roadwarrior

That's not what I meant. There are MANY alternatives for baitcasters, XT is just one of them. I prefer Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #12 (19.5 lb test) because I hate memory on baitcasting equipment, too.

Take a look at this thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1120348381

Power ratings vary among the various series within the same brand. I fish both St. Croix and G.Loomis. As a "general" overview, I think St. Croix Medium Power ranks very close to "most" G.Loomis Medium Heavy. However my Medium Light St. Croix (Avid AS66MF) is almost identicle to a G.Loomis "2" rated blank in the Bronzeback series. The ML seem comparable to me.

I think you are being too kind...I doubt 1 in 4 "serious" fisherman have ever caught a 10 lb bass even out there in California. (Very few BASS pros have ever caught a 10 lb bass, KDV has only caught two). I would guess the number at far less than 1/100. BTW, you left out Captain Cali.

So, the lure mix is Chug Bug, Rat-L-Trap, Senko and swimming worms? What about spinnerbaits and jigs?

That's a beauty!

Woo-hoo! GMAN is back in the saddle! Great post, nice fish, way to go.

Well, as much as I like other species, I 'm really a striper fisherman at heart. My partner and I fish for those big guys below Pickwick Dam from now through September. Some people might question 100 lbs in two hours, but I'd guess ya'll took a 45 minute break for lunch! Congratulations! Those are some pretty fish.

#1 GYCB Fat Ika #2 6" Senko #3 Micro Munch Tackle El Gordo tube #5 Micro Munch Tackle jig/ GYCB Fat Baby Craw trailer However, my PB (largemouth) was caught on a Norman Fat Boy, bluegill pattern.

Answers to your questions: #1 Crawdad #2 Both, T-rig or C-rig #3 I never use rattles #4 Finesse/ Yes/ Slow movement like a crawdad #5 Deep structure. If the water is <12' deep, I prefer weightless Fat Ika or 6" Senko. Most important suggestion: Fish slow and let the bait sit on the bottom for EXTENDED periods of time. Initially I led the tube sit for about a minute. I then move it 6-12" with a slow, horizontal sweep and then let it fall back on slack line. If the bass are very active, hopping the bait 3-4' off the bottom can be effective, but always allow the lure to fall on slack line.

I like mine covered with little baitfish scales, they glitter in the sun. My cork handles have never been cleaned. They look like rods that have been well used and have caught some fish. Some of them have. :

I have three favorites: Baby Bass, American Shad and Original Tennessee Shad.

Welcome aboard!

Thanks George! It's too bad there were little bitty 4 lbers in the mix. I'll bet your guys were real disappointed catching those bass. :

I recommend 4/0 Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hooks.

Very nice fish. Congratulations!

Well, I have a slightly different suggestion to save a lot of money. I have a lot of tackle, not nearly as much as some, but much more than others. I'm NOT getting rid of it, but if I had it all to do over, I might own less than half. Most of my tackle has either never been used or fished just a time or two. For example, over the past two years I think I have fished six different jerkbaits. I'm not sure exactly when I'm going to fish the other forty-two. Maybe I'll find the right water to fish one of those other colors I "needed" when I bought them. I think you would be miles ahead if you bought three or four high quality lures (over time) within a given class rather than a dozen cheap baits all at once. With a little effort and a good lure retriever, most lures (hard baits) last indefinitely. And one other suggestion: Keep a list of lures HIGHLY recommended by people you trust. Add those baits to your tackle collection over time and when on sale. Don't buy stuff just 'cause it looks cool. Jumping on lures in the bargin bin isn't a good deal unless the bait is actually effective.

Back in the early '90s I was on a business trip to Tallahassee, Florida. My meetings were over early and my plane was scheduled to leave later that evening. So, I headed out to the University golf course. It was a dreary day with intermittant showers. I bought a light FSU jacket and cap, headed out to the driving range and kept one eye on the first tee to try to pick-up a couple of guys to play with. After twenty minutes or so, I saw a cart driving over to the tee box. I jumped in my cart and drove over to meet up with these fellas. One was an older fat guy and the other tall and lean. I asked it they would mind me joining them. They looked at each other, kinda shrugged and said sure. These guys teed up, then jumped in their cart before I hit. This went on for awhile. Now, I'm not really much of a golfer, but that day I fired up five birdies IN A ROW! So we get to the 6th tee and the fat guy says, "Who are you? And what do you do?" I told them my name and explained that I was from Denver, there on business. I asked, "Who are you?" (Before I finish, let me explain a couple of things. This all happened in January, about a week after New Year's Day. I was dressed like a local-yokle and as it turns out, FSU had just lost the National Championship Game.) The fat guys says, "I'm Bobby Bowden." I asked, "What do you do?" He says, "I coach football." I asked the other guy what he does, he replies, "I work for him." I suppose I was the only human being in the Southeastern United States that had never heard of these guys. I guess they thought I was just gloming on to celebrities. I shared the cart with Coach Bowden the rest of the day, we got along real well after that! BTW, My game returned "to normal" after those first few holes.

Although I am not currently using XT, I agree that this is a good line for most baitcasting applications. However, for spinning gear, memory and stiffness are big issues with me. I have used a number of fishing lines over the years and continue experimenting, but so far nothing I have tried compares to the Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft. Give the #6 a try on your favorite spinning combination. I think you'll like it, a lot!

Senko, huh? That might work.

Congratulations to everyone! Great story and thanks for the pics.

The GYCB Twin Tail Grub works well as a trailer with spinnerbaits, too! I have been using them on some jigs recently, but my preference is still the GYCB Fat Baby Craw.

Me, too!

As others have stated, braid is just another option when selecting the right tool for the job. Although there are many specific advantages, as flechero pointed out, there are many disadvantages. Selecting the "right" line is a matter of determining which "compromises" are best suited to your specific location, cover & structure and the way you fish. Generally, for me, braid is probably the worst choice among all options. If I were throwing $40+ swimbaits and was still able to catch 15+ lb bass using braid, that would be my ONLY choice!

Welcome aboard! Nice fish, too.