David P

I have 2 of these setups, to cover two different colors, or sometimes two baits I like to punch. Dobyns 805 Punch Rod Revo STX 80lb Daiwa Braid 1 1/2oz Tru-Tungsten flippin weight Youvella Pro Flip hook or Paycheck baits hook Paycheck Punch skirt any d**n plastic you want, I like craw pattern baits with a relatively thick body so the hook stays in there real good. Do a search, you'll see a few other threads up on here about it.

Here you go flechero, the first photo isn't the same exact one, just a nice shot. The one attached below is the exact photo in the magazine. I was hoping to have the main picture on the mag but a 10lber beat me out : Guess I was being greedy.

It's not always just visibility. Rocks slice through braid with ease, fluorocarbon is more abrasion resistant. The only time I don't use a leader is when I'm fishing top water, or when fishing heavy heavy weeds.

TRAILER HOOK. My better fish have almost all been hooked on just my trailer hook.

All of my fish over 8lbs have ALL come in the middle of the day. As R.W. said, either side of noon. But mostly from 1-4. I fish the same exact baits, in the same general area. If I want numbers, I may slow down, and fish a little deeper. There's always fish to be caught, just stick with it.

Too much for me to read right now, I'm sure it's been said, but plain and simple. .... There is no PERFECT line, if there was... everyone would be using the same thing. I've come as close as I possibly can to be satisfied with what line I use, but like everything, it has it's trade offs.

It looks great, and I've tried it. There will be times where fish will want a bait that has LESS movement then this though. I went out with a buddy last year, and was out fished 7:1 in the first half an hour. Same bait, same size, same weight, same spots. After 4:0 I went to the front of the boat, where he continued to out fish me. After dropping the wiggle rig and going back to a normal drop shot, I managed 5 or 6 fish in a short time. This will not always be the case. Just a heads up, that if it's not working, try something slightly different.

I absolutely love the rods. I have 16 of them, and have my eye on ordering a few more shortly. There is obviously a rod for EVERY application, but the nicest thing is, everyone has a different preference for what they want in a rod for each application. There are so many rods to choose from, there are literally 5-7 rods that you can use for many applications. This may be confusing for some guys, but most guys that know what they want for each application, it makes life much better. There's no compromises with Dobyns Rods. Please feel free to PM me with any questions. I'm glad to help.

Jigs catch all sizes of fish, they are hands down my favorite bait to throw. I caught the fish in my avatar on a jig. What Brands : Dirty Jigs Tackle makes AWESOME jigs, in all sizes, colors, and jig head types. I tied my own jigs for a while, but these have replaced all of my hand tied jigs. Rattles : It's really up to you. I don't use them, except on very rare occasions. Weight: Lakes and Reservoirs that I'm fishing 1-8ft or so, I throw a 1/2oz Pitching Jig (Arkey head). For deeper in lakes I throw a 1/2oz Football jig. For the Delta , where I fish the most, there is current, I choose to use a 3/4oz jig there. 1/2oz jigs are a GREAT place to start, you can feel the bait very well with them, and they work just about anywhere. A great trailer to use is a Paca Chunk, Sweet Beaver, or Yamamoto Twin Tail Grub. All 3 work very well and you can't go wrong. Colors: If you decide to check out Dirty Jigs, I love Curts Craw in 1/2oz Pitching Jig, any black and blue color is also very useful and will almost always catch you fish. Clear water : Brown / Green / Purples Darker water : Blacks / Blues / Reds Hopes this helps a little bit. You can check the jigs out at HookedUpTackle, or DirtyJigsTackle . Hope this helps a bit.

I like the skirt colors and the bonus multi-color paint schemes on the jigheads but they are too expensive! I need to find a jig I like and buy like 30 of them at once and not have to sell a rod or reel to do it. Check out HookedUpTackle.Com, they have 10% off, And free shipping over $50.

The Daiwa braid is amazing. I have tried everything, and it is hands down my favorite. It's expensive though, so I only have it tied on a few rods, but definitely like it more then any other braid. Give it a shot. If you're fishing rocks, use a leader, regardless of what braid you pick.

Snag Proof Bobby's Perfect Frog 6" Senko 3/4oz Dirty Jigs Pitchin Jig Black 1/2oz Buzzbait Pack of Sweet Beavers

I can not say enough great things about Dirty Jigs Tackle, check them out. They have a wide variety of jig heads and awesome colored skirts. I like the Pitchin jigs the best. I like 1/2oz jigs for reservoirs and lakes, and 3/4oz for when I'm fishing a bit deeper or on the Delta. Can't go wrong with any jigs from that site.

I don't check the General section much, but just saw this. Thanks a lot guys. I still haven't gotten my magazine yet, hopefully this week.

I fish Dobyns rods, not powell, but the ratings are some what similar. My frog rod is a 736. If you're fishing heavier weed mats, the 6 power comes in handy. If you're using it just for frogs, there's really no down side to a 6 power.

Rods : Dobyns Rods Reels : Revo STXs and Daiwa Line : P-Line CXX / P-Line Spectrex Braid / Daiwa Braid Jigs : Dirty Jigs Tackle Terminal Tackle: Tru-Tungsten weights / Youvella hooks Plastics : Reaction Innovations Beavers, Roboworms, Zoom Plastics, YUM, GYCB Top Water : Super Spook, Snag Proof Frogs, Lunker Punkers, Hard Baits : Lucky Craft

Not sure if this is directed towards me, as I sure don't claim to do that at all. But if it is, here's the fish I'm talking about : http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1249855886

If you're actually staying in the AFB, I'd just fish the ponds in there. Decent fishing, don't have to drive far, and much more accessible from shore.

Daiwa Tierra 2000, I got mine from Ebay for $96 shipped. Love it.

I have used them, and done quite well. Big fish so far is 9lbs4oz a few weeks back. I've still caught quite a few dinks even with the added bulk of the punch skirt.

a 3/4oz or 1oz jig will work for most weeds, but it's a lot less of a hassle if you just use a pegged 1oz or 1 1/2oz tru-tungsten weight. Less time spent pulling weeds off your jig, and more time spent fishing. I agree with Catt, the past few months I have been doing a lot of punching. My better number days are on days that I make a lot of noise when dropping my bait in the weeds. Although my bigger fish have come with a more quiet entry.

Great story, always fun to see photos and tournament results.

7ft is a MUCH better length then 6'6. Definitely keep it, in the end you will be much better off. Out of my 16 rods, all but 3 are over 7'3, with a few being 8ft.

I'm not a huge crank buff, although I do enjoy throwing a rip bait and crankbait in the fall and winter. I love using a Dobyns 705 Glass rod (Lightest glass rod you will ever feel), paired with a Daiwa SOL ( I can cast light crankbaits as well as normal cranks with ease). I believe the SOL is/was on sale for $200 at BassPro but not sure. Good luck with your search.

Just what you clearly needed Robert, ANOTHER custom rod and reel. :