bassnleo

8 or 10 lb braid won't hold up around docks or if a fish is wrapped in brush, that's where the 15-30 lb braid shines. For other open water applications, lighter braid is just fine.

I'm gonna spool up a flippin rod with the 25 lb Berkley fluoro. I'm usually all braid but got an itch to go back to fluoro just to see how it performs. Lots of good suggestions about using up that 20 though.....

Clear water tube, fluke, small worms or craws on a drop shot Stained to muddy Spinnerbait, crankbait, jig

Yes, Erie PA-Presque Isle. It appears that possibly the last weekend of May, specifically the 30th. After finally getting my Tx schedules, that Sunday os about the only one I can do. It will be busy, that's Memorial Day weekend. So, Sunday May 30th, how's that date look for everyone?

We Lake Erie people usually get the blasts of snow.... We've been kinda lucky this year, the lake froze. Sorry but I have to do this:

To echo what was already said, yes, dead pad stems will hold fish early in the year. We have a local lake that is full of pad stems after ice out. The are also in the backs and sides of coves. Pad stems rock there. The key is to find the stems in water that is warmer than the main lake temps. Slow roll a spinnerbait, shallow running crank, chatterbait.

Did anyone see the hit that Ovi put on Jagr at center ice.....ouch! To add more insult, right after the hit Russia went right down and scored (Malkin). I see Russia winning the gold.

FYI, I just did a search of both the Missouri TBF and Federation Nation, BOTH appear to have well established youth programs.

Search your states TBF or Federation Nation clubs/organizations. Contact a one of the local clubs to see if they have a youth club, join, and have at it!

All billed cranks/topwater/jerkbaits: 12# Flouroclear (I may drop to 10 if I need more depth) Spinnerbaits/lipless cranks: 15# Flouroclear Finesse(ds, shakey):8 lb Power Pro /6-8 lb Gamma flouro leader. Frogs: 30-50 lb braid (depends on thickness of cover) Flippin/pitchin: 65 lb braid Tube draggin/driftin: 8 lb Gamma flouro Flukin': 10 lb braid Deep jigs: 14 lb flouro Dock skippin': 20 lb braid

Thinking back to last year I NEVER had a fish break my line due to a tungsten weight. I use tungsten weights for just about everything and on a variety of lines. An improperly tied knot on the other hand...... :

Like GMAN and RW said.......... TUBE

Yep it is........ That hook will continue to exist but I find it crazy that they cost $2 more per pack than the BMF does/did. As stated, I was told that the BMF hook will no longer be made by Gammy for RI.

Was told by a reputable tackle dealer today that BMF hooks will be no longer be the same. Wish I had time to inquire further with him, and get more specifics, but time was short. According to him, Mustad will now be producing the hook. Was the BMF a Gamakatsu before? Least that's what I had heard..... Least I got the last 5 packs of 4/0 BMF's he had .

Oddly, my favorite combo is a black & blue jig with a green pumpkin trailer. I use a variety of trailers to change the rate of fall or size/profile of the jig.

I've had that same e-glass rod now for about 5 years. For the price it's a pretty decent rod and has held up well for me. I primarily used it for deep cranks and I really have no complaints about it. Go for it!

Contact me whenever

LAO162, I have an idea, and I'm not kidding...... You tell me what your favorite technique is. I will try to match ONE OF MY PERSONAL RODS for that technique. I will send you ONE OF MY PERSONAL RODS for you to use for a period of time, call it a loaner so you can feel a Kistler first hand without the monetary committment. Course, we would have to iron out a few more minor details..... I'm serious 8-), so, it's up to you at this point.

Maybe this will help remove a red flag. Been using Kistler rods since 2006 and I now have 19 rods ranging from light drop shot models to extra heavy flippin sticks. In that time I have only had ONE rod break and that was probably my fault it did. I think I high centered the medium 7' spinning rod and tried to lift a smallie before he was ready. (It was during a tournament and right at the end of the day just before weigh in so details are a little blurry, we were cutting time really close and in a big rush to get that fish in the boat and get to weigh in on time). I had a new rod in 5 days from Kistler. All this was BEFORE I applied (or even had the thought to apply) to be on the Kistler Team. I own models from just about all the lines, except for the discontinued Argon line, just didn't need one at that time. I have held a couple Argons though and they felt nice.

I live 50 miles South of Lake Erie. Usually, we get clobbered with lake effect snow. Southern and Eastern PA rarely see large amounts. In the past 2 weeks those places have got clobbered while we have kinda been spared. I kinda feel sorry for the Eastern PA, Maryland, D.C., guys on here.

