RSBreth

I've used one for the past two seasons, and it works great, no twists or anything, course I'm using Fireline on it.

They do. Ain't saying where exactly...

Yep, kind of like a car, it pays to test drive!

One "Green fish" (Largemouth) and one Smallmouth. Lily pads die in Winter, but they'll be back in Spring. I didn't catch any fish where they grow, but I didn't fish there, either.

I fished Saturday over at the Park here in Ozark. Saw a couple of folks out including a guy in a whitewater Kayak that had the worst combo of camoflouge and day-glo tie-dye I've ever seen. My eyes still ache from that one. Anyway, the water is still pretty frigid, but I did manage a couple of small Bass on the new XRap shad shallow doctored up with a little lead weight to suspend perfectly. I was only out for about 2 1/2 or maybe 3 hours, but it was nice to get out.

Isn't it also awesome to have the rods right where you want them, too?

I have a sweet spot for my Buckmark, but I've shot one of those 22A's, and liked it quite bit.

I have a small foam pad on my wicker seat in the Pack and like that combined with the cheap Coleman seat-back better than the other options. Those molded seats don't fit my backside, and mine isn't very big, so I don't know who they fit very well. Your legs don't reach the center thwart? I guess not everyone has a 34" inseam...

Unless we get a serious warm rain and temps in the 70's for a week, you're looking at something that ain't happening for at least a month. It's coming, be patient.

I thought this was going to be one of those hoary old "A scuba diver went down near the dam of XYZ reservior and saw a catfish sooo big...." instead it turned out to be an entirely different hoax. Good try there though... better luck next time with the common sense!

Yeah, I was holed up trying to finish some writing chores and was only able to break away and fish for about two hours. If the confluence of all that wasn't in the way, I would have been there.

"Dock"? So you were launching by the new boathouse? Easier to put the canoe (or kayak) on a ramp at a 45-degree angle then get in and push off. Less "falling in the water like an idiot" action. Although I know a few guys I wouldn't mind seeing "taking the dip"!

From my experience fighting Smallmouths right to the boat with the line "singing" while there's 2, 3, or half a dozen of his buddies following him right in where I can see them, I don't think it matters.

I haven't been very impressed with the McStick at the price point they have them for. A little known lure for the same money, the XCaliber XS4, is my pick.

I'd seriously check the return policy of where you bought them. You're the third or fourth person I've heard this from.

I probably took a little umbrage to the header "Don't believe the hype", and maybe didn't respond as well as I could. I still think mono creates a rather large vacuum.

"...I use either Fireline or Powerpro and a fluorocarbon leader. I use mono for leaders only when using topwaters." Usually the leader is about the length rod the rod I'm using, 7' to 8'. Blood knot or back to back uni-knot to tie them together. Usually.

I use either Fireline or Powerpro and a fluorocarbon leader. I use mono for leaders only when using topwaters. All of the "tricks" for making mono or fluoro more manageable aren't even an afterthought after using superlines. There's a learning curve to using them, but any negative is outweighed by the positives.

Wenonah with someone who can't drive it... that's just not right. I'll offer the first bid!

Wow, I'm amazed at the vitriol of some of the folks here that otherwise seem very level-headed. I think if I looked at it from a sociologist's point of view there would be some class envy stuff, ("big time 70,000$ boats") some "us-versus-them" stuff (which is basic neo-tribalism i.e the same reason you call your favorite sports team your team), and some other stuff I'd just call typical "shack nasties" (cabin fever) of a bad Winter. I believe it was John Geirach talking about fishing in a crowd when he said "There's basically two groups of people out there: Your group, and the A@#holes". Kind of sums it up. Anytime money is involved, people will drop the niceties, and unfortunately, the Rock is crowded enough with all of us anyway, let alone the circus of a top level tour stop. Unless you're fishing the tournament, why would you go there and add to the mayhem that week? I understand guiding someone who booked ahead (with poor planning!), but otherwise?

Funny, I'd like them to do a run of "silent" Warts. Some of my best cranks for clear water conditions are "stealth' (silent) cranks.

"Several years ago one of the top B.A.S.S. Pros used the large Zebco Hawg Seeker closed face spincast reel for crankbaits. I can't remember who it was, but there was a write-up in Bassmaster about it. I think he might have even won one of the big tournaments with it. I tried to do some web searching to get the details, but gave up. Wish I could remember when and who. " Probably had Zebco as a sponsor and couldn't move enough of those reels. I should amend my previous statement and say I do use trigger-spin reels, but only on long crappie poles. Now a more provocative statement: It should be illegal to use mono on spinning reels. Superline ends every problem associated with them. Line twist, having to re-spool every other day, all that stuff. But hey, do what you want, I still often hunt Deer with a caplock .50 muzzleloader. Everyone likes some old-timey stuff.

In-Fisherman I get the FLW and Bassmaster mags being a member, but they aren't as good as In-Fisherman. Some of the flyfishing mags used to be good, but really all I read them for now is John Gierach's column on the back page. It seems like they can't publish anything new.

By saying "spincast" do you mean the "push the button" type reel? If so, no serious fisherman uses this kind of reel, with any kind of line. It's for kids and noobs. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

There are a bunch of serious plastic lure makers here:Tackle Underground You can find anything you need to know on the forums.