Arv

mostly shad colors, some bluegill.

My favorite way is to point the bottle at the spool and press the top so it sprays on the line. I also use it when I run out of toothpaste. Only messing, sarcastic humor. Definitely don't use it like toothpaste. I do like BigMoneyGrip for the most part.

I just ordered a 10# and 12# of the 110yd spools. At that price it can't hurt to give it a shot. I also feel like I've heard more positive than negative, and the positive has come from people whose opinions I trust. I find fishing line to be one of the products in fishing that can have the most polarizing reviews, so unless there is an overwhelming positive or negative consensus I don't buy it unless I try it.

I wasn't even aware of those! I'm definitely going to check them out. As for the colors, they have enough for me. Thanks for the heads up!

The majority of my worms are Rage Tail or Zoom but I'm adding Roboworms in there slowly but surely. I like them a lot for my drop shotting and shakeyheads as an alternative to some of the zoom worms I use.

I would definitely say you want the Champion series. I would step up to a 5 power personally for 3/8-1/2oz weights. I got a Champ 735c for a heavier jig/worm rod with weights primarily 1/2oz. I got a DX 744 for 1/4 up to 1/2oz, but prefer not to go over 3/8 on that rod.

Can you elaborate/post a picture of the egg sinker retriever you make? I'm interested. Thanks!

Unfortunately I haven't gotten the Anaconda in the water yet. In the package, the Anaconda definitely seems more durable. Like others have mentioned the Recon does not hold up well to multiple fish, but it does catch them. I also feel like the softer body of the Recon may cause fish to hold on to the worm a bit longer than others that I have thrown before (again, no comparison to the Anaconda). There have been a couple times when I've been picking out a backlash and not realize a fish was on the end of the line, but stayed there until I reeled in the slack and was able to feel them.

I haven't had a chance to fish the Anaconda yet but I can tell you the Recon has been an excellent producer for me. I posted up the same question back in July. Here is the link if you're interested. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/122047-rage-anaconda-vs-recon-worm/?hl=recon

Also agree with this 100%

braid, maybe a leader

I've caught smaller bass on big worms. Personally, I start out mid to large lures and downsize if I need to. I prefer to catch fish the way I want to, but my goal is still to catch fish so that is my strategy for the most part.

I just got the ride 115 a couple days before Christmas. I haven't gotten it out yet but it is already far more comfortable than my old kayak. Once I get it out I'll post a review if I have time.

Big Texas rigged worms are one of my favorite things to throw. As stated above, you will catch all sized fish on larger worms. I really like the Rage Tail Recon Worm. Although the durability is not the best, to me its worth it if I'm going to catch fish with it. I've also had a lot of luck with the 7in RT Thumper worm so I picked up a bunch of the 10in. Also, picked up some of the RT Anaconda's which I can't wait to get in the water when it warms up!

While you don't have any spinning set-ups, I would lean towards a fish finder. That's going to be my next big purchase for my new yak.

Second day ever fishing a jig (3/8 SK black and blue Hack Attack jig w/ 4.20 RI Sweet Beaver), maybe within my first 10 outings using a baitcaster, I landed my PB which was over 8 and another solid large mouth over 6 from the bank. Caught a couple more in the 3-4lb range. I'm not sure if I can get the pictures since I switched phones, which is a bummer, but I've been hooked on a jig ever since.

I used to use straight braid back when I lived in nc.i dealt mostly with mud and some grass so it was great. Now in mo I have to fish over a lot of rock and braid simply does not hold up as well as fc when dragging jigs and t rigs on the bottom. Also, as mentioned, if I do get hung up the leader is much more economical to break off as opposed to a direct tie.

Depends on what you like to fish, what other rods you have, what type of cover you're fishing, what depth you fish at, where you are fishing from (bank, boat, kayak, etc.). Also, what is your price range? The most versatile rod will probably be 6'6 to 7' MH/F, but its tough to say what is most valuable without any other info.

Also, bring your reel in and put it on the rod to see how it balances. That will help you make YOUR best decision. Merry Christmas!

Rage and avid are the same. I prefer the avid because I like full cork. Ltb is a step up in the blank.

really any of those should do great as long as you take care of them. I'm partial to lews, but honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

St. Croix rage, avid, ltb depending on your price range

Depending on what you can afford, dobyns dx 744c, dobyns 734c or powell 714c.

^ What those guys said. Salt = sinking, no salt = floating.

I'm only going to give you my opinion to your first question since I honestly don't have nearly as much experience with the glass/composite/graphite as others on here do. If you search here, or good ol' google, you should be able to find several threads (here and other forums) dedicated to that debate, with lots of good information from guys I value as experienced anglers. Having fished the Savvy, Champion and Champion Extreme, I would say that the step up from the Savvy to the Champion is absolutely worth the money (especially when the Champion can be had for less than retail). While the Savvy is a nice rod, I agree with others, that for the price there is some left to be desired. Having just received my DX rods, I'm not going to try and claim to be an expert on the Dobyns line (again, there are several people on here with more experience than me), but, IMO the Champion is 2-3 steps up from the Savvy and the DX is 1-2 steps up from the Champion. I'll put it this way, with the Savvy I personally didn't feel like I had great sensitivity when fishing bottom contact techniques, some sensations were questionable to me. The Champion, I can distinguish things well and would be comfortable fishing only Champions if that was for some reason the situation I was in. The DX feels everything the Champion feels and then magnifies them. While I realize this does not directly answer your question about the cranking rods, hopefully my experience will give you some insight into the differences between the Dobyns line-ups. I will also say that, based on my experience with my Dobyns rods, I just bought a Dobyns Champion 705CB (graphite) sight unseen. The verdict is out as to whether I would have preferred the CB Glass, but I'll only learn that from handling the rods first hand. This was also with the option of having a brand new Avid for considerably less. NOT bashing St. Croix rods by any means, or to say Dobyns is the end-all be-all of rod companies, but I've just been that pleased with the rods I have used from them that I will be hard pressed to buy much else.