craww

Yes the sammy should sit vertical at rest. Split rings aren't needed. Don't be too upset if it doesn't textbook walk like a spook, it isn't supposed to. Ive used the 85's exclusively for about 8 years and its my favorite topwater. The way it "flits" across the surface, sometimes spitting, partially going under, rolling, etc drives fish nuts. The larger models and the wood version walk a little better if that's important to you.

Ive used one for years, for what you want to do it'll be fine. One thing Ive noticed is air cards tend to get better reception that cell phones due to the radio equipment inside (its different due to not handling voice traffic)... I have had numerous ATT smart phones and aircards and the card's reception blows the phones away. I can stream data in areas where I can barely make a call on my phone.

They both work well..Don't be so quick to knock the scum frog, it has one thing on most every other frog made; a nice subtle touchdown in the water. This does matter at times in the shallows. I also like how collapsible it is. I don't recall what actual brand it was, but Ive had some of the spro style that the plastic was super stiff. The hooks aint that great, and will rust over time. But, its a 4 dollar bait that actually catches fish. The original spros are a great quality bait that have been blatantly copied as much as the senko. They're super durable, don't take on water as much as other frogs, and have a super sharp, strong hook.

Don't know what part of NC your in, but I noticed a bunch of fish in a similar pattern today 30 miles north of the VA/NC border, prespawn fish...Alot of bass cruising in general, quite shallow. There is a period of time in late prespawn when the fish get in a funk. It can be quite frustrating as you'll often see some MASSIVE fish seemingly wandering aimlessly. WRB gave you a great recommendation in the chatterbait, I love throwing one with a bluegill looking skirt. The deal for me today was aggresively hopping a tx rigged yammamoto flappin hog. Around here in addition to the old dogwood adage, a good indicator is the turkey activity. As a hunter Ive noticed that when the gobblers get hot in the spring, the spawn is full on. Been doing some calling the past few days, and the birds aren't there yet.

Striper by far. LMB are okay once in a blue moon, depending on where they came from. I like to take the skin off and grill it with some orange slices/ fresh parsley. We will get store bought tilapia on occasion, its cheap and mild and pretty good with rice. I dont care for any "fishy" tasting fish.

I've also experienced braid getting cut surprisingly fast on sharp objects like barnacle crusted pilings here and there. But I will say that diameter vs diameter it' holds up better where I fish. I've used 15 or 20lb on my spinning rigs, been wrapped around dock posts by big cats, cast into nasty laydowns, dragged the line intentionally over rocks to reach river smallies, etc and it holds up fine on my waters. The equilavant 4-6lb mono can't do that.

Jerry's definitely the biggest problem. The two times he's released GM duties its been a success. Parcells didn't bat a 1000, but he left right when a really talented core was taking shape. I still despise romo the player. He is a poor mans Brett favre without the arm (early favre when he could move a little lol)....I hate being so cynical about my own guy but he is what he is. People forget, he had a very, very good line for 3-4 years and still choked every year. Flozell Adams was a bone head but could block anyone in the league one on one. Gurode made 4 probowls at center and was dominant at times. Kozar got old fast but was a good guard for a long time, leonard Davis was a multiple probowl player who dominated once he became a guard. Columbo had a good 2-3 year run as top 10 right tackle. They weren't an all time great line but they were a team asset collectively. Most fans would be hard pressed to name any lineman Brady, roethlisberger, or Eli had during their Super Bowl runs. Over the course of nearly a decade, the excuses just don't hold any weight. It's always something.

That is insane...I'm 29 and can remember getting bricks of winchesters at Walmart for $5.

Lucks like Hayward bay will be hooking up with Andrew Luck next year...with those tight ends and Ty Hilton also stretching the field, Indy will be explosive. Raider, has Pryor gotten any playing time? I wouldn't mind seeing what he can do.

