Under the Radar

Looks like you had some fun. Those fish look very representative of their anglers. Yours looks like a real chunk, & your sons looks lean & mean. Reminds me of the good times I had with my dad hunting & fishing. Enjoy your time with him, he'll be a young man and out in the world on his own all too soon. Great pics. Nick O

ice, I get pretty liberal when I spray the KVD, I mean dripping out of the reel the night before and haven't encountered said problem. There's got to be a simple explanation for the problem. I'm not sayin the KVD IS NOT the problem, but anything is possible. I constantly amaze myself Nick O

Zero, your rod & line, are going to have a major impact on how you set the brakes. I usually use more brakes for lighter lures. But then I'm an old man and don't have the most talented thumbs in the state. I'm sure some of the guys will chime in soon enough. Tight lines, Nick O

Vinney, but I run almost all my Curado's with 4 brakes in/off & 2 brakes out/on. My understanding of you're instructions would be backwards for some one just learning. Just my 2 cents worth Nick O

I can't see the KVD having the effect on your casts that you mention, I've been using it for about a year & a half now. I'd be looking at the braking system and the spool tension. I know from personal experience that upon occasion I've forgotten that I change the settings the last time I was out. When the light comes on and I get the settings back to normal for current conditions things get much better. Also when was the last time your reel was cleaned & lubed? Just some random thoughts. Nick O

when you say crankbaits, I assume you mean lipless or shallow. My E7 is on my worm/CR rod. I just think the drag on the REVO will suit you better for flip/pitch. Good luck & tight lines Nick O

Revo = Pitchin/Flipin Curado = Cranks

http://www.xcaliburtackle.com/jimmy.asp Xcalibur Xj4 Jimmy 4"

EastTexasBassin Those are some beauties My top water has been pretty hot on Sammys & Jimmys the last couple of weeks, I guess when it slows a bit I'll have to get on you bandwagon Nick

Way to go Avid, You always pick up my spirits when you post. Maybe I'll get to meet you over there some day. SM/F13 are nearing the top of my bucket list. Not to mention the young guns I fish with are kinda pushing me to head over there. Again congrats. Nick

RockvilleMDAngler I don't think I'd be as concerned about the sensitivity as I would be about the memory issues. I'm not sure I can tell a major diff in the sensitivity of most of the major brands of FC lines. Yes I use Shooter on a couple of my BC rigs for lipless & deep cranks, as well as light TR & CR < 1/2oz.I also have some XPS & some P-line. I do notice a big diff in the memory between the lines. All my spinning outfits are spooled with Braid and FC leaders when needed. I know you didn't mention which type of reels you're using. Another factor is using a good line conditioner such as KVD's. So, which type of reels & what applications are you using. Nick

That can also be influenced by rod angle. That's true Burley, but on a looong cast the line weight/ surface tension negates the rod tip position. But on shorter casts the line tie plus the rod position can give a fella a lot of options.

Check Your PM's

Ya know Bill S. designed the bait with one hook for a reason. If the fish are serious I've had no problems hookin' up. Good lord, I got a couple of 1.5 lbr's the other day on the 6" jr. My only complaint is the helicopter business on the cast. The shad is worse then the jr.

Can't remember which of the Bass Pros on Vs a year or so ago gave your answer. MORE BLOOP = your knot tied in the middle or top of the eye. Less bloop more spit = knot at the bottom of the eye. a drop of super glue helps keep the knot in place. "That's all I have to say about that" Forest Gump

Are you Bank fishing or from a boat? How tall are you? I'd go with a 6'6" MH rod. a 6:X reel and 12lb mono. I personally use a 7'3" MH XF curado 101D 12# mono. A Sammy 200 will just about spool the reel on a good day. BUT, fished the river today with 15 mph winds and you worked up current or down current happened to be with the wind. Crosswind & current there was too much bow in the line to get a porpoer walkin' action goin. And 7'3" is my max, I'm 5'9" tall and fish from a boat about half the time. Hope this helps, Tight Lines Nick

Son you're a better man than I if you can gauge a lake in just 45 minutes of fishing. The spawn is pretty much over now here in CF. 3 months ago you would have had a better view of the pond imo. Hang in there and give it some time. I'd bet there is bigger than 6 or 7 in there depending on the forage base. I fish a few 2 acre public ponds that I've caught 4's 5's & 6's out of and they don't look as good as what you've got there. Tight Lines Nick

It's pretty plain to see that by the sounds of the posts here, that no one has run charters or guided as a business. After 20+ yrs running charters & private yachts etc. So in a nut shell. I tip. Their expenses are more than you think and their net is a lot less. Not to mention the total days on the water doesn't equal 5 days a week 50 weeks a year less holidays. Hell, most holidays they're taking clients out. Rant over. Capt. Nick Ochs Ret.

Used one a few weeks ago in the sexy shad color. Did well, then came back and cleaned with a Carolina rig.

Congrats, I remember that feeling and... Oh! Yeah baby

Is this a clue?

Well *** is a sin they say. So I'm a sinner. Congrats

My little woman is supportive of my habit, but doesn't support it. If I haven't picked up a rod by 4pm she's asking if I'm going fishing today. Think I'll keep this one.

Whenever I tip up, I start bouncing off the walls and have trouble standing up so I fall down alot .

Wormdirt, I have my doubts about it's durability. I may be wrong. Remember that you get what you pay for and in this realm of things $200 isn't much. I've got 2 sea eagles and enjoy them both. You may want to save a little more money and go with one of them. Good luck in your Quest