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The major advantage of a SOT (Sit On Top) vs. a SINK (Sit INside Kayak) is actually safety. SOTs are designed with scupper holes to allow water to freely enter end exit the kayak. Very important when you fish areas like I do - ocean, saltwater bridge complexes with waves and boat wash. Also handy in areas like tidal inlets and rivers where you may encounter moving water. If water gets in, it channels itself to the scupper and out. With a SINK, you need to carry a hand operated bilge pump, perhaps a couple of large sponges or chamois cloths. If you are fishing calm smaller waters, either is fine. If you are fishing moving waters with a chance of waves or water entering the kayak hull frequently, then a SOT is the best and safest option.The SOT also affords you the opportunity to egress out of the kayak in the event of a "turtle" or flip. You might lose some gear but you'll at least be able to right the hull and get back in. With a SINK, once a large amount of water enters the hull, you will have a harder time getting the water out. Most people I know end up beaching the SINK and turning it upside down unless it has a drain plug. As you mentioned, the SOT also affords you greater range of movement and ease of entering and exiting the hull. Once you figure out which water types you will fish 70% of the time, you will be able to hone in on which hull style works best. If you are considering a SINK, don't forget to look into the hybrids like the Wilderness Systems Commander 120/140, the Native Watercraft Ultimate 12.5/14.5 and NuCanoe Frontier 12s.

Yea that looks like a 7.5" maybe even 8!!! Lol Me and your son are HAWG certified

when you see your line moving or you feel the bite reel down to the fish and set the hook. It has helped me out alot i haven't had a bass get off yet on jigs this year, and this is really the first year i've devoted alot of time to them. When you do reel down and set the hook it seems to always get them in the crusher part of their upper lip, right where you want the hook.

Interesting there can be 2 pages of negative stuff on Berkley made floro, 3 pages complaining about a Abu spinning reel and in the general forum a thread is locked for commenting about BPS' poor shipping practices. Oh yeah we cant complain about sponsors listed at the right....duh

Hooah, I've been following this thread with interest. As a boater I share the local honey-holes with other boaters just like everyone else. Respecting the rights of others is not always common practice. With that said, if someone getting a little close to you while fishing, whether from the bank or a boat, is going to cause you to howl at the moon you probably should find another hobby. Throwing jigs, spoons, or anything else at someone's boat is dangerous and illegal. Some boaters are as protective of their boat as others of their spot on the bank...

People wonder why it is difficult to be a pro bass angler, this thread is a micro look at what the tournament angler faces all the time. You pre fish and locate a good area that is holding quality bass that can easily win the contest on the week days. No shore anglers, no other boaters to content with, only bass. The starting gun goes off, you run to your number 1 spot only to find bank anglers with smoking camp fires and local boaters camped out there! This is all part of bass fishing, making the adjustments to catch those green bass to earn a pay check. My biggest bone to pick isn't with the weekenders or the bank people, I should be smart enough to stay ahead the game. What really tics me off is the local "guides" live baiting my hard earned spot on the second day of a multi day event. How the top ranked anglers put up with that BS is beyond me and my hat is off to them! I do not fish tournaments anymore and like to relax and fish during the week days under ideal conditions...life is too short to argue with unsportsmanlike like behavior. Tom

