mikeeasttn

I always use Owner hooks on my cranks. Of course size of crankbait determines the size treble I use.

I have a 7 y/o grandson that loves to fish and has been fishing since he was 4 y/o. Last year he caught a 8.5# LM. He also loves to fish any touraments we can no matter the temperature. The boat is not allowed to leaave if he is not going fishing. He does not want me to fish while he is in school and wants me to wait until he returns home. He tells everyone that we at BFBF(best fishing buddies forever).

I use the Hudd-Bug. Thought at first it was too small to catch big fish but have caught up to 6# LM.

The lake I fish the temp is 60 Degrees. The sluggo in Arkansas shiner color has worked well this past week.

Tried to order but something was wrong with their web site.

I also use a ziplock bag to store phone. Thanks Ronnie for the link. They have some great stuff.

done

Take a look at the Shimano Crucial Rods. I know it is just me but like them as well as some Loomis Rods I have.

I am left handed so I pitch with my left hand. Put surgical glove on right hand and put some type of attractant on glove. I kmow this sounds excessive but after I started doing it seemed like I caught and catch more that way but could be all in my head.

Take at look at the Shimano Crucial Swimbait Rod H. It is 7' 11" in length and should handle baits in that range without over powering the rod.

I also got the free Trokar hooks and have purchased a few after that to try out. Personally I can not tell any difference between them and the Owners hooks. Infact I think the owners are really sharper as I do not have to set the Owner hooks as hard. I replace all my treble hooks with the Owner ST-36 and ST-56 trebles especially on my big swimbaits which do not already have the Owner hooks on them.

I use the Owner Mosquito Hook and the Standout Drop Shot Hook.

Sluggos in Arkansas shiner color and shad rap in black and silver.

If you use crankbaits try the Norman Deep Little N. It works well for me on heavily pressure waters.

I say it all the time but the UPS and Fed Ex men know me personally.

Watermelon and pumpkin.

Sluggo is my favorite. Will work in my lake in the winter./

Back in the early 80's I believe the same company that made the Color-C-Lector made a PH Meter that like very similiar to the Color-C-Lector. You were suspose to be abgle to find the breakline in the ph of the water. I had one but did not get to use it much as I had just started my residency. I still think that the pH makes a difference in the depth the fish hold. Check on E-Bay and you may find an old one for sale. Sam is right the temp and O2 content probably have more to do with it but pH of the water has some effect.

Ruling out custom rods, I would say Loomis GLX OR NRX.

I use a Berley Portable. I swimbait fish and have to change line quite frequently and use 20 to 30# line. It is great for casting reels and putting l&l conditioner on the line while spooling the reel. Do not think I could do without it now.

Curado 200 E5 or Daiwa Zillion Crazy Cranker.

P-Line CXX

Take a look at the Shimano Crucial swimbait Rods. They are around the price point you have set. I have used them for 3-4 years and am well pleased. They are 7'11" in length and have fished the 9" Bull Shad and the big MS Slammers with my XH Shimano.

In East Tn where I live some of us die hard fisherman fish all year or try to. Sometimes the last of Jan and 2 or 3 weeks in Feb will be too cold. In fact winter is a good time to fish for stripers. We also have a couple of power plant lakes to fish.

I do not understand but I have custom built, Crucial. Loomis, and Dobyns cranking rods. But the one that plays the fish best for me is a Berkley Lightning Rod MH 7'. I know it sounds crazy but it sems to play the fish better when using shallow and medium running cranks.