Jeff H

I use XT mono and graphite crankin' rods. Am happy with them. I just got to where I hated glass because where I fish there is plenty of weed and I'm just not good enough to stay out of them. Pulling a crank free from weeds with a limber glass rod AND mono is a exercise in futility.....for me anyway.

I'm lucky, drive right by Cabela's everyday. Never a problem with returns or price matching. In and out, done deal.

The idiot that doesn't know how to cast. Geez Burley, you're just a rude sumbit sometimes. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I guess. I'm probably not the only one thats enjoyed it at times. Roger, what are you thinking here? I can't derive a solid answer to that from my own thoughts. Back and elbow, I'm unsure about. Wrist might be easier to figure out?? I know my back gets tired and cramped by days end but I will lay that on my beer gut more than anything else at this time

Bravo!! 100% ON the money IMO!! Gotta start somewhere. The problem is, he throws a pretty complex mess at you, that obviously can be brought into a easier understanding by applying common denominators of personal experience. As you go, you can break it down to easier understanding. But, it doesn't hurt to engender a little of your own self into it all as you go. Cling to it all as gospel and it might confuse too much. It's a foundation we all need to begin with, you can't build a house from the top down right??

Ok, and by that I meant the weather. Also, to be clear, I have never drug a "spoonplug" behind my boat trying to locate structure or catch fish. As a tournament angler, I was not allowed to do so. I just took what he taught about structure and weather and melded it into my own approach and way of doing things. For me it was just "when to be shallow and when to be deep" and the weather influences my plan.

I didn't say that??? What I said was there is another element everybody ignores that drives movements/migrations. And that, to me, is the weather. When people start talking structure, almost never is the weather mentioned in relation. For me, it's the most important thing I pay attention to before every day/trip I'm on the water. I don't know exactly what I said there, I'll have to go back and look but I didn't say structure drives movements. ;D

Lots of reading there Paul. I hope you enjoy it. I think, given that lots of guys don't like to read, getting through the whole thing can be tough for most. I have not read mine in close to 10 yrs but I'll dig it out and read it again after this season is over. Have plenty of time to read in hunting camp. Ya know, I really wish I could have met the guy. I get a kick out of his style/sense of humor. Some of the stories he shares just crack me up.

I like it. The bait is a baby 1-

I would like to ask, before anyone further attempts to discredit Buck Perrys visions/theories/observations/teachings etc., how many have actually read or been taught his complete viewpoint? And while I agree that maybe his view was not quite the same as whats taken for gospel today, he and he alone stood the fishing world on it's ears with those same views WAY ahead of his time. Because of him, bass fisherman especially, have pulled away from the banks and been hugely successful. I am one of them and while I owe every bit of my existence to God, I owe my fish locating skills to Buck Perry (And Roger Betts who taught me his ways). As for impoundments and all their respective structural elements, Buck DOES make mention of these in his materials. Every one of us would be a much better angler if you'd go to his site and pick up his "self study" course. It is NOT outdated information and will be the BEST money you EVER spent on your pursuit of fishing success. If you are a shore bound angler, maybe not but it's still worth it for your future and the day you own a boat. To discredit Buck Perry is like discrediting Vince Lombardi. Maybe their methods are not the gospel today but they both d**n sure laid the foundation of success in their respective pursuits.

Yup. Lightweight Sliders. I fish them a LOT. 1/4oz I can do on baitcast but under that (1/8 or 1/16) I'm way more comfy with spinning gear. Most all of my finesse fishing I much prefer spinning gear.

The "why" is a tail you'll chase until you're buried. It can/will vary not only by geographic locations but individual bodies within and on a daily basis as well. Trying to pin down reasons for any wild animal/fish behavior is something that even no expert will have 100% guarantee's on. The fish will never tell us "why"(because technically they can't talk!), and until they do, all is subjective conjecture. If these things were known fact, ALL the fun would be gone from fishing. Buck Perry bases his shared knowledge of structure fishing on another element people ignore. It is what drives fish movements/migrations "in general". I think this is what he teaches but people tend to focus his observations too tightly. There are always exceptions, and throughout my days of tournament fishing I saw plenty of exceptions. However, I saw way more supportive evidence of Buck's teachings. In any case, I support Catt's view on all of this.

Try supporting good, local,small independants. Instead of ordering through internet, I have my favorite independant order it for me. They can always get anything I want.

You state "clear water" but the only presentations asked about pertain to shallows. If there are any good hooks in that tourney and you fish only shallow you stand a good chance of getting your *** handed to you by deep fish. Without knowing weather conditions I'd never bet but in general I'd bet the house against "shallow" winning this event.

I have a MFat in that purple color but it has blue flake on the back. It has been my #1 smallie producer this year and last weekend it brought me my largest of the year at just a little under 4 1/2 lbs. It is one kickass crankbait!!! Just wait until this fall..... And.....I'm gonna want more of these!

I'd just glue it. I'm sure they'd take care of you but just gluing it will put it back in service a lot faster for you. If it was broke, well...yeah send it back but if it were me I'd just glue it up and keep using it.

I got tired of their crap, they are not even considered anymore. Not even a "last resort".

OK, I have to ask.... What is so special about this one? I didn't have that particular model but I had 2 Ultra Mag XLT's and both gave me problems, one more than the other and I actually threw that one in the lake one day. Gave the other away, eventually.

I was, and still am, really bummed that my favorite tubes were discontinued. I've looked and looked but have never found anything to match the Guido G4's by Luck E Strike. I have very few left and really wish I could find something as good. If I ever do, I'll buy by the hundreds!!! I've learned, that when you find something you really like it pays to stock pile them, just for the confidence factor if nothing else.

Who cares what anyone else thinks?? If it doesn't bother you and causes no problems (and it doesn't seem to) who cares? If they want to cry about it, let 'em.

tackle.repair@yahoo.com You should email him at that address

Anything that varies from the "norm" often gets labeled "gimmick". If this was a Shimano/Daiwa design plenty would be interested I'm sure. I'm normally skeptical of "gimmick" and I think this reel may die because it's a Ardent and not a Shimano, but I'd still like to try one for pitching. There very well may be merit in that narrow spool/fixed line guide for this presentation. If I can find the money, I'll get one and share my opinion.

Sorry about that. You are right, it's not the best. There is no "best", it was just my dumb opinion. If I'm going to be pitchin' all day there is NO other reel I'd want in my hand though. Once you get used to using the Insta-gage you discover a small advantage. I have not fished a reel that spins more free than my Castaic (there may be plenty but I have not fished them) and it gives me plenty of distance.

The best answer is to get one of each!! Both great rods!

Castaic is the best for this job.

I have Shimano,Daiwa,ABU Garcia and Pflueger reels. :-/ I have St. Croix,Shimano,Daiwa,G Loomis,Berkley and 3 customs from Reel Mech for rods. ALL my reels have Berkley XT on them, so except for the line, I guess I'm a brand whoore.