Jrob78

I threw one for about 5 minutes and changed it out for a regular style bladed jig for the same reason.

I get mine from Fishing Skirts.com and Lure Parts Online.

Yep, I build my own rods too. I prefer that my rods are set up a certain way and building them myself is the only way to achieve this. You definitely don't save any money but if you aren't satisfied with off the shelf rods, it's the only way to go. I buy some stuff from Mudhole, they have a great selection but make sure you get everything you need in one order as shipping is ridiculous.

This is no secret, he's been fishing those phosphate pits for years. Think about it, he's an older fella now and probably doesn't want to spend 3 days on the water to film an episode. We get to see a load of huge fish and he gets to teach in an efficient manner. Anyone who thinks BD couldn't catch fish on public water is sadly mistaken. He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone.

Fish it almost like you would a popper. Pull it hard enough that the blades spin and it moves some water. Pull, pull, pull, pause....etc. Use the rod to move the bait, not the reel. It's not really a cast and reel bait, although it might get bit that way occasionally.

Absolutely. One rough boat ride and an unsecured 1oz tungsten weight can damage a blank enough to cause it break.

They look like Normans to me too.

Don't allow your weight to clang off the rod blank while the rod is being transported/stored.

Agree Also, if you are one to modify your frogs, be careful bending out the hooks on your mouse. Because of the way it walks/rolls in the water, it will snag stuff pretty badly if you bend out the hooks too far. It's a good bait though.

I use a couple of different 7' rods for pitching, one with 15 lb fluoro and the other with 20 lb fluoro. I also have a 7'6" "flipping stick" with 50 lb braid that I use for punching and fishing heavy vegetation. I find myself using the shorter rods with fluoro much more than the flipping stick. I also don't really flip much and don't find the extra length beneficial to pitching (for me).

I would get him a 50 sized Shimano and a 6' rod. You might as well get him something decent that he can use for years. Turn the brakes up and let him have at it. 6 yrs old is old enough to start learning a bait caster. Just make sure you have something else he can use if he gets frustrated.

If I had to pick one hard bait company and one soft bait company to cover all my fishing, I would go with Lucky Craft and Zoom. I generally make my own jigs and prefer War Eagle spinnerbaits.

If that's the rod I'm thinking of, it says the very unstable, "medium action," with no real action listed. I have that rod and I use it for small cranks, shad raps, jerkbaits and some top waters. I do like the rod for these techniques.

Awesome baits!

I paddle a WS Ride 135. I started with a cheapo paddle just because I didn't have the money to drop on a good one after buying the kayak and all the crap that goes with it. Last fall I bought a 240cm Werner Shuna Hooked. Man, it's amazing what a difference it makes. The paddle is light but mainly the blades are very stiff. I looked at the Bending Branches Angler Ace and the Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon but felt like the Werner was the better paddle. I'm very happy with my choice.

Lucky Craft BDS 2 1/2 green pumpkin football jig with Rage Craw trailer Watermelon red RI Sweet Beaver, 1/2oz pegged tungsten weight

The Elite Series now requires you to fish out the same boat for the whole season. You can fish from an aluminum boat but you would have to use it for every event.

There have been several guys use them for various tournaments. I know Steve Kennedy used one a few years ago, Mark Menendez and Tommy Biffle have too, I'm sure there have been many more besides those three. Like Justin said, John Cox is running one all season this year.

Who knows. I also noticed that Jeff Kriet is fishing Shimano Metaniums now. He's been fishing Revo's for years. Dean Rojas and Mike McClelland aren't with Quantum anymore either. Contracts expire and they decide to go their separate ways, for whatever reasons.

I use 15-17lb mono for my leader line.

There are only a few companies making rods with unsanded blanks. Most matte blanks are sanded (including the blue NRX) just not finished.

I would use the 12lb fluoro, if it were me.

Alton isn't with Ardent anymore. His contract expired and wasn't renewed, for whatever reason.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/132098-why-are-the-old-round-baitcasters-still-popular/?hl=round

My opinion is that people greatly over-estimate how far they're casting. 35-40 yds is a long cast and hook sets become iffy at those distances. It sounds like you're doing fine. As you get more experience, your thumb will get better at stopping the spool and keeping it from backlashing. There aren't any magical brake settings, just experience and practice. I wouldn't expect your casts to get much longer than they already are though.