Dreveal

I have two of the ALX Zolo rods and really like them. I have fished both the McSmalls and the Maestro rods pretty heavily in the past year or so and they have both performed really well.

I just bought the Toadface and actually asked ALX the same question. I was told they were very similar but the BMJ was a little more sensitive. ALX is great about answering questions either by phone or by email. Just figured if I was going to be fishing mostly moving baits (and because I have a couple other from the Zolo line) I would stick with the Toadface. Hope this helps!

I know it's not a real spinnerbait, but I started throwing a Beetle Spin again last season and forgot how well they do in creek applications. Really inexpensive and easy to customize. Took me back to when I first started fishing (30 + years ago) !

They used to be Winco baits owned by a guy named Al Winco. Al was old school and didn't believe in online orders. Everything was done with a phone call. He was great to talk to. Anyway, I have always liked his baits. Flukes are a little heavier than others and their cold water baits are really good. Also love to throw their 1/8 oz buzzbaits for smallies. I have no clue where they are made, but they have always been well made baits.

Was just on the Abu Garcia site and they are having a flash sale on the Revo mgx spinning reels. They are down to $120. Just the 20 and 30 sizes left. Free shipping

I live in Morgantown. If no one is able to give you some direction, you could try wvangler.com. They won't tell you any honey holes but there are a bunch of folks that live down there who can be helpful with getting you started.

Been fishing Black Lake for about 10 years. We do a week in the late spring. They do a great job of marking the lake for things that would "high five" your lower unit so if you stay away from them you should be fine. It is a beautiful lake. Lots of weed beds that hold bass and pike. Don't ignore the flats during the day and keep an eye out for when the smallies push the bait to the surface. The topwater action can be awesome. Green pumpkin and watermelon seed seem to be the standard producers. We don't venture out much once we get there. I have heard that Alexandria Bay is a nice area to visit but have not been there myself.

I have a couple of the Ark Sniper rods and they have been great rods. I think they are $100 on Tackle Warehouse right now (in the clearance section). Don't think you would be disappointed with one of them

that's just awesome!

Yes. The top is the only part that really flexes. It casts baits within its range very well but I wouldn't try anything too light with the casting rod. I think it is personal preference. I like the rod and will probably fish everything but crankbaits with it

I own 2 one is the 610MLXS spinning rod which I have fished for a couple of years. Really like the rod a lot. Great finesse rod. The other is a 70MHXC which I have only cast a couple of times. It is by far the fastest rod I have ever owned. Both are lightweight and seem to be well built. Great deal at the $130 price point. Found them on TW and then emailed the company a couple of questions and they got right back to me.

I used these when they were made buy a guy named Al Winco. He sold the company a couple years ago. They are a good fluke bait. Heavier than most and designed to be nose hooked when fished. A little more durable than others as well. Back in the day you had call Al to place an order. The man loved to talk. Always a solid 30 minute conversation but it was a lot of fun to talk to him. He was passionate about fishing and the baits he made. Their buzzbaits have been my favorite smallmouth buzzbaits for a long time. I still have some of the darters and will order more when I run out.

I have an Ark ML spinning rod that has quickly become one of my favorites. I use mine for fishing weightless plastics, ned rig and fluke type baits for smallmouth. It is light and has a very fast tip. When I was looking for a new rod, I emailed the company a couple of times to ask questions and they were very quick to respond. This rod compares well to my Avid's and it is one that I like better than the Loomis E6X that I have.

I live in Morgantown and have fished the river many many times and have never even come close to catching one fish, much less two, like that! Congrats on the fish. Great pic of Woodburn.

4" white fluke has always paid off for me in the fast water. Lots of fun to watch them hit it too!