fishballer06

Your price range kind of limits you. The BPS Extreme rods are decent for the money. I've heard the Veritas is a decent rod for the money. If you can spend a little extra, I'd look at the SC Primier rods, but I believe those are full grip.

You must be hitting the pads at Arthur.

My new style Crucial 6'10" MH - F

Living in the north, I know I'll be throwing squarebills, jerkbaits, and creature baits come spring time. With that, a good bit of my BF purchases were Arashi's, Aska's, Pointers, Rogues, and Brush Hogs.

Worm - 5" Senko Creature Bait - Pit Boss Jerk Bait - Rapala BX Minnow Spinner Bait - I'd prefer a Cavitron buzzbait Crankbait - DT10 Lipless Crank - Bill Lewis 1/2oz Rat-L-Trap Popper - Skitter Pop Walker - Zara Spook

Dobyns champion as mentioned above. St. Croix avid

Bought a GLoomis Topwater Rod brand new at my local store for $105 out the door (clearance and coupons).

What length and action are these rods? What lures do you plan on throwing? What cover do you plan on fishing around?

I normally see them in all the big box stores.

You should never lose a lipless crank when fishing in weeds. If you are, it's your line or knots fault. Perhaps try using a lighter lure (ex. use 1/4oz. instead of a 1/2oz) or, I know Bill Lewis makes a floating Rat-L-Trap. Those don't run as deep as the standard, sinking traps.

Wasn't the world record spotted bass broken this year?

Could be a ton of things. Most of which you can probably observe with your eye's and determine why. Depth Water clarity Water temperature (is there incoming/flowing water? More/less shade?) Structure? Weeds? Bottom make up? Baitfish

I live close to the city of Pittsburgh, and there's no real Mom-N-Pop shops able to survive, so we have Dicks, Wal Mart, and Field & Stream. Dicks doesn't have the best selection, and their prices are only good if you find a good sale. WalMart has some great prices on some plastics like Senko's. Field & Stream is owned by Dicks, but they have a decent selection and average prices. When they have sales or I get my reward certificates, I can get some great deals. With all that being said, I usually have to shop online to get most of my gear.

Sweet deal. The first and last time I ordered from BTD, I ordered a Dobyns Savy spinning rod. Took almost 4 weeks for it to finally arrive. Loved the rod, but wasn't overly impressed with the shipping time for an item listed as "in stock".

I've been wanting to try these as well. I might pick one up during Black Friday. The waters I fish aren't the clearest, but I'd imagine they'd work on those bedded fish in the spring.

I prefer a 6:1 reel for lipless cranks and most squarebills.

Is Tatsu worth the extra $$$ ?

I ordered some of the new Sunline Reaction FC today on my Monster BF sale order. Got some 12lb for my deep cranking rod. I've always liked the sniper FC, and the Reaction is listed as being a little more flexible and being designed for fishing cranks. I'll let you know how it performs in April when there's no ice...

Rods: St. Croix and Dobyns Reels: Shimano Line: Sunline for FC, Sufix and Smackdown for braid Lures: No favorite, but I probably own more Rapala than anything

Decent?! They're great reels. My grandfather, my father, and myself still have them in our arsenal today. I'm sure many members on here still use them as well.

Senko, Dingers, Money Makers, Flat dogs, Scoundrels, and some finesse worms.

Already ice on the water here. I normally spend Thanksgiving morning turkey hunting with my father.

I'm not sure off the top of my head, but I think they're #2's.

1. I normally use AbrasX 15 lb for baitcasting, and Invisix 10 lb for spinning. 2. 2 to 4 feet normally. Up to 6-7 feet for really clear water. 3. I like the Seaguar knot. Easy, quick, and it works. 4. Depends on what I'm using. Palomar for worm hooks and jigs. Trilene knot for cranks, spinnerbaits, etc.

Sending it to a professional is probably your best bet. It's going to need completely gone over and cleaned.