WdyCrankbait

yeah, I am going to miss that place. I almost picked up a Curado I from him last time I was there. Bait Monkey was strong.

Hey, look at the Finger Lakes in Suffolk. Also, Lake Cahoon, Briery Creek, Lake (I think), and Maury Lake. They are tough and can be good. The last three lakes are restricted to 9.9hp engines. Also, Cahoon and Maury are side-by-side, a dam separating them. There is a lot of fishing competition on those lakes so, it is tough. Good Luck!

My EXO has "Made in China," stamped on the under side of the reel foot.

I have an 100 EXO PT. It's great, I call it an "experienced fisherman's reel". Definitely not as forgiving as say other brands with having the ceramic bearings, but once you figure how to fish it, they are great! Awesome Ergonomics! Are you thinking about getting a Quantum?

Well, I FINALLY caught my first bass on a jig. Someone please call Guinness book of World records! Granted, he was small and might not keep in a tournament, but I did it. On the down side he should not have been my first jig bass. I lost a monster the weekend before at my buddy's fathers private pond. That bass was big! I had hit a branch in the water several times and knew that "tap," was coming. Hit the jig with it, then the jig just got "heavier," to move. I would pull the rod tip back, then reel in the slack line. Needless to say when I finally realized it was a bass, I was at the end of my swing and had very little room left to set the hook. Fournetaly, I fought him for about 5 seconds and got to see he was about 6 lbs before he gave me the middle fin and got off. I wanted to break my Powell Endurance over my knee right there, ugh! (Also, some small kids next to me learned some new words.)

Hey everyone, I wanted to ask if anyone has fished Claytor Lake lately? If so, I am looking for some help. I am hiding up there this Friday for the weekend. Thanks for the help, Woody

I have an Okuma Helios with micro guides and yeah, I am not drinking the Kool-Aid either on micro guides. For me, my big adversity to them is I always forsee myself have to string up on the dock in pitch black before a sunrise and what a pain that would be. Personally, it does not sound like you should spend the extra money on a micro-guide rod from what you're saying.

The EXO is a funny reel to use. It is not as similar to get familiar with as say a Curado. Meaning, it takes a little longer to get used to and learn. I bought mine off a Bass Resource user for $125 + $5 shipping. To be successful you have to cast your lure like a bullet, no big rainbow casts. Those cermaic bearings in the EXO really let the spool over run (hence, really long casts!). It is a very smooth reel as well! The ergonomics are great, nice and light at 5.9 oz and will handle the big fish well! The biggest I've caught on mine was like 4 and some change. Plus, the spool holds about 145 yards of line at 12lb. I like the 13 reels, but those lesser capacity spools at about the same price, nope, not worth it. Or, I would have to buy another spool at like $35. So, that is big for me. Another little thing which I love about the EXOs are the spools, they do not "ride along," the frames. So, if you need to pull the spool out really quickly, the fishing line is not a pain to get back on the reel. A little gripe I have with my Curado 200Es. I did get a hold of RW's Primmus reel back in December to use and like it a lot! Very nice and solid reel! I did a review of that if you search for it in this forum. Wdy

x 2 for a Quantum EXO. Distance Casting machines!

Hey everyone, As the subject line says, I am thinking about getting a Tat Type R for awhile now. Is there anything I need to know about these reels before hand to avoid? I know about some grooving issues, and curious about the bearing upgrades. (I am not a big fan of the plastic bushing on the worm gear.) I would probably get the 8 to 1 for flipping, I have a Quantum EXO 100PT, and Lew's Tournament Lite that will reach the next counties. Those two above mentioned reels can already cast distance wise to my hook setting range. Thanks, Woody

Welcome fellow Virginian!

yeah, I say Allen or the Orvis Battenkill. Either an arbor style reel, or traditional. Good luck! Wdy

Hey everyone, My wife and I are hoping to take a mid-September mini vacation to New York to a fishing lodge. I'd like to fly fish for some smallies and my wife would like a resort experience with a spa. I would also like to bring my dog along. I am looking for any suggestions for resorts/lodges. Any help/recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thank you, Wdy

Clayton, Did you get some smallies on a fly like this? One I tied a week ago. The view is from the now bottom, the hook will be upward when fished. Thanks, Wdy

yeah, I have a Tournament Lite and it is great. The casting controls are outstanding. I think it is the same as the BB1 Pro. It really does allow for super long casts. I've caught a couple of 4 pounders on it and no problem.

I've got a Lew's Tournament Lite reel, good reel. I have found them for $139. If you do decide to go that route, let me know and I will send you the website. It does have an outstanding braking system. But, in general what reel feels best in your hands? Has the features you are looking for? Take that approach with searching. Acquire a list from the suggestions above, then spend a good part of that day at a tackle store that cares them all with your rod in hand and put your hands on the reels. For all the reels listed, you are not going to go wrong. The differences and preferences you like will lead you to what you should get. Wdy PS, I recommend a reel with centrifugal braking. Which all above seem to have.

Glad to see another VA person joining up! Welcome!

yeah, Pit Bosses are one of the only flipping baits that work for me. keep at it, change locations, time you fish it, think outside the box with what you're doing now and see what happens. Good luck!

yeah, they are great! You really can not go wrong with them.

I have the Lew's Tournament Lite SS and some older Shimano Curado E's First, the Lew's Tourney Lite has the best casting control I have every used. Absolutely, the best hands down, any conditions it will cast a long way. I have not had any problems with it, although I was concerned when I bought it. The one down side I have with the Lew's is this, I'm a big guy, 6'-4" 240ish and the handle on the Lew's is like 85mm so, the "handle gear ratio," is a little too small for me. I did add the 95mm handle to it and that seemed to have solve the problem. For the Shimano, I have not used that reel, but it's a Shimano, you're paying for the name and pedigree of their reels. It's kind of like buying a Toyota, or buying a Mercedes. You are not going to wrong with either, just what is your budget telling you. Shimano, and Diawa have been around for a long time because their reels last. PS, I have seen Lew's Tournament Lite's for $135, in fact I just checked that website and now they are $139.99 Wdy

My Quantum EXO 100 PT for sure. But, my Lew's Tournament Lite is a close second.

yeah, I havent used one in at least 3 years. not to say they don't work, but I have a lot more confidence in other lures in my area, mostly plastics. Plus, I just love that "Thump!,' a bass makes when they slurp my senko.

Nothing like a big bass that keeps jumping to make you almost poop yourself, especially when it is a PB. Great catch! Congrats!!!