South FLA

I do like the Zillion over the Revo any day of the week and twice on Sundays! I use to be a Revo fan especially the 1st gen Skeet Reese model, it only had centrifugal break and a standard long handle. So I started buying the rest of the Revo series and I currently don't own any, sold them, for various reasons. The TWS Zillion is very nice! Have you considered a Tatula?

As stated CXX and Big Game are the standard for most swimbaiters, but it (CXX) gets memory after a bit. I found that Mean Green by McCoy is a bit more stretchy, but cast better and has less memory as a co-polymer, abrasion resistance is also great. That being said I use CXX and McCoy, but transition on refills to Mean Green (17lb for 4 oz or less baits, and 20lb for larger baits).

The "max effect" is most important at the beginning of the lake cycle, so new impoundments/lakes/ponds offer the best chance to grow record bass (i.e. competitors, that interfere with bass growth cycle, keep bass from reaching full potential in established lakes). With that said then most likely in a record bass as time goes on is going to come from private waters, not public waters, I don't know how many new public lakes are starting from scratch, unless huge draw-downs or fish kills reboot the cycle.

If you use total logic based on the slow motion scenes from the episode. It had to be someone to Rick's left and that disqualifies his son and you are it would land on Aaron! So much for erasing a major character....., but it is only a TV show. Can't wait for October!

Of all the manufactured spec knobs you can't beat the oversized Septons in my opinion! The are a tad heavy and can get sticky if you leave them in the sun and can melt if exposed to chemicals, but as far as the finger groove and feel, they are great! Most EVA knobs are hard and compress very little. Therefore, for all day comfort in power fishing applications (Cranks, Spinner-baits, etc.) , Winn Knobs would be my power fishing knob choice. Winn knobs compress a bit, which is ergonomically better, think about standing all day on a padded boat deck vs. a hard non-skid deck. Lastly, for strike transmission and lightness, our 100% hand lathed cork knobs can't be beat by any manufacturer that I have researched. Most of the JDM cork knobs are compressed or rubberized/glued cork material, the equivalent of particle board.

lighter

Been a Walking Dead fan since season 3, is it going to be Daryl or Glenn? I put my money on Glenn being on the receiving end of Negan's spiked bat.

Been in the JDM reel hobby for a long time now (since the early 90s) and started Hawg Tech, because we saw a need for JDM type quality handles, but for more reasonable prices. For example in my opinion the best JDM handles are ZPI, but the handle alone is $90, without knobs. I have tried Studio Composites, and unless you just want the Studio Composite looks then why not the ZPI and if that is the case then why not Hawg Tech? Lastly, try giving ZPI, Studio Composites, or Avail a call if you have issues.... Cost Comparison for a Shimano Curado (The largest market segment) Hawgtech 94MM without knobs (Transfer Shimano Septon knobs from your existing reel) $59. You can add $10 for Septons Knobs, $20 for Winn Knobs or $35 for 100% cork knobs. So your price range is $59-$94. Studio Composites 92mm with Carbon Knobs $149 w/ Eva $139 ZPI Carbon 92mm are $89 without knobs. We also offer 90mm for those of you that want a smaller profile handle for 50 series reels and our most popular 102mm which adds $10 to above comparison. If you have any questions our would like to order a handle send me an Email at robert@hawgtech.com or you can call me just send me a PM.

Have two smokes and love the casting ability, its like an unrefined quarter mile car that runs 9s when it comes to casting, but after years of use too much play in the reels and not as smooth as others. I had plenty of Revos from Premiers to the original Skeet Reese models and sold them all. Don't know anything about the energy PTs series. Consider a Tatula Type R they can be had for $140-$150 and they are great performers for the long haul.

YouTube has a knot wars series and I believe the modified albright beat the uni to uni knot, but since the uni to uni retains close to 90% according to Berkley, I haven't had a need to modify what I use for my applications since leader to line failures is not the weak point (snook, bass, tarpon, reef, etc). Yes, the FG knot is the slickest and according to many the strongest, but as far as ease use, both the albright and uni to uni are easier. Pick a knot get proficient at it and stick to it.

