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Haha, good point. Way to "Go Green!"

I think they were designed to drop shot. That's how I've used them.

When the water is very stained, I fish clown or gold colored jerkbaits with shorter pauses so the fish can still easily track it.

Mix it up but keep it rather steady. Rarely has a strictly Yo Yo retrieve been the best presentation for me. Cast it out, work it with an erratic rod-tip and frequent, short pauses. Sometimes I slow roll it trying to get the lure a little deeper. I let it tick the weedtops in 10' of water and when it hangs up, I rip it free with quick snap of the wrists and let it flutter for a second before I begin again. I've had good luck with just a simple slow and steady retrieve with the rod tip held high, too. This is a very versatile lure. Don't stick with any retrieve for very long if it's not producing.

Flukes are one of my favorite Spring baits. I tend to fish them more gently than a hard jerkbait.

Braid helps free any lure with a snap of the wrists, but I find that having no stretch makes it easy for bass to throw a treble hooked lure. I sometimes throw deep divers on a mod action rod with 15# braid. Fewer hooks are thrown with a mod action vs a fast action, but the braid still allows a few to be shaken free.

A mod action rod will keep them glued to the hook. If you push the rod tip into the water, you can keep them from jumping.

I use backing on all of reels aside from the smallest spinning reels. I found some 3000 yd spools on Trilene XT for $15 at a store closing a while back and I bought one in 8 lb test. It works perfect for backing.

I used to own that rod. I used it for traps and 1/4 oz spinnerbaits. It's a pretty good cranking rod, but I wouldn't recommend it for heavier spinnerbaits because they will overpower it.

Good eye. I would jump on it if I didn't already own that rod. Perfect for heavy spinnerbaits, but it makes a good jig and worm rod, too.

Wow, that is some nasty cover! Look into that Dobyns 766 that Brokeju mentioned. That rod is really powerful, yet light, surprisingly sensitive and more well balanced than any 7' 6" - 8' flipping stick I've used. I haven't been out on the water yet with it but I'm excited to try it. With the extra length, you'll have better range and control of the fish once hooked. Being able to easily steer that fish really comes in handy. I occasionally do some pitching with my 6' 8" MHXF worm rod and I'm worried sometimes that I might break it because I'm not always able to steer the fish clear of the heavy weeds, and then I have to wrestle it out of there, often losing the fish. It doesn't have nearly the backbone of a longer H power rod.

That's nut. I have a small Quantum Catalyst that is blistering a little on the body, but it's not nearly as bad as that and the the reel has been used a ton. There isn't any white residue or damage to any metal, either. I'm thinking that's battery acid corrosion, but who lets battery acid drip on their expensive fishing equipment? I once had a salted plastic tube melt onto a reel in storage. The hook hanger was broken so I would hook the tubejig onto the reel, and I forgot about it during the offseason. Zero damage, and that a much cheaper reel. Cat pee was a good guess, but that would stink like crazy and would likely seep into the reel where you could easily smell it once it was opened up.

Finding a nice used Loomis, St. Croix, or Dobyns on fishing site flea markets. Be patient and you'll find some steals.

I think it depends on what you plan to use the rods rod, bass fishing or panfishing? If you are going to be fishing crappies and sunnies with 4 lb line, as I do, you'll be fine with a smaller reel. If you're looking for a finesse bass fishing rod, than I think you should return the rod and go with a ML power rod as the very minimum. A 2000 or 2500 sized reel would be a good fit for that. I think a 2500 feels ways too heavy on my L power rods. I own two 6' light power fast action rods. One is the very same St. Croix Premier 6' LF. Mine were purchased as panfishing rods but I sometimes use them for fun with 1/16 oz tubes when bass fishing. That's all a 6' L power rod is good for in bass fishing, an underpowered novelty rod to play around with once in a while. A 6' 6" or 7' ML Fast Premier would be better suited I think.

Why SD jam instead of palomar on treble hooked lures? Is the SD jam better on a split ring?

Sounds like I've been using too much grease. :-?

They're needed if you want to fit multiple rods in a boat locker. Otherwise you'll break rod tips and bend guides. Here's mine. My local Gander Mt carries them for $10. http://www.slickstuffinc.com/

Those sound about right, but if you think you may begin wade fishing instead of shore fishing in the near future, look into longer rods, 7-8" spinning outfits. A 7' 6" MLF spinning combo that has backbone, a soft and crisp tip, and 15# braided line would be a good place to start. Thats my smallie and walleye setup for when I wade the local rivers, which I have gotten away from the last couple years. Using long rods from the shore will only cause problems with snagging overhanging trees, but once you get away from the shore a bit, the extra casting distance and better control of the fish in shallow water will suit you better. You may be surprised how much better the fishing may become if you're willing to wade instead of being restricted to the few shoreline spots where you can access the water. With some light canvas waders and felt bottom wading boots, you're good to go. It's an overlooked option for those, often younger people, who live in areas with an abundance of fishable rivers and streams, or those without access to boats for financial reasons and otherwise. Just a thought.

Exactly. Suffix Elite is the best casting monofilament line that I've tried. I used it for the first time last year for reaction baits, and I'm very pleased with it and will continue to use it. I use 17 lb for spinnerbaits, 14 lb for buzzbaits/chatterbaits, and 12 lb for lipless cranks, and 10 lb for diving cranks. It's relatively cheap so I respool the last 50 yds often. I would recommend doing that because it kinks pretty easily for me when I do a lot of casting and it's not the most durable line, but show me an easy casting mono that is. As for the Seige, it's a decent fishing line but I choose to use fluorocarbon instead of stiffer, abrasion resistant mono.

I have an old 5 wt fly rod that I sometimes put a spinning reel on in the Spring and catch bluegills and crappies with. It's a fun change of pace from using UL and L power rods, and it works really well for casting lightly or unweighted crappie minnow because of the length and soft action. I never changed the top guide because I still fly fish with this rod for panfish occasionally. It's a fun and unique way to fish. If you have one laying around or find one in a garage sale for $10, give it a shot.

I was making the same decision a couple weeks ago. I ended up going with the Curado 201E7 instead of the STX. I currently own both reels already and I think they would both do a fine job. I personally like the feel of the Curado in my hand a little better, also I like that the Curado has a bit wider spool. It think it has a better feel for pitching. Either one would be great, just bring your rod and figure out which one feels the most comfortable when you grip it tight for a hard hookset and fight. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1267820851

I've been using the Double Uni for backing and leaders, but A-Jay's test makes me want to try the Alberto. I don't like the size of the Double Uni, but it is easy to tie. This is a really good site for learning little tasks and tricks. http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Tie-a-Double-Uni-Knot-64271747

A few hats, 2 jackets, a pair of Oakleys that were propped on top of my head when I bent over, at least 5 pliers, and a few lures that were on the deck.

I hardly ever tune in on Sunday mornings, but I like to watch short clips and instructionals on the internet. Some may have issues with these shows not being authentic, but the truth is I wouldn't watch if they weren't having any success. There's still things to observe and learn from. I watch rod tips and retrieves, listen to some tackle tips, and also admire the ease at which these guys can cast ambidextrously. Thats what I'm working on this year.

Man, that looks like some awesome fishing J. Francho! I try to make it up to the North Shore of Superior every year to flyfish for steelies but I never caught any like that.