bronzefly

Oh yeah, and a 6" FS Bass painted in a smallmouth pattern might be the ticket for some river muskies...

East Tennessee - I fish quite a bit and don't have to worry about ice...

I've handled the new Crucial swimbait rods, but haven't fished one yet. Just from in hand "feel" and having fished the previous generation of rods, I'd definitely go with the "HEAVY" for the baits you've mentioned. I think an 8" hudd or 9" wooden punker would be pushing it on the MH rod... take it for what it's worth since I haven't actually fished them yet.

I like custom stuff as well and I do have a couple of cool and/or unique pieces in my private collection, but i've caught more actual swimbait fish on 3:16 hardbaits specifically that are "plain stock" than on any "custom" baits. Yes, perhaps that's because I fish more "plain stock" stuff than rare or custom stuff, but my point is that no matter how "cool" "hip" or "in" the rare stuff may be, doesn't seem to me that they put more fish in the boat than any "standard" colors out there. For the guys who get the standard release colors like most everybody else fortunate enough to get a bait, go out there, SPEND THE TIME AND ACTUALLY THROW THEM and don't expect a MIRACLE!! Be patient AND confident as these baits will ultimately pay off. Personally, I've caught more fish on "standard color" hyper herring, FS Shad, baby wake, and wake jr. colors than any other "custom" 3:16 hard baits. Granted, no matter how "cool" "hip" or "in", I don't fish 10" baits on a daily basis where I'm from, but I do throw some kind of hard swimbait on just about every fishing trip I make and that's pretty regular - those listed are my most productive baits, though not the most coveted in my personal collection.

No I haven't used 20lb Supernatural for decent sized swimbaits as I think 12lb P-Line CXX and I wouldn't toss a shad on 12lb CXX personally. I have used 30lb Supernatural for the FS Shad, baby wake, 6" FS Trout, 6" punkers, and will also use it for the FS Gill now Any baits larger than that and I tend to go with either 25lb or 30lb Big Game, or braid with steel leaders for toothy critters... It's just a confidence thing for me... Tossing those kinds of baits, I'd rather have heavier line and not need it than need it and not have it...

Line diameter is the first thing I look at when considering lines for any application. There are quite a few Japanese lines readily available out there now that are known as "class" lines. Basically, a class line is one where the company rates their lb. test at very close to actual break strength. Take Sunline Supernatural for example. It's a class line, and a great one at that. Their 20lb is very close in diameter to 12lb P-Line CXX and their 30lb is close to 17lb P-Line CXX. Anyone who has ever used P-Line CXX knows that it is MUCH tougher than its lb test rating. Guys who buy a spool of 20lb Supernatural expecting the toughness of 20lb P-Line CXX don't understand the class line rating system, and obviously don't pay attention to line diameters! I think a lot of it comes down to confidence. Over time, I have developed confidence in some lines and have no confidence in others. Trilene big game has served me very well when it comes to bigger baits - it's big, heavy, tough, cheap, reliable, and easy to find.

And the number continues to rise

Happy Birthday and congrats!

Last time I checked, they do not do any repaints...

You could just have them repainted... had my buddy Jimmie at baitink do these for me and they turned out great. The pics don't really do them justice...

I just cleaned and tuned up a Chronarch B today. They are very solid, well built reels with the exception of the "badging" that tends to come off over time - but that is really only a cosmetic issue. If you're running heavy braid, I'd lean toward the BSV for the additional line capacity and higher IPT. I've never fished for calicos so I don't know advantages or disadvantages of different gear ratios or IPT, but would imagine a little more speed would be a good thing. The B is a shallower spool, same ratio as the BSV The BSV (saltwater version) has a deeper spool The BPV (power version) is the low speed "cranking" reel

I've been through a lot of high end glasses and have settled on Costa Del Mar. The first time I matched up a pair of 580 Glass and the right frames for my big head, I knew I had found a winner. I have one pair of Amber/Silver mirror (all purpose, lower light) and one pair of Gray/Blue mirror (bright conditions). If you decide on a pair of Costas, a buddy of mine is a dealer and may be able to offer you a discount. Good luck on your search!

It is a terrible tragedy - many lives lost and destroyed all over the southeast from this insane outbreak of storms and tornadoes. Northern Alabama was hit especially hard. Please keep those impacted in your thoughts and prayers...

GREAT option if you can find one!!

Much respect... incredible. Thanks for taking the time to post this!

This sums it all up right here... Great post!