fishballer06

Order two, they both come in one box. Order two, at separate times, they get shipped in two boxes. Perhaps you need me to teach you how this whole "sneaking fishing tackle past the wife" thing works?

You asked for "the best" at the $200 mark. Did you want the best or the most economical?

7'2" MH Zodias. It's a great combo.

You should buy both... Feed your inner bait monkey.

I've had mine for probably 2-3 months. I forget where I ordered it from though.

I've never heard anyone call a Champion "dead". I own three Champions, including one of the new XP's, and all three are graphite cranking rods. All 3 of them are the best cranking rods I've ever used for their respective applications (684, 705, 765).

A lot of truth in this post. The only braids I have had issues with is Spiderwire. For some reason, that line would break off during a cast fairly often. After two spools, I ditched it.

I'm guessing you used the old braided line trick?

About every two month's. I'm currently trying a different type of rubber oring to see if that helps. I repair paintball guns as a side business, so it has its perks I guess.

$60 each and already sold out, less than 4 hours after going up for sale.

I wish PA would create a slot, like what most of Canada has on walleye. I think it should be something like six fish limit in the 12-16" range. And then you can keep one fish over 20". This would allow guys to keep a trophy fish for mounting (although I prefer reproduction mounts, others would argue). And then I would also be willing to bet that a majority of the people who are keeping fish to eat aren't catching many fish over 16", so this would still allow them to harvest smaller fish and it would help the overall population.

I've used about everything out there. I like 832 because it performs great, its smoother/quieter than PP and the price isn't a killer. However, it's color does fade, but all braided lines do fade. I'm not sure what application you're using braid for, but I use a FC leader with my braid for almost everything, so color fading doesn't really bother me as long as the strength is still there. Other brands I highly recommend are P-Line TCB X braid in the 8 carrier version. I also like the Sunline FX2 for topwater presentations.

My issue with these is the oring dries out and breaks fairly often, and you have to be careful where you place them on your rod. I wasted two spools of fluoro figuring this out. The line can catch on it during a cast and cause a nasty backlash. Why Shimano didn't put a hook keep on the Zodias is beyond me...

I would start thinning out some of the large bluegill and maybe a few crappie. Stocking baitfish could help some as well. Give it a year or two and see if that helps, and then I would start thinning out smaller bass.

Hedgehog Studios for all your Shimano part needs. Get your credit card ready!

I refuse to answer this one truthfully. I spend probably $100+ a month alone just chipping in my part of fuel and tournament entry fee's.

Preach it brother! Someone else who feels the same pain.

My opinion on keeping big bass? It's like cheating on your wife. It may not be the right thing to do, but if it makes you happy, then who is going to stop you?

I see a lot of guys saying they wear sandals, and/or take them off while fishing. My problem with that is the possibility of getting a hook in a bare foot. I know a local guy who stepped on a hook last spring and it went up into the heel of his foot. It ended up getting infected and he is still fighting that infection today. Last I heard, he very well could end up having to have his foot amputated. Knowing this alone has me scared to ever go barefoot or have part of my foot exposed while fishing.

I prefer a well padded athletic shoe for the cooler months, but now that it's hot and getting in the water feels good, I'm wearing a pair of Columbia PFG's. I'm not sure the model name, but this is what they look like.

Seems to work for Jacob Wheeler!

While these do fill up with water, I have had a few outings where swimming that thing with the kicking legs an inch or two under the surface was the ticket and the fish tore it up.

My basement is the dedicated fishing room. Lures that I use but don't always take are in 3700 boxes and organized by what they are or perhaps the depth they dive (cranks). All of my new in box spares and plastics are in the 3 drawer storage bins that you get at Wal-Mart. In those, they're organized by what they are (cranks, topwater, worms, craws, tubes, creatures, etc).

More like that market is over flooded. Keeping up with all those SKU's must be tough on the retailers. For St. Croix alone, in the $90-130 price range they have: Triumph Triumph X Bass X Mojo Bass Premier

I use primarily the San Diego jam, but I will use the Palomar for my worm hooks. I've heard the warm water trick helps with spinning reels. I just apply a good coat of KVD line conditioner the night before, and then again in the morning when I get to the ramp. Sunline Sniper is the best overall I have found. I buy it in the bulk 660 yard spools now, because I like it that much. I'll still buy other brands whenever I see it on sale for a good price, but the Sniper is the best overall I've found and it's only middle of the road as far as price goes.