David P

I agree with everything Tin said aside from the tournament win aspect. Tournament wins aren't the only thing sponsors look, nor is it near the top of the least. I know plenty of guys that are extremely marketable and have all types of deals, and to be honest, they're lousy fisherman. I think you need to find away to set yourself apart , I didn't see anything in particular that truly stood out. You're on your way though, seems like you're doing good, just need to find a way to stand out.

Looks every bit of 10, but without a scale, I'd call it 9.9 . lol

If they had the rods, I'd use 7'6 - 8fters for them all, unfortunately the 7'6 Dobyns Crankin rods aren't out yet, so for now I use 7fters for them all. Longer rods = Longer Casting distance, with all the baits you listed, the longer the cast typically the more effective the retrieve will be.

I use a high speed zillion for crankin and love it. Enables me to cover water quick and not have to reel too fast.

This is what I try to tell a lot of people happens, but many guys seem to not care. Not only is digging into the spool an issue, but if 50lb braid is equal to 12lb mono (which is still pretty thin) why not give yourself that extra strength. I personally use 65 and 80 and don't use 50 at all anymore, but I can't see why there is a use for below 50 aside from on spinning gear. There is no memory no matter what size you go to, my 80lb braid has less memory then 6lb fluorocarbon. If fish are line shy, then use an 8lb fluoro leader on your 50lb braid. Just make sure when you put braided line on, you put backing ( Some guys like thicker electrical tape stuff ) I prefer to just spool on a few layers of 12-15lb mono then tie that to the braid and spool it up.

Assuming some guys on here might not check the flea market so figured I'd post this up here. Selling all my jig tying stuff. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1266783802/0#2 $80 shipped.

3.1

You're definitely going to want the high speed 7.0 reel for frogs. I like my high speed reels for flipping and frogging, but it's much more important to have while frogging. When you fish a frog, you have a decent amount of slack line, and many times its on a long cast. Fish many times will blow up, and go under water toward you causing even more slack line. You want something to be able to pick up the line quick, and set. Flipping, your bait is generally much closer to you and it's not as much of an issue. As I said, I like high speed for both, but I notice a much bigger difference with it for frogs. As for the rod, sounds like you'd be fine either way. I'd probably use the Kistler for frogs, and the Abu for flipping.

Dobyns 703 or 704 Savvy Series. I have a ton of the higher end Dobyns rods, but just got a Savvy last month. I was blown away at how good it felt. Balances well and feels like a $250 rod.

Dobyns 735 Or 765 depending on your length preference. I prefer the 765 if I'm fishing around heavier cover personally.

Be careful with braid. Either you have to have the best reflexes in the world to remove your finger quickly then set the hook, or don't try it with braid. I set QUICK, it's just a natural reaction. After slicing through my finger many times, I don't put my finger on the line anymore. No front grip + braid = very sensitive.

The Dobyns 805 is the way to go for sure. Randy McAbee helped design it, and if you know who he is, he's the deep cranking guru around here. It's a pleasure to fish with all day and not tiring like some of these other rods.

If the bite that day is a quick bite when the bait hits the water, I just flip and pitch with the rod in my left arm already. If it's not, I pitch right handed. Easy enough.

I use a Dirty Jigs Swim Jig with a little swimbait on the back or a paca chunk. Works great, all sizes of fish love it.

You are looking at two extremely different techniques that require much different rods. The only thing they have in common is that they float. Treble hooks always take a little more finesse to get the fish to the boat. Braid and stiff rods don't mix well with treble hooks. So top water treble hook baits, I use either a Dobyns 702C which is a Medium , or I use a crankbait rod. Frogs I use a meat stick, Dobyns 736. It's a Heavy although more like XH rod and I use 70lb braid.

I use the 736 for both, I have absolutely no problem walking a frog with it, although casting accuracy takes just a little bit of time to get used to. Because the tip doesn't load up as much, it's not as easy to just pick up and cast accurately. But after a little bit of time you'll do just fine. The 70lb braid so far has been great, I've only been using it for a short time now. But I have been using the 80lb for over a year now, and haven't had a single problem yet. I use it for punching, and have a friend who broke of 3 times with 65lb Power Pro when punching.

