roadwarrior

Reed's Family Outdoors has the Fenwick Techna AV @ $160: http://www.reedssports.com/Product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=3094 This is a great rod at the pricing point.

Excellent!

I consider a successful day, one bass over 5 lbs.

It's hard catching a State Record around here, it's gotta be north of 11 lb 15 oz. Maybe #2 would be a more realistic goal. Do you think 10 lb 14 oz is doable? My partner caught a 10 in November, 2004. That brown fish should be about full grown by now. Maybe you should come down here. If she is still alive, I know EXACTLY where she lives.

Squid, I'm glad you are back! The MegaBass PopMax have each caught a bass! Maybe I will fish them this coming year, but I guess I just bought them for show...They are too pretty to fish! That's silly, I know, but I only fished each lure once and replaced them after catching exactly one bass.

ooh grasshopper, "May you find light at end of tunnel." :

Peace be with you.

Sweet! I know you are going to like that new rig. Congrats!

mainebasser, Welcome aboard! I have heard many great things about your state, especially the smallmouth bass fishing.

Yo-Zuri doesn't sink, it floats. I don't fish braid, so I don't use leaders.

fish-fighting-illini, Man, if I could get ten guys to kick in $100 each, we could have a drawing and one guy would walk away with a great reel and the $100 they put in the pot. How's that for a deal? I wouldn't mind doing that every week!

Welcome aboard! What KU_Bassmaster said... There is no "best" line, just "favorite."

It's the "do all" line for me. I have original Hybrid on one baitcaster right now just because I had some left, but going forward I'll be using Ultra Soft on all rods. #4 & #6 on spinning tackle, #12 on casting gear. Well, a little disclaimer...I'm still going to test some other lines occasionally, that's just fun. I tried several last year, but for the most part they didn't work for me. One line I found that I did like was Sunline Defier, which I fished a little bit with Bud on Kentucky Lake. However, it is pretty pricey, 330 yards for $40. If you don't mind the price, you might give it a try.

Hmm... Until recently I have fished Gamakatsu EWG hooks exclusively with soft plastics, I am now using X-Points on occasion. I estimate that I hook up with fish, if I detect the bite, much more than 90% of the time. Once hooked-up on a single hook, I estimate that my landing ratio approaches 100%. I have NEVER bent or broken a Gamakatsu or X-Point while fighting a fish. I have NEVER broken either of these hooks under ANY circumstance. For me, there are no drawbacks using EWG hooks.

If he was nice he might take you back to the ramp, otherwise...start swimming! :

Wow! That's quite a collection. Over the years I have given most of my reels away, but as far as I know, they are all still being used by the guys I have given them to. My current collection is: 2 Stella 2500FB 1 Stella 1000FA 1 Sustain 2500 1 Calais CL200 2 CTE200GT My next reel will probably be the Calais 100 or maybe the Antares. We'll see.

Same as other lines: Start with the spool flat on the floor, label up. After five or six cranks, lower the rod tip and see if the line is twisting up. If it is, turn the spool over; if not, continue on. I consider the reel "full" about 1/16" from the lip of the spool. I also like Reel Magic or the KVD product which I spray on every now and then while spooling, 15-20 cranks. Even if everthing works out perfectly, I still like to troll new line, especially the first time out.

J.D., smallmouth fishing guide.

Well, I don't know how many have noticed, but Cabela's has recently become one of our sponsors! So, if you just click on their banner and order up some line, BassResource.com gets a small advertising fee which costs you and me nothing.

The dam has sprung a leak! http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1169571715

Brad, Did you mean to type in "If you don't own...?"

nboucher, You're right, too harsh and I don't even have a dog in the fight! I meant no disrespect for Colts's fans either, Manning & Company WON that game.

WOW! That's scary, but it doesn't impact me directly. I fish the Tennessee River.

The Tennessee River is filled with what I have occasionally referred to as the "Rocks from Hell." Both original Hybrid and Hybrid Ultra Soft are as abrassive resistant as any line I have ever fished. If you consider Trilene XT as the standard, Yo-Zuri is just as tough. I have NEVER been broken off by a fish using this line.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!