The Next KVD

For hollowbellies such as Shadalicous, I use 15lb P-Line 100% flourocarbon. I use this because its more of a finesse swimbait and usually in ultra clear to slightly stained water. The fluoro is very abrasion resistant and allows the bait to get deeper if I need to by slowing down the retrieve. I will use braid if fishing in the reeds and pads. For something like a BBZ-1 I like 25lb P-Line CXX (Also Trilene Big Game works if I run out). This stuff may have ALOT of memory but that usually is not a problem when throwing something of this size. On a swimbait this size I like to have a little bit of stretch because the fish already has alot of weight they can use to their advantage and when they bite, I like to give them just a split second more to get the bait before the point drives through. I seem to take the bait away with braid even with a moderate action rod.

the man has a point.

huh, I guess I never really paid that much attention to it. I'm going to have to check this out once the ice gets off the lakes.

Love mine, and don't know how I got by without them before. Makes pulling out a rod you want out of the rodlocker much easier especially when you got 15 or so rods and the one you want is at the bottom.

Nickle seems to be the best. The only time I've ever had with hooks rusting is when I open a Plano box while its raining and stuff gets wet. Otherwise, when I go to tie on a different bait, I usually but the one I had on in my cup holders or in a small pile on the floor down by the console. Every two hours or so I like to eat a small snack and while doing that I usually put away baits that I've cut off, by that time they usually are nice and dry.

I have nothing against Chinese made products, but if given the choice I would choose an American product over a Chinese version everyday. If you like them and they work great for you thats cool. Look at KVD, the guy is my idol but he uses alot of non american products and I'm cool with that. As far as the Shimano products, I only buy the ones made in Japan with the exception of the 2 spinning reels due to all them in my price range being made in Malaysia . Sadley I will not be buying the new curados or citicas anytime soon which is okay because I love the chronachs more and have quite a few of the older versions along with th older citica e's. Too me, I'd much rather put my money towards as many American products to help produce/substain jobs for my fellow citizens. I know I can't always buy American because there is no American version but if the choice is there I'll almost always take the American product even if it cost me more. I say almost because I don't think I'll switch over to Ardent reels but than again I haven't seen or get a hold of one yet. If your not into that thats cool with me, use what you like. Sorry, didn't mean to make this about politics. But your right about not sending money to a communist country. I will say some products out of China have excellent quality but those are far and few between that meet my standards of "quality".

Made in China. Enough said. Rather send my money to Japanese reels and American rods. Shimano and St.Croix can't get much better than that.

I personally like P-Line 100% Fluorocarbon, but of the two you list I would go with the XPS. Hear ALOT of good things about it due to Toray being the manufacturer of it.

I use 8-25lb test depending on applications: Dropshot/Shakeyhead 8lb Crankbaits/Jerkbaits 10lb T-Rig worms 10lb Big T-Rig worms 12lb Senkos 12lb, otherwise throw it on braid around cover. Spinnerbaits 12-17lb depending on thickness of cover and how deep I'm fishing. Deeper water 12lb, Shallow 15lb, Shallow w/ cover 17lb Flipping 25lb but 98% of time I flip w/ braid

x2. I can think of ALOT of rods that fall in to that criteria. St.Croix, Shimano, Duckett, Abu Garcia, Carrot Stick, ect......

Probably the best rod in tht $100 range, and thats coming from a St.Croix guy. I bought 3 last year just to try them and they are very light. Sensativity is okay, but can't expect perfection out of a $100 rod.

Fluorocarbon will always be more sensative than a copoly such as Sensation. However, I fished with sensation all the time a few years ago and it has a slightly smaller diameter than other monos and copolys in the same lb test which helps get cranks and jerkbaits down deeper but not as deep as fluorocarbon would. For the best of both worlds try the Spiderwire Fluorobraid. I've had some good luck with it when i tried it last fall. its a braid that does sink!! Got all the sensativity and handling of braid yet has the sinking action of fluoro.

Veritas would be my pick based on they got a 3year warranty over a 1 year warranty for an additional $10. Also, there are crank specific rods in the Veritas lineup.

