead to line failure. Wouldn't the Inner Cast rods allow maximum contact between the blank and the line by their very design? How does this effect line performance?

To me, spinning gear allows for farther casts and is easier on the wrist. I always use spinning gear when fishing them on flats, but for accurate presentations to targets, baitcasting allows for much better control.

If you find something that works in a clear lake that has just muddied up and dropped 30 degrees, by all means let us know!

If the man feels that these guns are unsuitable for hunting, then I respect his erroneous opinion. However, we all need to stand together and refrain from giving the anti-gun nuts any further ammunition (pun intended), which this obviously was. As we all know, the second amendment has nothing to do with hunting and everything to do with preserving our freedom, so I wish everyone would just quit trying to link the two.

In clear water, a suspending jerkbait might just be the ticket.

In my experience, Mustad Triple Grips are hard to beat on lipless cranks. As far as upsizing, when I've tried it I notice a decerease in the vibration, although I'm sure that isn't always a bad thing I didn't like it and switched back. I've never added feathered trebles, but I do have an old BPS lipless that came with one and it seems to do OK, so why not?!

I vote for the T-Rigged Senko. My kids have fished these since they were that age and they have done pretty well. The bass tend to not let go of them so the hook set is not a big factor and they are very safe. I have been hit in the head with them dozens of times ;D Also, even if the kid is just screwing around, he's likely to get bit if the bait's in the water (in other words, you can't fish them wrong).

Selective harvest only works if the agency controlling the water sets the limits correctly. I live in an area with hundreds of sub 100 acre bodies of water under state DNR control. All the lakes have a 14" limit and only a handful are worth fishing. As soon as a fish reaches 14" the local rednecks kill it and eat it. I have seen some good lakes ruined in just 1-3 years because of overfishing and yet the DNR maintains the status quo. There are lakes around here where one can catch dozens of bass every day and 75% of them will be 13 3/4 " the rest will be smaller. It's ridiculous and more than a little frustrating. I have all this water around me and accessible, but I only fish probably fewer than ten regularly.

Curly tails work well in really stained to muddy water because of the vibration they give off. Curly tails also work well when fished tight to cover or dropped in holes because the tail acts as a rudder and forces the worm to fall straight down. The erratic action of the straight tail works better in most other situations IMO.

I've never used the gryp knot or any sort of line tier, but I suspect it would be tough to beat the speed and durability of the palomar (which is actually the knot most preferred by those who frequent this board as well as most of the best freshwater fisherman). BTW, this sounds a little angry the way it is worded, but I don't intend it that way at all.

I would really like to make a clever comment, but my heart isn't in it. I have not watched a college basketball game since IU said buh-bye to the greatest coach of all time.

IMO, the HJ works better with longer pauses in colder water (below 50 degrees) and the XRap works better fished more quickly in warmer temps. (This is for LM. I have no experience w/ smallies).

Replace "Culprit" with "Power Worm" and this could have been me as little as three years ago. I, too read all the articles and kept trying until it worked for me. I was throwing one of the Storm soft body cranks at an island and swimming it down the contour of the weedline and a big girl loaded on. It would have been a PB at the time, but it shook loose at the boat (only one treble on those darn things). I estimate it was 7+. Shortly thereafter I was fishing a similar situation at another location with a Norman Deep Little N and the same thing happened, only this time I landed her - 7lb 2 oz. That was my PB for over a year and made me a true believer. As a famous fishing philosopher once said, "Never give up!".

If you are nervous about using clips, try the Norman Speed Clips. They are designed so that they are just as strong as a snap ring.

DITTO. I was just about to post almost the exact same thing. Also, pick up some Horny Toad hooks. No matter which brand you choose they will make the frogs last much, much longer.

Sorry to hear that. I hope you get well soon