OnthePotomac

When I retired from my second career in 2000 I bought a KVD Quantum ($80) and a Quantum 600Ti ($80) and learned how to use a bait caster on them. They were OK, but not great.

What ever make of the buzz bait, the first thing I do drill holes in the blade if they are not there already.

On the Potomac it is black/blue and popular for cold water. Hair seems to give way to the regular jig and pig as the water warms.

Buzz frogs/toads both on 7'MH fast tips rods.

I have 70's and K's and each has their purpose, but for everyday grind it out fishing I prefer my really fast K's. I guess the very top of a fun reel is my one and only one Chronarch MGL in the fast series.. Too pricy to have several of those LOL.

I only have copolymer on one of my bait caster reels and I may be brain dead, but I do not see any difference in it and the mono on some of my other reels. All the same weight..14lb.

Congratulations on your choice. You will have many happy days on the water with that set up. I am not a braid fan either.

Look on the Mercury web site and they may a forum, or a link to a forum.

Our Interstate dealer is super. Only one or two there at a time. They took my old battery out of the back of the truck and put the new battery in the back of the truck. Our local dealer also gives a discount to Vietnam vets. Did not know that until I happen to wear my T shirt that day.

Oh yes, green pumpkin on a 3/0 EWG Gammie with a 3/16 slip sinker during spawn. Bass hate a lizard lurking around their spawing grounds.

I read in Bass Master magazine a very long time ago that an angler survey revealed that green pumpkin was at the top of angler's lists of most used color for plastics.

I am on my third pair of ASICS over the last 19 years or so. Feather weight, great support interiors and drain well if they get wet.

All three of my K's are on 7' MH fast tip Carbonlites and all three with 15lb Invizx. Very comfy set up for me.

Big discussion on here a while ago on back packs with lots of recommendations. Try a search.

Just picked up a 7' Medium Carbonlite for my daughter and fishing buddy for $99.99 at the Spring Classic sale with Winn grips and she is crazy about it. Very light.

My 200 has 50lb Sufix 832 on it on an old MH 7' KVD rod he intended for worm fishing and it is really stout. I have not seen to need to go beyond 50lb.

I cannot emphasize weather checks enough and for the Potomac that is right up to time I launch. Every year there are anglers who are careless and end up dead. The Potomac can get really mean really fast. To borrow a phrase from aviators: there old anglers and there are bold anglers, but there no old, bold anglers. Be safe an you will be fine...enjoy.

A couple of years ago I arrived early morning at the state park ramps to launch to be met by a ranger who told me to launch at the next ramp, since this one is occupied. As I went by to the next ramp I looked into the water and saw the roof of a car just under the surface. When returned hours later it was gone and I never could find out what the heck happened.

On the tidal Potomac 50 does the trick.

Other than a stupid hook I use, my basic tube rig is on a 3/0 EWG Gammie with a 3/16 slip sinker either pegged, or un pegged depending on where it is going. I like to be a able to move the sinker away from the tube if need be.

I have read countless articles wherein pros have discussed this and they seem to come down to the action of the bait is what counts and maybe color.

Just got mine in today to use on their SS half open ZR bearings.

I am super basic and use 6'6" and mostly 7' MH and medium BPS Carbonlite rods for every thing except for a KVD spinner bait rod, a KVD frog rod A Rick Clunn top water rod and an old Gander Titanium cranking rod. All plastic are on MH 7' rods.

I use Invizx 1000 yd spools. Amazon can have some really great savings on these, but you have to check frequently since they seem to come and go. For lasting on the reel you just hsve to keep an eye on it to see frays, nicks, etc. I easily get one season out of flouro and sometimes two, but the lines spend their time in grass and not wood and rocks.

I would have to ask use both where on your reels? Reel bearings generally require oil made for that purpose and there are many on the market. Varying from those products could result in really slowing down your reels. Two types of grease are used in a baitcasters, one made to use on the drag discs, labeled drag grease and a grease for the reels gears, on which drag grease may also be used. Other greases are not recommended on drag discs. Other popular gear grease is Super Lube and Yamaha Blue Marine grease. But again, drag grease may also be used on your gears. TSI products can be tricky in that TSI 301 is a solvent in which TSI 321, a pure lubricant, is suspended. If TSI 301 comes into contact with plastic before solvent has evaporated, which is very fast, it will cause damage to the plastic. I do use it in which I dip my pinion and crankshaft bearings, but now I think we are beyond your question.