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Compared to what? I'll use my Avid ACV70MHF as an honest "8" for reference. That would put the Berkley at about a "3" or "4". I bought the exact stick while on a family vacation, and for what I payed was pretty satisfied with it. It sure beats fishing with nothing, right? What I'm getting at here, it matters little what others think - you've got it and you like it. It will serve you well.

Neither... Toyota Tundra!

Here's the best Co Polly: Wait, I misunderstood.......

That's crazy! Must of been caught right in my backyard... Shane and I are going for BIG smallies sunday, hopefully we can show you guys and trophy smallmouth!

Do it! Nothing compares to this combo

Texas rigs are always weighted, if it ain´t then it ain´t a Texas rig.

Define old, or, define new. Old like the Texas rig, Carolina rig, Split shot rig, weedless rig n´such ? Or "new" like the shakeyhead rig ? hey ! wait a minute I´ve been shakeyheading baits since the 80´s from the past century, guess it ain´t that new ......or like dropshot rigging ? uhhhhh, you mean hook above sinker, right ? that has been around for .... well I already used that rig back in the 80´s too, Or old like Heddon´s Sonics, Bayou Boogies and Rat L-Traps ? well, with the exception of Sonics the other two are still around. "New" like senkos ? or old like French Fry worms ? "Everybody is talking ´bout the new sound, funny, but it´s still rock n´roll to me"

The problem, of course, is that most of this color discussion (as has been already stated) is merely speculation. So while fun to discuss, it likely has little relevance to whether or not we each experience successful fishing, witness the differences in personal experiences shared on this forum topic. There is some stuff we do know, provided by detailed examination of the largemouth bass' eye from studies such as the 2002 Kawamura & Kishimoto paper which appears to be the most recent and heavily cited example in literature. From that study we know the following: The occurrence of C-response provides direct evidence for the possession of color vision. In this study, therefore, it is concluded that the largemouth bass can discriminate colors. The dominant L-response with a maximum at 673nm and three variations in C-responses might indicate a better color analysis at longer wavelengths, implying that the largemouth bass is able to discriminate red better than blue. In the largemouth bass, the visual axis is found in the nasal-temporal direction and the near point is 13.5 cm, indicating that sharp image formation is not performed when an object comes closer than 13.5cm from the eyes. This near point is slightly shorter than those of other teleosts. The retina of the largemouth bass is specialized to both movement and form perceptions. Part of the problem is that while science can determine things like optimal color sensitivity (red) of a bass' eye, that doesn't necessarily indicate that the color red is therefore more attractive to bass, since attractiveness is determined only behaviorally, and behavior is largely an adaptation to (specific) environment. As such, it wouldn't be unexpected to see angler color experiences that seem to contradict each other (or the research), and it therefore shouldn't suggest that one example/person is right and so the other must be wrong. Then there are the areas of inconsistent opinion or (dis)agreement amongst even the researchers themselves on subjects like UV perception by bass. Of course, this is all part of what makes bass fishing so interesting. Ultimately, each angler has to determine for himself how important (or not) any of this "color stuff" is to his own fishing. -T9

I voted weighted, primarily because that's how I've always defined a T-rig. Weightless plastics rigged weedless is how I refer to Senkos, Flukes etc

for your retired rods? I've got some of my dad's old rods and some of mine that were retired as technology changed. Rods that caught tons of fish that I just can't let go of. The rods dad taught me how to fish with, the Speed Stik and 5000C I got for my 13th birthday, an old Bionix and Bantam reel that was my dream combo in the mid 80's, etc. I'm fixing up the study in my house and am planning to display these old rods along with photos from back in the day. Anybody else have anything like that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrFV5r8cs0

He has caught many smaller trophy size fish (8 to 9 pound size) and released them all but this fish being a potential state record he had to harvest it blame the NH laws that states all fish must be dead when they leave waters. Don'the attack a person's character because he didn't ask your permission. This is all I will comment on this post.

To get more depth.

Nope, cuz kool is way more cool than simple cool, it's just like funner. Really neat video.

