FishTank

To me, it depends on how the reel balances with the rod. If I had to chose, I would say a full cork handle is best.

It does not sound like to much. I carry tons of stuff of every color and type.

I picked up some Smelly Jelly today. I was on sale for $1. I thought what the heck, why not. Anybody use this stuff? This attractant is pink with sparkles but it smells like you know what. I have tried Megastrike and few others over the years. I just wanted to hear your thoughts. Thanks

Tried them no luck. There are many alternatives to this type of fishing. I like the ones from Reaction Strike but they can be hard to find.

I picked a Crucial 7' MH this morning and after about 3 hours of fishing it, I would give it a thumbs up. Looks like it will be a keeper.

If this is for a baitcaster 10 or 12 pound Trilene 100% FC and for spinning gear I like 6lb 100% Trilene FC. It really depends on what gear you are using and what size crankbait.

I bought a t shirt and a hat. With coupons the t shirt was $17 and the hat was free. Not to bad in my opinion. I tend to like Exofficio's line of collared shirts. They are expensive but worth the money.

Very nice. I like the cork design. It looks like it will be a fun rod to fish. You will have to report back after you have put through a long day of fishing.

I use this set up for small crankbaits if the conditions call for it other wise I use baitcasters. St.Croix Avid 6' ML Fast and a Shimano Stradic FE2500. This set gets the job done for a lot of finesse and light crankbaits. It very versatile when it comes to anything 3/8 of an ounce and under.

I too have to say, the 6'8" MH X-fast is a sweet rod. One of the best bangs for the buck around.

Love the video.... I think it is kind of funny that seven years ago, I bought a Shimano Crucial MH Jig and Worm rod. It broke on a hook set about 6 inches from the top. I took it back to BPS, they gave me another one and it did the same thing. I took that rod back and purchased a G. Loomis IMX 844C. It is built like a tank. In the seven years I have had it, I have caught hundreds of fish and never had an issue. I would like to see some of the Shimano rods, that know will no longer be under warranty, go through the same stress test. On a side, ironic note, I bought a 7' Crankbait Crucial today.

I picked up the 7' MH Crankbait Crucial Rod today as well. It was with coupons and a $10 reward, only $57. It balances nicely with my Curado. It has a little bit of faster tip than what I like in crankbait rod but it does cast extremely well. On the hook sets though, you have to be careful and kind of be easy going. It is very easy to just rip the crankbait out of the fishes mouth. I lost several fish with it today because of this. It took me awhile to figure out I need to be a little more patient with this rod but overall it will work just fine.

I hit them again today. I picked up a Shimano Crucial Crankbait rod. Here is the math on it 119.97 x 25% off= $89.97 - $10 off $50= $79.97 - 15% in store coupon (soccer?) = $67.87 - $10 reward certificate = $57.87 And get this..... They had Under Armour's line of fishing clothes buy one get one free......

I don't see how it could be any worse than the original. I like Skeet but man when he puts his name on something, look out...

This is shame... I like Shimano stuff but companies should be taking steps forward in customer service not a step or two back. Maybe moving forward, they will see if it is a bad idea or not. Also, IMHO, if you buy a rod with a lifetime warranty, the company should stand behind it. It is figured into the cost/

I have a G. Loomis CBR 783 Med Mod-Fast and this rod to me is as specific as you can get. You through anything else but the intended crankbaits and it will drive you nuts. All I can say about this rod is that it is very different from other G. Loomis rods and that it has taking me awhile to get effective at fishing it.

The fat ika. Chances are if it is a new spot I have not fished then the fish have not seen it.

I think the regular cranks are worth the money but I have never had much luck with the ones that are sponsored. I have some that are 8 years old, get fished all the time and still look great. I can't say that about many of the other crankbaits I have, including megabass.

I am not a big fan of red hooks. As stated above, it's what you have confidence in. IMHO, it doesn't matter as long as they are sharp.

Right now it's crankbaits.

When catfish are hungry they will go after anything. Last week I caught one on a Fat Ika but I have caught catfish on crankbaits, lipless cranks, spoons, and as a kid, popcorn.

I have few rods that technique specific and I try to use them for what ever specific purpose they are intended to be used for. With that said I have two rods that I use for whatever, a G Loomis MBR 783C GLX and a G Loomis MBR 844C IMX. Both are very versatile.

That is an amazing set up......

I have a Stradic FE 2500 with a 6'8" M St. Croix Avid for all of my Finesse stuff.

I tend to hike when I am not fishing and a lot of talk always surrounds footwear, boots and socks. Just like people on this forum, we all have an opinion when it comes to rods, reels and tackle but hikers are worse. They are gear fanatics. One thing for me that crosses over from hiking to fishing for me, is my Asolo Powermatic Boots. I have had these awhile and when I first got them, I thought my feet are going to fry in these things. After using and putting them through hell, rain and snow, my feet never get wet, they never get hot, and my feet never hurt. The reason I bring it up is, I was thinking what was the one thing I can't do without that I always have when I go fishing. I was looking at rods, reels, and other tackle. Then I realized it was my boots. They are always with (on) me when I fish and I can't imagine not having them when I am out. I guess when it comes to fishing it was one of the things I took for granted and did not realize how important they were to me.