RSBreth

To bad this wasn't a couple of weeks ago - there were 2 of the BPS Ascend 'yaks outside the outlet store for less than 200.00$ They didn't last long. You might try this: http://www.searchtempest.com/results.php?location=65803&maxDist=250&region_us=1&search_string=kayak&keytype=adv&Region=na&cityselect=zip&page=0&showeb=1&category=8&subcat=sss&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

Fireline needs a little "breaking in" before it gets real nice and fishable - probably why some folks don't like it. It gets better. PowerPro also seems to need a little time to loosen up, at least the spools I've bought.

I've stayed at Gaston's too many times to count (They let us keep our big Labs in the cabin) and I know the exact riffles you're talking about. They probably spent more time removing moss and rock snot of their rigs than actually fishing. Too bad. One of the biggest Browns I've caught on fly gear was from the rifle at the tail end of their property.

I guess I should have said that there's a big difference between casting and vertical jigging. I like a softer action on the casting rod, but a little stiffer for vertical jigging. I do have to confess, I don't do the vertical jigging thing very much - days when it should be the thing I usually find find something else works better. I know someday I'll hit the mother load on it, so I keep a little box on the boat with some in it. The casting spoon thing is considered new, but I remember being a teenager using the smaller Johnson's Silver Minnow with a pork eel trailer all the time, and mostly used it the same way. There's no law you have to use a big spoon for casting, just this past Summer I caught a nice mixed bag of White's, Schoolie Stripers, and Black Bass on a clone of the Little Cleo spoon, the 2/5th-ounce size with a dressed treble. Not a big spoon, but matched the size of the shad they were busting. Maybe some more folks will respond again.

Actually, the .44 Mag was introduced in the mid 50's and the only major firearms companies that made one in that caliber initially was Ruger and Smith - Colt didn't make the large frame Anaconda revolver until 1990 - almost 20-years after the first Dirty Harry movie came out. Until those movie's came out the revolvers chambered for .44 Mag sold slowly, then after the movie's came out it was hard to find one - people were paying 2 and 3 times MSRP for one! Jeez - I know too much firearms history... but I did bump your thread.

Yeah, but then you'd have a gun geek like me saying "That was blued Smith&Wesson model 29 in Dirty Harry, not a stainless Colt." But anyway - if it was wearing the 4" barrel I'd be interested. They were super nice revolvers - kind of an upsized Python.

Bass/Walleye/White Bass to me are very different things as far as technique goes. At least as far as Winter spooning is considered. Or any spooning is considered. But recently, spooning on Table Rock and Beaver have been a little different, too. Unless someone is waaay behind the curve. http://www.in-fisher...l-spoons-bass/1 I've been throwing some bigger "flutter" spoons for a couple of years, but I haven't really said much about it. That being said, I like a softer medium action or so rod, but it's mostly because I use superlines.

I think maybe me, Gavin, and Al understand that. Well, I do now, after I looked the constellatus part up. At least I understood the Ambloplites part.

I've used all kinds from Eakins to Booyah to BPS brand to Strike King Bitsy Bugs. I'm currently messing around with molds to make my own silicone and bucktail finesse jigs in 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4 ounce sizes. I got tired of not being 100% satisfied with what I was using, so I'm gonna make my own.

Now, with that done, I would love to see that type of event over closer to my place (SW MO) but that seems unlikely. Oh, yeah, IF you would allow us poor heretic solo canoe folk to compete against the 'Yak folk.

I was going to say that, too. I like a longer rod for that type of setup, in essence kind of like a fly rod - something in the 8 or 9-foot range. But even for wading and casting spinners, spoons or smaller jerkbaits I like a longer rod. Longer rods are kind of pain in a boat though, both because of storage problems (even if it's a two-piece rod) and because you already have an advantage being above the water, so a longer 9-footer or so feels a little unwieldy to most people - especially when landing fish at boatside. You might also be talking about rods lighter than I am - I use light action rods, but rarely "Ultralight", at least as far as the actions are stated by the rod companies. I've been very happy with the inexpensive "Micro-Lite" float and fly rods from Bass Pro, enough so that I have all three models the 8', the 8'6", and the 9'6". You could go the custom route, too, and spend way too much money to build a really super-sensitive light action spinning rod from a 7'6" 3-weight fly rod blank like I did. I figured out what it cost, total, and realized I could have bought something similar for the money by Loomis or St. Croix. Of course it wouldn't be exactly the same, which of course was the point.

My old dogs both recently went to the happy hunting grounds, and I'm to broke to do the usual trip to visit my family and do a week of Pheasant/Quail like I like too anyway. Maybe next year. I have some awesome places to hunt, mostly private land. Too bad it's 400 miles away.