Explain to me how bass see detail color variances in the dark or very low light conditions at 45' to 60' depths. Anyone who has tournament fished our SoCal lakes year around will understand how very important color on soft plastics can be. You can be fishing a 4 1/2" straight tail worm at 40' to 60' and only 1 specific color combination will catch bass, this happens year after year, tournament after tournament....you don't have the hot color you are donating your money. I have given my partner a hot worm and they instantly start catching bass and have been on the receiving end of this exchange. Same everything, location, depth, line, hooks, speed and presentation. I also tie some very special hair jigs with multiple colors of dyed deer hair combined with custom dyed pork trailers. Some of these jigs have a few strands of flash to add reflective color. Fishing night tournaments in darkness bass will prefer a jig with or without the flash strands and it can make the difference between a good limit and being blanked. The human eye can't see color without the aid of good light, we see shades of gray without light. Our deep structured lakes have clear water with very good depth of light that averages about 10' and up to 25'. The bass in these lakes have keen eye sight. The SoCal lakes have very little surface vegetation or weed mats and very little aquatic vegetation for about 10 months of the year. The lakes do not have any boat docks except at the marina, therefor the bass are exposed to predator birds the majority of the lives. We have osprey, eagle, gulls, herons, cormorants, grebes, etc that prey on baby bass to adult bass. No cover, no problem the learn to survive or they don't. Tom

Two of four showed up, still waiting on the rareniums

Going to college doesn't necessarily mean a better income especially in today's economic landscape. i certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from going but make sure your degree will lead to some gainful employment and career opportunities. I.e. Don't go and be a history major.

I fish Sunline Super Natural #12 for shallow crankbaits, #30 Tuf-Line Heavy Core for deep divers.

Isn't that what marriage is all about?

called a terd swimbait! lol

you can do it but it will take some practice and learning to really read the river and use the eddies and other current breaks to your advantage.

Catch, you mean that you don't want to be a "told you so" but you "told them so."

Dean, I also spell the University of Alabama's football team Bamasux. Seems to fit, don't you think?

True, but I'd change one word; I'd change "feed from" to feed off. Bass may "ambush" from cover, but I believe this is more about opportunism than a hunting strategy bass are specifically adapted to. Their default hunting strategy is opportunistic cruising, flushing or looking for prey that is vulnerable or otherwise in a compromised position. Bass use terrain (and lots of other stuff –other bass being a particularly important one) to their advantage. This is where their true talents lie. They hunt within, amongst, and off of terrain as much as -or I would argue, more than- from terrain. Hunting in this way makes them effective not only around cover but just about anywhere they can find prey in an awkward spot. Bass even effectively hunt shad and alewives in open water, far away from "cover". Sky and water conditions weigh in heavy for multiple reasons, not the least of which is that prey is more difficult to approach in high vis conditions and bass hunting success declines in accordance. More bass are apt to be resting, often under cover, during these periods. But this isn’t the only reason bass head for cover under bright conditions, and bass may not be all resting either. Some are driven to cover under bright conditions because of their increased exposure to predators (raptor effect), and likely UV exposure plays some role too. It may also be that the raptor effect holds greater sway with the bass’s prey. Bluegills head to cover under bright conditions and likely the bass meet them there. Bluegills explain midsummer “frog bites” much better than “frogs” do. (And this explains why blow-ups and misses are so common with frog bites too). My point is that bass aren’t likely heading to cover so they can see better so they can “ambush” prey. Bright skies don’t get into the bass’s eyes like it would for us. In fact, bright sunlight increases visibility underwater tremendously. But the whole food chain responds with a ripple effect –like a chain being shaken from one end.

Yeah, I just stop talking to them, turns into a waste of time.

Both times I did it was on topwaters. The first time was one a jointed Jitterbug, the second time on a Spook. With the Jitterbug, I tried to lift both fish out of the water by grabbing the metal lip of the lure. As I hoisted them, the bottom fish went nuts & torqued the bottom of the lure, snapping it off at the joint. So I ended up with 1/2 a lure & 1 fish. I saved the 1/2 Jitterbug and on future trips, tied a short leader with a small jig off the back of it & caught a few fish on it. The tend to hit the jig more than the wounded jitterbug.

You can probably catch all 3 with an A-Rig.

You 2 guys are old school. No one calls today...........................they text.

Yeah. Can hardly wait for those since it isn't a St. Croix. You know you are welcome try any of mine combos as long as you aren't eating taffy.

Instead of asking A community of people that don't work for the company , perhaps call the company...maybe that makes too much sense I don't know.

Fish Sense Lures Binsky is the best blade bait on the market

have you heard the old joke about berkley vanish line? the only thing that "vanishes" is the fish you hooked!

7'6 ex heavy extra fast Hers the numbers on it I dont know which is the model " FSH2FD0009 ETHOSMG76XH Its blue, their brand.

