roadwarrior

I have an Avid AC66MF which I consider my "all-around" baitcaster. Although this rod is rated Fast Action, it has a soft tip which is just about perfect for all classes of treble hook lures. It's saddled up with a fast reel (Calais CL200 6.2:1) which makes it just about perfect for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, too. So, I don't really have a dedicated spinnerbait rod, but as Ronnie said, I don't think I need one.

Seem like there is always a lot of disagreement or opinions whenever we discuss the high end, but an amazing concensus on how we feel about certain products at the low end.

The Stradic is $120 by itself. I you are talking about a combo with which includes a Stradic for $150, BPS has it on sale for about that price often. If you are wanting to spend $150 on a rod, I suggest the St. Croix Avid AS66MF or AS70MF. The BPS combos are apparantly NOT on sale today, but be patient...they ARE on sale most of the time! http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=59174&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=3&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse

Welcome aboard! We need a price range to recommend a specific rod, but generally I would suggest 6 1/2' or 7' Medium Power/ Fast Action. This will work as an all-around spinning rod. These rating have enough strength to fish the majority of your lure weights. Medium Power makes catching bass under 5 lbs more fun, but still has the backbone to wrestle a hawg.

Mattlures, I don't know these guys, they are not friends of mine and I don't really care if they catch the World Record or not, but if I did (know them), they were (friends of mine) or I did (care) this is what I would do: 1. You or your company could buy each of these guys a certifiable scale, have it certified and give each of them one. Print out the IGFA certification papers right off the website and secure them in a waterproof package along with a camera that they are capable of using. We're not talking about $1000, total for all three men. 2. If you are not willing to spend the money, call a few of your contacts in the industry and see if you can't get them sponsors or pool some resources to buy the gear for them. I am not trying to disparage these guys whether they are your friends or not, but they come across as the Three Stooges. $7 million left on the table and four years latter they have decided to pursue the World Record, now? I don't get it.

This is a rod I have (MBR 844C) and would HIGHLY recommend it to you. However a rod that you might want to look at is the BCR854C which some of the Loomis guys are giving rave reviews.

It's really more about personal preference than anything else. I like 7' rods.

Are you still stuck on the Pittsburgh Classic? ;D Aaaaaaaaaaa...Yes! 8-) I guess that's getting old. I will not bring it up again and although I can't change my vote, I'll change my response: "Mixture of both" To be consistant in tournament competition, a fisherman must be versatile.

I would think finesse would be the key to catching little bitty 3/4 lb 12" bass, but I could be wrong. :

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Long Mike, From a functional standpoint (catching), you may be right, but the reel is what enhances my enjoyment of the "fishing" component. On average, my reels represent 2/3 -3/4 of the total cost of the rig.

I have traveled with rods, post 9/11, without any problems. However, they may ask to open the container, so be prepared to reseal the cylinder. You might want to bring along your own tape.

BPS still has Silver Buddies, I just bought some recently. A substitute that has been HIGHLY recommended to me is the Cordell Gay Blade which BPS also carries. Yeah, I know...in this day and age, maybe Cordell should modify the name a bit.

Here are my thoughts and it might surprise you, they are NOT all positive. For baitcasters: #8 is too small. Not so much because of strength (13 lb test), but because kinks SIGNIFICANTLY weaken the line. Now GMAN, you may not know what a backlash is, so this wouldn't apply to you. : I fish #12 Ultra Soft on all baitcasters, including the ones I use with jerkbaits. For spinning tackle: I currently have one reel (Sustain 2500) spooled up with original Hybrid to fish small jerkbaits (X-Rap 08) at Lake Fork. Original #8 tends to jump off the spool, so I have the reel under-filled about 1/4". Generally, as you know, I spool #6 Ultra Soft on spinning equipment and that is what I would recommend.

Not so! I recognize situations where a baitcaster is the better choice and use it accordingly. Although I intend to start out fishing my "standard equipment" for various presentations at Fork, I may quickly move to "baitcaster only." The rod & reel are simply tools, choosing the right tool for the job is all we are really talking about. BTW and just a little off-topic: Do you think I need stronger line at Lake Fork?

Whoa! Triton21, I was complimenting you, NOT questioning you AT ALL. I think pictures and lures would make a nice display if you had a place for it, that's all. I also think the technique you were describing would be KILLER! It's just that I lose plenty of Silver Buddies when I'm trying to stay off the bottom and I don't think I can fish it that way most of the time. Sorry for the confusion, I meant NOTHING disrespectful. I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet Billy Westmoreland. To have him as a friend is something very special.

No "bumps" allowed, but I'll help you with it this time and maybe you will get a few more responses.

Welcome aboard! With light lures you will find it much easier to fish your spinning tackle. I suggest trying a 5" Senko and GYCB Fat Ika rigged weightless and weedless. These are VERY productive baits and you will not get hung up as much as you have been. I think you will find mono or a copolymer more manageable on your spinning tackle and would suggest 8 lb test if you are using standard line. I fish Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test) on my spinning tackle. For your baitcaster you have many options, but as Bass-Brat noted, start out with at least 12 lb test (birdnests are easier to pick out with thicker line). I use Ultra Soft #12 (19.5 lb test).

Well, I wouldn't want to mess with success, but you were fishing it wrong! Jerkbaits are not generally fished with a steady retrieve like you might fish a crankbait. The key to jerkbaits is the pause, usually an extended pause this time of year. The cadence will vary, but an example would be: jerk-jerk-pause...jerk-jerk-jerk-pause...jerk-jerk-pause... Give the "pause" a try and see if that doesn't produce some better fish for you.

In-Fisherman has two books I highly recommend: Largemouth & Smallmouth

Justfishin and I have a similar approach. I really don't have a preference between the two, I use both, but for different techniques and most importantly, lighter or heavier weight. I use spinning tackle for soft plastics and baitcasting gear for most hardbaits, but that is mostly a function of the weight of the lure and the line size I want to fish. As KU_Bassmaster stated, "It's all personal preference."

Way to go! Nice smallmouth to start the season and GREAT pic.

Yep, I saw your thread. There is no doubt that the Silver Buddy is a great lure and I'm not afraid of losing them, but I lose my fair share staying off the bottom! I'm certainly going to fish them as Triton21 described when I have an opportunity, but it won't be on the Tennessee River.

I don't think I would be fishing those Silver Buddies. Some type of display with the lures and a picture of you and the legend would be cool. Did you know Westmoreland well?

Welcome aboard!