FishTank

Here is a link to Rapala's web page. http://www.rapala.com/products/luresdetail.cfm?modelName=x-rap&freshorsalt=Fresh I usually don't fish this way. I fish it the same as a jerk bait rather than a slash bait.

RW, I got the 201A. It is so smooth it's scary.

I took a hard look at this reel and decided it was just to much to pay for a reel and I still was not sold on the cost and effectiveness of the DC technology. I ended up with the regular Calais instead and man it is an awesome reel. It will probably end up on a G. Loomis senko rod when the bait monkey comes around again. If the cost ever comes down to about the price of a regular Calais and it has had a chance to have a proven track record, then I would jump all over it. I did speak to another customer at a BPS that has a Calcutta 200 DC. He said that he dropped off his boat into the water and was able to retreive a few minutes later. I he then told me that it still worked like it was new.

Awesome bait and video. I hope you catch a lot on that thing. Just in case, what is the price of ownership or should I even ask?

I have just ordered a new 3d yozuri crank (1st one on the left). Looks different and I hope, promising. Maybe it will be my lure of the year. I will let you know.

I like the XR50 rattle type lures. I have tried the LC rattle and I like the XR50 better. I have just caught more fish with them. I have tried their jerkbait and the xj4 topwater and have had little success. I still prefer the LC Sammy and LC Pointer.

Personal enjoyment is an opinion no matter what it cost. I wonder how much it cost to post our toughts about high quality and low quality equipment or whatever. I will guess that the average computer cost $750-$1000 and internet services is about $300 a year. How much fishing equipment could you get if you forego the computer experience? Would any of us trade $1000 computer for a Shimano Calais $650 and a $350 G Loomis Rod? What's more fun, posting our thoughts on the computer or fishing? What's the priority? These are the weird questions that I ponder every time this topic comes up since we all have a computer and fishing in common. And again, Fishing is fun no matter what you do or use.

You got to be kidding me. I can see all the kids shooting this thing at each other by the end of the day and the fun thing is, there is a hook on the end of it. Cool.

I have a few Lucky Craft Lures and they are expensive for what they do but IMHO they are worth it. I have a favorite that I fish almost every time I'm out. It is the a flat mini MR Chartruese crank. I have never not caught a fish when I use it and I have not lost it. But on the other hand my other favorite is a silver DT-4 Rapala. Which for some reason, I have replaced 5 times this year do to snags. So if you do the math 5 x $5= $25 for the Rapalas and a one time and still going $15 for the LC. This does not mean if you go by my local lake you won't find a LC stuck in a tree or in underwater stump. It has just been, on average, for a few years that I loose more Rapalas than the LC's and I tend to fish LC's more than Rapalas.

I was thinking about this a month or so ago and was going to put my vote in for the GYCB Flappin Hog but it has been discontinued. So I guess my next vote is for the Swimming Senko. If the swimming Senko falls through, my second is the Gambler Lizard. And Dude, Avid is funny

When it comes to a man and his toys there is no such thing as overkill. ;D ;D ;D ;D Just kidding. I have been lucky. I was able to pick up a new (previous model) Curado for $45, a Calcutta for $30, and a Quantum Energy 20 Pti for $80. I would hate to compare any one of them to a full retail priced $50-$100 reel. I hope in the future I can find some quality reels at basement bargain prices again. I just wish I could have the same luck with rods.

The price point idea I don't think is about a "good, better or best" but simply a marketing tool used by every type of business. You simply make a price range a customer is willing to pay, produce the product to fit those needs (price point) and grow from there. As a company, when you find the price point your customer is willing to pay, that is where you will drive your profit. In the case of fishing, I think RW has pretty much nailed it. Just keep in mind these are full retail prices and not the sale and bargain prices we all hope to find. One other thing, I might add one more category to RW's list and that is the Bait Monkey Crazed Enthusiast. Companies that cater to these fisherman will produce anything people are willing to pay for and not all of it improves your fishing numbers, just your fishing pleasure. Bottom line: fishing is fun no matter what you use.

Has anyone fished the GLX Baitcasting Senko rods from G. Loomis? And if so, what reel do you use or recommend? Any insight on these rods would be great?

Around the Midwest I have seen no one fishing the Ika. Most of the stores arond here don't tend to order them much and only carry a couple of colors. I probably would have over looked this awesome bait if had not been for this forum. So thanks again for whomever said to try this bait. Also, IMHO, the key to this bait is how it falls in the water. Unlike a Senko, which wiggles and falls slowly, the Ika falls straight down, allowing it to get to the big ones on the bottom faster. Again this is just an opinion.

Fivebasslimit, Let me try this again. $50 seems like a good deal. If you are hunting for a reel in that price range, then this may be a good reel to look at. Does that make more sense or is it still a backhanded comment?

I love my shimano stuff but for around $50 bucks, why not? If this is what your budget is for a reel and it surves the purpose, then what a deal it would be. But IMHO, any of the BPS reels are subject to scrutiny. I had a long talk with a BPS old timer and the story he gave me, in short, was that some are good and some, you just don't know. He sees many repeat buyers with their BPS reels but most are replacing old with new each year or every other year. For me, I think I would rather add a new reel than replace one every year or so. With that said, I will not pass judgement on a reel until I have had a chance to take it apart or fish it. So until then I will try to keep an open mind.

Great review. I own the Shimano Sustain 2500, tried the Stradic, and have dreamed of a Stella. The Sustain was the first Shimano reel to bring me over to the Posse. ;D ;D ;D

I have tried YoZuri Hybrid a few times in #10 and it was just OK. I have been using P-Line Flouroclear based on a bait shop sales guy recommendation. No complaints so far.

The Chronarch 100b would be choice but if you want to save a few bucks get a Curado.

I like the X-Calibar version of the lipless crankbait. I like the chrome and brown color. I have used Rattltraps for years. They seem to work ok but never last very long. Either the paint comes off or the hooks go bad. I have tried the LC version but was not impressed for the money.

The Shimano Calais. Words can't describe this reel. It is just simply amazing.

T-Rigged Senkos have been the best this year.

Here is what it looks like.

I got some warm weather here in the Midwest today and decided to hit the water. I have been fishing dark colored senkos from pumpkin to plain black and have had great success. But today I opened up a pack of color 909 (Chartreuse Shad Laminate). They are bright yellow with a white bottom. To me this goes against my usual go to color theory but for some reason the bass decided that this was what they wanted. I caught 4 large mouths in about an hour. I did catch one on a dark color but they just were not as effective as the 909 color. Has anybody else also had success with bright colors like this?

BPS has about everything they make. I think they have $3.95 shipping going through today and they had some gift card giveaway if you spend $125 or more. I hope this is the correct address you need www.basspro.com/christmassgift.com. Also not sure if the gift card thing is still going on.