VolFan

That raccoon pic is priceless! I can't stop laughing.

I would say the gain in toughness vs the rotomolded polyethylene would be minimal when considered against the weight and drag added. I bet it'd make it harder to slide down to the water on grass and mud too. There are keel guards for kayaks that might make a little more sense if you're looking to protect the most-abused portion.

They have a two piece MagTouch in M and MH. I have the M and really like it.

Bone. That goes for most of my top water hard baits. Bone or black, depending on the light level.

With the amount it costs to get a few rattle cans of good paint and some clear coat to do one bait, you can get a decent airbrush from amazon or eBay and paint to your heart's content.

If I were you (and I'm not), I would pick up an MS Slammer and a Hudd 68 (ROF 12, weedless if you'd like). Mini Slammer will get more bites, but go bigger if you're feeling froggy. Those would cover the entire water column, and catch you some nice fish. If you look around a little, you should be able to get both for under your $50 total. Bullshads are just there...there is really no good or bad.

Those two baits are really moderately priced for big swimbaits. Swim baiting is more like trophy hunting than it is like tourney fishing. The normal box I take with me will have five baits max in it, and I guarantee that all of my fishing partners have boxes of "normal" lures worth more than my box. When you look at it from that optic, it makes a lot more sense.

I had the same experience as the poster above fishing on Calderwood Lake once. A storm came up quick, and my line was actually rising in there air because of the electricity. There was also a high pitched hum/whine like the line being pulled too tight. I paddled off the lake quick, swimming the last 40 yards or so pulling the boat. I got in a cave, made a little fire and had lunch while it blew over.

I was fishing around Ft Loudon dam in East Tennessee one in my kayak. The generators weren't running so it was just like a big rocky pond. I heard the horn sound and was thinking they'd start putting on the generators. I was in the corner closest to the dam by the lock, we'll away from the generators. I was right over the outflow for the lock when they started letting the water out of it. Even though I probably only went up a foot or two, it felt like I was riding old faithful! I ended up about 50 yards downstream before I realized what was happening and that my drawers were still clean.

Yard sales/surplus markets, maybe the bottoms of some reservoirs, depending on his mood?

Get that French ish outta here! Sacrilege!

Wrapped in bacon with a slice if jalapeño, then grilled.

If you're drinking 90 proof Ezra Brooks, maybe you should stick with the ice cubes...maybe even add more. :-)

Was it raining or snowing or is there some nearby water? It looks like a dove with his feathers fluffed up to dry.

Everything said here is spot on. Spoons are also good if you need to get deeper, as are white/chartreuse curly tailed grubs. Spooks worked fast if they're busting bait.

Two things that jumped at me: 1. Get a faster action rod. Fiberglass is generally not great at truly sinking those big hooks, even with braid. 2. Bend the tip of your hooks ever so slightly out, especially if you're using EWG hooks. The point being in line with the shank doesn't help with hookups. Skin hook the point.

I use Cardiffs and two Curado Ds for my swimbait fishing. The biggest bait I throw is 6 ounces, and I use 17 or 20 lb Yz hybrid or Suffix on the reels. I've never had a problem. I could definitely see a problem with a big fish (like a 10+ striper) out at the end of a cast with a big bait, but that is a very rare scenario for me.

That thing has the head of a DD and the body of a dink. Weird looking fish.

8 inch hudd... Pattern doesn't matter. Drag it across the deeper points or drop offs near that deep water. Hold on tight.

I like where your head's at!

Alcoa makes aluminum. A lot of aluminum.

All day. Either fish it very fast or very slow with long pauses when it's daytime. Good when it's choppy too.

Black MS Slammer Mini. Or 9 inch Slammer. Go big or go home.

I emailed Daiwa and am awaiting a response...but I'm not optimistic. Are there any late model tackle dealers.

I agree with Tomustang. Too many opinions and emotions in "Curado." Put it to bed and have a truly new product.