Myself and several other anglers have done several hundred hours of "on the water" research to try to determine which line best suites our needs. The line that I use for nearly every application is PowerPro. In this review, I will get in detail about some of the different characteristics of the fishing line of the future.

PowerPro is a braided Spectra® fiber. When PowerPro is manufactured, the company uses Enhanced Body Technology™ to produce an extremely round and ultra sensitive fishing line. The line lies very nicely in any reel.

Because of the material that PowerPro is produced from, it is necessary to place some sort of backing on your reel before spooling up with PowerPro. This will prevent the line from slipping on the spool when pressure is applied. I have found that one of the best materials for backing the spool is monofilament. Simply place the monofilament on the spool as you would if you were going to fill the reel. Once the entire width of the spool is covered use a Uni knot to Uni knot to attach the PowerPro to the monofilament. After the knot is secure, continue to fill the reel to its maximum capacity with PowerPro.

Although there are a handful of knots that will perform well when using PowerPro line, one of the most popular is the Palomar knot. This knot provides great strength and durability. Another knot that offers superior strength is the Uni knot. Although it is a little more difficult to tie, it is extremely strong. Regardless of which knot you tie, it is a good idea to pass the line through the eye twice (if your tackle will allow) before tying the knot to get the absolute strongest knot possible.

As a result of the lines extreme durability, you can not cut this line as easily as monofilament without the proper tools. You will need to purchase a very sharp pair of scissors. Several companies make scissors that will effectively cut PowerPro, but it is not necessary to spend a great deal of money. A pair of sharp Fiskars® children's scissors will do the job. The scissors that I used during the testing of PowerPro were braided line scissors from Wal-Mart. They retail for about $3.50 per pair.

Although I use high quality Rogue rods it is important to properly set the drag as to not cause damage to the rod. Not every company designs their rods to handle the amount of power unleashed during PowerPro hook sets. There are several methods that you can use to effectively set your drag. You can set it to match the weakest point in your equipment, set to the rating of the monofilament that you normally use or in my case, I just set it to the point where I can pull out the line with an average amount of pressure by hand. You can adjust your drag while fishing if it appears to be too tight or too loose. No stretch lines can be tough on the gears in light reels. Also, since you are not losing power down the length of the line as with monofilament, you will not loose hook setting ability.

Casting with PowerPro line is excellent because of the round design and super smooth qualities of the line. In most cases, I have been able to cast farther using PowerPro line than I could in the past with monofilament. You will also experience a significantly reduced amount of wind knots, guide and rod tip wraps and most importantly, very little backlashes. PowerPro also has no reel memory which is a common problem with monofilament. Because of the super slick design, you will not have to worry about the line cutting your line guides. PowerPro will sail through your line guides like a Sammy Sosa home run ball flies through the air at Wrigley Field.

One easy tip to remember when using Spinning reels that will eliminate 90% of your problems is to close the bail by hand, then pull on the line against the drag before beginning your retrieve. This will ensure that the loop at the bottom of the retrieve is properly seated, and will not cause a renegade loop on a subsequent cast.

When setting the hook it is not necessary to exert as much power as you would if using monofilament. A good quick hookset (a gentle snap of the wrist) will drive even the biggest of hooks deep into the fish. If you are like me and can not break the habit of setting the hook very hard when fishing with lures like a Jig and Pig, simply set your drag to a more loose position. This will reduce the amount of stress on your rod and reel.

It is a well known fact that monofilament can stretch as much as 25%. For example on a 20 yard cast, the stretch can be as much as 5 yards. This figure sounds unbelievable but tests and research will back this statement. The negative result of line stretch is greatly reduced power on hooksets.

PowerPro has a near zero stretch even when wet. This will result in most power at the point you need it most, the hook. In return, you will be able to land a much great percentage of the fish that strike your bait.

A very important characteristic that I require in fishing line is abrasion resistance. Most of the areas that I fish are filled with submerged wood, weeds, and rocks. These obstacles will shred an inferior line. PowerPro is a super tough line that can withstand even the most extreme of fish holding cover and structure. Recently I pulled a large bass out of a tree using 30lb test PowerPro. I pitched a jig as deep into the submerged tree as I could and just let it sink to the bottom. Once the bait hit the bottom, I began my slow retrieve. After hitting about 20 branches, I felt a strike. I got a good solid hookset and slowly worked the bass out of the heavy cover. Although PowerPro is super tough, it is not invincible. If you start to notice fraying in the line, simply pull out a few feet and retie your lure.

