Crestliner2008

I've said this before; I've been using Vanish for over 20 years now. No problems, no worries. I use the lighter pound tests for my drop shot and even on my crappie rigs. I use the heavier Vanish for the power rigs, jigs and worms. I use the Trilene knot for all direct ties, except for the drop shot, which is a Palomar knot. I use Vanish leaders on my braided set-ups, using the Alberto knot for the joint. It is critical in tying any knot that you cinch it down slowly and while it is moist. Saliva works well. Can't remember the last time I had a knot failure. But as long as you confident in your knot tying, then use any fluorocarbon you have confidence in. I would never propose that someone "must" use this, that or the other thing. Fishing suppose to be fun, remember.

Plenty! You can view the flier online too.

In case you haven't received the flier, they are going for the same deal as last year - buy one pack ($7.49) and get the second at 50% ($3.75). That comes out to $5.62/bag in multiples of two. That's about as cheap as it get folks! Unfortunately I just found this today and it's only good for this week. Fortunately I was able to get there and picked up a bunch of bags. And since I had their newspaper coupon, I got another $5.00 off the total purchase! Great deal. You should have seen all the fishermen in that isle today! The sales people were constantly replenishing the shelf. So git on down there!

Color is certainly a mainstay in the conversation of a lot of fishermen. To be perfectly honest with you, I believe most folks believe in color because using a particular color is what has given them success in the past. Some will say they've tried different colors, but for how long? All day? More likely than not, for only 10 min. or so, before resorting back to the color they have the most confidence in. No one wants to pass up an opportunity to have another fish on the line. I think the Yamamoto's Senko color chart contains over 50 different selections. I find that amusing. Like a fish is going to eyeball a worm to see if it has gold or silver sparkles before deciding whether or not to eat it! But hey, it's what drives the economy. I've never really been overly concerned about color. And I don't do too bad.

I used them 3 times last season. Took some nice fish with them too. However, after catching a fish on these realistic looking baits, I switched to a plain ole' 3 1/2" green pumpkin tube and I still caught fish. I really have my doubts that a feeding bass is going to take that good a look-see before deciding to bite. If it resembles food, they will take it. Remember, they have little control over it, nature dictates that they are an opportunistic feeder. But it is always fun to try new baits!

Simple answer, no. Tried most of the pound tests in this line and all of them failed miserably when it came to knot strength. I've been around awhile and I know how to tie knots too. Good luck to you if you pursue using this line. There are better options out there, in my opinion anyway.

When spooling line on a reel, always try to reel it on in the same direction that it's coming off the spool. Then, about half way full, let some slack in the line and if it coils badly, turn the spool over and continue for a few more turns. That should take care of the problem. If it continues to coil badly either way, the spool you have should be discarded for another. Could be a bad spool from the factory. It does happen sometimes. One other solution is once you are on the water, let out about 50 yards of line behind the boat - with nothing tied on the end. Run at slow to moderate speed for a minute or so and that will definitely cure the problem. As you reel it back in, spray the spool with KVD L/L conditioner. Then you'll be good to go.

I use to use them quite a bit years ago, but now I tend toward Roadrunner type lures instead. The marabou models especially produce quite well. Maybe I'll try some of those Beetles I have in one of my boxes!

LOL! I'd mount it on the wall in my living room! I certainly wouldn't fish with it.

Try a hard jerkbait to see if you get any follows along a particular section. If they are active enough, they will commit to it. Also try fishing early AM or late PM. Dim lighting expands their strike zone and allows them to search and ambush better. If that doesn't work, then toss a wacky rigged Senko. You'll get bit, one way or the other.

Ice out through ice up. You just have to adjust your presentations according to the temps you are faced with and the kind of water you are fishing.

Try either a 3" curly tailed grub on a 1/8 oz. ball head jig, or an XRap.

About 7 years ago I attended a striper fishing seminar, down in Hartford, Ct.. The "Captain" there, conducting this seminar, said that he would only allow one kind of rod on his boat. It was unusual in that the line went from the reel INTO the center of the rod and out through the end of it - no guides! I do not recall the make of the rod, but it seems to me that these new micro guides are sort of leaning in that direction. Anyway, this captain thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread. And, for whatever it's worth, he said his customers agreed.

I'm curious. I've handled both the new Supremes and the Presidents and honestly, I don't see a difference? Last season I got in a full season on the President and I couldn't be happier. Much smoother than either of my older Symetres. What am I missing?

You'll be dealing with pre-spawn for sure. Think about tossing some hard jerkbaits (longer pauses between jerks), or slow rolling a 5" hollow bellied swimbait on a weighted off-set hook. One of these will get bit. If there is deep water ajacent to a north/northwest flat and if it's not too snaggly, you might want to try blade baits jigged on/off the bottom as well.

I think you might want to re-think that. The sun is always higher in the south, shining on the north/northwest shoreline areas of the pond and warming them up first and quickest. I'd be tossing hard jerkbaits, with a decent pause (5 - 10 sec.) inbetween twitches. And watch your line.

Ditto here. 8 degrees last night. Fortunately, no snow. On the bright side, looks like temps will re-bound by Wednesday, up into the low 50's! I'll believe it when I see it.

Take a look at the line-up offered by Pflueger. Great quality these days and if you try out a President, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Solid or soft bellied swimbaits, I prefer fishing with a weighted off-set EWG swimbait hook.

Tubes are sort of like gobies fished in a similar fashion and smallmouth love those. So, there is no reason why a goby imitation would not work. Smallmouth are very curious and extremely opportunistic. I think they'll work just fine.

Depends a lot on your budget, but any good quality 6'6" - 7' medium-light action rod will get the job done.

That's the problem with swimbaits. You are either dedicated to getting that one big bite, or you fish other techniques that keep the action going. And it really doesn't matter if you have stocked trout or not. A big bass is an opportunistic feeder and if it looks alive, chances are good she'll take a swipe at it. But again, you have to keep tossing it, all day long, day after day, to expect any kind of consistency to your results. At least that's been my experience. Which is why I don't fish them often any more. The 8" Hudd is a great looking bait in the water though.

I usually carry a variety of colors; from lighter colors to black. You never know what can really get them going, but this size has accounted for a lot of big smallies for me over the years. Not as productive as the 5" wacky rigged, but close. Also wacky rig the 3" on a drop shot. Sometimes that can be good. And don't forget about slip floating!

I have several Saharas & Symetres that have been in service for many years now. Fine workhorse reels. No doubt. However, as of late Shimano has increased considerably in cost ($20.00 across the board) and the newer ones don't appear to be as smooth as the older models. Maybe it's just me. In any case, I've been trying out new Pfluegers as of late, now having the President and Trion. We'll see, over the next several years, if this was a good switch or not. They certainly "feel" smoother than the Shimanos. Just not sure if they can hold up as well. Definitely worth your look-see.

I love fishing first ice out. Take a light action spinning rod, some 4" Senkos and wacky rig them on 6# test line. Cast up onto the edge of the ice. Let it sit there for a bit. The fish know something has landed. Then just tug it off the ice edge slowly. Let it sink. It won't go far!