ChiCityBasser

I have 6lb Vicious on a spinning set up that I use for shallow cranks 1" - 6ft and it works just fine and very little line memory but I spray it with KVD line and lure also. Hope that helps you a bit

Rainbow BM1000 spinning reel off ebay and its going on its 4th season and just needs a good cleaning. It has never given me any problems while I was out fishing with it and its a cheapo brand out of japan I believe. I paid $24 for it including shipping as I remember and its still around..

So far this year my favorite/most productive has been the Strike King 1xs, 1/4 oz in Gizzard Shad. It's given me my PB LM this year of 3.5lbs

I go the bidding route on reels and other items and if it gets to say within $10 of what I would pay at Cabelas or Bass Pro then I go that route. I got my Quantum Catalyst PTI20B for $60 plus $8 shipping for a total of $68 when they were still going for $119-$139. It was Brand New in Box with all the papers.

I've purchased 6 or 7 reels off ebay and never had a problem. I got both my 2009 and 2010 Catalyst reels for much less than Cabelas or Bass Pro. I've even purchased some reels in need of repair from the bigger sellers there at deep discounts and had them repaired and still come out cheaper that way. If the seller has good feedback and lists any repairs needed to the reel (line guide needs repair, handle bent) and you can ask questions and they have a high positive feedback and you can pay with paypal, I say Go For it and save yourself some bucks.

Nice looking swimbaits and the middle one looks really good to me also.

Right now I'm using the Strike King 1XS in Gizzard Shad as my go to shallow bait with pretty good success. I've changed the hooks out to Mustad triple grips and have had a fish come loose since changing to them but its the beginning of the season.

Huge Bass and I do hope that one lived!!!

Right now in all the ponds and small lakes I fish I'm using a Strike King 1xs in Gizzard Shad color with #2 Mustad Triple Grip hooks and seems to get me a couple of bits each time out. I'm fishing from the shore and so far it's helped me catch my PB LM at 3.5Lbs

Here is a link to some of the clubs in the chicago and suburban areas. http://www.chicagofishinglinks.com/fishingclubs.htm The other club is: http://www.trackerbassclub.com/ also named the Illiana Bass Club and they meet the first wednesday of the month at the Cabelas in Hammond according to there site.

I'm a Quantum guy myself with the Accurist and Energy BC reels and the I would vote for the Code also.

I'm also using 6# vicious on one spinning set up and so far so good but I have only been out with it once so far. Hooked up with 7 fish with the largest being about 4lbs with no problems with the knot. I am using the palomar knot with a shallow running crankbait with pretty much just weed issues in the lake I'm fishing. Other than applying some KVD for some line memory it has worked fine.

I mainly use spinning combos but also have 3 BC combos that see the water as well. My spinning combos see the majority of the water time for me right now. Cabelas 7' XML ML rod, Shimano Sahara 1000, Spiderwire 15# Test(4# Mono) Cabelas 6'6" XML MH rod, Quantum Kinetic 20PTI-B, Fireline Smoke 20# Test(8# Mono) Daiwa D-Force 6'6" Fiberglass rod, Quantum Catalyst 20 PTI-B, Vicious Flouro 6# Cabelas 6'6" Mag Touch, Quantum Catalyst 20PTI-2, P-Line CXX 6# These are my spinning setups

X2

I know its not on your list but I would look into the Daiwa Exceler which had some pretty good reviews awhile back in a issue of BassMaster. I think the reel is right around the $80 price range also. I've had the Original Megaforce and never had a problem with it but ended up selling it here in the flea market also.

I'll be picking up one of the BC rods over the weekend to use as a crankbait rod. It will be either the PCS705-1 or the PCD705-2. Both are 7' MH/MF rated for 10-17lbs line and 1/4-1oz lures. It will be paired with a Cabelas Prodigy Reel that I already have on another Cabelas rod.

I don't personally own either reel but my brother purchased a Soron last year and was impressed enough to purchase another one this year.

My particular crankbait rod is the least expensive rod out of all my setups. It's a spinning setup for shallow to medium diving crankbaits (8-10ft) fishing from the shore. It has done well for me and is fiberglass and I use it with braid. This year I will be using the same setup with flouro and see if it performs as well. Later in the season I will probably be switching over to a dedicated Baitcasting setup with the KVD cranking rod and the Quantum Energy.

Frogs have been my one real downfall with me getting hookups on them but never knowing when to set the hook so haven't been able to lip any fish when they have hit them. My other downfall has been swimbaits with nothing even coming close to hitting them but may just be the way I've fished them in the past. Gonna have to give them both a try this season

I haven't had a chance to fish the Baby shad but did fish its big brother with no success. I think for the waters I fish here that the Baby Version will be a better choice, so I will be getting a few for the season to try.

My worst picks would be the Rapala Sub Walk, The Bill Dance Dancing Eel and the Matzuo cranks. I think all these hit the trash at some point and time or they are buried in the junk tackle box

I have the Sahara 1000 and it is a great reel and it's the newer model. I haven't had one problem with it after 1 season of use for mostly small spinner baits. It's a very smooth reel and at the price point its a great value. Good Luck with your choice

I'm a Quantum fan also and have one of last years models and like it enough to consider getting this years model.

I would recommend one of Cabelas XML or XMLTi Rig and Jig rods. I have the XML in both the spinning model and the baitcasting model and its a great rod. Very sensitive and normally they go on clearance around this time for as little as $70-80.

For the price they are pretty good rods for small to medium cranks. Sensitivity is decent with braid and haven't tried any other types of line with the rod. They are better suited for Treble hook lures at least in the model you are talking about.