For all diving crankbaits I use 10lb P-line 100% fluorocarbon which is the only time I really use fluorocarbon other than finesse baits. If you don't like fluoro, try the 10lb P-Line CX Premium which is a copoly that I use for 50% of my fishing applications ( i use other lb test for other applications but for cranking I like to stick to 10lb because thats what is used to rate diving depth at the bait factories). For lipless crankbaits I use 50lb Power Pro braid exclusively. As for a rod a 7' MH St.Croix Avid with a moderate action will cover all crankbait applications however for getting baits down in that 15-20ft range its best done with a longer rod such as a 7'10" Heavy/Mod action St.Croix Legend Tournament to get more distance. If those rods are out of your price range you can get a 7' MH St. Croix Mojo with a moderate action or a 7'8" St. Croix Mojo Glass for under $120. As long as you choose a rod with a moderate action and atleast 7 feet you can't go wrong.

Both P-Line 100% 20lb ($26.99) and 20lb Sunline Super FC Sniper ($23.99) have been good to me.

I agree on the Duckett. I own both mojos and ducketts. Ducketts are in a completely different league than the Mojo. If I had to go with a St.Croix it would be an Avid over the Mojo anyday. The Duckett has a longer warranty (20 years vs 5 years) and is alot lighter and more sensative. You may want to check out an Avid or a Rage as they are in that price range with the Duckett. The Avid may not have a split grip or micros but it is a proven performer that comes with a lifetime warranty and is Made in USA!

im sent

Braid 99% of the time. Most likely your flipping into some sort of cover and the braid will easily blend in with the twigs, grass, logs, ect. Plus you can use the same rod for froggin in a pinch. The only time I use flourocarbon for flippin is if I'm fishing clear water with alot of angling pressure on the fish and not fishing grass.

I would go with 15lb P-line 100% Flourocarbon. I suggest this because 1. your already know how to cast with a baitcaster 2. this line is very abrasion resistant which if your going up against the occasional pike is important 3. it casts like a dream compared to all the other flourocarbons 4. its invisible which can be an advantage in clear water situations 5. it lasts a long time if taken care of properly and 6. the 15lb test will do spinnerbaiting, carolina rigging texas rigging and alot more just don't use this line for topwater. A few helpful hints on using this line: 1. Fill the reel up 1/2 way with some cheap mono (anything will do but choose something around 4-6lb test. Cover that line up with electrical tape and fill the rest of the spool with the flourocarbon. Basically your increasing the spool diameter thus needing less line required to fill the spool. You will almost never get to the line at the bottom of the spool the old fashion way and why pay for expensive line thats not going to even think about hitting the water. I can usually spool 3 reels on one spool of line so it makes it more affordable. Finally get a bottle of KVD line and lure condionoer and spray it on the line atleast the night before you go fishing with the fresh line. Than spray lightly before you make your first cast and apply again when your done for the day.

Good rods. Yes they are a bit stiffer at the tip but thats why I like them. A stiffer tip in my opinion transfer vibrations better thus being more sensative. Plus it helps drag them out of the nasty stuff easier. The moderate action rods seem to be just like all the other rods out there with a moderate action.

This one is tough if those are the only two rods to use. Normally I don't like fishing a spinnerbait with anything less than 15 and won't fish crankbaits on anything over 10 unless its a lipless crank in which I use 15lb or 50lb braid. Topwaters I like to use 30lb PowerPro braid which floats and on a long cast really does a nice job of setting the hookset. Jerkbaits I normally use 8lb P-line CX mono. But if those are the only two rod/reel combos you have to use for these techniques I would agree with RoadWarrior 100%

I use P-line 100% Flourocarbon for most of my setups. I don't have any issues with the line as long as I use KVD Line and Lure Conditioner. To ofset the cost of the pure flourocarbon I spool the reel 1/2 way with filler line than place electrical tape over the filler. I than tie on and fill the spool to about an 1/16th inch from the top of the spool. I can usually get 2 if not 3 reels out of a 200yd filler spool which really cuts the cost in 1/2. I change my flouro every three weeks but rarely does that happen as I fish alot of tournaments and respool before every tournament day.

The Vertias is the best rod in that $80-120 range. They are strong, durable, lightweight and very sensative compared to other rods in that price range, way more sensative than the Reese rods. However, they are not as sensative than my Avids or Ducketts which retail for $150+

David Bromenshenkel. Yea Seth and Josh didn't do so well down here. I talked to them alittle bit and they said practice just wasn't great. They both didn't make the check cut unfortunately. I ended up in 17th on the co-angler side so it went good for atleast one guy from minnesota.

Central Minnesota resident here. I've been kinda busy lately to come around and check things up on this site. I'm currently in Lewisville preping for the Open that starts tomorrow. I mostly fish Lake Minnewaska, the Alexandria Chain, Big Birch, but I also love going up to fish Leech and Mille Lacs alot for smallies.