Jrob78

If you can't look up the model #'s and figure it out that way, you'll have to do it manually. Get a little piece of tape and stick it on the spool, turn the handle paying close attention to the handle position. Count the number of times the piece of tape passes in 1 handle turn, that will tell you (roughly) what the gear ratio is.

That's how I store mine too.

I think people put too much emphasis on changing their baits for night time fishing. If it worked during the day, it will work at night. The fish are feeding on the same bait they fed on during the day. The prey doesn't get darker, larger or noisier at night, your baits don't have to either.

I use the lightest weight that I can keep on the bottom. Sometimes it's 1/8oz, other times it's 1/4oz. I use the Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot hooks in a 1/0. If i'm fishing around vegetation I switch to the Roboworm straight shank hooks with the keepers and t-rig my baits.

I saw an episode of Tim Horton's show and he said when bass have that real strong smell it means they are in a school. I have no idea if it's true or not but that's what he said.

I prefer Daiwa reels and I'm pretty excited about this one. The Lexa didn't really do it for me but I think the Tatula will be better. I don't mind that it's 8oz and I never minded the HSTA's width. I see a couple of Type R's in my future.

The Vixen isn't made by R2S, it's made by Reaction Innovations. RI is about to start selling them again. The Tackle Trap is taking pre-orders for them now.

Well said, I agree completely.

If this is in your budget, I would get it. It will be very hard to put together a better combo for less. This combo wont leave you wanting something better in a few months and should last a very long time. A cheap reel isn't a bargain if you have to replace it every year.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/106413-how-to-cast-a-baitcaster/

I would personally tie on about a 6' leader to start the day. That way you still have room to retie a few times. If you're just going for braid with a fluoro leader, the leader doesn't need to be very long.

I've never had an issue with them sucking up gravel but I have had them suck up some sand. My kayak was covered in sand too though so I don't know if the problem was the shoes or the sand.

The Columbia Aruba pants are nice and usually cost under $50. I also have a pair of North Face Horizon pants that don't have the zip off legs, they are great too but cost a little more.

I 2nd the thought that you should look for a reel with an aluminum frame. I believe TW has the Daiwa Excellers on clearance and the BPS PQ is also a good choice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Lews either. Any of those reels should serve you better than the Laguna or Max reels.

Look at some of the Frabill rainsuits.

Just change the palm plate and spool bearing.

I like the Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot hooks and a 1/8-1/4oz weight for drop shotting. 10# mono probably isn't the ideal line but it will work just fine.

Yep, the Shad Shaped Worm was designed as a drop shot bait and it is very good. I've also seen Jarrett Edwards fish it weightless, nose hooked like a fluke. It would also work well on a darter head.

I didn't hear about this either. I always enjoyed watching him shoot, (on tv.) RIP Tom

Spinning reels can be tough to get used to when you've been using spincasters because everything is upside down and backwards. Baitcasters are a more natural transition but good baitcasters are expensive and also involve a learning curve. Keep practicing with your spinning gear, it will payoff big time in the long run.

Braid is prone to snapping off when you have sudden stops during a cast. The way line spools onto spincasters can cause overlapping which in turn causes sudden stops. I would stick with mono on your spincasting reels. Look into getting a spinning or baitcasting reel if you want to use braid.

I personally could care less if my braid holds its color.

I don't think there are any pros that would say they only use their sponsors products. There are there to win, bottom line. They all know there are cameras in the boats and if they lie, people will know. The sponsors don't want them lying either. The other thing you have to consider is a typical tournament day is 8 hrs. The clip for tv you see lasts 30 seconds. They may very well have used what they said, you just didn't see it. You will also hear guys say they used a "medium diving crankbait" without being brand specific when it wasn't a sponsors bait.

68 Weedless goes on sale Thursday!

I normally buy tackle on days that end in Y.