webertime

You really won't notice any change that is worth the time and $ to change.

I get my flies locally as well as through llbean, orvis, and cabelas.

You won't damage anything throwing larger flies. If you are going after Smallies in creeks and rivers, there is no need for flies larger than say a size 2. Short of the occasional frog/mouse not much of a Smallmouth's diet in a river will be "big" Clouser Minnows, Purple/Black/Olive/White beadhead wooly buggers, Muddlers, and the Bar's Meat Whistle are my favorite Smallmouth flies.

I've had a ton of fish fall for my Baby Blue colored Tru Tungsten frog. Color is the last thing I care about with frogs.

Booyah Pad Crasher and the small Spro are my favorites. I toss frogs with a Phenix Recon 766 and a Curado E7 with 50lb PP. Pretty perfect for frogs.

I use a Recon 715 for what you describe, but it is always hard to say no to a Dobyns. I LOVE my Recons

The Daiwa Lexa looks killer and I am a Shimano fanboy.

They are sweet. They walk very well considering how short they are. Caught a bunch of largemouths on one. Use a medium/fast rod and you are good to go.

A local pond had a huge fishkill 2 years ago and we all thought it was done for. Well the following winter a Smallmouth too big to get through a 6" hole was caught, the following summer 5-6lb LM were taken. It seems that the kill wiped out all the shallow (10' and less) fish, but fish that were deeper survived (that's the current hypothesis). I know some bucket biologists stocked it as well. So maybe some fish managed to stay low (on a spring perhaps?) and survived it.

I love my Sunline Sniper 16lb.

I think those are computer images (not real rods).

All of the above PLUS... Good for C-Rig. Pinch off the middle 2 flappers and it's a fantastic jig trailer. I insert glass rattles into them and flip them with a 3/8oz weight 99% of the time though.

Dick's is the same way. Ours in VT has a TON of Musky stuff, seriously obscene amount for a fish that is exceedingly rare here and is only catch and release now. Sometimes "corperate" doesn't seem to get it.

The only thing you can catch from Vermont is bad case of awesome. It's not only felt soled waders/boots. The carpet on boat decks, the seams of your sneakers or any clothing really can do it (this is for algaes like Didymo aka Rock Snot). Mussels can spread really by boats only at this point (livewells, bilge, etc). It's just a matter of time before invasives hit a body of water (assuming it's a good habitat for the respective organism), the fight is to prolong the time it takes to get it/them. I DO wonder if braided line/fly backing could absorb the spores/cells and spread algaes...

Very good to hear! I ended up getting the 765 Diesel as a frog, rod and it's AWESOME.

Alewives have exploded in Champlain over the last 4-5 years and the bass LOVE them. As for size I've lost count of the number of bass that I've caught that have puked up carcasses of perch/smelt/alewives that were over 8".

They're terrible... I would name my next born Pit Boss if I was allowed too...

Chatterbait or a T-Rigged Pit Boss

I just got a couple packs after a long backorder wait and was really excited to see it in action for myself. I fished it with a 1/4oz weight in front and a 4/0 or 6/0 EWG behind, I did try a punch skirt as well for a few. I used flukes, pitboss', Magic Shad, and sluggos for trailers/baits. I have to say that I was pretty underwhelmed... Flukes, and Sluggos didn't have a bunch of tail wag, or at least as much as one would expect. Magic Shad had lots, but not significantly more than when they are rigged on a swimbait hook or jighead. Pitboss' were a dud (sort of expected it since wide trailers on a chatterbait never really work out for me). I fished them on a Phenix Recon 715c with a Curado E and 16lb Sniper Fluoro as well as a Compre MHXF with a Citica spooled with 12lb YZH. How do you guys like them? Am I missing something? I watched the TW video with Bub and I have them set up right (as far as I can tell, but I am 99% sure I have them nailed).

20lb Tufline or Power Pro. I have both on my Sahara and got the lines at BPS.

I used duct seal (very durable and stable putty) that you build a well/tub with, put some water in it and drop the transducer in it. I was using a portable fishfinder and hated the transducer getting fouled up outside the hull, this solved it. It's like $5 in the electical isle at Home Depot. Goose's Battery idea is great if you don't go with a portable model.

In a frenzy, you one bait is just one of thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of potential things to eat. Trying to get your bait below/through the frenzy may help since large fish will often hang out and eat the stunned fish as they drop through (let the other Bass to the hard work). If you can get down to them with a fluke or something similar, that may help.

Regardless of the reel brands, I think you have nailed the ratios for each rod/purpose.

As for the rebates, Shimano is not the company handling those. They hire a firm to do that and the problem may in fact lie with them. Although yes Shimano IS still reponseble since it's their subcontractor, it's not Shimano directly delaying the rebates. Almost ALL rebates on products are handled by firms contracted by the company whose product has the rebate.

Did it come with the matching Zebra Loin Clothe? Looks very cool! Tell us about that blank when you get some time out with it, I was looking at that blank for myself!