We'll see this year now that Garret's not calling the plays. My biggest hope for the draft is we get better between the tackles on the o line. Romo can escape when tackle gets beat with the best of them, when he comes out of that spin move looking downfield he's at his best. When the pocket collapses up the middle he gets cute. Like yakker, I'm also concerned about our safety's. Church may end up being a decent strong safety if he can stay healthy, their apparently counting onMatt Johnson who couldn't get on the field last year due to a different injury every week. the rumor is they really like the vacarro kid out of texas, he doesnt seem to be much a playmaker though. Ronde barber is still out there isn't he? He would be an awesome stopgap to buy some time.

The lazy Ike's a great bait. I usually let my 7 year old use one and he does well on it.

Former sponsor I suppose...I tried "a" "lure" "ring" baits a while back and it did the same.

I'm about as diehard as it gets. Ive honestly wanted to stop being a fan at times lol, but I couldnt if I tried. Ive watched the majority of the snaps he's taken in his career and can tell you, he just doesn't have "it". Tony may not be the one doing the finger pointing (although he can be seen yelling at a lineman/wideout after every pick) but it's always something to blame, EVERY YEAR. At some point an elite QB wills his team to the big win. It's not just playoff chokes mind you, every year there's been at least 2-3 showdown games where the offense lays an egg. He can throw 21 points on the board when their down 28 at will. It's gotten really hard to watch. It's one thing to show up, the other team is better that day and that's that. But that's not the way this team plays. The move temporarily helps this years cap ( next year is even more bleak). Going forward, Dez Bryant,Sean Lee, and then tyron smith are coming up for their next contract. At that point Jerry will have deferred this deal into 25mil a year. At some point you have to pay the piper.

As a cowboys fan, it pains me to say it, but Tony's been extended 6 years. We have the worst "GM" in sports...he will be 33 in 3 weeks. Jerry has got to stop signing people to these long term deals past their 30th b day, then deferring their salary towards the end of the contract. Terrance Newman cost us 5 million on the cap last year for crying out loud. We should have let him play it out, dealt with the cap troubles over the next 2 years, and moved forward.

I hope they do revamp the line up. For no reason than after 2 years of threads like these will go away...I can't understand why people are so tore up over this. All they did was change some names, give you more ratio options and offer a new reel at a lower price point...A pretty dang good reel at that. Can anyone actually say the G series has given them any trouble? Have you had it long enough to say it won't hold up? Lost in all this is the fact the curado E/Chronarch E is IMO untouched by any sub $200 reel...people are missing out on a great reel.

My most used style of jig. Both the mini and regular have caught me some huge fish. I prefer the booyah A-Jig however due to the vertical line tie vs the horizontal tie on the buckeye jigs; comes through filamentous algae and vegetation better. I don't trim the skirt on them. For trailers I like paca craws/rage craw/lobsters for the most part, that's not set in stone though.

Man, dumervil and Suggs coming off the edge with Ngata collapsing the middle of the pocket? Yeah that D's gonna be ok if they stay healthy.

When I was younger, yeah. But as I've gotten older and became a father I've decided that's not a good witness to my kids and those around me. If your able to work, you work...if I want to fish I take PTO or go in the evening/weekend.

It will be fine...Those reels have decent line capacity for their size, a good sturdy frame and strong brass gears. I wouldn't go too high on line size though if you can help it...put 30lb test on there and your spool holds a lot less line. The only trouble I could see you having is if you hooked a big striper and it made a run on you; big ones can make a 100 yard run pretty quick. I have one of the earlier model SX's and other than boat rash its been a tank. Ive casted 4oz baits with it quite a bit and had no issues.

How's the knot strength on the #6? I'm about to get my first high end spinning setup for river smallies and want to give tatsu a try. Leaning towards #8, but if 6 can hang I just may give it a shot.

It's simply good, dependable line. Not the best at a lot of things, but good at everything; at a great price. I venture away, but always return.

I have an older elite cranking rod that's very, very nice. It has the nicest cork of any rod I own. Got it on clearance for 30 bucks... I just wish they didn't put those anti theft things on the rods, can't get a feel for a rod at all.

Absolutely. Big pond bass are active early. Best time of the year to catch a lunker IMO. I've had some of the best days in my life in those conditions.

1/2 grass stalker w/a rage lobster

Thats some high praise. I agree their nice looking...Can it hang with the core on the light stuff?