flippin and pitchin

Yup, I picked some up several year ago and fished (TR) them on and off. They will catch fish anywhere you would soak a brush hog or similar bait. I found them to be a bit more durable than the Zoom products. They seem to have a slower fall rate but that's becuase of the thicker body and longer single tail. The Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin and Junebug colors are what I bought and used. They do work.

I've only done the old hold the reel, spin the handle check at the store on this reel. Taking the size, bearing count and gear ratio into account, I think your right on in the applications you're choosing. Once you spool it up and cast some different lures you'll be able to dial it in.

A few things to consider before you buy are: Seasonal patterns, pre-spawn, spawn and post spawn. This will have the greatest influence as to the depths you might fish. Depth, based on seasonal patterns, availability of deep water and weather conditions. Visibility, the clarity or stain of the water you will fish. Species, most baits will overlap but some baits are more effective for smallmouth or largemouth. Cover and Structure, what will the bait be coming in contact with. Forage base. Put these factors into a list and then apply what you have learned about what baits are more effective in cooler water, i.e. lipless baits and tight wobble baits. Bolder colors for stained water and more natural colors for clear water etc. Applying what you have already learned will help you select brand, model, color, depth, bill style and noise making features. Finally select brands you you have confidence in, can afford and are willing to throw (and loose ). Learn how they feel because crankbaits telegraph alot of information about the bottom, the cover type and any changes may equal a bite, however subtle. We each have our pet brands and colors and I won't open that door. Crankbaits are fun to fish, cover water, tell you about the bottom contours and so on and catch all sizes of fish. Experiment with retrieve speeds. You have already made the first step, you are determined to learn. Have a blast and let us know how things go.

Did you have to fill out a collision report ? ;D

I got a 2010 Premier four weeks ago and previously fished my SIL's Curado. I like the Premier hands down for cast control, smooth retrieve and drag. I have an STX ordered. Enough said.

Score !!! At $2.00 you got a great shallow bait at less than half price. NEVER PAY RETAIL.

Okay, you peaked my interest. I watched the show and the rod Velvick used appears to be a Rogue as far as the graphics go but it could be a custom rod. I did note some goofy white rods on the boat deck. Not enough to see to determine for me. Evidence demands a verdict. The best part of the show was Guy Eaker placing 3rd. The man has been doing this for a long long time. I'm impressed.

There's a couple of west coast companies that produce some really nice tubes, Dry Creek Outfitters and Outlaw Baits. Outlaw has a color, Green Ugly that just works all the time. Dry Creek has a two tone " Buzzard Snot " color that, at times, just whacks the smallies. They did have a promo where they would send you a product sample pack at no cost. Happy tuben

If you shop hard there's a number of great products under that $100.00 price point. I picked up several Lamiglas Excel rods, both casting and spinning at a sportsman's show promo price of $74.97 and two new Revo S reels on a one day in store special for $69.97 each. I'm surer there's plenty of options out there if you do a little research. Members of this forum are quick to pass on sales and close outs all the time.

Good Lord Kent, Almost 1300 members have read this thread. What else do you hate ?

I would ask the question, what was different about the spinnerbait other than it cost a buck ? Different color?, weight ?, blade size ?, blade combination?, length of skirt ? and so on. Something triggered those fish unless they can read a price tag. Tomorrow just might bring redemption to one of the "name" baits. Happy to hear you figured them out and had a good day ! Catching always makes fishing more fun.

Great bait. This works well when a finesse pitching presentation is needed. I rig it Texas style with a EWG 3/0 and 3/16 oz. sinker. It's a great "edge " bait. I also rig it similar to Pgrsmunky but use the Chompers stand up head for cleaner bottoms and in transition areas. I like the rigging photos provided. I will have to try that ! I checked my notes and caught 121 bass on this bait in 2004. My oldest ( first ) packages are by Gambler Baits. Green Pumpkin was the best color by far. Whoops, checked my old packs, Riverside not Gambler.

This model has been my pitching reel for the last two years. It handles all weights, even weightless senkos. The ratio allows for quick reel ins and getting that bait back out there where it belongs. This is much better performing reel than my Quantums. Wait till you try the new 2010 Premier. Good gollie what a caster.

This is one of the most underrated crankbaits ever. They run true and stay true at speed and produce a unique vibration. Try the Crystal Craw pattern. It's been my most consistent producer for largemouth and smallmouth over the last 8 years.

I would like to hear your opinions on longer rods that collapse or don't ( one piece ). Do you or would you prefer one piece rods up to 8 feet ? Is the inconvienence of transport worth it to go one piece ? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. P.S., Anyone use a one piece over 7'3" ??

The most horrendous strikes I've ever seen came from smallies wacking a Super Spook. Those were the most vicious strikes I have ever seen. They knock that plug three feet in the air. Unbelievable. We'll have to wait for awhile for that deal though.

I picked some up at a tackle dealer's sidewalk sale for 97 cents a pack and use them for fun fishing. There's worse hooks out there. They really aren't bad.

Try a W&M bobber stopper. I used to peg with toothpicks, then went to TT smart pegs and found the bobber stopper to be the easiest way to secure a weight, avoid crimping line and if you want to retie, just slide the stopper up and slide it back. They cost about 9 cents each and hold up well.

Don't tie on a leader. That's just one more connection to fail. 10 # will work for crankbaits as long as the cover isn't too nasty. It's light for spinnerbaits. Exchange it. Almost every retailer will at least exchange w/o the receipt.

I like any show that isn't an infomercial and done on private waters. It's more entertaining to see anglers struggle and figure them out than to have a guide in the camera boat. I noticed Bassmaster and FLW Outdoors didn't get any love. The World's Greatest Fishing Show with Mark Zona can be a kick if you like seeing a guy who missed taking his medication.

green pumpkin

Steezy, You have a contact so I am curious, did he say the blanks are made in Dallas or the rods are assembled and finished in Dallas ? F n P

Two completely different tools for different situations. I would think swimbaits should complement your options for a moving bait. I think of crankbaits a contact lures because they work best when they deflect off cover or bottoms. You will only make yourself more versatile by committing to working another lure type. That's the fun of bass fishing.

x 2 !!

I saw the entire line up at a sportsman show this February. I thought this company from TEXAS might be a player in the 100.00 market until I picked the rods up. They are not US made. There is some serious name dropping going on here. The rods are attractive. They are a pretty MOJO in my opinion. They were heavy and the blanks were " dead " feeling, a low modulus material. This is one stick I would not buy on hype alone. If you think you're looking at a pre-Shimano Loomis influenced bank, think again. Just do your research before you lay out your cash. The new rods that made a statement are Lamiglas Excel, Dobyns Savvy and Okuma EVX. These companies did very well with new entries to the rod market. I just picked up my my last two Excels and like them alot.