I've wanted my OWN boat since I was a kid. I grew up fishing from everyone else's boat in the gulf saltwater and from the banks of various bodies of water. I decided at a young age... one day I'll buy my own boat. Well now I'm 24 and the money situation is all lined up so it's time to make that purchase. Should be pretty simple, right? Shop around, find something you like, go check it out in person, put it on the water, if need be take it to get checked out by a mechanic to make sure I'm not getting the run around. If it all checks out, finance it through the bank (b/c it's a darn good chance to boost the credit profile), handle the paper work and that boat is finally mine! Easy, right? NO NO NO!!! For 3 months I shopped around on craigslist, boattrader, classifieds, and ebay. I requested brochures from every manufacturer I could. I pondered the various questions: glass-vs-aluminum, what brand motor, horsepower, wants-vs-needs, price, individual-vs-dealer...etc. I got a feel for the market in my state and what was really AVAILABLE within my various needs. Ultimately I decided the following --- I need to buy used - heck, I might not really be keen to boat ownership. I decided my best option is to purchase something used for SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper than new, learn about boating and ownership, and if I become serious about boating I can upgrade while only losing a minimum amount of $ when reselling my boat. Aluminum is for me - I've fished from glass my entire life in salt water. Handling a boat in open vast bodies of salt water is COMPLETELY different than in smaller shallow bodies, backwaters, rivers, and the stumpy bayous. I do not feel comfortable at this point handling a glass boat in anything other than the open seas. My price range began at $15,000 or less... more on that later. I feel comfortable with Yamaha or Mercury. Those are the only outboards I've ever know someone to own. I've heard SUBSTANTIALLY less horror stories from those brands compared to say Evinrude or Suzuki. Horsepower was never something I factored in as a MUST HAVE. I went in with an open mind - If the boat has a 50hp and it will power the boat well enough, I'm game for a 50hp. If it has a 150hp, heck thats fine too. I labeled HP as a "want" rather than "need." At the moment anyhow I'm only comfortable pushing a boat about 40-45mph. (Safety first. I've always been pressed to NOT push the limits in a boat. Having known 2 people who have died in boating accidents, I heed this warning). My only "need" is a boat that is ready to fish. I am NOT partial to buying a boat I would need to outfit with new carpet, seats, trolling motor, batteries, etc... I DECIDED I WANT TO BUY FROM AN INDIVIDUAL AND NOT A DEALER. In Louisiana, person to person sales within the state are required to only pay taxes on the trailer. If I purchased from a dealer I would have to pay sales tax on boat, motor, and trailer. I made this decision to simply save some money. With all that said I can continue the saga. After 3 months of looking I began to feel confident in the market and fair prices for the boats I was interested in. It came time to jump in head first!!!! First boat I go to check out in person is an 08' Tracker 170 w/ a 50merc. For $6500 I felt it was a fair price. Had brand new minn kota 55lb trolling motor and Lowrance mid-grade electronics (in the $500 range). Carpet and all seats in good shape. SOLID boat. I go check it out, looks great, guy tells me he rarely fishes it and everything works fine(he is a friend of a friend). Well he lets me take it out and I put it on the water. When I put it in gear that sucker justs GRINDS!!!! I mean literally felt like it might blow up when I gave it gas. The pee stream was non-existant too. I gave it a bit of gas to try and get it on plane and the motor refused to trim up. It was odd because at standstill the trim worked just fine. So I trimmed up at idle, gave it gas, and the motor just fell straight back down. I didn't get good vibes with what was going on. I put it right back on the trailer, brought it back to the guy, explained about it and yada yada yada... told him I'd pass and he was understanding. Said he knew about the pee-stream, but never had that problem with the trim. Maybe a bad motor? Fluid? Heck, I don't know, but I quickly absolved myself of that boat. Second boat I had arranged to go see later in the afternoon this same day. Drove 45 minutes to see it. An 01 xpress 20ft with a 90merc for $7,000. As soon as I was close enough to the boat to see it, I knew it wasn't what I