.ghoti.

Any topwater as long as its black. Best for me? Black Cavitron buzzbait hands down.

A frog if I'm out early, otherwise a spinnerbait is always a good starting point.

Houdini Shad camo pearl color Salty super fluke. Babybass color Those are all I buy. I do have other colors for just in case, but I haven't needed them for several years.

Amazon had the best price I could find.

I like it so far Brian, but I have no idea how well it actually works. I hope I never have to find out!!! It is comfortable to wear all day.

Check out this one. http://www.amazon.com/Montegrappa-Chaos-Limited-Edition-Fountain/dp/B006ZYY0XS/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1399496407&sr=1-1 Now, back to reality. I got several from my Grandad. The only one I could get even barely acceptable results from was a Parker. I gave up on it, figuring there were better things I could do with my time. But, go for it, if it interests you. Script written with a fountain pen, in the hands of somebody who knows what they're doing, looks really cool.

Way to go Brian. I've seen pics of some of your catches. I got lucky.

Thanks again mac, for the fine day on the water, in your boat. I had a great time fishing with you, and I'd do it again, any time. And yes, I was whupped when I got home. Had a bite to eat, a small glass of wine, and went to sleep in my recilner; until my wife booted me out of the chair and into bed. Slept like a baby. (except I didn't suck my thumb and crap my pants)

Here's the best answer. This is a question for which an opinion is the answer. Your opinion is simply that: yours. I tend to agree with the idea that, for bottom contact presentations, the rod is more important. And, the reel is more important for moving bait applications. Until I take a look at my own combos, that is. My bottom contact baitcast combos: the reels cost more than the rods 8 / 3. My moving bait baitcast combos: the rods cost more than the reels 3 / 2. My spinning combos: the rods cost more than the reels 6 / 1. It appears I can't seem to take my own advice.

LOL I don't think there's much chance of that!!!

my biggest fish of the trip

Hey Kent, I won the new Pinnacle rod at the raffle. Gene got the Alpster custom rod. I've had the Pinnacle out in the backyard, with a TD-Z on it, and I think it's gonna be sweet. Got a trip to Trophy Country coming up, so I will post a review on my new stick when I get home. You sure I had the big bass of the trip? I haven't heard, one way or the other. when I caught that fish on Thursday, I figured I had about a 10% chance of it standing. There were too many good fishermen, and women, on this trip for a 5.9 to be the big one. DVT, you can see why I asked the question. I'm looking at the T3, not the Ballistic. The schematic plainly shows a bearing on the gear side of the wormshaft, thus the bearing count makes no sense to me. If there are two in the handle, which of the others is not there. Not a deal breaker at all. I'll just add one, if possible. I already have some spare Daiwa knob bearings and shims, so that's a done deal.

I did take one graduating class out for pizza, wings and beer. Caught enough hell I've never done so again, After a small glass, I'd have to say the finest single malt scotch I've ever tasted. I always have a bottle of Macallan 12 on hand. I consider it the standard by which all other single malts are judged. The 21 is simply above and beyond.

It's been a long, long time since I gave a rip for anything bassmasters had to say.

Thanks for the reminder goose. I knew I had said that, and I meant it, but, what's a guy to do? I can't have a brand new rod sitting around without a reel. That just wouldn't be right. Hogsticker & DVT; I was hoping the worm shaft had a bushing, and that there were two bearings in the handle. The schematic I downloaded from Daiwa said "worm shaft bearing". Thus the questions. Ninja; TW doesn't have the 8:1, only the slower ones. I know I'm the odd man out as far as handles go. I prefer a shorter handle, 80mm is perfect for me, and I really don't like knobs with any kind of texture. Daiwa's cork knobs are my favorites, but just about any smooth knobs are OK with me. If I can install an additional bearing in each knob I'll be a happy camper.

I've been considering a T3, at tackle warehouse's reduced price. Just won a new Pinnacle rod at the RoadTrip, and need a reel. Looking at the schematic, I can find the following bearings; 21 & 32 spool bearings 43 inner pinion bearing 57 outer pinion bearing 78 worm shaft bearing 83 crankshaft base bearing 98 crankshaft outer bearing 97 IAR beaing Specs list 4+4+1 bearings. Where is the other bearing? I was looking to see if the knobs were bearing supported. Just wanted to know if I needed a new handle. I like a 4bb handle with smooth knobs.

This year's graduating class just presented me with a bottle of Macallan 21. I could barely thank them. Sometimes this teaching business is it's own reward.

ACG, this is not your job. This is an issue for management, and this is their failure. Quit beating yourself up. Then do what you can for him, as a steward. That's your function in this case. And, all you can do is try to get him to help himself.

The Saturday night banquet was great. The raffle provided lots of nice prizes for members, while raising a fine total for the Tackle the Storm Foundation. I'll let Glenn post the results, but I think we set an all time record for money raised during the RoadTrip. BeckieC won a custom spinning rod, built by papajoe. A big tip o' the hat to Ronnie and Joe for providing such fine examples of the rodbuilder's craft. I won a Pinnacle casting rod, which is very light and impressive. Many thanks to Pinnacle for supporting our efforts to help fund Tackle the Storm. I'll post a review when I've had a chance to fish this fine looking stick. Big-O provided a bunch of baits, and when I say a bunch, I mean a big bunch, including some he custom-poured himself, in some of his own favorite colors. Talk about going above and beyond. Ark brought a whole tablefull of sunblock. I got a bottle for my dopp kit, a small bottle for my tackle bag, and a spray can of water babies variety that my grandkid's parents will truly appreciate this summer. Thanks Noah. Mike Siebert once again came through with a bunch of his baits, MegaStike, Seaguar, Rage Tail

I had a blast, as usual. This was my seventh RoadTrip, and, like every time, I made some new friends. I roomed with Fishing Rhino and Dinky. It was a complete hoot hangin' with these two old codgers. Thanks guys for a memorable event. Thanks to Glenn, Keri, and the rest of the Bass Resource crew, for another great trip. It's time to start planning for next year's trip,and I would encourage any member who's been on the fence about joining this group for another adventure, to get off the fence, and sign up. When I left Sunday morning I was in the lead for big fish with a 5.9 largemouth. One tenth more, and it would have been the first six I've caught in several years. There were at least a dozen folks fishing Sunday morning, so I expect a bigger fish was caught to knock me out of first place. Just wait until you see the fish 00mod caught on a crankbait. If I hadn't seen the pic, I would not have believed it.

Megastrike on all plastics and jigs. I don't use it on moving baits.

To all you guys using acetone, lighter fluid, carb cleaner, brake cleaner, engine de-greaser, etc; particularly you guys using the bearing blaster; where does all that spent chemical go? Not to get all tree-hugger on ya, but, think about it. Simple Green is biodegradable. All those other chemicals are not.

I ride one like I stole it for a couple of trips. If there are no problems, I'll do a complete tear-down, clean and lube. If there are problems, it goes back. Any manufacturing defects will rear their ugly heads quickly.

I like an 80mm handle a lot more than a 95mm. Tackle Trap has the TD-Z 80mm 4bb handle for 50 bucks. I have those on all six of my Fuegos, and three of my Alphas.

I'll bet nobody thought to warn the resort Long Mike "Stormcrow" Goodson was on the way.