Lucky Craft Man

six years ago, main focus: Spinnerbait five years ago, main focus: Weedless Frog four years ago, main focus: Lipless Crankbait three years ago, main focus: Jerkbait two years ago, main focus: Senko last year, main focus: Drop Shot this year, main focus: Shakyhead Every year, I pick one technique that I really want to learn and I use that technique about 60% of the time. It is amazing when you really learn a technique how much more successful you become overall, because you have one more confident tool in your arsenal and you instantly can recognize what conditions it works best in. Also, I have found, by learning one technique, it helps decrease the learning curve on another (I was able to achieve what I feel is success quicker with the Shakyhead worm, because of all my time I spent with the DropShot the year before and both techniques fish similiar).

Took the words right out of my mouth. (so to speak) Sounds like nice reels aren't for him, but as long as you like them, that's all that matters. He has a host of nice reels, but he maxes out the casting controls to avoid backlashes (which is why when he tossed mine, I didn't warn him that everything was off, hence the birdsnest and comment). I guess we learned to cast a baitcaster differently.

...you don't use any of the casting controls? I turn off all the casting controls (magnetic control to 0, centrifugal braking disengaged) and I even loosen the spool tension knob on all my reels (I learned to cast with a baitcasting reel that only breaked with a thumb). My friend, who picked up my set-up to cast, ended up with a huge birdsnest and asked me why I even buy nice reels if I am not going to use the features that make them worth the money. He got me thinking that maybe I did waste some money since I don't use any of the "features."

I have a Daiwa Megaforce and a Daiwa Viento (both twiching bar reels). The Viento is a better reel in performance and quality, but the Megaforce is a better Frog Reel. When you press the twiching bar in rapid successions, that hollowed body frog will walk-the-dog perfectly, which I find very useful when I hit openings in the slop or lily pads. The faster gear ratio of the Megaforce (compared to the Viento) helps it walks-the-dog much better when using the twiching bar, which is why I went back to the Megaforce for frogs over the Viento. I do wish the Megaforce was a little smoother and lighter, but for the money, it is a good reel. I think for the application you have in mind, you will be pleased.

G Loomis GLX SHR822S, Pflueger Supreme, 8 lb. Flouro., with usually an 1/8 oz. Picasso Jig Head and Big Bite Jeff Kriet Squirrel Tail Worm.

Lucky Craft man, I am the prostaff manager for Lucky Craft. Does that mean my opinion isn't valid because I am associated with Lucky Craft??? So if I say that unconditionally Lucky Craft has some of the best hard baits available would I be lying?? Many of us believe in the products that we use and promote and we are here to help others with any questions that they might have. Most of us simply give input when a question is asked and that is what alot of the guys are doing here or correcting erronenous information... We are product experts and often give information that alot of companies can't even give using their 1 800 # because we have on hands knowledge of the product. We also offer customer service to a degree because of our close ties within the company. It is simply our job to do these types of things. Sure some staff guys are overbearing but there are alot of us out there that just want to help and give you good information to help you make a decision based on your needs. Respectfully Mike Bucca I agree with you Mike, which is why I ended my last statement with "Though, on the other hand, I do like having pro-staffers on these message boards who can answer specific questions about a product." It is the overbearing ones, which you mentioned, that rub me the wrong way. It's kinda of like if you ask a Dodge Salesman what he thinks about Dodge vehicles. You know he is going to say he likes them, but it is hard to decipher if that opinion is his passion for the product, which he works for, or if he is just telling you that because that is his livelihood. When a pro-staffer gives you his/her opinion on how good their product is, it is hard to determine where his motivation is coming from.

I can understand why people like a topwater bite, but I think anyone who has a 5 lb+ Smallmouth hit a jerkbait with the power that almost (and in some cases does, if you are not paying attention) rips the rod from your hands would put a jerkbait bite right up there (if not above) a topwater bite.