was looking for. Shady amenities, rotten seat covers, and a flat bottom hull I was NOT expecting. Instantly knew it wasn't for me, but I did stick around and talk to the guy for a solid 30 minutes about duck hunting. It was worth the drive out there for the scoop he gave me on some of the public land up here (which I never knew existed till talking to him). I stayed pretty depressed after that day because I REALLY liked that tracker boat (aside from the issues). It was a good size, price, condition, and I felt it would be a good first boat. My good buddy reassured me don't sweat it... something else will come up. I gritted my teeth and forced my heart to let go of it. Fast forward another week. Third boat time. I told a few people to keep their eyes peeled around town and a buddy tells me about 30 minutes away is an 06' tracker 190 with merc90. I go check that out. $7500. Brand new 45lb minn kota (just a LITTLE underpowered IMO...haha) and stock graphs. Carpet and seats in GREAT shape. Now the hull made it apparent...boat had obviously been fished QUITE a bit. I'm still interested because, frankly, the man was insistant he fished it often and kept it in great working order. We meet at the boat launch and he's brought another guy along to ride too. He claims this guy wants the boat too. Let me stipulate, each time I've talked to this gentleman about the boat he has come across as sketchy. So we go out in the boat, he shows everything off. We go back to the dock and I get out and other guy gets in to go on a ride. They come back, he lets me take it on a spin while he goes to back the trailer in. BOAT RIDES GREAT! Everything worked perfectly. Well we load the boat back up, I tell him for sure I want it while the other guy is kind of wishy washy. I tell owner I want to take it to a mechanic to get checked out -- seeing how it's an 06' engine that has only been worked on by "a buddy who isn't licensed, but knows what he's doing." The owner got REALLY hesitant about it. Gave excuses. At this point we were ratcheting the boat down. I leaned down and pulled the plug out the boat and BAM water just POURED out. A heavy flow for a solid 10 seconds. I got an instant knot in my stomach and really felt there MUST be a hole in this hull somewhere. This wasn't just water from stopping the boat and getting backwash. After watching that water pour out I told the man I'd think about it and call him back. I called him 30 minutes later and told him I would pass. At this point I am INCREDIBLY DISTURBED. I just want to buy a decent friggin boat! Is that so much to ask!?!?!?!?! I suddenly remember when a few weeks prior I had seen a 2011 17ft xpress w/ yamaha90 for $13,000 on craigslist. I frantically search the CL ads and eventually find the ad. I call the man up that afternoon after I've settled down a bit. "Hey bud, do you still have that xpress boat for sale!?" "Well, maybe? A guy is driving in from Florida tomorrow afternoon to buy it, but it's possible he'll back out. I'll call you tomorrow if it falls through?" "DANG! Okay man. It's so hard to find a decent aluminum boat for sale around here! Know anyone else selling something?" "(laughs) I hear ya man. No sorry I don't know anyone selling something else. I'll call you tomorrow though if he doesn't buy it." "Okay. Thanks. Bye" I just feel like a broken man at this stage in the game. For the past 3 months I've researched everything in my area. These tracker boats I believe are exactly what I'm looking for in a first boat. My researching has showed me that when one pops up on craigslist that is in good shape, it sells INSTANTLY. I just muscle up and conclude I must just stay on the hunt. Two days pass and nothing happens. I think back on my research and I only rarely saw any boat come up between the $10,000 to $15,000 range. Rephrase that - I saw a BUNCH of 80's & early 90's glass boats come up for sale, but that is not what I need or want. I start mulling over in my head being younger and being with my dad as he purchased 2 different cars. He brought me along to experience the whole car buying process. I'd asked him both times "why don't you just buy a used car and save some money?" His response was "because you never know what you're getting into. You might be buying someone else's problem." I COULD NOT APPLY THIS LESSON TO MY BOAT BUYING. I'm dead set convinced buying a new boat is a terrible idea for me, but I go to the local Xpress dealer and look at their stock. At that point I REALLY decide I don't need a new boat (for $24,000 before tax) What I decided is maybe, just MAYBE, I