Sherlock 60

I have a 6'9" MH Veritas and love it. My most versatile rod. Never used the Mojo, but I have 5 Veritas rods now so I must like them (quite a step up from my old BPS Bionic Blades). The best part is the split grip. Now that I'm used to it and understand how it works as a fulcrum my casting has greatly improved. So, whatever you get, make sure it has a split grip.

Pre-spawn last year slowly dragging either a jig or a weighted Yamamoto Flappin Hog were the most productive approaches. Once it warmed up a bit spinnerbaits were the best. I fish the same chain of lakes all the time, so finding them was not a problem.

Then why was it held the same day as the Daytona 500 (presumably many of the same fans) and the Oscars?

I have both the Stradic FJ 2500 and the Supreme XT 9230 and they are both fine reels. For the moment I like the FJ better because it is smoother and has a more solid feel (and is a bit newer), but I really like the Supreme XT as well. Both are excellent reels. The XT is light as a feather and the FJ is solid and smooth. Take your pick.

I have 3 Symetre reels (1000, 2500 and 4000) that have served me very well and the newest is 8 years old. For $99 they are fine reels that will serve you well for a long time, so for your price point they would be an excellent buy. Used to have a fourth Symetre, which was my favorite, but it wound up at the bottom of a river when a canoe capsized, never to be seen again.

I have used 20# braid on spinning gear for all my soft plastics (especially Senkos) for the last 5 years and will never go back.

A muskie pro told me that they don't use 80-100# test braid for the sake of the fish as much as for the sake for the sake of the size, weight and price of the lures being used. So if you are throwing an Alabama rig that weighs 3-5 ounces and costs over $20 you should use 80# plus braid to protect your investment in that expensive rig.

Today I picked up a dealer's last 2500 Stradic FJ for $125 at the Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show. Almost went with the new Saros, which they were selling for $120, but when you compared the Stradic FJ features with the other options it was a no-brainer. My only issue was a bit more weight, but after I got it spooled up and on a Veritas 7' Medium rod is was smooth as silk and I look forward to fishing with the combo. The white on white color scheme concerned me a bit, but it sure looks fine to me now. I have 3 Symetre reels and it is obvious that Shimano downgraded the new Symetre model a bit it keep it under $100.

In my neck of the woods you will see the Muskie guys use the 7" Senkos when they need a slow plastic presentation. I picked up some of the 6" and 7" Senkos this winter and look forward to giving them a try. Probably should put the 7 inchers on a sevenstrand leader just in case the toothy critters come out to play.

My sentiments exactly. But I also plan to branch out this year and try a wider range of plastics. That will include new colors and different sizes of Senkos (other than 5") as well as other types of baits and other manufacturers.

Pro Qualifiers in the 5.3:1 ratio are what I use for all of my cranking. They also have a 4.7:1 gear ratio but I haven't used it. When they are on sale for $79.99 every year they are hard to beat.

A black 1/2ounce Jitterbug at dusk on a shallow sandy flat is one of my favourites.

5" Senko weightless, watermelon pepper or smoke pearl blue.

Straight braid is what I prefer. I don't like the idea of having an extra knot that may fail.

I have four PQ reels in three gear ratios and am extremely happy with them al! Every winter I consider buying more expensive name brand reels but that little voice in the back of my head always asks "why?"

Worst purchase I ever made was buying two ABU EON reels...and they were my first baitcasters. I am an ABU fan now, but I never could get the EON reels (with the "Planetary Gears") to cast worth a hoot.

Line: Berkley Trilene Maxx.... Anyone who has used it knows why... x2. Only line I ever used that could cause a bird's nest on a spinning reel. Repeatedly.

Everywhere; weightless, Texas rig or wacky; shallow or deep; always fish very slow. "When you think you are fishing a Senko too slow...slow down."

I presume you want to stay with less expensive cranks since this is a starter kit: Bomber Shallow A Bomber Square A Bomber 4A and 6A SK KVD 1.5 and 2.5 Square Bills SK Series 5, 6 and 6XD 1/2 oz lipless cranks

x2. I like both sizes of the Flappin' Hog and usually fish them on a Luck E Strike "Perfect Worm Rig" (simple, skirtless jig with a darter head and a Gammy EWG hook). It slides right through the weeds.

I use one for deep crankin' and like it at lot. It says it is fast, but it seems to be a medium action to me. Lots of give in the tip.

I don't have any C3's but I have two C4's and they are built like tanks and will last forever. The 5500 C4 is used for large swimbaits and smaller musky bucktails. The 6600 handles larger musky lures with ease. Absolutely great reels that cast a mile!

I often refer to myself as a "fishing tackle collector" rather than as a fisherma. To each his own. Some people buy Yugos and some buy Ferraris....some people buy Snoopy rods and reels and others will buy a Steez. The industry needs them all in order to thrive.

And he probably has more fun than the rest of us!!

The original Gitiz Tubes from Canyon Plastics have been the best producers for me.