roadwarrior

Go ahead an give the #8 a try, but smallmouth bass are line sensitive. I fish Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test) on spinning gear. 8-)

Save money somewhere else, hooks are the most important part of your fishing gear. "Expensive" hooks don't cost very much compared to all your other tackle. Choose hooks from any one of these companies: Gamakatsu, X-Point, Owner, Mustad and VMC. 8-)

CONGRATULATIONS! Nice ride! ;D ;D ;D

Welcome Back! and Welcome Aboard! 8-)

Man, that's something! Congratulations! 8-)

No, but if you haven't fished the Rage Tail 10" Ananconda, get a bag of them instead. This is a bait is winning tournaments and fooling big bass. It's still "new" and your fish probably have never seen the bait. http://www.ragetail.com/ragetailanaconda.html 8-)

NetBaits smell great. The new Rage Tail "coffee" is excellent, too! 8-)

LTBC68MXF looks like the ticket to me. 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Good lookin' Dude! 8-)

Too cool!

Well now...I don't believe many of our members would agree with you on this. Kids need to start somewhere and a $15 rod is probably fine for a five year old, but it's REALLY not enough for a bass fisherman. :

Well, equipment can make a good fisherman better, but it will not make a poor fisherman good. 8-)

I suggest buying a combination, ON SALE, at one of the major retailers. Focus on the reel: Shimano Symetre 2500FJ or Stradic 2500FI. The rod the retailer matches up with this reel will be fine, just be sure it's Medium Power/ Fast Action. Choose 6 1/2 or 7', which ever you are more comfortable with. A second suggestion is to keep an eye on our Flea Market. If you are patient, you can usually pick up new or slightly use gear for 40-60% off MSRP. Good luck! 8-)

This might help: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1128002349 8-)

Maybe this is it! Re-opened by popular demand.

Both look like something worth saving for! 8-)

#1 Current #2 The focus on structure, not cover. 8-)

Welcome aboard! I suggest a 6 1/2' or 7' spinning rod, 2500 series spinning reel and #6 copolymer or fluorocarbon line. Tell us what you want to spend and we will make specific recommendations. 8-)

Man, those are some mighty fine fish! ;D ;D ;D

Welcome aboard! 8-)

First of all, BPS will replace your rod, so get that done first. For another, I would suggest the St. Croix Avid AVS68MXF. 8-)

I don't recall that particular pic. She's a beauty! ;D ;D ;D

Ya know, I make it a point to keep the Posse off the "Other Brands" threads. I know that hasn't always been the case, but it has been the unwritten rule for quite some time. I think this thread is about the new Shimano releases, but you are encouraged to start new threads about all the gear being rolled out by everyone else at the ICAST event. I'm not going to remove the last two posts, but going forward, this is just a heads-up for those that haven't seen the new Shimano rods and reels. Let's stay on topic or move on to another thread. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Well now, the other Carrot Stix thread went 4 pages and this one 5. Seems like a total of nine might be enough for awhile. Good night Irene. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator