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Centrifugal cast control minimizes backlash more than magnetic because it keeps the spool from speeding up too much at the beginning of the cast. Magnetic cast control helps control the spool at the end of the cast. With the combination of both, the TP provides not only better cast control, but allows the user more options/selections for controlling or "customizing" the cast based on proficiency, lure weights, and wind conditions. The dual cast control is the biggest advantage of the TS over the SS. But, the TS also has one additional bearing making for a smoother reel and a drag upgrade from 10 to 14lbs. If these features are not important to you, then you may like the SS. The TS is well worth the additional money for the addition of the centrifugal cast control alone; the other additional features make it even a better value.

Went out this morning for a few hours with my son. He wanted to go to Okeechobee, but I wasn't sure if the weather was going to hold out so we went to nearby Loxahatchee Preserve, instead. Arrived about half hour after safe light and started fishing. My third cast of the morning yielded a 4lber...About five minutes later my son is cranking in his topwater frog and I hear a tremendous splash...I look and his bait is gone in a big swirl. I yell at him to set the hook which he does. Instantly his medium action spinning rod doubles over and a huge mouth comes out of the water churning back and forth. Oh-oh.... But, he fought it like a champ, wrestled it out of the weeds a couple times and got her boat side where I grabbed it. Weight was 6.80 lbs...besting his PB by over a pound. At six and a half years old he has now caught a bass bigger than his age twice. We went on to have a tremendous morning of fishing...I had the boat back on the trailer at 10:00 with 15 bass, at least half of those over three, including three over four, and the 6.80. Easily 21-22lb bag in about three hours fishing. I left them biting....my last two fish were a 4.0 and a 4.5. My son saw my fish getting bigger and I think he wanted to go home while he still had me beat (which I was glad to do).

So my friend and I (he's a member here) went down and bought ourselves a 12 foot jon boat last night. We got up this morning and fished for about 2 hours on a small neighborhood pond. It was instantly gratifying to be able to reach all the spots we wanted to fish before, but couldn't because of no shoreline access. We did alright, catching 2 a piece, one of them was between 2 and 3 lbs which is not bad for that pond. We started getting a lot of bites fishing this laydown with a pumpkin/chartreuse worm. I hooked what seemed like a decent sized one there but he instantly dragged it down into the branches and my line snapped, oh well. Great first day on the boat!

Nice fish. I wouldn't go telling your alligator story to much though. Last I heard it was against state and federal law to feed or harass them. Good way to get an unwanted knock on your door.

Had to do this last weekend. Kinda scared my three year old when I stabed it in its head.

I cut the last "bump" off.

I'll throw a 1/2oz jig in 5 ft of water. I don't think weight is so much about depth as it is about rate of fall. With more active fish I want a faster fall rate. Depends on what you are doing with the jig, also. If you are punching thick grass you will want a heavy jig. I like to use lighter jigs for swimming if I want to stay off the bottom without reeling too fast. With football jigs I like them to be heavier because when you are dragging or hopping or twitching (etc.) them on the bottom they cause more commotion. In muddy water I will use heavy football jigs to fish grass horizontally for the same reason (more commotion). You should read the Fishing Like an Idiot article on this site. IMO you can't go wrong with a jig no matter how you fish it. Sometimes I will use a lighter jig on a split-shot rig to fish rocky points. Sometimes I don't even use a trailer.

I think a set-up guide would be a great idea. Like having a low speed reel and ~7' Medium, Moderate action glass rod for deep diving cranks. Basically what to look for in technique specific rigs for rod, reel, and line. Personally I would stay away from the brand wars or naming specific models because everyone has their own preferences and/or budgets. Or include the more popular/proven models that fit the mold to start people looking.

Yep... What's really surprising is that after literally hundreds of posts by me and members of the Shimano Posse, we still have so many members fishing other brands!

I like how you think

Attagirl! Jump right in here and knock some heads together!

6.4 is the most versatile. 7.1 is good for fishing plastics and jigs because it lets you take up slack in your line quicker and it's nice to have for those fish that run right at you. If you're going to use it for plastics, spinners, and cranks I'd go with the 6.4. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lews-Speed-Spool-Tournament-Baitcaster-Fishing-Reel-Lews-TS1H-6-4-1-/360466626602?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ed7c382a#ht_861wt_905 Can't beat that deal.

6.4.1 is for sure the most versatile

All of it depends on the conditions and what the bass in that lake want. vague, i know. let me explain. i use different rigs depending on what lake im fishing and the conditions. for purple worms, i mostly just texas rig it with a sliding bullet weight, usually no bigger than 1/4 oz. using senkos, i either texas rig them weightless or wacky rig them. one lake i fish loves a wacky rigged senko. another lake i fish seems to prefer the senkos t rigged. on hot sunny day, i usually fish t rigged worms near wood or bounce the bottom. the bass will tell you what they want. Prime real estate for shore fishing is drop offs (usually they are parallel to the shore line). i try to throw my lure as parallel to the shore along the drop off as i can. that way youre in the strike zone longer. look for any kind of structure. structure can be sunken wood, a bowl like pocket in the lake bottom, weed lines, docks and rocks. if you see structure, HIT IT! if you look at my profile picture, you may notice the dock railing behind me. this dock is long with access to shallow and deep water. these kind of docks are great for finding fish! you can drag your bait parallel to the dock looking for suspended bass under the dock. you can cast shallow to deep looking for bass suspended on a drop off or weed line. then you can though deep diving cranks and worms to fish for the bigger fish in the deep. i've actually out fished friends on boats from the shore before. get out there, you will learn alot. I saw schooling bass on a feeding frenzy annihilate my lure the other day. while i was pulling my hooked bass in, two others were chasing it! weird but cool nonetheless. Good luck -Sean

Speed is a decision for the individual, I have 6.4:1 and 7.1:1 If I only had one it would be the 6.4:1 a good all around speed for everything. As far as bearings there is no difference between th SS and the TS both have 9+1, the Team and Tournament Pro both have 10+1. I have all of them and can feel no difference between the 10 bearings or the reels with 11. But the TS and SS have the same bearing count.

Tournament has a 14LBS. Max Carbon drag, with a metal click adjustment star, the SS is 10LBS. Max with plastic non click star, The Tournament has a bowed aluminum handle that hugs the reel better, and the centrifugal brake is much more useable to control casting over runs than a magnetic brake. Ant the TS has a titanium coated line guide. The drag and brake system alone is worth 40 or 50 bucks to me. either one is a great real for the price the TP and the Tournament are the best bangs for the buck, but whichever you get you will have a reel to rely on for years!

If you are only looking for a reel under $100 then that is the best purchase you can make for $80. I just got the same one except in a 6.4.1. ratio and I like it alot, but I think my next buy is going to be the tournament speed spool.

I never argue with fish...

for about 30 bucks more you get the TS1SH, which has a dual cast control, and a larger better drag. The SS has magnetic cast control only and is no where as effective as Centrifugal cast control which the TS has along with magnetic. I would spend a little more and get the TS1SH it is a much better reel. Both are great but 30 or 40 bucks gets you all the bells and whistles of the TP minus one bearing which I cant tell the difference in the two!

X2 i use them all summer as well. one of my pb's is off a zoom 6" tomato lizard.

Yes. I use them almost all summer.

Rule #1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

I grew up fishing golf course ponds and most of them had between 1-3 fountains in them. I almost always have luck throwing plastic worms around fountains. They usually hit right at the fountain, or at the 'dripline', where the water drops actually hit the water. I consider any style of moving water really good, whether it's a fountain, waterfall, etc. Just be careful on using anything with an exposed hook. There is usually some kind of water or power line beneath the surface, that heads right to the fountain. I lose many lures that way, so stick with soft plastics and bury the tip of your hook, or go weedless.

Update!!!! For those of you that chose the skirt on the left, my wife chose it too and used it yesterday to whoop my butt! We were fishing slightly stained water, under overcast skies with periods of bright sunshine. She paired it with a blue swirl trailer and it was like the energizer bunny, kept catching and catching and catching....

BigBarge, there is a reason the NOVA posts have slowed down. The guys are caught up in traffic!!!!!!!

Let's see. Our televisions are fully functional. So if the weather isn't suitable for fishing, and should I be inclined to watch a football game, college or pro, I'm as ready as I need to be. Am I anxious for the season to get started. Nah, I don't believe in wishing my life away. I have many things I'm looking forward to between now and then, plus a few surprises, some pleasant, and others maybe not so pleasant. But that's life. I lost interest in all of the stick and ball pro sports when the owners and players were whining about how tough they had it. I washed my hands of them all, and, truth be told, my life is the better for it. I will watch a game now and then. But only if I have nothing better to do.

This is Mark Copley I am the Public Relations Manager for Strike king Lure Company. I want to apologize to anyone whose questions or complaints have not been answered. Anytime you have a problem with a lure you can contact either me or Peggy Coletta and we will help you with your problem. My email address is mscopley@strikeking.com or Peggy's is pcoletta@@strikeking.com. Please hold on to any broken lure to send to us as we want to send them to our production department. We at Strike King stand behind our products and want to make sure our customers are taken care of. Thanks again for your support.

I've been doing pretty well in the creeks of the Potomac. Nothing huge but lots of 2-3 and occasional near 4lbers on topwaters with a snakehead or two thrown in the mix.

When I put my pants on in the morning, my IWB holster is always on the belt. About the only time I don't carry is when I plan on visiting the post office or other official places where I know they are not permitted. Which is why I try to do my "official" business online. I never really think about it being there, I just do it. So yes, I carry any time I'm fishing or hunting, on a boat or fishing from shore, or going for groceries. One more point. Beyond all the convoluted state and federal laws surrounding us, I rely solely on my God given right to protect myself and my family. Non-negotiable. Let the chips fall where they may.

open the pics on Microsoft picture viewer, then on Images there is a Resize option, resize them to Webpage size, save them and upload them....

Nice- good thing you caught a snook as well. Sirjackalot really does not have the same profound meaning...I still *** you salt guys!