can allow myself to increase my budget and get into some better condition boats? (I can afford to, I just cringe when I buy something more expensive than a package of gum! ) I decide to go all in at this point. I'm sick of talking to people on the phone who have boats with issues for sale. I'm broken down from these two deals that haven't panned out. I decide EXACTLY the following: I will up my budget to $20,000 ONLY to be spent on a mint condition boat that is still under warranty. I'll be dang if less than 48 hours later, a mint condition 2011 H18 Xpress with a Yamaha vmax 150 pops up on craigslist for $19,500. He posted the ad at 3:30 P.M and I called him at 6:00 pm. He had just barely posted the ad. On the other end of the phone was a very kind man who I could tell was older based on his tone and the story of why he is selling the boat. We talked for about 5 minutes and setup a time the next day to take it out on the water. I drove 45 minutes to his home the next day (Monday) and was SHOCKED/FLOORED/DUMBFOUNDED by the condition of this boat. I instantly felt comfortable with this deal. The home was a large home on a rural property. Fine cars in the driveway. An f-250 king ranch hooked up to the pristine Xpress boat. Out walks a 65 year old soft-spoken insurance salesman who apparently has made quite a living doing so. He gives me a firm handshake, we chit chat for about 2 minutes and I can't contain myself. I blurt out "If this sucker floats, I want it." He laughed and started telling me the story of how he ended up buying it. Always fished, lifelong dream to buy a nice bass boat, finally convinces wife it's a good idea, buys it, fishes it maybe 5 times and keeps it in his garage. He tells me the worst thing to happen to this boat is that it's sat up unused for 1.5 years. I ask if he's put rabbit ears on the motor and run it while it has sat in the garage. He looks at me with this look of "are you and idiot boy?" and replies "of course of course. I really don't want to sell it, but my wife has been pestering me to and frankly it just sits here not being used." He invites me to ride with him in his truck out to the lake (20 minute ride) and we small talk the whole ride there. He's just a genuine gentleman who has lived in the area his whole life. We discuss when they built the lake and damed everything up, discuss careers, families, and talk about all of our self proclaimed professional bass angling buddies. We get to the launch and drop in. I explained to him beforehand, I'm nervous as all get out because the lake we dropped in at is NOTORIOUS for disgustingly large ninja stumps. He assures me he knows his way and we'll be fine. We toss on lifejackets, push off the dock, and off we go. He guns it once we get into the channel and we top out at 58mph. He switches places with me to give me some wheel time. I ask him where to go, he points me the right way and I give her some gas and get on a nice plane around 35 mph. I trim up a little bit to make sure everything is working. I bring her back to an idle and tell him "I'm in. I want it." So we test the electronics quickly, trolling motor, pumps, well, etc... and head back. Pack everything in. Ratcheting the boat down I bring up the finalized price again. "So I want this boat. I'll give you $19,000" He asks if I can meet him in the middle. I say $19,000 I believe is a fair price. I thought about offering you less to begin with, but basically it's a nice boat and I'll pay for it. He reluctantly concedes and mentions "Heck, it hurts to sell her, but after taking you out today I believe I'm just going to keep it if you don't buy it." I genuinely felt great. In shock and utter awe I just agreed to this purchase and the gentleman is on board for the same price. It's a PRISTINE example of Xpress boat. Still under warranty. The trailer is in mint shape. The tires treads look BRAND new even! I'll be honest here - it did not even cross my mind to have this boat checked by a mechanic it was in that good of shape. Plus it is still under warranty. I'm super pumped up, the financing paper work was completed this afternoon (Wednesday) after banking hours, so it will go through on Friday. I should have my new boat in just a few days. Most of you probably won't read the whole story and that is okay. I really just wanted to write this story to give my experience and ultimate victory during my boat buying experience. I want to send many thanks to the folks who post in this boating forum and all other forums to help out the somewhat less experienced. Y'all are awesome. Cheers fellas!