I own a Mojo bass 6'8 M/XF and the BPS carbonlite 6'8 M/XF feels identical in taper and power. Visit your local BPS and ask them to build you a Shimano Sahara/Carbonlite spinning combo. It's not on the web or catalogs, but it's in their excel spreadsheet of combo SKU's. A 2500 or 3000 will suit you fine. Rigged together, the price lowers to 149.99. The setup balances amazingly well and has handled much bigger fish for me than bass. You'll have enough money left over to put 15/20lb braid of your choice, some Fluoro for leaders, and some senkos/stik-O's to boot! PM me if you want the combo SKU and I can look it up for you. It's really the best bang for the buck out there without going way up in cost, In my opinion.

We fish blade baits all the time when the water is 60 or below. We catch a lot of fish on these. We like the Binsky Blade the best with Bass Pro Lazer blade a close 2nd. From Pike to large and small mouth to giant Crappie to perch you never know what you will get but you will always get something. A fun cold water bait.

My buddy and I have had success throwing the exact same bait that the other one caught the fish on. If the first one bit it, and others are following trying to get it from him, they obviously want it. We usually have a few rods with similar baits on anyway.

There was a stray cat that made my lobster boat its hotel. It made one corner of the wheelhouse its litter box. Trust me, there is nothing more foul smelling than that, not even a skunk, or a dead mouse. We never saw the critter until one morning when I opened the foc'sle. The cat thought it was an escape route until I closed the hatch, and left it locked in there for the day. When we got back to the dock, I opened the hatch. The cat came zooming out of the foc'sle and onto the dock. The last we saw of it was its tail as it sped northward up the road. That was the end of the cat using the boat as a litter box.

That's the way it feels to me... especially on short pitches. I can keep the end of the rod and my target in my vision, even when pitching side-arm. The longer rods feel sort of cumbersome when trying to make short, accurate casts. Tight lines, Bob

I can whup lots of butts when it comes to pinpoint accuracy with a 5'6" pistol grip rod.

Good luck, man.

On Lake Erie you just never know. I have caught walleye, pike, lake trout, steelhead, channel cats, brown trout, perch, largemouth, rock bass, white bass, drum, gobies and white perch while fishing for smallies. I know I lost a musky that smoked me in front of a creek as well.

The best way to look at it is based on conditions. If bottom contact is your need then either would suffice as long as you can successfully achieve bottom contact. Where the Mojo rig differs for me is when I want a bait working through grass. The lighter weight allows it to work through the weeds easier than a Mojo rig. IMO the Mojo is finesse and relatively shallow - light line, lighter weight, light wire hooks and finesse baits. Finesse worms for example. Heaviest I would throw on a Mojo is 1/4oz Carolina is for deeper waters or solid bottom contact - bigger baits, bigger line, bigger hooks, bigger weight etc. - 7" - 10" Power Worm for example. Lightest I would throw on a Carolina is 1/2 oz. Hope this helps.

Buzzbaits will run on their side for the same reason that spinnerbaits will do the same, or even "windmill," and it usually isn't because it's bent. How the bait runs is a simple function of physics. You need to match retrieve speed with weight and mass of the "body" and the torque of the blade. Larger blades create more torque that will try and roll the bait over. A slower retrieve speed or heavier head weight will help offset this. Lighter heads simply don't have the same keel effect to keep the bait running upright as heavier heads. More skirt and trailer mass works against the head weight to try and roll the bait over. Consider thinning things down, going to a smaller trailer, or even no trailer. Faster retrieve speeds also tend to potentially roll the bait. If your bait rolls on its side, first try slowing down your retrieve speed. Lastly, angle between head wire arm and the blade wire arm makes a difference - the smaller that angle, the more stable the bait. So, in the future, if your buzzbait or spinnerbait doesn't run right, it is usually because these factors aren't "in synch" or matched properly for that particular bait.

The feed bag is on! Oct 2014

Mac Weakley foul hooked Dottie....bed fish that should have been the new world record bass. Snagging bed fish is illegal in some states and should be illegal everywhere! Tom

I once foul hooked a huge grass carp on a wacky rigged trick worm. I set the hook on what looked like a huge musky. This carp fought me fouled hooked for what seemed like 10 minutes taking drag time and time again. It was a thrill. I purposely try NOT to target bedding bass. I don't think its good for the fish or this sport, and I'm not a tree hugger!

Nope. I don't fish for bedding fish.

When you purchase 30 shakey heads and the ice hasnt even come off yet.

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yeah like i am going to post after that....those are some pigs