Darren.

If you haven't already made your decision, another vote for Sahara @ $80. Tried the BPS models, tempted by the carbon, but chose Sahara. My experience with Shimano spinning reels (Stradics are my fav) is they are reliable, use quality parts, smooth, rated for salt/fresh, and for my hands, they feel the best. Now I'm also a guy who prefers smaller spinning reels for bass - the 1000 size is my favorite. I have one 2500 size Shimano Spirex that I use for crank baits.

Finding the pattern on a given day. Which is perhaps another way to put what J Francho said. The pattern (for me) is the problem needing solving.

Awesome. Peacock bass fishing is on my bucket list. I'll take Florida, because it's far more likely to become a reality, but really want to hit the Amazon.

Welcome, fellow Yakker! Some beasties you got there. Sweet stuff.

I've got two Quantum bait casters, a 7:0:1 Accurist, and a Shaw Grigsby (believe it's an Accurist) model from DSG. I consider myself a Shimano guy when it comes to spinning gear which I use more than my BC gear. My Quantum BCs have served me well, with regular oiling and such. Exception being, as mentioned above, the finish. They ding/scratch easily. Also noticing, after 4 years of the Grigsby model, occasional slippage in gears. Because these are my only BCs, I can't compare them to Shimanos, Daiwas, BPS, etc., other than in-store comparisons. So I'll only give opinion on the Q's. My own experience has not been bad. Would I opt for Quantums again? Not likely. Only one I might consider, having played with it, is the Smoke which is pretty sweet (looking). I almost went for a new Curado with the reel trade in, but couldn't justify it to the CFO. Was able to justify a replacement spinning reel though because the kids can fish that. If I were a big bait casting guy, I might feel otherwise....

I vote for the Symetre. I was in BPS the other day and played with the President and Symetre. Yeah, I'm a Shimano guy, but for a reason. I was seriously considering a Prez. Also played with the Orra, and other models. Hands down the Symetre was smoother, had longer spin times. Though I wound up with a Sahara 500 (reel trade in) for a UL, it was only because there were no Symetre 500s or 1000s in stock. And I couldn't justify the extra cost to the CFO. And yes, I did mess with models out of the box not just the floor models which can be messed up from so many hands touching. My .02.

Only justification would be new colors, methinks. I've used soft plastics older than 10 years and they were as good as new (for the most part). So you could use some JJ's magic, MegaStrike, or whatever scent you want and go for it. I know guys who swear by motor oil, but I haven't found a lot of success with the color. I say go for it, Eric.

Yup. Believe it or not, I've had the most luck on their 1.5" Shad Assassins in a variety of colors, but most caught on the chartreuse silver glitter. Not just for pannies, either. Caught some of my biggest chain pickerel on 'em, and plenty of bass from little guys to 3lbs. I use the LunkerGrip UL Fin-S shad head jigs in 1/16 oz, #6 hooks. Bought the last 3 bags at our local DSG last month as they were on clearance.

Also interested. Looks like BPS is going to discontinue it as it's now on clearance and down to just over $5/spool. For me, I'd only use it for leader material.

I have a Garmin Echo 100 and like the features and such. Used in my kayak. Chose it over H'bird, Lowrance, because they offered more stuff in the package- like trolling motor mount, etc. You'd probably like the 200, the 5" screen is nice. FWIW, looking at the BPS reviews, one guy says it's hard to read in the sun. I have not found this to be the case on the 100 here in sunny Virginia. So YMMV.

I use a Garmin Echo 100 in my kayak, works very well for me. Not an expert at on-screen interpretation yet, but as far as lake structure and such, it's good. Looked at all the models you mention, but settled on the Echo because Garmin offers (or offered) better bang for the buck - i.e., included trolling motor mount, etc. Would love a DSI model, though. For a battery, I'm currently using an 18V LiON battery from my Hitachi drill. Darn thing lasts forEVER on a single charge. It's sealed, so not too worried about water. I do plan on using a sealed case at some point when I rig a simple-connection setup. FWIW, there's a fuse in the line to keep the unit safe from too much power.

I use a duo lock style snap, no swivel. Or Norman Lures Speed Clips. I realize there are purists who say never use a snap. I've read even KVD uses snaps at times with his cranks. I've tried the Rapala knot. That's all I can say, no opinion really, other than with a snap I can change out styles, types, colors of hard plastics w/o retying. PM'd you back, Wdy.

I can appreciate this. I would love to find the lure that "fixes" the problem for me. Or at least gets me started in the confident in crankbaits direction. I've caught some bass, plenty of chain pickerel on cranks, but not enough to become confident to tie one on regularly. I don't have great expectations tying on a Bandit, a Bomber, etc. I know I'll throw it, retrieve it, throw it again "knowing" there are fish looking at it. Maybe Mr. DT will be an answer for me to become a better cranker. In the mean time, toss me a GYCB Senko, or a Zoom finesse worm and I'll show ya confidence!

OK, y'all won. Or I should say the collective "BassResource Bait Monkeys" did! Actually got approval from the CFO of the house to replace a kids reel with a "mature" reel via the trade in. She said it was better than if I were to buy the reel outright so I might as well do it. But. I didn't get a Curado or even a baitcaster. I was allowed to replace the old reel with a new spinning reel for an ultralight rod. So I bought a Shimano Sahara 500. Not as sweet as my Stradics, but she'll do!! A few drops of oil and I need to work her out some. But I 'spect to catch me quite a few fish with the lil gal. Sorry if I hijacked the OP's thread. Was unintentional. But he started it.

