Timberwolf530

Another vote for Sniper. On my braid with leader set ups, I use this:

You are correct. I tied the blood knot for 30 years until I saw the alberto and after doing it a couple times, I ccould do it ALOT faster, especially in the boat. Plus it's stronger. A definite win-win.

I know they get a lot of grief, but I haven't had any trouble with the Z Man jigs. I do like the Owner Block Heads better though. They have a really nice hook. Use the lightest one you can get away with.

BPS fluoro is strong and impact resistant, but it is as stiff as piano wire. If you can deal with that, buy it when they have their 2 for 1 deal, and you can't beat the price. Otherwise, I recommend getting a premium line like Sunline FC Sniper.

Walmart usually has a clearance bin where you can buy rods for $5 and up. You can also practice on removing reel seats, and handles with a heat gun. On second thought, you may not ever want to learn to fix broken rods. I usually end up with a pile of them every fall from all my friends who fish.

Take a standard Plano 3600 or 3700 style box, doesn't matter which. Cut slits down every other divider about 6 inches apart. Put the eye of your spinnerbait in the slot so that the spinners are in one row, and the hook is in the other. You can fit a ton of them in a 3700 size. Also works for buzzbaits.

I have been using Loomis rods for about the last 20 years. I just got my first E6X earlier this year. I got the 822S SYR for Shaky Heads, and I have been impressed with it. It reminds me of an IMX rod from 10 or so years ago, but actaully better because it has a softer tip, while maintaining a good strong backbone. I also have several St Croix Avid rods, and I like the E6X as much as I do my Avids. I think you would be satisfied with either. Go hold them in your hand and buy the one that feels best to you.

Went to Cumberland last year, 2nd week of October, and it was horrible. I would wait another month if I was going back there in the fall.

Lucky Strike RC series are excellent baits. Anything from Rapala are good, and they are still reasonably priced too.

I second the suggestion for Mudhole MHX blanks. Call them. The guys down there are very helpful. They should be able to tell you what you need.

Your problem with selling on Ebay with the rod is going to be shipping. It will cost almost as much as its worth to ship it. I would put it on Craigslist or Facebook and sell it locally if you don't want to keep it as suggested by earlier comments. I would just keep it.

Is your reel staying in free spool throughout the cast? If it is jumping out of free spool during the cast, the instant stop could definitely cause your line to snap.

I want to learn to skip with a casting reel. My next purchase is going to be a Tatula SV. I've heard they are great for that . I have two pistol grip rods that I honestly haven't used in years, but I was thinking a pistol grip would be good for the skipping technique as well. Anyone use one for that?

I always like to keep a rocket shad handy in the fall. They always seem to be bustin shad just out of reach of normal lures, and you can cast rocket shad a mile.

I wasn't happy with BPS fluoro because it's too stiff for me, after trying many different brands, I settled on FC Sniper fluoro for baitcasters and leaders on spinning reels. I've never used their mono because Sufix has been too good to me for too many years to make a change.