Lipped M

Good sticks,using a CPS-X66MB with 3/8 to 1/2 oz. baits,paired up with a Saros reel.Usually throwing 10lb. test line.Well made rod with nice guides,solid reel seat.Good results with all techniques used within its range.

As SJ mentioned the CRSX68M is a good rod,I like that I can roll my wrist over to steer fish.It has enough power to pull two guys and canoe full of gear up to point where snagged.I believe it does have a parabolic curve but whimpy...nope.G/L in choice.

Great...way to nice a reel to be collecting dust!

Something to check,the line guide roller(groove)on bail assembly should be close to the bail itself not towards the bail arm.If you were cleaning/oiling it,I can see how it might be upside down?G/L

Very Cool,Nice Fish!

Fished places like this before,fortunately the whole pond wasn't.What we did to navagate was sharpen the troll'n blade edge with sandpaper,take the trolling motor and tilt it up so the tip of the blade was 6 inches or so below the surface.Beaver tailed paddles also helped(feather your strokes).Makes a racket but does push you along.G/L

Another option to try,back off the eye screw a quarter or eighth of a turn.Black/chrome has worked well for me.

NICE'UNS!

Stasher1,I can only comment on the experience I have with folks I have helped or taught.Some,after trying to throw my reels(centrifical)said the magnetic brakes were a"godsend","would not be throwing this without them","thank god for magnets".I prefer people to learn what they like themselves.I was trying to convey to the OP that some people find it easier to throw with magnetic braking.They are both excellent reels.Sorry to confuse.

Beautiful shots,thanks for sharing .

Food for thought,the SX also has magnetic braking as well as spool tension knob(easier to cast if learning).Shapes of reels(comfort),Shimano has thickest area in palm,SX up towards and under your knuckles,palm both of them to see which you are more comfortable.

Stanleys'

Nice!,I like how your smile gets bigger as the fish become larger!

I have excellent results with Berkley 7" power worms.So good in fact that I would buy them in 100 packs and fish them all day.Blue Fleck,Red Shad and Tequila were my gotos,June Bug on cloudy overcast days.They also come with scent,I think it helps.

Agreed,I too "listen" to this bait.Have good results with the black unjointed type.