roadwarrior

Your rod is too soft, for bottom contact baits. Use it with "moving" presentations. If you don't buy another rod, try 20/6 braid. If the water is gin clear, add a fluoro leader.

I have two CH50MG which have recently been serviced. They both perform better than new. The Core seems to be machined a little tighter and the overall performance is a notch better. That said, my 50 and 200 Curado have been super tuned by Delaware Valley Tackle. They are PERFECT! I think the Curado series is the Best Value.

WHOO-HOO!

For cheap, just buy a poncho at Walmarts. I carry one and it works just fine for a surprise rain. If you actually plan to fish in the rain, you need something much more substantial. I recommend Cabels's Guideware.

Rage Tail Toad: http://www.ragetail.com/ragetailtoad.html

Lamiglas SR705R is THE BOMB!

WHOO-HOO! Great day for both of you.

Mandatory around here! I am also very impressed with the Bass Pro version.

Geez! What a great way to start your year. Beautiful fish. Congratulations!

Ridiculous... Goodnight Irene. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Shopping with women.

Everything Else...This is the right section for requests and suggestions. On the other hand, we're not too busy to talk direct. You can submit any request or suggestion directly to any of the Moderators, Glenn or Keri.

#12 is a pretty universal size.and what I use.

Your rod will be just fine. You may want to add rods over time, so here is a simple suggestion: You only NEED three rods: 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

No. I like the smaller reels just because they feel better and look cooler! As far as performance goes, I don't notice any difference.

Good catch! I mean, nice fish.

Very nice!

I cannot make a direct comparison, but I will try to contrast the MBR 842C, MBR 844C and BCR 854. Both the 844C and 854 have firm tips which I like for both weighted soft plastics and jigs. The MBR 842C is much softer and I use it almost exclusively to fish small swimbaits. Mine is matched to a Core 50MG and is my favorite rod & reel combo.

Well, this might be the result of a poor sample pool. I have only fished The Rig 10 hours or so, with partner, ~20 hours total sample set. Of that time, less that half has been strictly dedicated to bass fishing. The stripers have been schooled up busting shad on the surface and we just can't walk away from that! Note too, I have not had a double, nor have my buddies.

What's you guess, fat from eating or eggs?

Fished Pickwick in Florence, AL. Started out with The Rig targeting stripers. 16 fish between 7:00 and 10:00, 225-250 lbs! Trailered to another location to target bass and stopped for lunch. Fished from about 11:30 to 3:30. Caught 21 bass and an assortment of other species. No lunkers, but the best five were 20+. We were just fun fishing, of course, but friends said in competition you need 25+ to be in the money right now. The bass were all caught on Norman Fat Boys, Red Eyed Shad and Keitech Swing Impact Fat. Other options might have worked, but this is all we threw. We were worn out and called it quits at beer-thirty!

G. Loomis IMX PR844S

I don't know much about pike, but giant stripers have not been an issue,

I don't know... The Rig is all metal so the only thing to tear up is a bait and the fish will still be hooked.

WOW! Great posts from both of you.