Never before has a product slogan been more fitting than the one on every package of MegaStrike. "The Secret is out," is likely something a lot of tour pros didn't want to hear. If you haven't already jumped on board the MegaStrike bandwagon, you are without a doubt, missing tons of fish. With the increased popularity of fishing, decreasing number of fishable waters and an overwhelming increase in angler's skill levels, it is more important now than any other time in history, to use every available resource in order to catch fish.

The sole creation of New Jersey native Bobby Uhrig, MegaStrike is a fish attractant years ahead of its time. Made of amino acids, proteins and a few other secret ingredients, this product contains items that every fish "needs" to stay alive. I have personally witnessed the power of this product. The fish seem to grab MegaStrike coated baits and hold on as if they have Lock Jaw. This product definitely has some major holding power. In reality the longer a fish holds onto the bait, the more time the angler has to set the hook. For pros and average anglers alike, more time to set the hook, equates to catching a lot more fish.

MegaStrike is produced in the consistency of a very manageable gel. It comes in a clean and convenient tube. Unlike spray or liquid attractants, MegaStrike will not get all over you and your boat when applied. The significance of this attribute is less waste and less damage to your valuable boat carpet. You also won't cross the weigh-in stage smelling like a dead crawfish or a rotten nightcrawler because of over-spray covering your clothing.

Another extremely beneficial aspect of this product is the length of time it will remain on lures. When the water is below the 76-78 degree mark, MegaStrike will stay on for several hours. Once the water temperature surpasses that range, you will need to apply the product every hour or two. When I first started using the product, I conducted my own test. Although my study wasn't scientific, it reinforced the fact that this stuff is like a magnet to all types of lures. I covered a jig with MegaStrike and placed it in my aquarium directly beneath the waterfall filter. The constant water flow of this location somewhat simulated a bait running through the water. The water temperature at the time of the test was 63 degrees. Initially I smelled the bait every 30 minutes to see if the MegaStrike was still on it. That time was eventually increased to every 2 hours. After the first day of testing, it was apparent that the product was not going to wear off any time soon. When it was all finalized, MegaStrike had remained on that jig, in running water for a period of 4 consecutive days without any reapplication of the product. To all anglers whether you fish in tournaments or otherwise, this means that you spend less time applying attractants and a lot more time fishing.

During a recent tournament trip to the upper Mississippi River in Wisconsin, I used MegaStrike on a Senko™. I was pitching the Senko™ to large clumps of isolated grass. On one occasion, I had a bass explode on the bait as soon as it hit the water. Immediately I set the hook and started cranking. The fish was completely covered with grass so I couldn't see how big it was. My partner netted the fish and I picked away the grassy shield to find a small 13 ½" bass. The most intriguing part of the experience came after I released the fish. I looked down at my Senko™ which had fallen out into the net. Upon further examination, I was dumbfounded. The hook had not (I repeat, Had Not) penetrated the Senko™. For those of you that are familiar with the Senko™, you know that it is extremely soft and minimal pressure will cause the hook to become completely exposed. I just couldn't believe that I pulled in a feisty 13 ½" bass and a few pounds of grass without ever getting a hook in the fish. Believe me, this is not one of those famous fisherman's stories. I saw this with my own eyes and to this day, it still amazes me. It was very apparent that the bass was really enjoying the all natural taste of MegaStrike in his mouth.

Don't just take my word for it that this is one awesome product. To date, over $500,000 has been won by tournament anglers using MegaStrike. Not all of us are willing to admit it but you can bet your paycheck that there are a lot of hidden MegaStrike tubes in bass boats at tournaments all over the country. For more information visit MegaStrike.com.

• Under-the-seat storage
• Large shade and rain umbrella
• Fishing rod holder
• Adjustable front legs

Made of thick steel tubing, the chair will hold up to years of abuse from travel between your vehicle and your favorite fishing hole. On the downside, the chair is a little heavy compared to other chairs available. Then again, we're not aware of any other chair made specifically for anglers.

The chair features plenty of under-the-seat storage, which is a huge plus. I can recall many times when I've had to carry more than my share of fishing tackle and other gear. We were able to pack a small tackle box, fishing vest, camera, and snacks in the storage compartment. Just be sure to leave room for the included attachments.