I agree with The Natural on this one. I am not a fan of someone who is a "pro-staffer" of any product that promotes their product unconditionally. What I really dislike is when someone asks about rod "A" & "B" and a "pro-staffer" says "You should get rod "C", which is the rod (or product) they are pushing and it was not even apart of what the guy is looking for. I like to hear from people who have nothing to gain by their good or bad reviews. Though, on the other hand, I do like having pro-staffers on these message boards who can answer specific questions about a product (e.g. Bantam1). I guess there is a fine line between the two.

I bought into the idea that a faster gear ratio reel is good for spinnerbaits. Well, I soon found out for me, it is easier to wind a reel faster than to wind it slower. It was painful to try and wind a reel with a high gear ratio very slow when trying to slow roll spinnerbaits, but did not find all that hard to wind a lower ratio reel faster when trying to burn the spinnerbait. Therefore, in my humble opinion, I like a reel that has about 24 IPT for spinnerbaits.

I think the XML Heavy (1 piece) is perfect for frogs, especially in heavy slop.

I don't mean to be rude, but this is the only application I wouldn't use flouro. Flouro sinks and will drag your lure under. I do agree that flouro is more sensitive than mono. I remember fishing my one rod with flouro on it and I then used my buddies rod (which was the same rod as mine), but he had mono on it. To me there was a big difference in sensitivity with the rod having flouro being more sensitive.

I sense Irene is coming.

I was lucky enough to order mine before Sept. 1st, when Cabelas had free shipping. That $189.88 is a good deal, but when you add in tax ($12.42) and shipping ($16.95), it becomes a deal on par with others out there.

Should we ask you G Loomis & Power Pro Questions in the Shimano Product Support Forum or will there be a new forum created for each?

I am taking your guys advice and giving Chautauqua a try mid September. Just one question, if you don't mind. Is the North better for Smallmouth than the South? From a map I have, it looks like it would be, but experience is usually better than a map. Thanks!

Since seeing The Natural's work on here with wrapping his rod handles, I have done it with every rod I own. I wrap the foregrips with the black wrap as well, but I may have to step up to the shrink tubing. Since wrapping my handles, I don't like fishing without them on. Thanks for the inspiration, Natural. Also, when you remove a wrap from your handle that has been on for a while, the cork on the handle looks really good, because not only has it been protected from the elements, but the pressure of the wrap makes the cork dense with no "voids." I sold a rod recently that I used a lot and when I took off the wrap, I was amazed how good the cork looked. Even the guy I sold the rod to commented that I mustn't have used the rod much.

Great Video! What is up with the guy to your left casting right into your hole? My next cast would have been in that guys boat.

If I lost several weights and have to retie after each fish, I would rethink my dropshot rig.

Same thing I think about the letter "A" everytime I read your name. ;D Now that was a good comeback.

I am planning a trip to flatline troll for salmon. I have two line counting reels, but realized I have no idea what line to put on these things. Do you guys who flatline troll for salmon (or steelhead) use mono or some type of braid? Thanks for the help.

Thanks for the Responses so far guys. I was thinking about getting a little bigger reel (like a Curado 300 or Toro), but I like a lower ratio reel for this application (and I didn't want to spend the money for a new reel). I was hoping one of these two reels would be able to do the job. Thanks again.

I have a G Loomis SWBR904C (rated for swimbaits up to 3 ounces) and I currently have a Curado 100DSV on it. When I throw swimbaits in the 2 to 3 ounce range, this reel doesn't "feel" strong enough when casting and it feels like I am going to rip out the anti-reverse bearing when retrieving the lure (though, I'm sure I am just being paranoid). I have a Daiwa Zillion 100PA and a Abu Garcia Revo Winch that I could put on it and was wondering, before I strung them up with line, if anyone has any experience with either one of these reels for smaller swimbaits. They both fit nicely on the rod and feel comfortable to hold, so it only comes to performance and the reels ability to handle up to 3 ounce lures. Any experience reported would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bassnleo, didn't that tournament you post benefit a non-profit organization?

I love how you wrap your rod handles (and the shrink tuding on the foregrip adds a nice touch)

I would get mad if the fish was a PB that I lost because of something I did wrong. It doesn't appear that you did anything wrong (unless you were using a dull hook), so there was nothing you could do. PS My usually statement is "You dirty b*@!" instead of the F-Bomb