Heartland

I agree the data obtained is still accurate. Just wanted to note this because some of the lines that were tested are either no longer made or are not widely in use. I would have to think that formulations and processes have become better, creating lines that are more consistent in terms of thickness throughout the spool and formulations that come much closer to representing some of the claims as advertised.

Testing methodology is certainly a big key to the results you will arrive at. The results I have seen, have been conducted using dry line, I am sure that wet line will yield even more information on similarity or difference. There was a good website where a guy conducted a bunch of tests using the Instron to show the stretch characteristics of both types of line, it was older information but very informative.

Braid helps if you can keep your line tight/taunt, it does not transmit much at all if it is slack. Braid can also be problematic if in windy conditions. In what you describe I think a good co-poly or FC line would be a good choice, there are also some very good high quality mono lines available.

Two ideas that may help, well really three. Keep your line taunt, let the bait fall on a relaxed line but keep in contact with the bait. Try running the line over your index finger as the line is being retrieved helps with feeling the bite. The other thing is become a line watcher, any little twitch, jerk or bump is most likely a fish. Don't hesitate when setting the hook. Fish are incredible at swallowing a bait with very little feedback to the fisherman, often fish will feel as weight, you should notice that when you lift the bait to move it. This is where many deep hooked fish occur. Hope it helps

Elon is an incredibly interesting person, I would guess he is probably high functioning Savant. Check out Rogan's podcast when Elon visited. This guy is ahead of everyone IMHO.

The results I have seen from the Instron do not support your conclusions that all mono-filament lines stretch the same to breaking point. The results I have seen indicate that FC lines have much less stretch at the beginning and then stretch somewhat linearly to breaking strength, nylon tends to stretch much more linearly throughout. Also the way the two materials elongate is very different.

Goldfish, Crappie, big Shiners, Shad, we typically use some variety of Sunfish, as they are easy to catch and are very hardy. Shad may work the best but they are hard to keep alive without a quality tank and aerator.

Quantum entanglement - spooky action at a distance as Einstein called it, make me believe that the time/distance problem may have answers.

Grew up fishing Beaver Lake in AR, particularly the Indian Creek and Lost Bridge areas, my Brother liked to use a Beetle Spin in purple and I generally fished one in yellow with black stripe. Lots and lots of fish caught on these baits. Zebco 202 and 33 reels on 5 1/2 - 6 ft fiberglass rods.

In general I find it easier to reel faster than I do to slow down. The majority of fishing I do I use what would now be considered slower 6.5:1 around 24 IPT. I fish crankbaits on 5.4:1 around 20 IPT.

Well if you are catching fish and enjoying it then price becomes somewhat meaningless. I would be willing to bet that there are many more fish caught on 100 rigs than 500. Get in where you fit in, lots of room for all of us.

What makes you feel like the PRO's are using better equipment than is available to most of us.

I get where you are going with this. I would say that the lift of the blade on a buzzbait, IMO would far out weight any tendency for the buzzbait to nose down during retrieve due to the density of the line being used, also the head / tie point typically is running under water during the retrieve of these baits so not sure line density counts for much here. Co-poly line seems like a very good choice for these baits. I use a high quality low stretch mono and it works well. Braid works well also if you don't mind the occasional tangle with the bait.

What surprises you about FC as the choice of line for Buzzbaits.

Monkey Butt

Those ABU's are some cool reels. There were two versions of the Skeet Reese reels, one had linear magnetic and the other had dual brakes. Other than paint and a longer handle they were basically Revo Premiers, they were not on the market long as this is when Skeet made his jump from ABU to Wright and Magill. Wonder what choice Skeet would make now if he could do it over.

I agree I usually target somewhere between 8 - 12 ft, but fish shallower if the structure is there.

I choose to believe in nothing supernatural or extraterrestrial, there is simply no empirical evidence to support either.

Long lining, is another way to skin the cat.

Hang on to them, you will come back and probably appreciate them more than originally.

I agree, no rights or wrongs just differing opinions.

You do realize that there is middle ground between a soft tip and a broom stick, I use the Falcon Cara Jason Christie Frog rod, 6'11" heavy fast, has about the same action as the Falcon Amistad if you are familiar with the Falcon line. I have no problem dancing kermit in place. Get great hooksets without all the tip flex, which is one of my top priorities, easy to walk or chug without having to have the tip loadup before you impart any action on the bait. Just don't care for the soft mushy rods for any bait that I am imparting the action on or driving large single hooks into a fish, just seems counter intuitive to me.

Judging by the rods I currently own, I would say Gloomis, St.Croix and Falcon I have the most of these. I also like Dobyns very much, mostly their older stuff. The 734C is a great all around rod .

I would like to hear more about your view.