roadwarrior

Great advice!

You will have some lingering doubt if you keep the old line. I would recommend changing it out for your trip.

That seems prudent at this point. Goodnight Irene. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Maybe the formula has been radically changed.

Vary the retrieve to find the one working on a given day. I think the "where" is far more important than the "how".

Probably just a bad batch, I have never bent a Trokar hook.

I think the Swimming Senko is a great trailer. I rig them just like ChrisAW.

MegaStrike Cavitron, no trailer

Here in the Mid South the Alabama Rig has become legend. For whatever reason, The Rig is most effective in spring and fall, not so much during the summer months. My theory is that most of the double digit bass being reported were previously uncatchable. When The Rig passes in front of a bass the fish instinctively attacks the school, she has no choice.

Yes. I post everything on the link I gave you.

Take a look at this one: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html

The E-Catalog is a nice addition!

Overkill. My heavy rod is a Lamiglas SR705R which I use for deep diving cranbaits. This for medium weight lures: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html

The BassResource Roadtrip was at Wilson this spring: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/127309-youre-invited-to-the-2014-roadtrip/

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/97547-to-all-my-memphis-pond-hoppers/

Nice fish, but not close to a record.

This series was introduced in 2005, I think...So that's about how old mine is and it has never been "opened" in 9 years. I thought it was still perfect, but I am REALLY looking forward to finding out what a professional breakdown can do. Report to follow when I fish the "new" reel.

Rage Tail Bug Megastrike Heavy StrikeBack Spinnerbaits Savage Plastics Tuf-Line Tournament 8 Shimano Stella

I don't think the availability of parts is a major issue. Shimano does a great job of supporting their products. On the rare occasion I have needed help, their Customer Service has always been top notch. As a side note, Mike at DVT is servicing my FB for its first complete breakdown. The Stella are somewhat "self-contained" and may not require annual service. I will be interested to hear what Mike has to say after working on the reel.

The main reason I use a leader with braided line is so I can break-off when I need to.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130634-rod-selection-the-basics/

You won't need to adjust your hook-set with heavier line. Lots of the guys really like PP, but there are other alternatives. I'm fishing Kanzen, Tuf-Line Tournament 8 and Sufix 832. For about $20 I suggest the Sufix #80. It can be cut, but not broken!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/141661-pickwick-719-720/#entry1577941

I fish the 3/8 oz MegaStrike Cavitron http://www.megastrike.com/#!products/vstc2=cavitron-buzzbaits

This never happens to me here in Tennessee. We wacked 'em deep fishing Siebert Outdoors 3/8 oz football heads/ Rage Tail Craws. My buddy did half as well with the BPS 3" (skinny)Tube. All the fish were at 20' or more along a vertical cliff.