Every night when I close my eyes

Welcome aboard, Lance!

18" I have been having luck in the AM around 8:30. I've been getting the bigger ones on 6" senkos and swim jigs.

MCS: yea man I know it's a new month lol. I have just been having luck fishing the same two spots at this golf course. The fish there are huge.17" 20" 19" 16"

My goal, like many others, is being paid to fish. I manage this through teaching a fishing program at a Boy Scout summer camp which requires about 4 hours of teaching in the middle of the day, aside from that I can fish to my hearts delight on the clock. Life is good.

My two that I have accomplished so far were to catch fish by pitching jigs and consistently hook and land fish on frogs. I have caught 30+ bass in the past 2 months pitching jigs and my ability to wait on setting the hook with a frog has definitely improved. My next goal is to stick a 6+ pounder on a swimbait.

I recently love the jig now, been catching some big bass on recently. One vein about 7 pounds. Caught some on a crankbait. Started fishing deeper and catching fish. The jig was the main goal though, it's one of my favorites!

Another view of the Basstender 11.3

Gotta DQ myself, don't carry a tape, but I measured these 2 on my 20" rod mark......20 and 22, didn't guestimate the others. I was actually fishing for peacocks in a feeder canal that feeds into the main by my house. Water was high and the recent rain moved out the top slop, no peacocks but these. Don't report me, lol, but I walked them over to one of my ponds about 30' away.

1. Learned to use the dropshot effectively. 2. Break my PB - 5 lb LMB New PB set Jun 21st, 2013, 4.4 lb Smallmouth Set Jun 23rd, 2013. Still outstanding is to learn to use a crankbait effectively.

I could do that, too... The main reason I up'ed the strength of the line was to try to make it easier to retrieve a jig when I hooked a branch (save $$). I also thought the slightly thicker line might be a little better re: abrasion resistance. Since I'm throwing right into snarls of downed trees and rocks, that seemed prudent. But, you're right, there's potentially even more 'sport' in using the lighter line. Mind you, I'm not trying to sound 'holier than thou' re: why I use mono in the strengths I use. It's a hobby, and everyone should be able to enjoy that hobby how they like. I just personally find it a little amusing when I fish with friends who are talking about the challenge of winching a 3lb fish out of weed when they're using 30lb test line. There's a challenge there, for sure, but not fear of a fish breaking it off. Which leads to you second point... FWIW, I would agree with everything you said. *shrugs* The strength-to-diameter ratio for braid is one of the most attractive things about it... Again, I'm not panning braid. I think it's a fine tool. I'm just saying it hasn't been the Holy Grail of fishing for me (yet) as some people seem to make it sound. And, I think that someone can be just as successful fishing with mono (or co-poly, or fluoro, or whatever) if you learn to manage the line well. To sum it all up, and then I'll shut up: Every line is a compromise. It's fun to experiment and see what suits your situations. My personal opinion is that mono, though many think it's been surpassed, is still a fine choice. See what you think for yourself.

awesome video , and congrats on that hawg it looks bigger than 4-11 to me also.

... or bad hooks. I had similar problems with some of the jigs that I had in my tackle box previously. The start of this year, I made a commitment to the jig and upgraded accordingly to some of Siebert's jigs. I don't think I'm swinging any harder on the fish, but my hook-up ratio has increased and I attribute it to the quality of the hooks.

That itself is also BS. I have ruined two tips from using braid. These were on cheaper fenwick eagle and HMX rods. The braid cut slices in the guide and pretty much ruined them, any time pressure was added it frayed up the line terribly. I'm not saying to not use braid, as I use it a lot also... just don't use it on any cheaper rods.

The darker the water the darker the bait or the brighter the bait. The clearer the water the more natural the bait. Try and match the forage. If shad is the forage use a shad pattern if it's bluegills, use a bluegill colored bait. Trial and error. That being said, I believe a well placed bait trumps color choice.

I've been a longstanding mono user and, despite experimenting with braid, I haven't seen a reason to change. I'm basically a single-rod kinda fisherman. And, in that vein, mono still seems to be (IMHO) the best, all-around compromise line. As I said in another thread, I'm fishing 8lb test mono on a M/H spinning setup as my main rod (cranks, dropshot, weightless and weighted soft plastics) and haven't had a problem detecting strikes or setting the hook even when making long casts and getting 'immediate' hits. Sure, the line stretches, but it's not a rubber band. This year, I wanted to start jig fishing seriously. So, I added a MH/F spinning reel spooled with 12lb Trilene-XL. So far, I've pitched into nasty stuff and horsed a couple decent fish out. I've also hooked the cover and been able to get my jig back without the line breaking. It just seems like I can get most of the performance I could ever need out of mono. Two things, though, in the interest of full disclosure: First, I like the idea of having to work to land a fish. In other words, fishing with 40lb braid and really heavy tackle doesn't appeal to me on the surface, anyway. I'd rather have a little more sport in my fishing - not just in terms of location, but in terms of the fight. Second, I *am* going to experiment with braid again to see if I change my tune. Right now, the barrier is that I'm having too much fun learning to fish out of my kayak to worry about another test. And, with the weather in the northeast like it is so far, I would rather capitalize on just being on the water and fishing what I know. Braid may likely be the 'right', or even 'best', choice. But, FWIW, I think using mono is a more viable alternative than most of the static online suggests. Good luck. And be sure to post your experiences so we can all learn from them!

