They always hit it the same way. Picture yourself eating a piece of corn on the cob. That's how they like to grab it if they can, either from underneath or from the side.

I haven't clear coated it yet but I'm going to. I just have to make sure I do it right.

I don't know why people always ask how much big trouts weigh. Mike Shaw and I were wondering this the other day because he gets asked the same thing all the time. I have no idea really and it doesn't matter. It's wood and it floats and it casts like a wood plug does. About like tying a rock to the end of your line. I wouldn't stress over it, just get a rod that's heavy enough.