roadwarrior

You crazy, mahn... 8-)

Yep, that is a great pic! 8-)

Nice fish! The "average weight" of a 23" largemouth = 7 lbs 5 oz.

For topwater and ALL TREBLE HOOK lures, I suggest Moderate or Slow Action OR (as in the case of the AC66MF) a SOFT tip. For jigs and soft plastics a FIRM tip is mandatory. I believe the AC70MHXF has a FIRM tip, but if that is not the case you should consider a different rod. This thread might help clear up the confusion: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

Just received a couple of packs from JBC Outfitters (Brad Coovert). So, this weekend is scheduled for testing. http://www.insideline.net/articles/swim_senko.html BTW, Brad is a BassResource.com sponsor. Be sure to check out his website when you're shopping for tackle: https://shop.jbcoutfitters.com/splashPage.hg

The AC70MHXF has a firmer tip. That is the "key." http://www.reedssports.com/Product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=4191 $153 after discount, no sales tax and no shipping charges.

Or, "Why would you waste 20 minutes in a tournament?" Ah, ah, ah...Don't get mad, I'm just kidding....

I wasn't saying it can't be done, but pitching and flipping seems easier and more accurate with a baitcaster, at least for me. 8-)

Come on...lots of guys can feather a spinning reel. Most guys that use spinning tackle extensively are as accurate or maybe more accurate casting their spinning gear than their baitcasting equipment. Now, if we want to be more technique specific, for pitching or flipping the baitcaster wins hands down.

Very shallow: Bomber Square A, Norman Fat Boy and Mann's -1 A little deeper: Bagley BII Midrange: Lazy Ike Deep: DD22 I have the Rick Clunn 2.5 & 3.5, but have not fished them yet.

Excellent! 8-)

That's a beauty. Congratulations! 8-)

GREAT looking reel, I'm sure you're really going to like fishing with your new rig. Good luck! 8-)

The key word is "almost" and for some people that is just not quite enough. 8-)

I don't necessarily disagree, but it's really a function of your rod's power, action and rated strength. Fish Chris throws gigantic swimbaits, fishes for 300+ lb sturgeon and a variety of saltwater species with spinning tackle ONLY.

You need to check your line frequently for nicks, scrapes and kinks that appear as weak spots- line with these imperfections needs to be replaced. Otherwise, fluorocarbon will last indefinitely, it does NOT get old.

;D ;D ;D 8-)

In-Fisherman Gary Yamamoto's Inside Line

These kinda stories drive me CrAZy. I bet Chris Fish has lost some bass, maybe some BIGUNS, and I have lost some, too. BUT THEY DON'T BREAK THE LINE! Set your drag properly, use stronger line or do both! Constantly check your line for nicks and wear. Unless you are wrapped up on something or cut, a fish should NEVER break your line. Sorry Idaho***er...this rant wasn't mean to disparage you, but it comes up a lot and WAY too often.

Nah, it's probably "cheaper to keep her." My wife won't let the Bait Monkey in the house so I built him a little room of his own. :

Yep, I know these are the guidelines, but Rat-L-Trap type lures work year around!

I'm a hunter, too, but that doesn't look like "hunting" to me. I don't have a problem with someone (other than me) paying $50,000 to kill a lion on a "canned" hunt. There is no shortage of lions and I'm sure the one in the film clip was pen raised. So, it's not really "compassion" that drives my feeling about these activities, it's just that this is the kind of stuff PETA likes to highlight to make real hunters look bad. How 'bout shooting a buffalo as it grazes just outside Yellowstone Park? Maybe it needs to be done and the Park Service raises some money, but it doesn't need to be broadcast all over the internet. That ain't hunting! When I said I was rooting for the lion, I wasn't kidding.

Welcome aboard! Tell us how much ($) you want to spend for the rod & reel combination and some of our members will give you some very specific advice. If you can afford around $150, that's a pricing point that the fishing industry focuses on as a starting point for higher end equipment. There are VERY good deals at that level.

Just curious, why 8'?

green_eyes, Welcome aboard!