Sitting in the chair is pretty comfortable due to the gradual backwards slope, similar to a lounge chair. In addition, each front leg is independently adjustable to change the height of the chair. This is more for comfort than for uneven ground, as the back legs are not adjustable. For additional comfort, the front crossbar is padded to prevent fatigue at the knees.

The chair's fabric is fairly thick, and should resist fading, stretching, and tears for many years. Each end of the fabric is secured with screws, which shouldn't be an issue unless you sit down with force. However, it would be nice to see the ends of the fabric wrap around the frame completely, then secured with heavy stitching. This would probably hold longer and look much cleaner.

The chair also features a fishing rod holder that attaches to the base of the chair so you won't have to bury your pole in the ground or locate a stick to prop it up with. The base of the holder is made from PVC pipe and heavy duty fittings, and the holder itself is readily accessible from the seat without having to reach over too far to grab the pole. This makes it handy when fish strike.

The umbrella holder rests on the opposite side of the chair, and is also made from PVC pipe and heavy duty fittings. On loose soil or sand, you can push the pointed end of the umbrella into the ground to keep it stable, but we had problems keeping the umbrella from falling over in packed dirt or gravel since we couldn't push the tip into the ground.

Afraid to get your gear wet during inclement weather? The umbrella itself is large in diameter, which is good considering it covers the entire chair and the ground to the side. This is perfect for keeping your gear dry or to prevent a sunburn. As you cast, just be mindful of the umbrella overhead.

The Bottom Line

• Under-the-seat storage, good for fishing tackle and gear, food, and more.
• Large, removable umbrella. Good for rainy days or getting out of the blaring sun.
• Seating material is thick so it won't easily stretch or tear.
• Easily accessible fishing rod holder.
• Adjustable front legs.
• Carrying handle.
• Padded front crossbar.

• Heavy, weighing in at 21 lbs.
• Fabric attached with screws instead of heavy stitching.
• Umbrella does not stay standing in certain conditions like packed gravel or dirt.
• Not as compact as other chairs (non-angling).
• Carrying handle could be slightly larger to accommodate larger hands.

Overall, the chair is most suited to anglers who plan to fish in one location for an extended period of time, such as shore or bank fishing. It's perfect for short trips from the car to the water. Because of the weight, you wouldn't want to travel long distances with the chair. If you're already carrying lots of fishing tackle and other gear, you may want to consider making two trips, even with the storage compartment under the seat.

The basic principal of the chair is good. However, because of the weight and other factors, this chair did not score as well as it could have.

The Original Lipper is one awesome tool. If I had an extra set of hands, I would give it 4 thumbs up. The solid construction and ergonomic fit make it perfect for anglers of all skill levels.

One feature that I really loved about this product is that you can lock the jaws in the open position and when you are ready to close them, all you have to do is push a button. The jaws close instantaneously and have enough pressure to hold your fish firmly. Although the jaws have a tight grip on the fish, it does not appear to be enough to cause trauma. This may actually be a result of the shape of the jaws.

The Original Lipper is actually two tools in one. Not only can it quickly grab the mouth of your fish, but with the turn of a knob, it can accurately weigh them too. The scale is not a cheap little setup either. It is a high quality spring scale that seemed to be very accurate.

The overall construction of this product was excellent. It is produced with quality stainless steel parts that will withstand the harsh elements associated with fishing. Saltwater is not even a match for the Original Lipper. At the end of the handle, there is a small lanyard. Although it appears to be a remotely insignificant piece of the unit, it can be extremely helpful. By simply inserting your hand through the loop, you no longer have to worry about dropping the Lipper in the water and losing it forever.

If you are looking for a tool to assist you with landing and releasing your fish without getting hooks in the hand or injuring your catch, the Original Lipper is an excellent choice. With the proper care, it would appear that this thing could last a lifetime.

Fast-action tapers along with incredibly smooth power curves make it easy to generate high line speeds. And the construction lets you feel the rod load for maximum power transfer and efficiency. That means you'll naturally cast better - without having to think about what your line is doing in the air - when the pressure is on to make a pinpoint presentation. FLi rods are built with wider-diameter, thin-walled blanks that facilitate loading and unloading and reduce overall weight. They feature resin-impregnated wood reel seat inserts, British-made snake guides and high-grade Portuguese cork grips.

The blue fox never lets me down, I use these while trolling and have caught trout, bass, walleye, and wiper off of them. They come in all different sizes and colors. When trolling I use a downrigger with these and put them in 12 ft to 20 ft of water. When I fish up at Carter lake I always use these lures and always get a hit on them.