roadwarrior

Split them up: 6 100s, 2 78s and 2 128s I prefer the 128 for green fish and 100s for small jaws. I only fish the 78s for German Brown Trout and generally prefer the X-Rap when I'm targeting trout. My favorite color or pattern is Baby Bass. MS American Shad, Original Tennessee Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Aurora Black and Aurora Gold are other colors I highly recommend. After that, pick your poison! 8-)

If you are fishing from the bank, you can only fish what you are prepared to lose. Single hook lures and topwater are the ticket. Subsurface treble hooks are a no-no. My best bets are soft plastics and jigs. 8-)

Well, I'm not going to say I don't fish some other dolors, but you only "need" a couple: Watermelon w/ black flakes, green pumpkin, black w/ blue flakes and black w/ red flakes. Lately I have been fishing mostly the new Rage Tail baits, but for the last decade, these are my "go-to" plastics: #1 6" GYCB Senko #2 Fat Ika #3 Micro Munch Tackle and Mizmo tubes #4 GYCB Kreature #5 Kut Tail Khuna #6 GYCB Single Tail Grub #7 Flappin' Hog (jig trailer) #8 Gene Larew 7 1/2" Salty Ring Worm #9 Roboworm 6" Shakin' Zipper Worm #10 GYCB Fat Baby Craw (trailer for smaller presentations) #11 Slug-Go New Rage Tails 10" Anaconda Shad Smokin' Rooster Lobster 8-)

Well now, I don't know about these hooks specifically, but high quality hooks are a must if you think you might ever have a shot at trophy bass. Hooks are THE most important fishing gear you own. 8-)

Mine is a St. Croix Avid AVC66MF. This rod is firm enough to maneuver topwater lures, but the tip is soft to cushion treble hooks and surging fish. This is an ideal rod for both topwater and jerkbaits. 8-)

WOW! You guys are great...That's REALLY nice. -Kent

The question is "What's more important, rod or reel?" Steezy was illustrating the point, that's all. If the question were "What should I get for $100?" we have a few current threads running, but my standard answer is ALWAYS: Buy a house brand combination, ON SALE, from one of the major retailers. My suggestion is to buy the best reel and whatever rod comes with it. For an "all-around" set-up, that would be 6 1/2' or 7' Medium Power/ Fast Action rod, baitcasting or spinning rig. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1250565409 8-)

The "moving" lures haven't been working out for me early, like they should be. Last weekend I started out with a jig at 0 Dark Thirty. Second cast, first fish in awhile and a beauty! Two more or a total of three in an hour and a half. 8-)

I have a different take. The rod is more important for "catching", but the reel is what makes "fishing" fun! Trouble free casting , smooth retrieve and a drag you can always depend on is the ticket. On average, reels are 2/3 the cost of my combinations. 8-)

Probably the best buy is one of their house brands on sale. The rod should be 6 1/2' or 7', Medium Power/ Fast Action, spinning or baitcasting, whichever you prefer. 8-)

Nope. Fish what you are comfortable with. 8-)

Great post and pics. Just another adventure! Next time...bring a little whiskey. 8-)

Mustad 3/0 & 4/0 EWG. http://www.custombassfishinglures.com/index.php/jigs-widgap

GYCB 7" Laminated Lizard #901 (watermelon & white) http://***/cgi-bin/order/13-10-LAM?RVyGJE9n;;134 8-)

The new baits should start showing up next month. They are the Thumper, Baby Craw, Rage Hawg, Eeliminator and the Smokin Rooster. Tackle Warehouse already is taking early orders for the baits. 8-)

Suggestions: Big baits Sloooooooow presentation Deeper structure 8-)

No, I have used Clear, Green and Smoke. The line performance is identical, regardless of the color. 8-)

Cameras and scales have bad karma, they tend to scare the better fish. Ask anyone, once you start weighing bass, nearly all your fish are smaller than the one's you are use to catching! ;D ;D:D ;D ;D

Good...But you are encouraged to start another thread. We have several members that will contribute, the TD-Z reels are highly regarded by some of our most knowledgeable guys. Back on topic, I have both the Calais 200 and CH50MG. The Calais is a tank and I REALLY like it for several applications: Mattlures Baby Bass, 3/4 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade Spinnerbaits and Rage Tail Anaconda to name a few. The CH50MG is simply a marvelous reel and the better choice for most techniques, especially if your goal is to minimize weight. Mine is saddled to a Dobyns 803C split grip. 8-)

Off topic posts are generally removed, but since you are brand new, I'll leave this up as a reminder for others. We don't allow the Shimano Posse to hijack other brand threads either. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

No, the hook lodged in the joint of the jaw. I applied a great deal of pressure fighting the fish, but never "set" the hook. Generally, I feel a double setting or setting a hook "after the fact" in counterproductive: High probability of pulling out. 8-)

I suspect the breakage down in the spool is a result of professional overruns. Hybrid is a bonded nylon/ fluorocarbon copolymer. Fluorocarbon is a crystal and the line will "crack" when knotted in a backlash. These weak spots appear as kinks in the line which can be seen and felt. That line must be replaced. 8-)

Well, those are some pretty nice fish anyhow. 8-)

Be patient and keep an eye on our Flea Market. You should be able to pick up a slightly used or maybe even new Shimano Citica in your price range. This is a great real and a great value. 8-)

Great fish. CONGRATULATIONS! 8-)