chromedog

OK, with it being below zero here, I am doing everything I can do to not go crazy from lack of fishing. I have done inventory, etc... and made my lists. But I am going nuts on the choice of lines for my setups....maybe you guys can help? Here goes: 7' MH, XF CASTING - SPINNERBAITS, LIPLESS CRANKS, SMALLER SWIMBAITS 1 OZ AND UNDER, TOPWATER 7' H, XF CASTING - JIGS, CREATURE BAITS, TOPWATER 6' 6" M, F CASTING - HOLLOW BODY SWIMBAITS, SMALLER CRANK BAITS, SMALLER SPINNERBAITS, SENCO, PLASTIC WORMS WITH BULLET WEIGHTS 6' 6" M, F SPINNING - STICKBAITS, SMALLER BILL'D CRANKBAITS, SENCO, PLASTIC WORMS WITH BULLET WEIGHTS 6' 8" M, XF SPINNING - DROPSHOT AND SHAKEYHEAD Not so much concerned with brands. I usually use Suffix (braid and mono), Fireline, Yo-Zuri regular and soft. I use 6lb and 15lb Yo-Zuri hybrid for leaders. What do you suggest guys? Thanks in advance.

Ok then, with a spinning set up, with a reel rated for say 8lb - 200 yards, do you use the 30lb test braid since it is the diameter of 8lb?

When selecting braid for your baitcaster do you have to take the smaller diameter into consideration to make sure your setup works correctly? Say your reel is rated that 12lb test is the recommended size, (assuming that the standard is listed by the size of typical mono diameter) will a braid with the equivalent diameter of 8lb mono be too small? The braid, even tough the diamter of 8lb mono is 30lb test. Should you step up to braid? Or does the technique it is being used for and not exceeding the recommended diameter size, more so the deciding factor?

I got the 7' H XFast. I paid the $110 at the store and then I ended up getting the reel for $60 with no shipping. So all in all they took care of me but I have to wait till the reel comes off back order. The key was asking for upper level customer service.

Only 5..... 1) Roboworm on a dropshot 2) Suspending jerkbait 3) Spinnerbait 4) Senco 5) Jig

All said and done, almost one hour later, I got the reel (on backorder 2-4 weeks) for $60 and free shipping. It was worth my patience this time.

I went with the BPS Extreme in 6' 8", MXF, Woo Dave split grip handle. They are on sale right now for $59. I love it. I paired it with a Shimano Sahara 2500 and I love it for drop-shotting. I think the Sahara runs about $80.

The woman kept giving me the run around so I just asked for second level customer service's phone #. I will call them and get it straightened out. I did find out that they are back ordered for 2 weeks to 1 month.

Thanks so much! I will hit them up right now!

Actually I am trying to work it now. They had no reels or info on them or a combo online even. I just talked with online customer service and they were no help as I did not have the part number for the reel, but they said if I can find the number etc...that they should honor the price. Guess I am going to call my store back. I do want the reel though!

Well, I had to do it. I went up and picked one up. The guy at the counter said that the store just got them in that day and I got the only Heavy they got in. Awesome feeling pole. I have to decide on a reel to go on it. Any suggestions guys? I will mostly flipping and pitching and throwing jigs with it. I have a brand new package of 30lb Suffix just aching to be spooled, lol.

Thanks. My wife just called my local BPS and they actually just got the rods in today and they don't even have them on display yet, still in shipping packaging they said. Fortunately she called when she did cause they only got one in the 7' H, XF. So she asked them to hold it, guess we are headed to BPS tonight.

How was the weight of the rod? What do you think of the backbone of the rods and the flexibility of the tip?

I know they are new, but has anyone put a hand on one of these? I am thinking about getting one in the 7' Heavy, x-fast (3/8 oz - 1 oz) or 7' MH, fast (3/8 oz - 1 oz) for pitching and flipping.

I just meant it as ease of casting and accuracy. For me. And I realize I am backwards from everything I have read.

Am I the only one that prefers a shorter rod? I changed from a 7' to a 6'6" and my results have been significant. Anyone else backwards?

I actually got the BPS game for wii and it is awesome!

I almost forgot. I also bought the BPS game for my Wii. It is actually a fun game and sure takes the edge off. When you are use to fishing at least 5 days a week, the northeastern winters can to make you insane.

I hate them things, all they do is tear up your tackle, lol. We get them on spinner baits, jerkbaits, dropshots, swim baits (hard and soft), crankbaits. Usually anything that moves. But ya, pliers are a necessary when dealing with them.

In no particular order: 1) Roboworms - Dropshot 2) Zoom Super chunk - Jig trailer 3) Senco 5" 4) Rage Tail Shad 5) Zoom Brush Hog 6) 7" and 10" Ribbon Tail Worm 7) GYCB Single Tail Grub Honorable mention: Yum Money Minnow Sebile Soft (can't wait to use these, just got them, lol) Sweet Beavers Zoom Shakey Head worm

Agreed, 7' M or ML with a F or XF tip. Personally I use a Woo Dave BPS Extreme pole with a Sahara and I can feel everything. Sometimes I end up drop shotting when I shouldn't cause I love the combo, lol.

In order to keep my sanity, and to not resort to buying every lure I come across during the winter........I purchased the stuff to make my own jigs and spinnerbait skirts. I bought several lure blanks to paint, and I bought wood to carve swimbaits all winter. Gotta do something so I don't go nuts. Beer, football and college basketball (Go Syracuse) can only save me for so long.

Thanks guys. I wanted to order and make a bunch of football head jigs and couldn't make a decision on rattles and sizes. The choice of colors alone was overwhelming to say the least. I went with 1/2 oz jigs with no rattles.

What do you guys think, rattles or no rattles and what is your favorite "all-around, or versatile" weight?

I will probably be in the minority, but I LOVE my BPS Extreme rods. They were marked down to $59 last week too.