You really haven't stated exactly what you have for sale. A rodbuilding kit for what? Casting Rod? Fly rod? ? I may be interested, if I knew what you were trying sell.

I remember reading a story about floating the James back before the Table Rock dam by the late Charley Waterman. I was a teenager in Kansas and it obviously made a strong impression - look where I'm at now. I like fishing "The Rock" (and Beaver, and the tailwaters for Trout) but I would have liked to see and fish the confluence of the James and the White.

Thanks, I've seen those jigs, but I'm going a different route - I'm modifying a mold to make my own the exact way I want them, should be up and running with that by the end of the month. I don't tie Fireline direct as I only use it on spinning gear with a leader, but for spinnerbaits with braid I use the doubled Uni. Basically go through the eye of the hook twice, then make a Uni knot and cinch it down. I've never had it fail. Like this, but go through the hook eye twice:http://www.netknots....l/uni_knot.html There's some guy who claims he invented this knot and is trying to get some recognition from winning "Knot Wars" on NAFC, but basically he just gave it a name. If you can stand the interminable video, here's the way to tie it. Not like I care, but I do think it's funny that he claims to have invented a knot that one of my brothers showed me how to tie about 20 years ago, and he got it from some crusty old timer who showed him.

I use superlines (Fireline isn't braided ) on every spinning rig I use. If you learn to back off on the drag, you won't pop off fish on the hookset. I wondered if that was the cause, because it's a common problem when folks make the switch. You don't have to do the "Bill Dance" hookset either - can you lift 40- or 50- pounds quickly? Then you can apply that same amount of force to your tackle with a no-stretch line. Don't use a swivel - just too much junk involved. Everything just needs a little tweek and you'll get it right. If you're using Fireline Crystal I'd use a Blood Knot to connect to your leader. Most of the time I make my leaders about the same length as the rod I'm using, or maybe a foot or so longer. Check your P.M'S.

For below freezing one of the coated braids is better, but I like Fireline - it picks up less water. For line to line knots it depends on both what the main line is and what the leader is. Some combination's work better than others. For Fireline to mono or fluoro I use a blood knot, and for most braids I still use the Uni-to-Uni, but I have experimented with both the Slim Beauty and Alberto (which is basically a modified Albright). Both are harder to tie than the uni, but do seem a little stronger -if you tie them right. They're a little fussy, where the uni-to-uni is really easy for me to tie, quickly. Fishing knots. Uni-to-uni http://www.marinews....ht-Knot-221.php I think one of the most interesting things happening for superline-to-leader connections is the number of hollow-core braids coming to market. These will allow connections to be nearly seemless. I haven't tried this yet, but I'm ordering some now. It may be the best way to connect lines yet. We'll see. http://www.bassfishin.com/blog/hollow-core-braid-fishing/ When you say the line broke at the knot, do you mean while trying to free your lure from a snag, or on the hookset, or ? When using superlines you'll have to back off the drag on a reel, and learn you can apply more force, quicker than is possible with straight mono or fluoro. If the main line has no stretch, something will still have to give, somewhere. I use straight braid on my spinnerbait set-ups, but I do like the "stealthiness" of a fluoro leader when using slower moving lures, but I agree it can be a pain too switch at first. In the long run you'll get it. I can't imagine having to go through all the stupid "which way do I spool" and having to do it all the time with mono like the old days. Now I spool up, and generally don't have to worry about it for a season or two.

Bryant is very under-rated. It's a fantastic river or creek or whatever you feel like calling it. I never get the chance to fish it as much as I'd like to. Good report!

I like swim jigs and have used them both on "flat water" and the rivers. I think on the river they start working earlier than spinnerbaits, but once the water is warm the blades usually work better. Another lure option is always good.

I think those three lakes are very different. Maybe Beaver, Table Rock, and Bull Shoals would be "just the same" as they are all on the White River, but the three lakes you mentioned are all very different in my mind.

I'll send you my Christmas list here in a minute. I like the smaller sizes, but if I were strictly trying for bigger fish Id throw the bigger size more often.

I bet if you went by Busiek range there's plenty of them on the ground. Seriously, I don't know if Bass Pro has any, but I usually order my new empties from Cabelas, believe it or not. New Remington Rifle Brass

You are one funny dude.

I use the wakebaits all the time. Very good substitute for other more common topwaters.

I've already been to your website (but not your store). I think reading the various canoe/kayak thread here would help you decide what models of canoes and/or kayaks. I for one would love more reasonably priced solo canoes folks could try out. Think Mohawk Mohawk Solo's or Old Town Guide 119's. Old Town Guide 119