roadwarrior

Shop around or wait for a sale. 600 yard Yo-zuri Hybrid spools are around $15, but often on sale for $10.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/128588-pinnacle-review/?hl=%2Bpinnacle+%2Breview

Plano 4464-00 Softsider 3600 http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/img/products/original/plano_4464_softsider_x_3600_size_tackle_bag_1282660_1_og.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Plano-4464-00-Softsider-X-3600-Size-Tackle-Bag/productDetail/Soft-Tackle-Boxes/prod999901360975/cat101126&h=640&w=738&sz=77&tbnid=vPFKfAT7C-n4nM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=104&zoom=1&usg=__cLkuhbu9FfEr4Sq3l2i569NeKzQ=&docid=8HtycUU3SuaM2M&sa=X&ei=nXvJUpO6J_TW2wWej4CAAw&ved=0CGgQ9QEwBA

If you have a BPS near by, talk to the manager in the fishing department. They probably have a dozen reels in the back room that have been returned. They might let you have the part you need.

A lot depends on how you have the Alabama Rig set up. I fish with a light rig: Outside arms: Gamakatsu 4/0 Offset Worm Hooks rigged with LFT Live Magic Shad (no weight). Inside arm: Johnson Silver Minnow. With this arrangement you don't need a dedicated rod, I think your 7' Falcon would be just fine.

That's the first entry that pops up on Google, but it seems to me any jig head would work.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

I bet it's tough being a Chiefs fan this morning.

6* at kick-off, 10-15 mph wind and 30% chance of snow. Uncle Jack and a Big Screen TV sounds great to me!

Try a spool of #12 Yo-Zuri Hybrid and see how you like it. Green is nearly invisible in gin clear water; Purple Smoke is a better choice in stained water. Breaking strength is 19.5 lbs.

Swim jig, Fluke and Hollow Belly might work better.

I have gone to lighter rigging: Outside arms: Gamakatsu 4/0 Offser Worm Hook/ LFT Live Magic Shad (no weight). Inside arm: Johnson Silver Minnow.

You're fine, the general topic is jigs. Both 3/8 and 1/2 are fine. 3/8 is probably the most popular size, but I prefer 1/2 oz for better casting distance. Your rod length can be whatever you like. The key characteristics are a firm tip and stout blank. For comparisons use the G.Loomis MBR844C as a standard. These are other traditional jig rods I own: Pinnacle DHC5-761CAMHFS, G. Loomis BCR854 and St. Croix LEC70MHF. For swim jigs a MBR842C. For hair jigs I like spinning tackle: LES70MF.

The broader point is : Pack what you might use and think in terms of depth.

Simple: Co-angler in a local club.

I carry what I might use, not for storage. I keep "reserves" on shelves and a pegboard in my man cave. So, think "water column" and "season". Let's start at the top: I don't carry traditional hard baits this time of year. Although some baits might be used on topwater (Rage Tail Menace), the only hard lure I carry right now is the MegaStrike Cavitron. Next, jerkbaits. Then shallow runners: Soft swimbaits and swim jigs, Bandit 200 and Red Eye Shad. A little deeper: Silver Buddy, StrikeBack and Siebert Cosmic spinnerbaits. Bottom: Rage Tail soft plastics, MegaStrike MegaBug and Mega Tube Craw. Siebert Outdoors jigs. Sworming Hornet/ LFT Live Magic Shad. Pretty simple, huh?

All soft plastics can be rigged weedless.

X2

Two of the main reasons smallmouth populations have exploded on the Great Lakes is the introduction of gobies as a food source and the zebra mussel which has made the water clearer. Rocks are the preferred habitat of the goby. Their presence around identifiable structure makes it much easier to target predators, i.e., smallmouth bass. Before they became abundant, bait schools were commonly suspended offshore, basically in the middle of nowhere.

WOO-HOO!

Alabama Rig and big swimbaits.

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun to collect. However, three rigs cover all the basics: #1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some soft plastics and spinnerbaits #2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook lures #3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a variety of techniques

Bingo!

Seems a lot like fishing a spinning reel on top of a rod. It can be done, but you look like a fool!