FishTank

At the lakes I fish we use to call them the "Stubborn " bait because if someone was throwing one, whether they were catching fish or not, they would stay with it all day. For me, I like them for windy days and stained water which is pretty much anytime but it's not a bait I am super confident with. The key for me is slow rolling and finding the right pop that gets the skirt to flare open. I have a War Eagle that is white, yellow and gold. It's usually money in early spring and late fall.

If you get either one, it will definitely be way different from what you have been use to and nice a improvement. The closest to what you have would be the 200k. The 150 is smaller but has the mgl spool. That spool will cast a little further and be a little more consistent. I would get both, the 150 for lighter baits and 200 for everything else.

For spinnerbaits.... No braid and of course no leader. Fluorocarbon for me.

I put about 20-35yds of mono backing and then filled it with 16lb Sunline X-plasma with a 10lb Seaguar Gold Label leader. I am not a big fan of braid but I have had great success with line combo.

For those that use BFS equipment, do you have some favorite baits or lures? I decided to give it a shot and have no clue about the actual BFS baits and what to expect. I am going to use it for both bass and trout. This is will be totally new to me so any help would be appreciated.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/gamakatsu-ewg-worm-hook-kit I would just buy the individual packs that you want.

The grip is something to get use to on the Super Destroyer. I did look at the same Tequila Baccarac and ended up with the Valkyrie 7'1'' Heavy. I was looking for something I can through a 6in Magdraft on as well as Alabama Rigs, and Frogs. What I found was I can use this rod for just about anything heavy. I used it for jigs, T-rigged soft plastic and big crankbaits. It works for all of it. I wasn't a fan of the spiral wrapped guides at first but it will cast a mile and do it effortlessly.

I would look at Megabass for a do all rod. I have G. Loomis NRX, GLX, IMX and some St. Croix rods but the Megabass blanks that I have and fished/put in my hands (with a few exceptions) seem very versatile. With that said, they are kind of different as some of the ones I have seem like a blend of two or three rods in one. For example, imagine some one took the butt of a heavy jig rod, the mid section of T-rigged soft plastic rod, the tip of a heavy crankbait rod and Frankensteined them together.... That would equal to the P5 Super Destroyer. You can go through all their lines of rods and find gems like this. I would like to think their concept is to make a rod that is pretty good (not totally great) at one thing but good at almost anything. So far of the ones I own, I have really enjoyed them and they have made my bank fishing more fun but they may not be for everybody. If you are looking for a moving bait rod that can do T-rigged soft plastic, I would look at the Valkyrie line up. They are a tad heavy when compared to the NRX rods but they are a blend and are both sensitive and somewhat soft. I haven't held this rod or even seen it for that matter but it was one I considered recently and it looks like it might fit the bill..... Megabass Valkyrie 6'11'' MH, Med-Fast taper. Downside though, just about everybody in the business has a better warranty than Megabass.

They dry ok. The straps can take a few but no different than any other sandle. They can smell though. I just spray them with Lysol.

Here you go. https://www.rei.com/product/148563/teva-strata-universal-sandals?color=BLACK They aren't cheap but I have had mine for 3 years and to me that makes them worth it. They are supportive like a boot and the sole is non-slip. I am always the one backing the boat trailer up on the boat ramp and I have to get into the water to get it hooked up so I can tell you they work. They do fade from the sun which is no big deal to me. I think I can another 2 years out of them.

I think they are repackaging it. I have seen the old package on clearance and the new one is $2 or so higher. All I know is, is one of the guys I fish with swears by it. It cost us about $1200 last week. He lost a nice 4lb'er when his line snapped 6in above the knot.

Don't do Crocs. The bottoms are too slick for rocks and boat ramps. I have seen more injuries at the ramps from those shoes than I can count. I have had a pair of Teva water sandals for 3 years and they have been great on slimy boat ramps and for hiking. Prior to that I had Keen water shoes. NRS also makes a great pair boots for cold water kayaking and shoes for warmer weather but I prefer the Tevas. Also don't do tall Muck boots. They are a guaranteed death trap if you fall in. You might as well be wearing cement shoes.

Glad this topic was started..... You are required to wear a life vest in the tournaments I fish when the big motor is running. I saw an important reminder this past weekend when a boat turned a corner too fast, had to adjust for another boat and the quick adjustment threw the passenger. He was wearing a jacket but it was old and already wet from the heavy rain. When he entered the water the jacket acted like a sponge because of its age. He started to go under but he was able to swim back to the boat he fell out of. After seeing this, I knew it was time for a new one. Hopefully I will never need it but it's an investment that I don't mind spending the money on.

For braid I like Sunline X-plasma 16lb and 10lb Seaguar Gold Label for leader.

Spinning - Sunline X-plasma Casting - Smackdown

First impressions and 17 fish later, I think it's pretty amazing. It's probably not worth the US price but its really cool. You can easily see it, any movement of the line is really noticeable, casts well and its tough as nails. I might actually like it better than Tatsu.

The last good model was the one proceeded the model with the wood handle. Sad thing with these reels, they were great until they weren't and I really didn't miss treat them. They were just not made well. On the other hand I have had a Shimano Symmetry that I got around the same time as the Pfluegers and it feels the same as the day I got it.

Pflueger President spinning reels.... both fell apart in under a year Quantum reels with the metallic finish both spinning and casting. Just bad all the way around. Looked cool though. Big swimbaits . This is the one that causes the most regret for me. I dropped $750-$1000 in gear and lures just to try it out. It was fun at first but I really don't catch a lot on them. With that said, I do catch fish on the 6in Magdraft but not much on anything bigger.

As a general rule of thumb, don't buy a reel with a pro fisherman's name on it. If you have to have a Quantum reel, check EBay (Simmons Sporting Goods auctions) for the Quantum Vapor or maybe the Accurist. Both can be had from around the same price as the Bill Dance reel.

It's definitely different.

This is my first time trying it. I liked the Invisible so much that I wanted to try the BMS and it was a lot cheaper from Japan so I thought why not. It is all sorts of colors though.... clear, pink, yellow, gray, pink, green, and orange. I will use it a few times and report back.

I use to do it all the time but learned my lesson a long time ago. I had a guide that got knocked and it wasn't the greatest rod in the world so getting it repaired wasn't worth it. After a while it ruined a ton of line and I ended up giving it to a buddy that used it for catfish. Fast forward to now and it is a weird world.... my new NRX rods have the keepers on the rod blank between the split grip and on Megabass rods, they don't have one. It's kind of annoying.

How do you spend last week's tournament winnings? Ask the bait monkey ?.....

Does anybody know if Siebert Outdoors is having a sale soon? Memorial Day Sale?