jdw174

I'm considering a new tow vehicle in a couple of months. The one that's really caught my eye is the new Chevy Equinox with the 265hp V6. Drove one yesterday and fell in love with it. The problem is the factory tow package gives me some concern. The hitch is a 1.25", rated for 3500lb. My boat is a 98 Triton TR20, single axle trailer. The greatest distance I tow is 60 miles round trip, but usually only 14 miles one way to Kentucky Lake. I don't have any idea of the weight of the rig and whether or not this would handle it safely. It's a front wheel drive and I have some concerns about the ability to maintain traction on steep ramps if they're wet. I could use some advice here guys

Same here. A friend of mine showed me how to rig my own. Our favorite worm to use was the Fliptail 6". Used three #6 Eagle Claw hooks all tied with a snell and threaded through the worm from tail to head using a large needle. We caught tons of largemouth on those.

Thanks to all who have responded. I spent a lot of money over the years on El Cheapo glasses that scratch if you blow on them, and the vision quality was never there. That's why I prefer to get something that is optically correct for a change. Oakleys are out of the running. My optometrist sells Costas, and another one up the road sells Wiley X brand. I'm going to look at both but right now I'm leaning towards the Wiley X "Jake" model with polarized "Emerald Mirror" lenses. We'll see....

The time has come to purchase a GOOD pair of sunglasses. They have to have readers built in (I'm farsighted) cuz I can't see to tie knots very well and even the screen on the HB is a little fuzzy. My local optometrist sells Costas and Oakleys. I'm not made of money so I can only afford ONE pair. Questions are: What tint would you use that will work on both sunny and overcast days?; Oakleys or Costas?; Plastic or glass? I've been using a pair of $100 Bolle's without the readers and if it's even remotely hot outside the **^%%$* things fog up something terrible. All suggestions welcome.

I use a 7' Lamiglas Excel spinning rod, med action w/lots of tip action. Sahara 2500 spooled with 20lb Power Pro and a 10lb co-poly leader. Works great.

I don't have a Tundra, but I do have a 2005 Tacoma 2wd crew cab with V6/auto. I get 15-16 towing my TR20 with no problems.

It's the regular flourocarbon.

I entered the Stren "Million Yards of Line" Sweepstakes online and received a 200 yd spool of 17lb Stren Flourocarbon in the mail. Haven't spooled any on yet, and was wondering if anyone else here had tried it and how it performed?

FWIW, here's my take on fishing line. More than 15 years ago, I worked with a rep from PRADCO on one of their "Best New Lures of the 90's" tapes. As a result, I received a bunch of line (Silver Thread)and some other goodies from them. I'm still using that line today! It stays on the reel until it's lost thru retying/breaking off snags etc., then I fill the spool back up to capacity. Rods are stored in the boat rod lockers 24/7, thru heat/cold but in a garage. In all these years, I have never...repeat never....lost a fish due to line breakage. I check the tie and line after every fish for nicks and re-tie when necessary. This year, I'm using the KVD line conditioner, but have used Reel Magic in the past. I simply do not see the need for re-spooling at the drop of a hat.

For years I used nothing but co-poly line for everything. Can't say that I've lost a single fish due to the type of line I was using. These days, I carry three spinning rigs, all spooled with 20lb PowerPro braid and sporting co-poly leaders of varying strengths. These rigs are used for dropshotting, shakeyheads, and the heaviest rig is used for skipping senko-type lures, either t-rigged or wacky style, and for some worming chores. It eliminates the problems with line twist for the most part. I also carry 7 baitcasters. One uses the same PowerPro braid...it's used for c-rigging. Five of them still have the good old SilverThread co-poly and do the duty for spinnerbaiting, cranking, etc.. Only one rod has flourocarbon on it, and that's 20lb InvisX for pitching jigs/plastics.

I'm not going to suggest one brand or another, but I WILL suggest that you purchase a transducer guard if you're in that many stumps, etc. Mine is a WeeVee from TransducerArmor.com . It's a good unit.

If I were in the market, the SHO would definitely be my new engine.

If it has a "V" groove in the hone for hooks....why not. If it's just flat sided it might be a chore. Lowe's carries the Smith hones for around $10 with a carry case. I have one and it works fine.

I bought one last fall and am totally satisfied with it.....just like all my other Shimanos

I think you answered your own question when you said you try to "rip" one and get the backlash. I've found over the years that the harder I try to throw, the better the chance of backlash. I can cast just as far (with the brakes and spool tension properly set) with a nice easy swing. Also, there is no substitute for an educated thumb

I've never been convinced that any of it works, but I favor Kick 'N Bass or Bang. I figure it can't hurt.

Couldn't happen to a nicer person.....

At current projections, Kentucky Lake will be at the top of the flood gates in the next several days, and we have more t-storms in the forecast for the next 3 days

I didn't care for either George or Jay...especially Jay, and I didn't like the way they ganged up on Jamie, either. I do enjoy the show a lot and am looking forward to next season.

Enough weight to do the job. For soft plastics I'll go anywhere from no weight at all to 3/16 if the water is shallow. I never go higher than 1/4 around buckbushes. Don't forget to bang a spinnerbait or squarebill into the bushes.....or bang into them with a buzzbait. Throw a topwater and twitch it in place right next to the bush.

5" on a 1/8oz shakey head. Also bought a bag of 8" this past winter to try on a C-rig.

I'll second this. Tossing out line that has been spooled for 9 weeks and hardly used is a waste of money IMO.

I never replace factory trebles unless they come with really cheap "beak" hooks or those nickel-plated super dull pieces of crap on them. I've used VMC, Mustad TripleGrip, Gammies, and the Excaliburs. No troubles with any of them.

If you're tying directly to the braid, the uni/uni knot is my choice.

You might want to take a look at the Powell MAX series ($139) or the Duckett Rods ($159). The Duckett will be the lighter of the two. The Powell is a very nice stick as well. I've read quite a few complaints of the Veritas snapping to the point that I'm not sure I'd trust one.