desmobob

I don't know... If it was true, there'd be a reality show about it by now, right? Tight lines, Bob

Tight lines, Bob

That's a very nice gift! Congratulations! I hope you find one in stock and are allowed to fish it before Christmas morning!!! Tight lines, Bob

They guy seems straight up and I'm not expecting problems with a seller with that much feedback. And he apologized and is sending a free spool of line along with the reel when it ships. I'm just saying it wouldn't hurt to verify stocking before hitting the PayPal button... Which reel did you decide on? The whole Japanese Domestic Market thing is a slippery slope... first I bought a few lures, then a Major Craft Volkey rod, and now, two reels. Tight lines, Bob

If you're planning on buying either of them from Japanese eBay sellers, make sure they actually have them in stock. I ordered an SV105 from one seller (omotenashi-japan47) whose listing said he had them, but he has not shipped it yet and has now told me he is out of stock. So I ordered a second one from a different seller (ibuyjp) whose listing showed he had them in stock. Guess what? Eight days later, it hasn't been shipped. I'm starting to think no one has them in stock.... Both of these sellers have a substantial amount of feedback and a very good (99+%) rating. Tight lines, Bob

Extreme fishing, for sure. Hope he has a GoPro! Probably casting while descending a zip-line through the falling trees.... Tight lines, Bob

My reading suggests they may avoid a particular lure in the future. But only for about 15 minutes into the future... Anyone that refers to any fish as the "most intelligent" should probably not be taken very seriously, IMO! Tight lines, Bob

That one's on my list, Hootie. You probably already read Doug Hannon's "Big Bass Magic." I thought that was a good one. The reading (and ice fishing) season is rapidly approaching here in the Northeast. Time to stock up on books! Tight lines, Bob

I'll second this. I like the Medium N also (7'-9'). They're available in big selection of colors, they're inexpensive, and made in the USA. I like Firetiger, Sunfish, and Perch. Tight lines, Bob

I don't know if there's a reliable way to do that. You can't "feel" reliability or durability. Check out posts here on BR for favorite values, and take a look at the excellent reviews at places like TackleTour... There are enough reels around that are proven to be good values/best-bang-for-the-buck that you shouldn't have any trouble picking one you like the feel of or one that balances the way you'd like it on your rod. Tight lines, Bob

No, but it would probably save the spool and/or reel from getting wrecked by forty pounds of pull through the holes in the spool... Better safe than sorry! Tight lines, Bob

I did a similar thing a couple of weekends ago. It was cold and windy, and it was a PITA to change lures/tie knots. I broke off a snagged jig, reeled up my line, got out a new jig, put on a trailer, then tossed it in the water. When I picked up my rod, I realized I had never tied the new jig/trailer onto my line. Would have been funny for the back-seat fisherman but I was by myself and didn't see a whole lot of humor in it. Tight lines, Bob

I think you have it figured out already... Tight lines, Bob

+1 ^ Tight lines, Bob

You don't have to need it; you just have to want it.... Tight lines, Bob

1. I think it's important to use a floating or somewhat buoyant worm. I use half a Z-Man ZinkerZ or a Z-Man TRD. Give them a good stretching before rigging them to loosen them up and free up some of the heavy salt, and they'll float right away. A fresh-out-of-the-package ZinkerZ or TRD will sink. 2. I like the lighter ones... 1/20 or 1/15 Shroomz for shallow water. Maybe a 1/10 for deep water use. 3. It's a slack-line presentation, generally, so you have to do some careful line watching. 4. Use it any time, especially when nothing else seems to be working! Tight lines, Bob

Check with the knife version of BassResource: BladeForums. I've found obsolete or old knives I wanted to replace on the big auction site, also. Tight lines, Bob

7' LF TFO Signature Series rod, old Shimano AeroSymetre reel, 6lb. Trilene XL (now changed to 6lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid). In open water, it's fun to fish light Ned Rigs on my UL spinning outfits, too. Tight lines, Bob

I like that approach! Tight lines, Bob

You won't know if a better rod will offer you any advantages until you try one. Try a nice rod for your jig rod. If you notice, like, and are able to take advantage of the increased sensitivity, you'll want an even better rod next. If not, keep having fun with the rods you have and spend the money on baits! Tight lines, Bob

T-rigged Pit Boss's have that wild flapping movement that even makes me want to eat it.... Tight lines, Bob

Nice fish and nice photos! Congratulations on a successful outing. I'd have a hard time making it my last time out if I had luck like that... :-) Tight lines, Bob

I've always been a fan of the big sized Pit Boss. I picked up a package of D-Bombs and they seemed to be just as effective. Same goes for the Fuzzy Beaver, which is very similar to the D-Bomb. I fish very muddy water, so I thought the ridged body of the D-Bomb might send out a bit more vibes. Who knows.... I also use them for jig trailers with great success. I don't think you can go wrong with either, but I still prefer the Pit Boss because it comes in that big 5" version. I'm a believer of the "big bait, big fish" thing. :-) Tight lines, Bob

I never bring a net in the 'yak. I lip the bass or grab the pike and pickerel behind the head (although I don't know what would happen if I hooked a really big pike). It sure is easy when you're right at water level! I used to bring along my fish grippers but since I never used them, I don't bring them any more. I guess I don't worry much about fish getting away. I'm not a tournament fisherman, I very rarely keep fish (and never bass), and if they get off at the boat, I sort of like it that they saved me the trouble of unhooking them! Tight lines, Bob

I played around with the rod in the yard and was surprised how stiff it is... I was expecting it to be a lot softer. It feels nice and crisp with plenty of backbone. I was throwing a skinny 3" tube on a 1/16 stupid tube head and it seemed like it barely loaded the rod. I should have weighed it, but I'm guessing that tube and head must weigh about an eighth ounce. I could fling it plenty far. I had light braid on the PX-R but took it off and spooled up some 8 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid and that seemed to cast even better. I didn't play around too much because it was dark. I can hardly wait for my days off on Sunday and Monday; I want to fish that rod! I know where there are some smallmouth hanging out that might appreciate some finesse. When I bought the rod, I also ordered an Alphas SV105 from a Japanese eBay seller. He didn't ship it for several days. When I inquired about it, he said they were sold out and he'd ship it (and some free line for my trouble) as soon as he got some in. He didn't say when that would be, so I ordered another one from a different dealer who advertised them as in stock. I've heard so many good things about them, I figured it wasn't too risky getting two. Looks like I might need another one of those Major Craft BFS-type rods to put the second one on. The darn tackle monkey has me in a strangle hold! Tight lines, Bob Edit to add: PS -- forgot to mention how NICE the rod looks. Very nice fit and finish and a classy look. But... NO HOOK KEEPER! I hate that....