aavery2

Work good on a Biffle Hard Head, or a Jika Rig

Congrats on the new reel.

I would not limit myself to using one product. The 3X Elaz Tech plastic is good, but others will out produce it sometimes.

I enjoy the Mike McClelland Signature Series Falcon Cara, as far as the best, it is all subjective.

Shaw Grigsby is well known for tieing the King Sling. Dave Mercer uses a loop knot for his frog fishing. Hank Parker is also a fan of the King Sling for baits like the Zara Spook. The Rapala brothers recommend using the Rapala knot, another version of the loop knot to give their baits a more natural action. All of the articles I read about the loop knot and in my own experience, when you need a little more action for a bait is when the loop knot works best. I looked but did not find any information on the loop knot killing action of the bait. Do you have a source? Guess a guy has to use what works for him.

Loop knots can work well in some instances when using top water baits.

Congrats, sounds like your off and running.

Jig or T-rigged worm, if I can't catch a fish on one or the other, I know it's gonna be a long day.

I would go with something in the 12-14 lb test area, it should be heavy enough that it wont back lash easily but light enough to cast well. Once you have your line spooled up, walk off about 35 yards of line, then take a piece of electrical tape and tape it completely around the remaining line on the spool. This will keep a backlash from going any deeper than the area above the tape. If you start casting further than 35 yards, you won't need the tape any longer.

Find a good quality mono or copoly to learn with, they are inexpensive and come with a lot more line per spool than braid or FC.

I spoke with a friend of mine about these rods yesterday. He is a very good angler and recently decided to switch from Falcon Rods to the *** rods. He first told me that he loves the rods, the sensitivity is great and they are made with very good components. He then told me that he has broken two rods, a casting and a spinning. He went on to tell me about the great customer service he has had, they replaced both rods no questions asked and did not even ask him to return the broken rods. He also has a few rods that are on backorder and the company sent him similar rods to use while he waits for the ones he ordered to become available. The breaking of the rods concerns me, but the customer service in as good as I have heard of.

Suffix 832, PP slick8, both seem to work good in the lighter lines.

Rage Craw, Minda Spear Craw, Lake Fork Craw Tube, Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw, there seems to be a good craw produced by almost all Mfg's.

The Seaguar fluoro is what I would use, it will still be slightly thinner than the Yo-Zuri, have a better rated strength, and is a denser line. The thickness and density will help determine the max depth you can reach.

Odd, spinning reels typically move much more line than a baitcaster with with the equivalent or even higher gear ratio. The other part of I.P.T. is spool diameter, if a reel has a low gear ratio and a large spool or the oposite a high gear ratio and a small spool, the two factors together determine what the IPT will be. Spinning reels typically have a much larger diameter spool, than baitcasting reels so a 5.1:1 spinning reel may move much more line than 5.1:1 baitcaster.

Probably safe to say he was not using a bait by the company on his shirt.

A fast or xtra fast action is typically what is used for contact bait techniques. If you choose to use a slower action you will lose sensitivity and sensitivity is the key when fishing contact baits. A MH/F rod should have little to no problems casting a 1/4 oz weighted 10" worm as in your example. Look at the weight rating of the rod, and recommended line size, stay in the sweet spot of these two specs and you should have no problems with the rod.

Dick's has a sale going on right now if you order on-line. 20 off of a 100 dollar or more purchase plus free shipping. If you use your budget, gift card and this sale, you could get into some very good rods. The 100 dollar rod market is crowded with rods, some good, some not so good. Once you make the jump to the next level the 150-200 dollar range, the choices start to become a little less clouded and there are some clear stand outs. Good Luck

Both great knots, and I would think probably two of the more commonly used knots out there, add yourself a line to line knot such as the Alberto, and you have a very good group. I like to use the Palomar when tying to anything like a swivel, obviously for a drop shot and when the bait is smaller in size or does not have trebble hooks. I use the improved clinch on just about everything else. The Alberto is easy to tie, has a small enough knot that it comes through even micro guides well and has good holding strength. These may not be the very best knots in their respective class but they do work very well and are easy to tie, I have had good luck with all of them for a number of years.

X2, does a very good job.

Might take a look at the Falcon Lowrider XG or the Falcon Bucoo. Great company to deal with.

Magic Eraser, and U-40, as already mentioned, quick, cheap and makes them look new.

The 200 B was made in a 6.2:1 gear ratio, so there should be some gear sets out there. I would try contacting DadsOleTackle, his phone number is 936-264-4167, they are in Conroe TX. He would be a good source for the harder to find Shimano parts.

I have been having good luck with the 6" Straight tail Roboworm rigged on a 3/16 oz shakeyhead. The Aarons Magic, and Margarita Mutilator colors both have worked well.

LSS