roadwarrior

There are days when the X-Rap is THE BOMB!

What happen to Capt. Cali? Where are you, man?

Yeah...Remember those Fat Ika I bought from you? I was really surprised you were selling them...I still have them and a "few" other bags. For those that complain about the "longevity" of GYCB baits, I have found a solution: When you leave them in the package they last forever!

In general, I think all bass get interesting at about 3 lbs. I consider a 5 lb smallie a great fish (anywhere). To break the Texas record would be a HUGE accomplishment, 7.93 is a monster! So, I think 5lbs in Texas can certainly be described as a "Trophy Fish."

That's a GREAT bass! 8-)

A Revo matched up with a Kistler and braided line! Now I'm set to begin my tournament career. Watch out little fish, here I come! :

The St. Croix Avids are on sale at most retailers. They are a GREAT value for around $100. Specifically, the AC68MXF or AC70MHF might be just what you are looking for. BTW, The poll was not posted when I initially responded, so specific rods had NOT been mentioned. I have no recommendation among those particular rods.

My "all-around" baitcaster is a St. Croix Avid AC66MF which has a soft tip. This is matched with a fast reel (Shimano Calais 200 6.2:1). This combination is used mostly for jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, lipless cranks and other "fast moving" applications. For traditional crankbaits and topwater I have a AC70MM saddled with a Shimano Metanium. Big lures and deep cranking is assigned to a glass rod, Lamiglas SR705R designed by Skeet Reese (2007 AOY). This is matched with a Shimano CTE200GT. My jig rod is a G.Loomis GLX MBR844C fished with another CTE200GT. So, that's four and you asked for three...The SR705R is a VERY technique specific rod. Unless you do a lot of deep cranking, this is the one I would delete and the other three would be what I recommend.

Although I use both #4 and #6, I think you will find that the #6 Yo-Zuri Ultra Soft is the better choice for most spinning tackle applications. Color is not important, it's whatever you prefer. I have been fishing #12 original formula on some baitcasting reels (Jig rod and deep cranking) and #12 Ultra Soft on those I use more for fast retrieve (jerkbaits, topwater, spinnerbaits and most crankbaits). I have recently respooled with #15 on my jig and deep cranking rod.

The 3/8 oz size creates a wake, bubble trail and a very distinctive chirping sound.

This is pretty close. One of these colors should work: http://***/cgi-bin/order/031?iavwo6XK;;885

River fisherman/ patterns almost exclusively. There are "spots" on a big river that are consistantly better than others, but river fish will move as conditions change and they change everyday! Surprisingly, trophy smallmouth can be found in the most unusual places that don't meet any "textbook criteria." Current dominates, structure is the contributing factor.

Well, send it to ReelMech or take it to someone locally and have it tuned/lubed. If there is anything wrong with the reel they will know and be able to fix it. If it's new or under warranty, take it back for exchange.

The solution is simple: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6. Leave at least 1/8" of margin from the lip of the spool.

Well, it's not really about catching bigger bass. All but one of my BIG bass have been caught on a 6" Senko. The difference is just more fun! In addition to the lures I mentioned, the Senko Swimbait has been added and most importantly, the GYCB Kreature. The Kreature I had fished for a number of years, but changing the presentation to a "swimming jig" made this the bait THE MOST FUN I have ever fished! Using this lure as a swimming jig near vegetation resulted in the most violent strikes I have ever had! Fishing this bait under the right conditions is as good as it gets. As far as numbers of big bass is concerned, I fished three Mattlures Baby Bass this summer. I caught 24 bass on these lures. One bait I lost on the first cast. On another I only caught six bass total. So, one bait was responsible for most of my biggest fish this year. Interesting, huh?

Either team could run the table, but the Patriots MIGHT be the greatest football team of all time! When these teams play it's a "Pick 'em". I don't think the game will be decided by "great plays," they will both have many. Whoever makes the "untimely mistake' will be the loser.

If I only had one rod it would be the G.Loomis MBR844C. The IMX series is really all you need, but if you want to kick it up a notch, the GLX will not disappoint you.

Well, for a guy that has focused so much time for the past ten or eleven years on soft plastics, to give them up seems odd. I'm not really "given 'em up," but I haven't fished a Senko or Fat Ika in several months. For the past two years I have been working on jig fishing and I finally "got it!" As a result, I have been fishing jigs almost exclusively when I would normally be fishing soft plastics. I don't think I fished one my my top three producers, the Micro Munch El Gordo tube, all summer. Strange, huh? #2 On most of my baitcasting rigs, I am switching from #12 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft to #15 original Hybrid. The thicker line seems to resist kinks from those occasional professional overruns. I'm still using #12 Ultra Soft on the set-up I use most for repetative casting and fast retrieve, but my jig rig and heavy casting reel are spooled up with #15. #3 More focus on hard lures, crankbaits and jerkbaits. I've also been throwing more buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. Maybe I've gone off the deep end! #4 I have been captured by the swimbait craze. Although I have not stepped up to the big baits yet, I find myself gravitating towards the technique. Midday I'm torn between the jig and the swimbait, but I'm starting to lean. I'm not catching more fish, but I'm using a greater variety of equipment and still catching better quality fish. I haven't given up size, but I have sacrificed some numbers. As the weather cools, I see myself moving more and more to the jig and swimbait when the target is largemouth bass. Hopefully, smallmouth season will get cranked up here soon and I won't spend so much fishing time "wasted" on the green fish! :

I haven't had any luck with the lure since the first rain two weekends ago, but when it's hot, it's HOT!

Okay Buddy, I'll vouch for ya... He went to BPS and bought nothing. He was in Mexico on "business" and didn't drink any Tequila. In Las Vegas he didn't gamble. And at the Gentleman's Club he played cards with a couple of friends. :

I used to think that about my wife, but she surprised me Sunday morning when I was watching a fishing show. A professional (I don't remember who) was weighing in and SWMBO commented, "Look at that. He has a Trilene patch and a Stren patch on his shirt!" I was amazed that she knew that Stren and Trilene were, or at least used to be, competitors. "You better be careful," she said, "there's a lot I know that you don't know I know." Oh-oh! SWMBO always knows...The one that keeps me might, too...

Well, there are many ways to skin a cat... Generally speaking, the main reason a lot of guys never have any luck with jerkbaits is because they fish them like a crankbait with a steady retrieve. After a few unsuccessful attempts, they quit trying. Also, the technique is difficult for some fishermen because it requires patience: the pause in the cadence needs to be complete. I suggest starting with a quick retrieve (jerk-jerk-jerk-pause-jerk-jerk) which is how a "slashbait" is intended to be fished. If after awhile that cadence doesn't produce, slow down. When the fish are very active is when the X-Rap shines. At other times a more traditional jerkbait (Rapala Husky Jerk, Lucky Craft Pointer or Smithwick Rogue) might be more productive. Jerkbaits are my favorite class of lures to fish. In low light, they seem to always out produce topwater lures, but there are a lot of similarities in the presentation. Stick with it and I'm sure you will be successful.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! I don't think Stick Marsh/ Farm 13 can be fished from the bank. If you can afford to hire George Welcome, you'll have the time of your life!

I don't disagree in general, but we all know there are times when one VERY SPECIFIC color is key. Not just a shade, but that EXACT color outfished everything else. I was fishing Bull Shoals at night, when you would think color would be even less important, throwing a black & silver Rogue. My partner, an experienced lake guide, told me the lure HAD TO HAVE an orange splash on the bottom. That's what he fished and he spanked me UNTIL I changed to that EXACT color combination. Coincidence? I don't think so.