Montanaro

I fill to where when I hold it to eye level that the spool does not completely obstruct my view of line guide. Line should be coming off spool about level with line guide. If line has to travel down to the line guide then you've got too much.

If I weren't such a daiwa fanboy I'd have okuma tcs. I have the 7' MH and love it for crankbaits. If you are looking for a pitching rod I'd go with the fast or xfast. Lemme break it down. Faster rods are good at getting to the power of rod, so when pitching to timber you have power to pull fish from limbs and trees. A moderate rod is going to give the fish an opportunity to surge for a sharp line shredding object. The fast action also helps in pushing hook through the soft plastic and into the fish. Moderate action would require the use of braid when pitching. The braid will improve sensitivity so feeling bites won't be a problem. The rod has give since the braid doesn't stretch which is a real benefit with single hook moving baits. I'll finish by saying the 'regular' tatula rods were meant for treble hooks until they came out with their glass rods.

For reference, Randy Howell has been using the 'regular' medium light tatula to toss cranks in the last 2 classics.

Ask 10 guys and you'll get 10 different answers. Like Sam said, where is more important than what. Find them then use a lure that gets to the strike zone.

I have a heavy (some could consider xh) rod with fast action that I plan to use for small swimbaits (4 to 6 inches 1.5 to 2.5 oz), punching lily pads and throwing umbrella rigs. I'm ordering a 6.8 tatula HD (28 ipt) that holds 195 yards of 12# mono. I'm just not sure what line to use. There is enough give in the rod for braid but I don't want to get a backlash and send my a rig or swimbait for a ride. Also afraid braid would put too much pressure of the a rig wires. If I go 20 or 25 fluoro, I'd have more give. But I'm not sure how well it would do if I pin a hog under a mat when punching. What do yall think is a good compromise?

Really nothing ground breaking. Just a very well rounded fisherman reading the conditions and having confidence in throwing a lesser used bait. You could probably say that about any elite series winner but "the howler" definitely made people consider the bait.

I only have about 5 3700s of tackle... So when I feel like I don't have a technique covered I'll buy a lure that fits it. I'll be good when I get about 10 3700 to cover any situation....

I got the pro blue. Prism shad looks great

Just got a 110 sp and I'm impressed with their quality. Anyone use any of their other baits? What are your favorite colors? Thinking of getting one of their pencil baits in their reflective white.

Why would ashley be on a plane? Just because there are 50 noodle arms on a huge lake doesn't mean there are fish on them. From what I know of Hartwell, it has large sections of featureless bottom. Ashley slightly improved the lake for everyone.

Sexy shad colors are pretty spot on imo. Every company has one.

Revenge viberators

You can find tatulas for around 100 and I don't consider bearings on both reel knobs and worm drive to be of much use.

It has its benefits, but I'd feel much better with 65 pound braid when pinning an 8 pounder under a mat. Oh and braid is much easier to tie Snell knot with than flouro. Also braid has a texture to it that helps slice vegetation (especially lily pads) but the smaller diameter helps too.

Swindle was in rare form during his weigh in interview. He has to think up his jokes between fish.

Thanks for the opinions fellas. I was planning on getting one but I wanted to hear what others had seen/experienced.

When fishing as a non boater, the boater is responsible for having a pfd for non boater correct? Is it usual for a non boater to have his own pfd he brings with him?

So he plants some cover on his HOME lake? It is not like he traveled to Clear Lake and dropped some rubber noodles right before a tournament.

My fantasy team is doing well so far. Just need powroznik to cull some weight and Montgomery to step u0. Figured being from sc would help him more.

Tatula hd > lexa 400

Braid can and will lodged into wood if you are not careful. It doesn't hurt the braid too much if it's a high test but it's annoying. Flouro doesn't slice and bury into wood as much but if it does you have to check for a fray. Even the tiniest fray can render your flouro useless.

Hd is perfect for 3 techniques basically. 1 oz+ deep diving cranks on 8 foot rod (loooooong casts), swimbaits, and punching. You are better off with 100p for medium cranks

I'm going to get one. Has a 100mm handle. Also has stout gears. The IPT is higher too. The 200hs model has 32 IPT compared to type r 100xs at 34.

The motion is somewhere in between. Depends on distance and how stealthy you want to be. I can pitch 20 yards fairly accurately but it's not a realistic scenario.

I think a lot of people are suggesting rods that are baitcasting, not spinning rods. Much harder to find a spinning rod that has similar specs to a BC frog rod. Look into the Team daiwa s medium heavy spinning rod. Very lightweight for price and can be had for a good deal on amazon