Depending on where you fish it dictates what type of line you need to use. I fish areas that it's a must in some situations to throw 65 and 80lb braid. Not to mention I've broken 50lb more then once. Guys always talk about "The one that got away", most guys are at fault for enabling those fish to get away. Sure some lakes are very clear, fish are line shy, but if you're throwing a frog or punching heavy mats where line diameter doesn't play much of a role, why not throw 65 or 80lb to just ensure you land that fish of a life time. I always hear guys talk about the fish that got away, and most of the time it could easily be avoided. I understand some people like to "fight their fish" and enjoy the intense battle, but when it's tournament time, it's not so fun to play around, or watch an 8 - 10lb bass jump out of the water and spit your frog. I'm not saying this to argue with anyone, just my feelings on the matter. To each his own.

Broke, can you get a nice long distance cast with 70 lb samurai?what would you say the equivalent in diameter is in mono or flouro? It casts better then any of the other braids I have tried. The 70 definitely doesn't enable me to launch my bait as far as 55 does, but it's still very very good.

I have a photo of a fish very similar. 5 1/2 - 6lbs would be a good guess. Probably safer to just call it a 5 though.

Definitely save up a bit more. Quality is very important with this technique. You don't want your reel giving out, or the drag slipping while fighting a giant fish under vegetation. I use a Dobyns 805 Punch Rod with a Revo STX and 80lb braid. This is definitely over your price point, and by no means do you have to spend $400 to get a combo, but $250ish is probably the starting point of a solid combo.

Longer rod, straight shank hook, let them take the bait dont' set RIGHT away (sometimes helps sometimes makes it worse), high speed reel so you can reel up ALL the slack before setting the hook, some days it's smaller fish or even blue gill just nipping at it. You tying a leader to your braid? Sometimes stretch can actually help get them to hold it a second longer as they don't feel that you're there right away. Tie a leader if you're not. 3-4ft. These are all worth trying, but then again, it could just be the way they're biting or tiny fish.

I was offered a deal with them last year that I ended up turning away from . I'm unfamiliar with the previous deals that Senko and Bass XL had with them, but I didn't feel as though the deal was "worth it". Having said that, Tom Branch Jr was very nice, great with communicating, and seemingly had a good grasp on things. For anyone looking for an entry level staff position, I would say go for it, if you think the deal that you are offered is worth it.

It is HANDS down, THAT much better. Definitely more sensitive, and smaller. Well worth it. A 1oz Lead weight is a MONSTER and if you fish weeds is 10 times harder to get into. Give it a try

Hard Jerkbaits - Dobyns 705 Glass - Revo STX Stick Baits - Dobyns 744 or 765 - Revo STX or Zillion Worms - Dobyns 743, 744, or 765 - STX or Zillion Spinnerbaits - Dobyns 735 Savvy - STX Crankbaits - Dobyns 705 Glass - STX Jigs - Dobyns 744, 765, 784 - STX or Zillion Buzzbaits - Dobyns 744 or 765 - STX Drop Shot - Dobyns 701 or 702 s - Daiwa Tierra Shakey Head - Dobyns 702C or 743 - Zillion Frogs - Dobyns 736 - STX Carolina Rigs - Dobyns 784 - Zillion Flippin'/Pitchin' - Just about all my rods, I pitch more then I cast, I don't flip too much but my favorite rod for flippin is the dobyns 805 and STX Most rods I have 65lb Braid with different leaders, some rods have fluoro. I change things around quite often depending on area I'm fishing.

Considering out here BPS is very seldomly talked about and not the most popular place by any means, I'm very shocked that they are out. Sounds absolutely ridiculous. They must have had under 30 of those reels in stock prior to the sale. I've been there twice, their stock is absolute crap. 1 Mojo rod in stock, 3 Extreme rods were in stock, only 2 colors of flukes. I was amazed.