jbsoonerfan

This thread has got me thinking. I am using a Citica 200G5 on a 7 MH Crucial Crankbait rod. I throw mostly Square Bills and lipless cranks with this setup usually through weeds or in cover. I was planning on going with 12lb Sufix Fluoro, but I think I am reading that I can get away with braid as a I am basically getting a reaction strike anyway. I have never used braid on a cranking stick and now I'm thinking I may try it. As far as tying a leader goes, I am weird about that and feel that since the knot is most always the weakest point between the fish and myself, I don't want to add anymore than necessary. So, would you suggest that I stick with the 12lb Sufix fluoro, or go to a braid? I also noticed that Sufix makes a Stretch Braid, but can't find many reviews on it. DIdn't mean to hi-jack, just figured this fit here.

I label my boxes with a DYMO label maker.

I'm just south of you guys and the only lake I fish that is super clear is Murray. I have heard Tinkiller is, but I have never fished there.

Was a Lucky Craft RC 1.5, but have since gone to the Xcalibur Xcs 100 (Rayburn Red is my fav color with Crawdad a close second)

Creature baits for me. Mostly throw Baby Brush Hogs or the regular Brush Hogs. Almost always in green pumpkin of some form. I did pick up some Havoc baits this year to try out.

Of those 6, I would take #1 with 14lb mono for topwater #2 with 14lb mono for spinnerbaits #3 with 10lb fluoro for crankin #4 with 50lb braid for jigs/creature baits #5 with 17lb fluoro for t-rigs #8 with 10lb fluoro for weightless plastics/shakey head/DS

7' H fast 65lb braid 7'2" MH x-fast 50lb braid 6'10" MH fast 30lb braid 7' MH mod 10lb fluoro 6'8" M fast 10lb fluoro

I just made one. Cost me like $17 but I was able to enjoy the contents.

24" WR length on a LM????????? It's probably harder to get one certified than to catch one.

I have caught a TON of fish on SB's in my years of fishing. I have found that catching fish in smaller bodies of water on SB's as opposed to larger bodies of water is a whole different ballgame. Since I have started lake fishing I have had most of my bites on Lucky Craft SB's which sucks because I think it is stupid to pay $15 for a spinnerbait, but when you go to Lake Fork and the only spinnerbait you are catching fish on is a LC, then you tend to have faith in them. I use the American Shad and Ghost Minnow

If you are going to go with fluoro, get the smallest diameter you feel you can get away with. I use Sufix castable invisiline 10 lb which is only .011" dia and PP 30 lb is the same. The smaller dia fluoro you use, the less problems you will have with memory. I am moving toward using all braid, but haven't made the swith on my CB or DS rigs yet.

Checked out all clean. Actually had a professional check it out a while back, I was a lil worried.

I hate to admit this, but I fished a touney last year and I spent way to much time in the Casino the night before and didn't make it to the lodge till about 3:00 am. I was so hungover the next morning I was throwing up over the side of the boat. I didn't even fish the first hour because I couldn't even see. Conditions were TERRIBLE. Wind was blowing 20 - 30mph and it was raining. I finally was able to cast a lure about 7:30. I would thow it out and just sit there and hold my rod. I was throwing a Jumbo Chigger Craw on a T-rig. I would actually fall asleep and let it sit there and not move it. I caught 4 fish that morning and they were all during my drunken stooper. My buddy fished his butt off all day and he blanked. I am not proud of my showing that morning, but I think I did learn that it is sometimes best to slow down.

I've always been a cheap CB rod guy myself. I had a $50 gift card to BPS so I made the hour drive with the intention of getting a Clarus CB rod. Well, when I got there of course they didn't have a Clarus in a 7 MH, so I looked for a Compre, once again no 7' MH. Ended up getting a Crucial 7' MH CB rod and picking up the extra $123 after tax. I guess I will see if there is any difference in this and the Sellus which I already own.

It's been spotty here. There were actually quite a few ducks during early season which is suprising since we had a major drought and vegetation is down. However, with this latest cold snap I have been seeing fewer birds. I usually like this coming week for ducks, so I guess we will see.

I have used YZH a bunch and it is great line. I used the 10lb on my CB rod and loved it.

I'm glad I saw this thread. I too am a "fast" fisherman. I love the thought of catching fish on a jig. I even have a ton of jigs and a specific setup for jig fishing. However, I do not have the patience to fish a jig. Last year was my first year to fish tourneys and I feel that I missed out bu not being able to fish a jig. We did great in the first few tourn when they were hitting a crankbait, lipless cranks, t-rigs in shallow water, and spinner baits. However, when the water turned warm and we needed to slow down and fish a lil deeper, we didn't have much success. I am going to try to make it a point to improve my jig fishing this year.

Thanks for all the replies. I will try to answer a few of the questions. It is my step-dads boat and that is the reason I am not keen on borrowing it. If something were to happen, I wouldn't want it to cause problems between him and my Mom. He does not want to sell it, already tried that. There are only 2 tourneys that the boat is a little too small to be running out on open water. The other 6 are perfect for a 17 ft boat. I could afford to go out and buy a boat. The only thing I owe on is my Truck (10 payments left) and my house. After being in debt over my hair for the last 10 years and finally crawling my out at 33 years old, I don't really want a payment at this time. Now, talk to me in 10 years when the child support is done, lol. I went and looked at the boat again today and I think I am going to give it some time to think it over. It is actually a friend of mines and he isnt in a hurry to sell it. I could get it for $3,300 so it would be something that I could just use any time without having to worry about it. Thanks again for the replies.

Okay, so I am coming to this forum with questions for guys who have experience. Last year was my first year to fish tournaments as a boater. I "borrowed" my Mom and step Dads boat to fish these tourneys. It is a 1998 Champion 17' with a 115 and a 35lb TM. I am always worried about borrowing something from people. Well I plan on fishing the tounraments again this year and have the chance to buy a 1995 Skeeter 17.5 ft with a 115 and a 74 lb Minn Kota. I have enough cash to buy the boat. I can continue to "borrow" my Moms boat or I can have a boat of my own. I don't know how many of you have ever had to borrow a boat, but it isn't the most pleasurable thing to do. SO, if you were me, would you buy the Skeeter, or borrow again and hope to buy something nicer down the road. BTW, the Skeeter is in great shape, just isn't real big or with a real big motor. I just think I would rather be the proud owner of my own boat, as opposed to using something borrowed.

I always just put a little drop on my worm shaft. Sometimes there is too much grease from the factory.

All my gear, and I mean all (rods, reels, bow, arrows, tackle, guns, ammo, golf clubs, camo, waders, etc. etc.) stay in the house with me year round.

I haven't had mine out on the water yet. Initial impressions are that it is much lighter than anything I am use to on a baitcaster. I may dedicate mine to a DS rod with the Chronarch. I know most people don't DS on casting gear, but I am much more comfortable with casting gear than I am spinning.

Probably needs to be tossed in the trash. Just yesterday you were making suggestions on which reels to buy, now you can't even decide if you like the one you just bought and you haven't even used it yet.

10 or 12. I would use line diameter as a guide.

There may be too much grease packed in from the factory or you just need to loosen your spool tension knob.