Have a 2003 Ranger 185VS and other than just blowing my engine, its been trouble free. However, regular maintenance and tender lover care it expensive and that's what keeps it trouble free, but even with all my care and maintenance I still blew an engine. So as with any mechanical device its a crap shoot.

Uni to Uni for me. Haven't lost a fish at line junction to date!

It's a sign of the times, people browse box stores and then buy it online, tough to compete against that.

I have a pair of white ones I may list on the Flea Market soon!

Trying to predict if you will have a problem or not down the road is impossible. Another way to look at it is, can you afford to fix your engine if something should arise out of warranty, if you can and cash-flow is not an issue I would forgo the warranty. If you can't really afford more than $900 in the future then you should get coverage for your engine, especially if you actually use your engine and enjoy your time on the water. Nothing worse than being sidelined because you can't afford a re-power or repair.

http://www.stickitanchorpins.com/ Best bang for buck, been using it for duck boats for years! No issues and way cheaper than Powerpoles and Talons. I assume an 18' Laser is an Aluminum boat, correct? As far as Talons vs PowerPole, I have Powerpoles and have broken two. I learned that holding a 2500lb boat in a cross current with one doesn't work!

I have the old Tatula rod vs the older Mojo series and between the two there is no comparison. Tatula is lighter and feels better in hand.

Live Bait, but cold water down here is in the 50s, lol!

Surprised how bay boats aren't considered when discussing multi-species boat options. A 20-24' bay boat with a dead-rise of at least 15 degrees will do everything you want to do and more, Key West makes a 19 degree 'bay reef" boat that would be an awesome multi-species boat up north. Non-skid decks can get slippery when icing occurs, is an argument against them, but with the new deck materials like SeaDek and HydroTurf slippery iced surfaces are solved. Will bay boats, take over the multi-species market, I don't think so, but they should be considered as an alternative to "multi-species" boat offerings, YES! EdgeWater, Everglades, Grady-White, Yellowfin, Pathfinder, Ranger, Skeeter, Sterling, and Key West are some that should be considered.

I am with you on the Tatula, outcast, smooth, great drag and you can get them for about $140 on sale! That is why I sold a new in box 200e7 and bought 2 New Type Rs!

1. Shimano Chronarch ci4+ 2. Shimano Scorpion HG (JDM version of new model Curado, with I believe two extra bearings and cool burgundy color) 3a. Shimano Chronarch 200e7 3b. Shimano Curado 200e7 4. Lews BB1 pro speed spool I have own, owned, or tried all the above mentioned reels, the rubber thumb-bar covering will eventually fail on the CI4+ and its annoying, Curado E7 is a proven performer and highly sought after, I sold a new in box one not to long ago for a premium over what I paid for it!

Time will telll, what will happen with Ranger. I hope the pre BPS Ranger's go up in price, because I own 2 (2003 185vs Intracoastal, 2011 2410 Bay) . @Fishing Rhino, I understand your point of why spend X amount more for something that has the same utility, but its a Ford vs. Chevy argument, its subjective. With that said I would rather buy a well maintained used boat w/ Engine warranty left (2-4 yo) from a top quality manufacturer (Yellowfin, Sea Vee, Ranger, Legend) versus a new boat from a lesser known quality manufacturer (Mako, Polar Kraft, Nitro, Tracker), especially if I will be keeping the boat for over 10 years.

RIP James Best

As an ASA member we get tons of metrics for the industry. The "churn" rate in Florida is due to the fact that we have a large segment of the fishing population that transistions in and out of the state as tourist. What is interesting is the long-term license holders, I remember seeing a statistic on those who renew regullarly, and it seems like only a small, very small percentage renew over a 5 year period. It goes to show that very few anglers are "hard core", lol!

Bass Resource member and friend Eric (SoFlaBassAddict) passed away yesterday from a heartattack. I had a couple of oppurtunities to not only fish with Eric, but talk Heat basketball throughout the years and I am thankful for the memories. I will never forget a trip Eric and I had fishing Lake Okeechobee's worm cove where I sprained my wrist setting up on a Hawg, we had a great fishing trip that day and landed some chunks. Rest in peace Eric and thanks for the memories!