.ghoti.

That would indeed be the problem. I've trimmed down to eight rods and reels; those will cover all the bases. And, that's how many I can get in the rod rack built into my Jeep. I could not convince myself to bring fewer. Get baits and terminal tackle into two small bags is proving difficult. I may not be able to do it, but I'm a gonna try.

I need to get on it. I have the reels I'm bringing freshly serviced and re-spooled, and that's it so far for tackle prep for this trip. I'm not bringing 500 pounds of tackle like I have in the past. Planning on two small bags, and I need to decide what I'm bringing, and get them packed. For the Soiree, I have my shopping list. I've bought most of the non-perishable items, the beer, the wine, plates, platters, utensils, etc. I'll buy the perishable stuff the night before.

The Curados I've serviced have all had fairly stout drags. You've either put something back together incorrectly, or used way too much grease. Check the schematic when you tear it down, and wipe off almost all of the grease.

That's an interesting statement. Care to elaborate?

I have two Rapala fillet knives. Both have lasted a long time, but need sharpening every time. I have no complaints with these knives. But, if you don't want to sharpen every time you use it, you'll need something better. This one is better. http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KS1259/Kershaw-9-inch-Fillet-Knife-1259 Good steel, excellent corrosion resistance, just enough flex in the blade, a nice grip, good length, and retains it's edge a lot longer than the Rapala.. You still need to learn how to sharpen a blade.

Flyfisher beat me to the punch; saying almost everything I would say. Good advice. I'll only add two things. As a full time, tenured professor; I can tell you it is a sweet gig. And, regarding going back to school; better late then never. It only becomes harder as you become older, and more firmly entrenched in your lifestyle.

paging Dr Raider, paging Dr Raider, will the "real" Dr Raider please come to nuerosurgery immediately.

This is what I will have tied on my rods when I leave home for this trip. Some of these will change no doubt, but this will be my starting point. 1. 4/0 ewg hook, no weight, Senko backwards Ika, Houdini shad 2. 1/8oz gammy jighead, Zman worm, Rage Tail menace, Cutt-r worm 3. 5/16oz Evo Shake2 jighead, Space Monkey, hula grub 4, T-rig, GYCB Kuttail, Rage Lobster 5. Small crankbait 6. Spinnerbait 7, Spinning rod, tube, dropshot I will probably take only four rods at any one time. And one small bag. Which four, and what bag will be the questions for each day.

I remember those. I have a couple, stashed somewhere. Gonna have to find those and start using them again.

No secrets, but here are my go-to baits, in no particular order. PB&J Zman worm on a 1/8oz Gammy Skipgap jighead Fat Ika, reverse rigged, 4/0 EWG hook Yum Houdini shad, 5/0 EWG hook, no weight Okee Craw Space Monkey on a 5/16oz Evo Shake2 jighead GYCB Big Kahuna Kuttail worm, plum, t-rigged, 5/0 EWG hook, pegged 1/16oz steel weight with steel bead Poor Boys tube watermelon rose color, 3/0 Rig-N hook, 1/16oz internal tube weight

Spinning - 6'10" Daiwa TD-X (dropshot) Casting- 6'6" Setyr M-F (jerkbaits and small topwaters) Casting - 6'6" Setyr MH-F (spinnerbaits) On the other end of the spectrum, I used to have five 7'6" rods. I have one of those left, and don't use it. I discovered the hard way that I don't like rods much longer than 7'.

I have a Dobyns Champion 7'6" H-F that I do not like and do not use. I have a Daiwa L&T 7' H-R that I like and use; for buzzbaits, frogs, and every now and then for deep cranks. I could easily get by without it. Where I fish, a heavy power rod is not necessary.

My stuff gets all piled up in the garage. Then I cuss like a psychotic electrician when I have to find a specific item.

Cool story, Bobby. When you coming out with a bait called the U-rig?

Look at the belly on that beast. That fat girl has been at the buffet for a long time.

I recently had some bourbon bacon chocolate chip cookies. They were AWESOME.

That's the most versatile rod I own. Enough so I bought a second.

My most versatile rod is a St Croix LTB 7' M-F. My least versatile rod is a St Croix LTB 7' MH-XF. Go figure.

Being from Illinois, I would have to say that many, if not most, northern anglers are multi-species anglers. Many southern anglers, but probably not most, are primarily bass fishermen. That would be my own observation. I could be mistaken. Many more Yankees fish with live bait. That is simply easier to do with spinning gear. Try fishing a lindy rig sometime with a med-heavy baitcaster spooled up with 14-20 pound line and see what happens. Conversely, try taking your yankee stick, spooled up with #6 mono and try to flip some hydrilla beds. Ain't gonna work out so well for ya. Northern waters tend to be a lot clearer than southern waters. This dictates a stealthier, light line, light weight, approach, and until recently that meant spinning gear. But, at the top of the list would be personal preference. A lot of us northerners did not grow up fishing casting gear, and most southerns did not grow up with spinning gear. You tend to use what you're used to using. I went for almost two decades without ever picking up a spinning rod. (we don't need no stinkin fairy wand) I now have five, and use them regularly.

Got da hat fo dat, mon.

Still to be determined. Caught a bunch of trout on the White River in February, but have yet to go bass fishing.

To answer your initial question; no, you don't "need" an application specific crankbait rod. I have two of the same LTB rods you have, and they are the most versatile rods I own. Try it. You might like it. Try all of your rods for cranking. You just may find something you like.

Today, I'm thinking about retirement. I think I'm going to pull the plug at the end of this semester.

Now, that's what I'm talkin about! If I win the raffle, do I have to fish braid?

To net, or, not to net. That is the question.