Jrob78

After today, A-Mart is the only guy in the finals tomorrow, KVD fell back to 14th and only made up 11 points on EE. Martens is firmly in 2nd place but it's Edwin's to lose. If he does well in the next event, no one can catch him. The question is, can Aaron Martens catch Edwin Evers? Or, Will Edwin Evers slip?

It's definitely possible but I don't think it's going to happen. If this tournament ended today, EE would have to finish 30 places or so behind KVD and/or A-Mart in the next one to lose it. St. Clair really suits all 3 guys pretty well though. I don't expect any of them to struggle. KVD cut his teeth fishing for smallies in Michigan, EE won a smallie event on Erie a few years ago and Aaron is thought to be one the best drop shot fishermen in the world. Plus, all 3 are very good with their electronics. It wouldn't surprise me at all if all 3 guys finish in the top 12 in the next tourney, which would ultimately seal the deal for Edwin. I'm really pulling for EE to win AOY but I like all 3 guys .

Nice try. I'm sorry about that, I wasn't trying to pick on you, just trying to illustrate a point. A lot of people think they know what IM means and what high modulus means and how that relates to fishing rods. The reality is, "IM" is a term used by one company, (Hexcel) that manufactures carbon fiber, not fishing rods, just carbon fiber. Not only is IM not an industry standard for grading/describing graphite, it's only used by one company that produces graphite. Within Hexcel's products, a higher IM number doesn't even mean a higher modulus. These days, rod company's that use the term IM may or may not even use Hexcel graphite. The other "ingredients" used in creating a blank are just as important. The resin and scrim used, the pattern that is used to determine how the materials are put together, the mandrel that the blank is rolled on...all these things make a blank what they are. My long, rambling point is that "IM" is purely a meaningless marketing term meant to sell fishing rods. It has pretty much no bearing on the finished product. It uses arbitrary numbers that give you the sense of quality. "I mean IM8 has to be better than IM6, right?" It isn't an industry standard and even if it were, it doesn't describe what people think it does. Nor does it take into consideration what actually goes into making a blank. It would be kind of like comparing cakes by the brand of flour used in the mix.

So what does IM mean? Why is an IM8 blank better than an IM6 blank? Why can't you use an IM rating to compare blanks from different manufacturers?

Also, make sure and check your state regulations. In TX, a trolling motor on a kayak requires registration and the GW's will write you a ticket.

I so wish IM "ratings" would go away. It's one of the most meaningless buzzwords in the fishing industry.

Nobody has them in stock yet. I read on TW's forum yesterday that they have an order placed with RI but they are now not sure when it will be filled, if at all. If TW doesn't know if they will end up being released, that's a bad sign.

They are bringing the Swamp Donkey and the Vixen back. I don't know when they are being released but there are a few online tackle shops taking pre-orders for them. The Tackle Trap has had them on their site for about 2 months now.

Agree completely

I usually only hesitate after I buy, it's too late then though I try hard not to pay full retail for rods and reels. The best way to do that is to jump on deals when things go on clearance. It's usually just because next years models are coming out.

I think wnybassman has said that all that really needs to be said.

If you can cast a modern bass baitcaster with the brakes turned all the way off and the spool tension not cranked all the way down, you're a much better caster than I am. Trinidads and heavy salt gear are a completely different animal and not really what we're talking about.

For jigs and t-rigs, I use the best rod I can afford. To me, these are the techniques where sensitivity is the most crucial and where I think you get the most value for your dollar on higher end rods. I don't have any experience with either of those rods though.

He probably just has his brakes and spool tension set tighter than you. That's why he doesn't get any overrun. I prefer my reels pretty loose and always thumb the spool.

Just to clarify because I'm not sure you understand, you aren't tying a weight on. A weight for fishing plastics is shaped like a bullet and has a hole in the middle. You slide the weight on your line before you tie on the hook so the weight slides up and down. While you're fishing, the weight is down at your bait.

Great post, you hit the nail on the head. There is an episode of the show "The Bass Pro's" where Rick Clunn talks about this. The lack of a true spitting popper is what lead to the creation of the Rico. The longer upper lip shape is the key.

I don't know of anyone specifically with good prices on them. Sometimes you can find good deals on the auction site if you're patient. Still though, at regular price the Zell Pop is less than half the price of the Rico. $10 at TW.

Yes they do. Big bass have to eat in off colored water too.

The Zell Pop is a great bait and one I forgot to mention. It's also a little cheaper than the others and comes in 2 sizes. It also shares the same lip design as the other 3.

I think it's strictly a confidence thing. If you believe red hooks catch more fish, you are going to fish more confidently with red hooks. Personally, I won't use any hook that isn't black nickel, that's what I have confidence in.

The nice thing about PB&J jigs is you can match your trailer to the water color. If the water is stained, use a bright blue or purple trailer. You can also use green pumpkin trailers and dye the tips chartreuse. If the water is clear, use green pumpkin/watermelon trailers or something that is more natural. Jigs are very versatile in that way, you can really customize them to the conditions you face on a day to day basis.

It sounds to me like your set up is fine. I pitch with straight braid a lot and catch plenty of fish, you don't need a leader. Making sure you are accurate, your entry is clean and you're fishing the best locations are key. When you find some fish, you will catch them. The Pit Boss is a great pitch bait.

To my admittedly untrained eye, the Rico, Yellow Magic and Splash It look very similar. I like and fish all 3 and have caught fish on all of them. The Splash It is the cheapest of the bunch but it is a very high quality bait. Out of the 3, I own more Yellow Magics.

Most of the top guys that you probably know about fish the Elite Series. If they aren't in the top 5, they don't usually get much tv time during the tournament coverage. They are there though. Look here http://www.bassmaster.com/elite

Put a new tip on it and see what you think. My opinion is it won't be good for much but what will it hurt? You'll only be out a few bucks and at least you'll know. You will still have to buy a new rod for the techniques you used that rod for though.