Japan Tackle has Hi Grade on sale. I picked up the 14lb. I was looking for a "hard" FC for jigs. How does the line compare to Sniper? Sensitivity, toughness...? I used Toray Superhard Upgrade for jigs for several years, and loved the stuff. Had to go another route when it became impossible to find ...

I'd be careful putting too much stock into where something is made or who the manufacturer is. There's really a fairly small number of producers for fluorocarbon, but there are infinite variations in what is produced in terms of quality (objective and subjective), properties, etc. So "manufactured b...

So with the Tatula CT, what on earth is the purpose of the Fuego at the exact same price point? I thought the new Fuego was kind of a letdown compared to what the old Fuego to begin with, but even comparing it to new models in the same range, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me, and doesn't seem li...

Had this happen this week with a Lew's Tournament Pro. Tore it down to clean it like I do all my reels, somehow managed to tweak the spool bearing pin when I was reassembling it....tick tick tick when I turned the handle. Tore it back down and reassembled it thinking I'd somehow knocked the pinion o...

Many reasons why they don't I'm sure. Incremental cost is one reason I'm sure. Multiply the cost difference between stock bearings and premium ones x the number of reels they manufacture and you'd end up with a pretty large number that would come right out of their margin. Another reason quite frank...

I'd add the Powell Inferno to the list. Their 7'3" is a pretty versatile rod, and they come in at $109.

Depends on the conditions and speed. If I'm swimming a swim jig fairly slowly over the tops of a weedbed, or through old rush beds early in the season, the Havoc Deuce or Missile Baits Twin Turbo are great. They're both durable and relatively cheap. Twin tails act like a drogue chute - you can almos...

A few tips to prevent line twist on a spinning reel. Forget the spool station, place the spool on the floor. Make sure the line comes off the spool the same way it goes on to the spool. When line goes on a spinning reel it goes on clockwise, make sure it comes off the spool clockwise. Another tip i...

Cal wrote:Shooter fishes practically identical to Super Hard Upgrade.

Music to my ears. Thanks Cal.

So I'm starting to lose hope that anyone will get 16# Toray Super Hard Upgrade in stock any time soon. I liked it a lot, so looking for lines that are comparable performance-wise. Fishing 1/2 - 3/4 oz jigs along deep weedlines, football heads, light cover pitching, all in water that ranges from clea...

Stingrays and the like are great in cold water, post cold front in clear water any time of year, on heavily-pressured clear water... Just a versatile bait that's pretty easily overlooked. I have a fishing partner that still talks about making fun of them when I pulled them out after a brutal cold fr...

Been taking the skirt off and replacing it with a fluke/jerk shad type bait for quite a while. Different profile, changes speed/sound and casts a lot better in any breeze. Works especially well on smallies for some reason...

You didn't say if this was for smallies in particular, but judging by the pieces (Kalin's and Gopher mushroom heads) I'm guessing so? I do this a lot for smallies, and all I can say is longer is better. I use a custom rod built on a Diamondback blank that's no longer available, but if I had to I'd h...

Get some of these: http://www.hitchseries.com/

I use them on all types of jigs, and they're awesome. I'd honestly hate to be without them. Amazing how much longer trailers last.

Another vote for the Super Duty. Great frog reel.

Actually, the Tournament MG isn't bad either. Both have deep spools and the 95mm handle, which I like for frogs. Super Duty has a CF drag, which I suppose makes it 'better' but the differences aren't vast.