Darren.

Got one and love it. I swap my 50e between it and a 6'6" MH Carbonlite. The ML excels at casting wacky, mojo, split shot, cranks, and so on. It's a versatile rod. I can throw very light baits like 4" GYCB Shad Shape Worms, 4.75" unweighted Zoom Finesse worms on a light wire hook.

Pretty sure it was on a Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm on a drop shot.

Out of curiosity, Mike, why do you not want to go lighter than a M power rod? ML rods, especially St. Croix, will be more than enough to bring in a trophy smallie and then some.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

I can tell you I had one problem with my Lexa, the anti-reverse pawl. It got mangled on a few casts. I was able to straighten it with some pliers and it works fine now. Just mention as a FWIW. I read in some other forum of this being an issue in some Lexa models. Heck if I can remember what forum now as that was a couple years ago and I never bookmarked it....

@IndianaFinesse, I have (well, one of my sons now) a Lexa casting reel and it is quite nice. Casts light baits, etc. It is very similar to the Exceler except, I believe, for a few bearings. I think for jerks and tops you should be ok with it...but I can't be 100% certain. I believe @ww2farmer has used/uses Excelers? Maybe he can chime in.

Likewise, Jim!

Fantastic outing. Nice trout!

A quick Google search reveals DSG's policy. Here ya go, bud Good luck on the deal! http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=20675246

Glad to know I'm not the only one!!

Not you, people sometimes forget to specify. I've made the same "error" you have not knowing which was being referred to.

Yeah, with Daiwa you need to state whether you're talking spinning or casting since they name series the same...

Sound like great folks, Lonnie. Condolences.

I didn't buy the camera, but I did have very clear water when I did this test. Same thing, leaves and debris all the way tho they looked like fish on the monitor (not the fish symbol). Not doubting you may have been on top of a lot of fish, @IgotWood, but I know some of the reservoirs you fish and there's a LOT of leaf clutter every fall/winter that comes across this way on sonar. Granted I do not have as nice a unit as you do, but I've been supremely frustrated at times throwing everything at ghosts. Once, though, I was following a school of running shad at NNPK, got into a position where they went under my kayak and my sonar did register them as a moving cloud - in about 10 feet of water. So I know the sonar works

And to you, as well, Roger! LOL, for a second there by "pitbull" I thought "Pitbulls and Parolees" on Animal Planet! Me, I'll be hanging with my sons (my wife has the night shift this weekend) sipping a nice Merlot. Not sure I'll even stay up since I got hit with a sinus infection over the last 2 days.

There's already a few discussions on the merger, FWIW. Above is just one. And doubt Sports Authority closure will have any impact seeing they, like Dick's cover(ed) broad spectrum of sports, not just fishing and hunting...that's my opinion, the lawyers will decide this one

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

congrats on the PB!

Great idea, Glenn. I'll have to dig up some pix of my boys fishing. Got plenty of them, but none too recent...

nice fish, and best way to break in a new combo!

Interesting thread, OE. Look forward to results. Always carried a Victorinox pocket knife with me of one variety or another. Often thought of getting a Leatherman or other multitool. Won a cheap piece of junk one at a BPS raffle years ago. I know a quality mt would be...much better

Welcome aboard!

I actually, now, prefer my own creations Using Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot hooks from 2-2/0 and Gammy Finesse Wide Gap up to 3/0. I was using Gamakatu weedless, Owner weedless, but found issues with each. Making my own puts the onus on me and I've been quite happy with my hooks of late. Using 40# and on some hooks, 50# Ande leader line. Using a cheap fly tying vice/setup I bought at BPS with some thread, Sally Hansen Extreme nail polish (black) and experiment with single and double guards. Strangely, I cannot find my posts with pix and videos of how to tie your own! I'll have to dig deeper tomorrow....