Jeff H

Nobody should be knockin' Pflueger! I don't own any of their baitcasters but I've taken the time to really check out their 08 models and most are d**n impressive. If I didn't already have my reels bought I definitely would consider a new Pflueger. I think what bugs me most is when a guy actually sets his budget on a reel/rod purchase and everybody starts recommending stuff that costs more. It starts out with a $20 increase and within a few posts people are telling him to spend 2-3 times what his budget is.

You thought right. Dunno if anything has MORE memory than XT. Haven't tried it if it does. Not saying it doesn't exist, but XT has memory baby!!

I never caught the "taking on memory sooner" aspect when I tried Big Game. I noticed everything Flechero mentioned except for that. Geez, am I glad I'm not the only one feels this way about XT. The way everybody was bitchin' about it last summer I thought I was the only one who liked it. AND....I like it even better with the most recent changes they made to it. The thing I noticed right off the bat was Big Game is more stretchy and that was enough to send me right back to XT. It's decent line, especially for the price but I like XT WAY better.

This goes for me as well....word for word.

I think they are a great C-Rig option. Not good for deadsticking? Maybe, but I've caught quite a few bass deadsticking 4" slug-go's on deep weedbeds. They are a great, very versatile bait. I will admit that I've taken more liking to the 4" and 5 3/4" Fin S Fish now though. Still have a bunch of Slug-Go's and still use them. My favorite color is Rainbow Trout or Silver Pepper Shiner.

Cabela's Prodigy is a darn fine reel to consider for $99. It's actually a tuned Daiwa TD-A 150H. It'll be a smokin' bargain on sale this fall.

Thats a big spinning reel! Should work ok with 12 on a big spool unless you are going to throw long casts with it. Carp and Catfish, no problem. As for stretch....no hard data but it sure doesn't stretch as much as XL does, or at least it seems not to, to me. I have absolutely no gripes at all with XT concerning stretch. I love the stuff, super tough line! I think P-Line CXX is similar.

;D 8-) In the month of August I could literally fill my livewell top to bottom with 3-5's every day I'm on the water if I wanted to. I got a buddy who grinds them up for trapping season. Glad to help him out.

MH/F is my preference. If you want another rod, get one. The medium might do better at tossing lighter/smaller baits.

7" Blue Fleck or Junebug Powerworm.

Knock on wood kid. Their teeth can part 30 lb braid with no problems. You'll lose one day and many times in your days ahead. Wire is the only thing that could be considered 100% "gator" proof.

Jig makers gotta love us guys from the north.

What do you think of that burnt burl, Lubina? I love the stuff, the texture is awesome. Best grip of any rod I've had by far.

No rattles for me, ever. I've tried rattle jigs in the past and can't ever remember them making a positive difference. Negative for me if anything.

Where are you getting it so cheap? I've not seen them for less than $159.99 anywhere around here.

Were you holding spots for Mike? 8-)

Welcome RevoWarrior! Now, I would hope somebody will grace us with the detailed story of how it came to be. Considering the main character of the story, I'm sure it will be interesting. Anyway, I think it's great when anyone expands their knowledge base through new products. He's an influential guy and now he'll have even more to share.

LOL....at what point did it become a criminal act? Are you sure your reply wasn't meant for the "defection" thread?

Thats a bummer Muddy, maybe your luck will flip-flop and you'll find a $100 bill at work to get you into a new HMG. Weird stuff can happen, never know.

I buy black plastic coated leader material in 25 lb test (I think it is). I pass it through a swivel twice snug it down tight and clip a small foreceps on the tag. I spin it around the leader as tight as I can then take the foreceps off and clip that little end off close. Run a lighter over the plastic to melt it together and it ain't gonna slip. I then do the same thing on the jig eye or worm hook I'm going to use. Tie swivel to line and no "gator" gonna bite through that. I don't or have never used this kind of leader on cranks but there is no reason you couldn't I guess. it works really well and you don't add the weight of crimp sleeves etc. I prefer to NOT fish this rig but when the gators get on my bass spots I have one rod rigged with this kind of leader and if I get bit off once it gets used to "clean out" the trash. Man, I hate gators, just hate 'em to the core.

I'll be interested to hear how you like it. Let us know! I just saw your questions in the flea market forum. You made the right choice. Some guys don't care for the split grips when casting but with picthin' or flippin' it's a one handed technique. Split is the way to go here if there is ever a good reason to choose it over a full handle. It looks cool and it saves a little weight. As for the "spiral wrap", I have yet to fish mine so I can't share anything on that based on experience but I've been assured by others that have that it does not limit your distance. He typically balances for a slight bias to the tip I think. I think a lighter tip will be better for pitchin'. You'll be able to snap it up quicker with less effort. More tip speed on the pitch should mean more distance or equivalent distance with less effort. Thats a good thing. Once you get used to the balance I'm willing to bet your pitching improves all around. At least this is what I'm expecting to happen with my own as the rod I used last year was really tip heavy in balance and it would wear on me.

hmmmm....I don't have that problem with the XT, Olebiker...or at least if I do it doesn't bother me or I don't notice it.

XT is a BAD choice for spinning reels. I love it for baitcasting reels though. I do use 6lb XT on my spinning rigs and it's ok but 8lb test and up is just not a good choice for spinning apps.

If any of you guys are looking for a new rod right now, you should take a look at the rods DG has for sale. I can't believe the prices I'm seeing on them, deal of the year waiting to happen!! http://www.rod-crafting.com/for-sale.html

Same here! Probably better get me some more soon.