No me gusta drop shot....

I use pork year round. I'm all about trying to give the fish a different look than what all the other anglers are throwing and people flat out don't fish pork trailers anymore, especially in warmer water. I fish the bigger pork trailers in winter to help slow the fall, and as the water warms, I usually downsize to help speed up the drop speed of the jig or move up to a heavier weight. This helps with getting more reaction strikes. Then as the water cools again, begin upsizing to slow the fall according to water temp. Pork trailers are awesome, man. The fish never see em.

I like to use Megastrike and chartreuse JJ's magic. The Megastrike lubricates the bait and makes fish hold on longer and the JJ's ad contrast to the bait. I use the JJ's more for the dye than the scent but the scent doesn't hurt.

Aside from dropping the rod tip and reeling up the slack line (I never give a fish more time than that), my only suggestion is using a straight up hook set as with any single hook bait. Your equipment is more than adequate for the job, that's why the focus is on your hook set. Don't play a touch and feel game with the fish. When you feel that tap or see the line move off or jump, reel down and swing up. If I were a betting man, I'd bet that's the style hook set your buddy uses.

My opinions are based on information I get 12 months a year dealing directly with these companies and there service tech's, rep's, and Supervisors, and over 20 years repairing fishing reels, ten of them selling them, as I still deal with the public servicing reels form most major companies that sell reels, working on most of them from day to day. Wow, I don't know what I am doing rite but have to say after a year and a half of pretty abusive use I have found my TP is better, I serviced it once a year ago when I finished my parts swapping and bearing test's, its my throw around reel, usually in the back of the truck in the cap with a rod sleeve on it and a neoprene reel cover, but that's what I use when I pond and lake shore fishing, or if I decide to stop by a river or stream and check things out from the bank or wading, rain, heat, cold, you name it, some places I am not sure I am even supposed to be fishing????? dragging it thru fields and woods and the likes to get to some of these waters, it is my kinda test reel since I got it. But I really think it's smoother and maybe cast's a little better than the day I bought it. Maybe I'm just more use to it and it's more natural to me??? Sorry about your TP's but will keep that in mind as you are the first I have heard wearing these reels out, and 5 in less than two years,,,,,,with two of them broke??? I would question how you use and treat your reels and the quality of service they receive. If you would have posted your problems I could have referred you to Rick who I can assure you would have taken care of the problem and almost guarantee, on that reel no older than it was, at no charge, with some comps for the trouble, judging from past experiences that involved user errors!!! From everyone I know using that reel it has been trouble free, there are a few who are new to baitcasting that have some shortcomings want to believe it's the reel and not them. Please,, more information telling us your problems in detail with these 5 reels would be appreciated by all I am sure!! But I think I see now why you would have doubt's!! Hope you have better luck with your Revo's!!

Geez.... The guys aren't too friendly? Find another lodge.

I want to know this as well, I was there and someone had opened the line and laid it back, it was braid, it felt like PP to me, but still, also wonder about there fluro

I too just switched to tungsten about 2 months ago of my Texas rigs. I have been using the H20 brand and they have inserts. I have had zero problem with my PP braid.

Sweet man. Congrats on a great day!

Right now the river is running heavy and fast, with a lot debris floating down. June was a record rainfall month with almost 10". Water is heavily discolored up here in Mass. If you "have to" fish it, please be very careful on the water.

