Cgrinder

I do very well with poppers on cloudy days with calm water. When there's some wind or chop on the water, I break out the noisy walking baits. Jigs are also always good for me. Do you have any idea what the water temp was? 76 degrees would still be late summer here in Mich I believe.

My preference seems to be between 6'8" and 6'10" these days. I feel like 6'6" is a little short. Then again, I'm reasonably tall at 6'1".

I think straight Red Label is a fine line to start with, especially if treated regularly with Line and Lure Conditioner. It doesn't have terrible memory at lower pound tests, it has decent abrasion resistance, and doesn't stretch too much. I use it when I use straight fluoro. Something to consider is Sunline FC Sniper. There seems to be a consensus on the board that Sniper is a very nice step up from Red Label while not being overly expensive. A forum search on the topic of fluorocarbon will give you more opinions that you'll know what to do with.

I'm with you in theory, but walking a frog with a 7' or longer rod on the bank isn't always possible in practice.

Smoked Jelly, Brown head. All day. Every day. Works with Brown, PBJ, or Smoke/purple trailers.

Try to get your Perfect Pitch from Dick's. They stock MB rods online and they aren't excluded from discounts.

Do it. You won't be sorry.

The 102mm Hawg Handle will fit with the stock drag star.

I'd recommend a nice 102mm Hawgtech handle with Septon knobs and silver accents.

You should for tackle giveaways. It's just about the only reason I do it.

As I always say, Keep Calm and Buy Shimano 50's.

*** *** Black if the reel seat does not bother you. I've compared my 7'1" MH *** to an Abu Veracity, a Dobyns Savvy, and a Shimano Crucial. The *** compares favorably to each one in my experience. It's hard to argue with them for the price.

What are those knobs on that bottom Type R? I must know!

I'm going to continue to push Siebert's (they're ridiculous!), but Dick's has Spot Remover Pro's and YUM! Pumpkin 'Eds. Those will hold you . . . for now!

Nah, it's the big keeper. I would find a different shakey head with a smaller keeper or better yet, a screw-lock. Siebert Outdoors makes a good one.

Oh I was just under the impression that the 100M spool doesn't do terribly well with light lures. I could be wrong, I haven't had a lot of time with my Fuego sadly.

Ooh. Share the location of $100 Aetos please! I'd contact Fenwick. They're great with warranty concerns.

I'll see what I can do. My Fuego has a 100M spool though so it might not go well. I've got a couple other reels to try too.

I'll let one cat out of the bag. Smoked Jelly with a brown head.

You know, I have a similar problem with *** reel seats but for whatever reason, the Aussie *** seat doesn't bother me as much. Which reel are you planning to put on the rod? I believe I have some 1/8 Road Runners.

The *** Aussie model 6'10" ML can probably do what you need. I know certain that it launches a 1/8 tungsten + finesse worm. I could try throwing a bare 1/8 jig head or if you could say exactly what you wanted to throw I could try to test it for you.

Aussie model *** 6'10" ML casting rod. $115 shipped direct from 13. I'd probably put fluoro on the Alphas. I don't know for certain on the 105, but the stock worm drive on some of the Alphas variants doesn't lay braid on the spool all that well. However if you really want to use braid, a worm drive from a PX Type R costs about $18 and fixes the problem.

I use the Siebert tungsten weights. The prices are right and Mike's a good guy to do business with. I recommend the Dark Green Pumpkin.

Siebert Punch Jig, heavy as you can get away with. They're like the Hack Attack with better skirts and wire ties.

It depends on your budget. If you want to spend $90-100, buy a Tatula. If you can swing around $150, the Curado I is an option. As for Lews, we should see what the new Tournament Lite can be had for price-wise once it's widely available.