The Next KVD

P-Line 100% Fluorocarbon once treated with KVD Line and Lure Conditionor is AWESOME! Handles just like mono once treated. Another tip could be to when first throwing fluoro, maybe try casting heavier baits to help keep the line from backlashing and then as you get the hang of it, step down in weight get use to how it casts, then step down in weight again. Thats how I learned.

Daiwa Heartland Casting Rod Big Bait Special - $64.95 on ***. It comes in either a 7' 6" that can handle lures 1/2 - 6oz or a 7' 9" Xtra heavy that can handle lures that weigh 1-8oz.

I think that rod should work. The Spro BBZ1 wieghs 3/4oz to 1oz. depending on the version and the Tru-Tungsten is actually smaller than the spro. I would guess that the Tru-Tungsten would be simular in wieght. I'm currently putting an order in for a Tru-Tungsten but I'm going to plan on using my flipping stick until I buy a 7ft 9" St. Croix Mojo Swimbait rod. Also, if anybody knows how much the Tru-Tungsten Bluegill wieghs let me know.

Most line from P-Line in my mind are very good. I pretty much only use the 100% flurocarbon so its not really fair to compare. I haven't tried Izorline yet, but it does look promising. Gamma, even though it is a good line (except the price), after what they did to their pro staff, I don't think I can support them and will ever buy their line again.

For me a photo is all the trophy I need to show off the MONSTER fish I have caught over the years. They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, but with a monster fish its more like 10 million!!! Sure I have two mounts but they were when I was 7 and 10 years old when I caught them and I didn't know any better. But if you know better than you shouldn't do it.

I never said you shouldn't retie, I just said that you shouldn't have to retie as often as mono in my experiences. With mono I would retie after every fish, but w/ braid I've only retie after 5 or 6 fish. Sorry I should've worded it better.

1. Continue to work on fishing slower 2. Get better at fishing Swimbaits 3. Learn how to catch smallies on a more consistant basis. ( Only time I can truly rely on smallies is when they'r on beds)

Shimano Chronarch BPV. Can't wait to use this comming spring, but now that shimano's comming out with the Chronarch D, I'm just going to have to get that one too!! ;D

Ouch, so much for swapping advice/experiences Holmes. just trying to be helpful.

to answer your ? Holmes, braid is pretty much indestructabile with the exeption when used around rock. Also, you don't have to retie as often as mono, and braid is actually cheaper to use in the long run, because it doesn't get "chewed up" and can last for years or until you retie or swap baits on the rod to the point where you can't make long enough cast with the amount of line. Plus braid can make the bait dive deeper, ex. a Storm Wiggle Wart runs about 5-7ft deep w/ 10lb mono wheras the same bait can hit the 8-10ft range w/ 10lb braid. Hope that answers your ?.

In my experience, the new Citica E's and D's are lightyears more advanced than the older Bantam Citicas. In my mind the Citica's have actually replaced the position that the Curado B's where before they where redesigned to the D series. So there shouldn't be much differnece if you go from the Curado B to the Citica D or E. Or you could just buy an older Curado off ebay and our own swap/sell forum. There are still hundreds of them still being used and swaped, and sold.

Forgot to mention, that there should be no difference in action of the bait if you use braid. Also incase your wondering why braid with a small diam. will dive a crank deeper even though it floats its because of the simple equation: less diam. = less resistance in water, less reistance in water = easier to dive and the deeper an object will dive. Just thought I should add that. Happy fishing.

You can fish braid w/ cranks. Actually, your crank will dive deeper with braid because of the smaller diam. of the line. For example 10lb Power Pro has the same diam. of 2lb mono so the crank will dive deeper than what it would if you were using 10lb mono. Or you could up the lb strength in braid to 40lb which has the same diam. of 10lb mono so you wouldn't have to worry about breaking the crank off. However I would stick with the 10 to 20lb braid for easier casting. Also, I wouldn't reccomend braid if your fishing the cranks around rocks. Braid will go through weeds and saw through trees but rocks can have razor edges that act like scissors and cut the line. The remedy for this would to be to tie on a 2 foot leader of mono or florocarbon. Other than that situation, you can tie it straight to the braid. Hope this helps a bit.

BASS byfar is the better of the two. I dn't care for Zona though.

If it feels great, casts great, and is sensative enough, looks shouldn't matter. I plan on getting some St. Croix Mojo's and putting some Shimano Curados and Citicas on them. Plus the color gives it some character. ;D

I use 10lb P-Line 100% Florocarbon for all of my cranking.

Only fishing related item I got was a Shimano Chronarch BPV. Everyone else got me tools for my marine and small engine class that im taking in college.

I use them like regular tubes. Same tackle, same hook, same colors.

nope, never had too. If i'm getting wupped by my partner in the back who is throwing the same thing, i adjust tackle, and retrieve to match his. I don't think color is a big deal, especially when I can throw firetiger cranks in every thing from mud to ultra clear water and catch the snot out of fish. Its the action of the bait, the correct depth of the bait, and the correct retrieve that convinces fish to bite in my mind.

I just use a green pumpkin jig w/ a camo colored craw when I want to mimick a sunfish with a jig. Otherwise tru-tungsten has a sunfish colored jig, and Strike King has the Bluegill colored Kevin Vandam Swim Jig.

I use a 6/0 or 7/0 gamakatsu EWG Monster. You need that big hook to get enough "bite" in the fish's mouth.

Nope, haven't had a problem yet.

Certain techniques would be better off w/ different equipment but my choice would be a St. Croix spinning rod that is 7ft MH w/ Fast tip, a Shimano Sahara 4000 which has a 5.7:1 gear ratio, and 20lb Power Pro. In my mind a spinning rod can do everything a baitcaster can, except "slop" or "Frog" fishing as well as flipping heavy matted vegetation. The 20lb Power Pro if I remember right as the line diameter that is the same as 6or 8lb mono so its harder for the fish to see it, cranks will dive deeper, it'll float when using topwaters, abrasion resistant enough to fish a jig and a t-rig worm anywhere. And b/c its braid, its soo much more sensative than other line.

cxx has more memory but its nothing that a little KVD Line and Lure can't fix. Cxx has more abrasion resistance than Big Game.

Now you owe ur wife big time! LOL!! Great present ;D