Cabo San Lucas.....we caught 14 and then 2 days later I went offshore and caught 6 marlin(stripe) and a dorado! Jeff

Nice pics and new honey hole

I throw a zoom ultra vibe speed craw on a shakey head. Works well, so well it is one of my 7 yr olds favorite techniques. The head keeps it up in good posture. You can shake, hop, drag or steady reel. Reel quick then kill and pause, then repeat is a good retrieve also. I use strike kings shakey heads

Again

Outstanding! You have a special lady for a wife. Keep her! If you are catching the smaller bass then the pond has not had a harvest and the smaller bass will drive you nuts. But their moms and dads are there and they should be a nice size. Keep on fishing and sooner or later you our your lady will nail one of the big ladies. And when that happens post the pic.

I really enjoyed this story. I plan on buying a boat in the near future so this was some good insight on what I should look for and what I can run in to. Thanks for this.

Sounds like you had a great day and found a new hole! Jeff

LEARN THE DROP SHOT! That is an order!!!! Great presentation; easy to use; easy to set up; easy to set the hook. Let me tell you a story about the drop shot. Fishing on the Potomac River my buddy and I were struggling in the grasses that held the bass. We punched, threw Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, Senkos, Dingers, shaky heads, trick worms, Texas-rigs, frogs, and if we could, the kitchen sink. No luck. One or two dinks. So what did "Goober" do? He took his spinning rig and re-set it with a drop shot and had only 8-inches from the hook to the weight. I told him he was going to get hung up in the grass with the exposed hook. So he rigged the small Senko Texas style to hide the hook. And what did he do? He waxed my fanny! The caught four in an hour as I just stood there dropping my shaky head and Senkos in the holes and dragging them over the grass. I then set up a drop shot and got some outstanding hits. Like the rod tip would bend over when the bass hit the drop shot bait. This technique can product strikes so you really need to consider learning it. Once you master the drop shot you will be a better fisherman and your catch ratio will increase. Just a suggestion.

Looks like neither is an aluminium framed reel.. You might have better options for the money you want to spend.

A technique specific flipping/punching rod does not make a good frog rod IMHO..............BUT a good frog rod can be an OK flipping rod. I know it doesn't make any sense, but those that know what I am talking about will agree. If it were me....and I wanted one stick for both applications, I would get one that exceled at frogging, and COULD be used for flipping/punching. As it is, I have a rod dedicated to each technique. I use my frog rod for other stuff...........like swim jigs in heavy cover, skinny dipper type swim-baiting in heavy cover, etc..... but the flipping/punching rod is dedicated to just that...............save for the handful of times a year I toss umbrella rigs or mega sized hard swimbaits.

You could even save (abe: save as in spend less) some dough and get an H2O Mettle from Academy which is nearly identical to the Laguna. Or, you could save money, then be told to save more money, only to find out you should save a bit more until you have finally saved enough for an MGX. No matter what bracket you are in, you "should save a little more and get X reel".

he doesnt catch beasts thats lghmouthgambler mvor catches the smalls one

When you break a leg on a chair and fix it with a stack of old bps catalogs

A complete waste of money ? Have you tried them all ? The FDA can't possibly know what does and doesn't work for each and every individual. That's where free choice comes into play. I would agree that regardless of whether or on an individual chooses to supplement their nutritional intake, there is no replacement for consistent, safe and thoughtfully planned training. I am not including "the Juice" as you called it nor are the recently banned Pro-hormones a part of this discussion. As for "Keeping one's gains", I will tell you that it has been my Lifestyle that has contributed to maintaining a strong and balance status. You must feed the engine with quality fuel. There is a lot that goes into it and sensible supplementation plays a very beneficial role. There is some trial and error and each body responds differently. Does your friend's lack of results support a blanket statement dispelling All Nutritional Supplements as useless ? My contention, based on my own experiences, will always be no. A-Jay

all reels will have breaks. it is funny how we stick to brands. I only use Abu Garcias cause I have never had a problem with them. I have had lemons in Shimano 2 out of 3 reels. A Curado and a Spirex and I haven't used Shimano since. Have you contacted customer service? They will replace it for you.

My internet low point...

A pet peeve for me is when these "outdoor " shows are a thinly veiled half hour commercial.