Wow, guys, some really good answers here. Thanks, and keep 'em coming. Plenty for me to chew on. I realize this isn't a scientific question, it's all subjective. I've just been picking up the "Rapala Vibe" from a lot of sources lately and wanted to submit it to the broader selection of anglers here. The experience on these boards is very impressive! The H20 Xpress cranks have me interested. They look really nice on the web site. That pretty much sums me up, although I wouldn't say I stink at it...LOL, but I definitely need some cologne to make me better. And I'm still wrestling with the "confidence" thing. I understand it in my heart, but my head says its a bunch of hooey that if I have confidence in a bait, I'll catch fish. Does my confidence somehow ooze or reverberate through my rod into my line, into the lure, to the fish and the fish says, "well doggone, that boy done gots confeedence in this here lure, so I'ma just gonna bite it for 'im".... Know what I mean, Vern? Guess it's the magic of bass fishing. 'Nother topic, I suppose.

1) Yamamoto Senko, 4" 2) Zoom Finesse 4.75" 3) Zoom Tiny Fluke

Hey all- I've never had a "lot" of success with cranks, traps, etc. Some, not a lot. Mainly a soft plastics guy, at times jigs, etc. So... Both reading around online and having face-to-face chats with guys who recommend cranks all the time -- Rapala DT, Shad Raps get some big props for having best wiggle, higher catch rates. I'd like to keep the discussion to "affordable" cranks. For me that means $5 and down. I'll never buy a megabass, a Lucky Craft, etc., as they're out of my price range. Rapala cranks are around $8, but are decent price-wise when on sale. Brands I have/have used: Bomber, Bandits, Norman, BPS, Strike King The Q: Those of you who have several brands of cranks, including Rapala, are they generally more productive for you than the others (I'm including deep divers, shallow, etc)?

I won't say "prefer", it depends on the bait. I'll rig a Yamamoto Senko weightless most of the time because it's a heavier stick. But I'll throw 1/8 oz with Zoom Finesse worms, and so on. When I do rig weightless and I want to change to a weighted setup w/o a retie, I use Water Gremlin Bull-Shot Pro Pack weights. Think I got them at DSG, or BPS. I'll crimp these by hand (a good squeeze between the fingers) rather than crimping with pliers because I don't want to mess the line up. I'll rig these for split shotting as well 18-30" above the hook. They're "easy" to remove with a slim object (like the non-sharp side of a pocket knife, or even a hook shank, a strong finger nail, etc.). These are not my "go-to" solution, rather, more of a lazy solution. Further, I tie a snell on TX rigged hooks. In fact, if it isn't a weedless-rigged hook, I'll snell it. Prefer it 100% over any other knot. So easy and quick to tie, and strong. I also snell my wacky hooks (Gammy split/drop all the way down to size 4). Check your line and retie if you have ANY question whether or not there's a kink or wear on the line. Even if not, after a while, think about tying again just to be sure. He's right, we've all lost a fish thinking "Nah, I'll retie it later"...

I feel better now. I only loaded up with several bags of soft plastics, used the rest of a BPS gift card, so minimal cash spent. But this reel trade-in thing. Gah! The temptation is strong, I must admit. Way too many reels unused that could be better spent on Shimanos.

That's it! I'm not coming to this forum AGAIN! Bad for my sanity and marriage! I jest...but I would have trouble justifying another Shimano reel. I'd have to buy a new rod to pair it with. I could apologize later, but I'd still be sleeping on the porch.

So Shimano is included this year?! Interesting. Last few years Shimano did not participate in the trade-in. Wish you didn't reveal otherwise. Now I have to keep the Shimano Monkey off my back.

Thanks for asking the Q, jignfule, and Mark J for the answer. I almost bought a spool, but hesitated and stuck with my regular PP instead. Like to know if others can confirm the fraying/break-down issues.

Definitely hard to find. I have a 5'9" Compre that I absolutely love, but Shimano no longer makes it. Agree with DVTackle that most 5 footers will be UL models. Gander Mtn has an Eagle travel rod at 5'6" in medium, St. Croix Premier in 5'6" M power... Guess you'll want to refine what you're looking for in power, whether UL, L, M, etc.

Your show is great, Mike! Really enjoy the "real" aspect. Enjoyed the show from LeRoy, NY, I have been right where y'all fished on the Oatka river. Should get you down to Virginia here. Some cheeky bass await their day on the air! Question is, can you kayak and fish? :-) And thanks for clearing up the confusion on what's airing. Just got your show on the air here via Cox and the NBC sports channel. Was wondering same thing as Lund Explorer.

I'm all for finding the rod that will work for you. For the longest time I thought an Ugly Stik lite was the ticket, that is until I tried something better. And then something even better than that. ("better" is always subjective). I tried and liked the Lightning Rod Shock, but took it back in favor of a Carbon-Lite, which was then replaced with a 6'3" Shimano Compre (cork handle) and couldn't been happier...well, maybe I could. Added a 5'9" Compre to my arsenal, both with Shimano Stradic 1000 FI, both for bass from soft plastics to certain hard plastics and jigs. Also, while I understand the rod length thing, I don't feel I *need* a 6'6" or longer rod to be successful for how I fish. For kayak fishing, I'm cool with, and prefer, the shorter varieties. I still use an Ugly Stik Lite, too - for crankbaits. Is all I need. You don't *have* to have pricey rods to have a good time fishing. Don't let the bait monkey tell you otherwise, because the desire is like a fire--insatiable. Thank God for my wife, the FireWoman.