All the Z-Bone rods are built with blanks from Gary Loomis North Fork Composites. This is directly from Kistler concerning the Z-bone: After two years of research and development, the brand new Kistler Z bone rods are finally available to the public in a custom rod aspect. Each Z bone will be built and tested from a blank that was specially designed by the legendary Gary Loomis and constructed by his North Fork Composites team in their new state-of-the-art blank factory in Woodland, Washington. Because of the extreme degree of testing by Gary and his team as well as the Kistler standard of testing, you will be able to feel more confident while fishing our great American Z bone blanks. All Kistler Z bone blanks are finished in a beautiful "Raw Carbon." Our one of a kind "Raw Carbon" finished look is a sanding and polishing process that involves no added color, gloss or matte coating at all, just the pure beauty of graphite. This approach ensures your rod is as light, responsive, and sensitive as possible. While a coating can make for an attractive fishing rod, the weight of any applied finish dampens the blank at its most critical section, the tip.. By leaving our blanks naturally finished, we can deliver to you not just the lightest rod possible, but also one with an incredibly sensitive tip that will also equate to tons of detected bites. Z bone LE stands for "Limited Edition". Given the exclusive and rare combination of paper carbon scrim and extremely high-modulus 40 ton graphite, these rods will be produced in limited quantities. Have you ever dreamed about that "perfect" blank? Well, wake up because thanks to our partnership with the legendary Gary Loomis, we are now able to deliver that to you. We are leveraging Garys expertise and having his new company build our new Z bone LE blanks to our exact specifications. These awesome blanks are truly Americas lightest, strongest, most sensitive graphite blanks to date. Z bone ST Introducing our tournament tough, intermediate-modulus graphite blank. Designed for the most demanding and extreme fishing conditions that require featherweight feel to help you enjoy your sport like never before. With our multi-layered, 30 ton graphite, the Z bone ST will perform under the most extreme fishing conditions without any of the unnecessary, added weight common in a lot of todays graphite rods. We are leveraging the legendary Gary Loomis expertise and having his new company build our new Z bone ST blanks to our exact specifications. When one compares apples to apples, these awesome blanks are truly Americas lightest, strongest, most sensitive graphite blanks to date. QUALITY CERTIFIED FISH READY! Your Z bone rod will be quality certified by thoroughly testing and hand inspection from my expert team located here in Magnolia, Texas, USA. Our multiple steps testing certifies that your Kistler Rod is FISH READY before it leaves our facility. Fishing Never Felt So Good knowing your rod will perform flawlessly from your first Fish On! and many more. KISTLER FISH READY CHECKLIST Casting Action / Flex Test Power, Torque & Backbone Test Reel Seat Function & Stability Test Stay-Put Guide & Clear Coat Check Accu-align Guide & Reel Seat Check Precision Crafted / Blemish Free Check Trey Kistlers Fish Ready Seal of Approval Z bone Limited Warranty Because of the unmatched quality that goes into each and every custom Z bone rod Kistler builds, you will not need to worry about your warranty what so ever! That is right! Our testing is so thorough and the quality is so amazing, you should never have to bother with warranty issues. All Z bone rods carry our 90 Day warranty guarantee! After that, if you take care of your rod and don't treat it like a winch, a net or a snagged bait remover...you will experience a lifetime of performance from your custom Z bone rod. If you have an extrordinary issue, like you purchase the rod and don't use it for more than 3 months, then the first use it breaks, I'm fairly certain Kistler will take care of you. As I have stated in other threads, I currently own 19 Kistlers and have used them since 2006. I have only had 1 rod break. I called concerning the break and had a new rod in 4 days.

Dwight, if you're coming I'm sneakin into your boat, someone else can take mine, LOL. I'm working on a date now. I will have my T schedule for that month very soon, will post some dates in the near future. I'm leaning toward the end of the month at this point.

Don't ever buy or try bubblegum color, it won't catch a fish . Flukes are a mainstay around here with all the clear water. My fluke rig consists of a Kistler Helium 7' MH spinning rod, a 20 series reel, and 8 lb Power Pro braid. I use primarily a 3/0 or 4/0 Gammy superline EWG hook. I make looooong casts and it never fails, the bait hits the water, I pop it twice and a fish blows up on it. I went to the set-up above for that reason. I can still bury the hook even at the end of a long cast and I've seen no negatives whatsoever, even in clear water. I've watched fish come from a long distance to eat a fluke, also had them chase the darting bait back to the boat, kill it, and watched them suck it in, only to get their eyes crossed It's a productive bait, you can't go wrong.

The Gamma fishing division is going out of business. There has been rumor that another company has expressed interest in buying the division. Retailers are probably selling their remaining stock. After that, no more line.

Senko, I'll hate Ovi for you . He's a dominant player and a hoot to watch, but for some reason I just don't like him, I cannot honestly tell you why. Wait.....just figured out why, I'm a Pens fan