K_Mac

This is the time of year, as rangerjockey says, that bigger baits really shine in my experience. As others have said, location is always key, and using big worms, creatures, lizards, Senkos, etc will limit your numbers a bit most of the time, but will usually catch bigger fish. The Rage Anaconda, a Brushhog, or an 8" Zoom lizard are my favorite big plastics for working deep water structure. Sometimes a big paddle tail is a better choice. It all depends...good luck! Edit: I just re-read the OP. Big fish and lots of them, is a rare pleasure for most of us. Enjoy the pursuit!

TNBassin if the 7' rod is a Med power then you probably be better with a F or XF action rod for fishing weighted plastics IMO. The way I think of "speed" related to action is simple, but it works for me: The faster the action the faster you reach the backbone of the rod on a hook-set. On a lighter power rod this is important. On a heavier power rod with a much stiffer tip (a flipping stick for example) a MF action will give you a little more forgiveness keeping a fish buttoned , esp when working in close. These are just generalizations since I have not handled a Vendetta.

Extra Fast rods have a tendency to have a little softer tips than Fast rods in my experience. My Pro Qualifier is a 7' M-XF, and it is perfect for unweighted or slightly weighted Senko/knock-off's. It does not take much loading to get into the backbone of the rod and it loads quickly when casting or pitching.

Most of my fishing this year has been done using tungsten weights, in sizes from 1/8 -3/4. Whether or not it makes sense is open for debate. I was skeptical at first, but I like the increased feel of the bottom it gives me. It may cost me an extra $25 for the year compared to lead. With gas, energy, food, etc, going up I may not be able to afford it in the future, but for the cost of a few gallons of gas it is worth the extra to me.

It's all about using a good quality bullet and proper shot placement. This gun in combination with a .454 casull revolver backup might be enough? After reading many bear related threads on a couple of gun forums I have learned that big grizzlies are harder to stop with each passing year...

I always have a couple of spinning rigs in the boat, and they are used often in clear water where light line/baits are needed. As BASSclary said, you can do this with a BC if you have the right set-up and skills. SirSnook is also right that you can do anything you want with the proper spinning gear. Most of us use both BC and spinning, but it really does come down to preference.

I used to travel on business a lot. While it was never my intent , I collected speeding tickets in a number of states-with some duplicates. I did get to attend driving school a couple of times over the years as a reward for my perseverance in collecting these little paper mementos.

As others have said, M-F or M-XF is what I use for most of my fishing. My 7' PQ M-XF is my favorite rod. If I could only bring one rod, this would be it.

While I agree that Trokar hooks cost more than I'm comfortable spending, we all make value decisions about the tackle we use. For instance, I would never buy an Ugly Stik at one end, or a GLoomis NRX on the other, based on my perceived value of those rods and my disposable income. While he mentions that money is an issue, BA726 did not ask for advice on how to spend his money. He simply asked for advice on how to sharpen a hook.

The file Dwight mentions or a similar stone will do fine. I have been sharpening hooks for a long time. Touching up a good hook makes a lot more sense than replacing it IMO. I know the common wisdom these days is replace them, and if the hook is badly damaged I do, but if a little sharpening is all that is needed I will spend my cash on something else.

For years I did not have a dedicated crankbait rod, using either a 6'6" MH power Fast action with a softer tip than most (an old Lightning Rod circa 1990) or a 6'6" M F Extreme spinning rod. I lost what I believe was a new personal best fishing a Bandit 100 this spring on the lightning rod that I blame in large part on the using the wrong rod for this application. I am now using a St. Croix glass rod that I have also had for years, but was in need of a couple of new guides. This rod is rated 1/4 -3/4 (same as the Lightning Rod) and is a much better choice IMO. My point is while you can get by using one rod, RW's three rod recommendation is a solid place to start.

J Franco is right regarding the way that lights effect fishing. As far as white LEDs not attracting bugs, turn on an LED headlamp when you're night fishing and watch what happens. The red ones attract far less...

CCR is the sound track of my youth. The song that best represents that time in my head is Fortunate Son. They all take me back...

Yep. Well said.

Matt I am a big fan of the Wacky rig. I know the wiggle very well. I still think it looks like something a kid that didn't know any better would rig though.

Diggy have you tried it sprayed on a Ritz cracker? mmmmmm

There are some baits that don't look like they should work to me, including but not limited to; a small beaver with no apparent action, a silly looking wacky rigged Senko, and a big, noisy buzzbait. What these baits have in common is they work well. If the fish like them they don't have to look good to me or you! The first time a pig inhales your buzzbait you will forget all about how big the bait is...good luck.

I regularly use it on 6#, 12# and 15# CXX. It makes a huge difference. It is worth the cost to me...

There is a man with too much time on his hands. I like it though! It would be cheaper than using a shotgun, and when targeting flying fish it could come in very handy.

I agree with LMG. For a general purpose rod a graphite fast action is more useful. The Browning rods are all fiberglass parabolic (slow) action rods which are generally better suited to treble hook baits.

I will add my opinion to the discussion with the disclaimer that it is worth exactly what you paid for it! While the 2 Amendment was written in a very different time, the idea that the government could severely restrict or prohibit gun ownership would have been unthinkable then. Though many things have changed since, the notion that our government has that right now is antithetical to the principles on which this nation is founded in my opinion. The claim is often made that allowing law abiding citizens the right to carry will result in rage related gunfights and increased violence. I have never seen any evidence to support this claim. The opposite seems to be true. Would prohibiting gun ownership have prevented the Colorado incident? Looking at the statistics in Europe where guns are very tightly controlled it seems unlikely. We live in a violent world and taking away my guns will not change that. That the government will be able to protect me from all evil is a nice idea, but the evidence does not support that either IMO. I am responsible for my own safety in many situations. Having a handgun in my boat, or a shotgun in my home may make some uncomfortable. I understand. Not having them would make me uncomfortable. I am no threat to anyone other than those who would do me harm. I have no problem with background checks and proficiency testing, as long as that is not a ploy to keep guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens. One other hot-button topic is, "assault weapons". The truth is an assault weapon has a very specific definition that has been widely ignored by those who would promote an anti-gun agenda. Unless it is an intermediate power weapon capable of select fire it is not an assault weapon. While that may make little difference to some, it muddies the water in any legitimate discussion of gun ownership and legal limits.

Yes, you can fish plastics of all sorts on jigs of all sorts. Fishing a worm on an open jig (as opposed to one with a brush guard) can be very effective in some situations. A lot of wood/brush/grass will necessitate some type of guard. Good luck.

No experience with the Sedona, but have been using a couple of presidents for a few years now with no problems. Very nice reels for the money in my experience.

As a believer, you know that God is with you. You can trust in that. I will keep you in my prayers.

.RM. I appreciate your (and other professionals) willingness to help with questions regarding equipment issues. Your input over the years has been very helpful. Thank you.