Raider Nation Fisher

Ive been using the H2O hollow frogs. They seem to be pretty good quality. At least at the current moment they are. Only time will tell how long they hold up. Currenrly they seem pretty compareable to my spros in feel and quality.

The intended application for the new reel is going to be hard swimbaits, 1 1/2 - 3oz. jigs. The Smoke reel I traded the broken reel for wont handle this task, least not in my opinion. The reel is going on my new Shimano Trevala which is rated at 40-60# and max lure weight of 3 3/4oz. The rod is a 6'3" medium light. I thought it would be nice to match the shimano rod with a shimano reel. This combo will be used in both fresh and saltwater. As I said before Ive had three shimano reels now, two of which broke within a week. The third of which my brother messed up after my having it for 15 years. So I figure Ill give them a final try and just blame the recent curado to bad luck.

The three aluminas I have are 6.2:1. They have worked very well for me, for the three years ive had them. The Aluminas have held up great thus far. They have worked good for pitching for me as well. Two of them have been used in both fresh and salt water, and they work every bit as good as the one thats only been used fresh water. I think they are great reels.

I already exchanged it for another Smoke reel. However next pay check I believe Im going to give them one last try.

Bought a curado yesterday morning. Stupid thing broke yesterday evening. The dang cast button broke on it. However I dare say the reel itself seemed very sturdy. I thought it was going to be cheap plastic. I just have no luck with shimano reels. I might try another one in a month or so. Im not sure if im completely ready to give up on them yet.

Ive never tried the revo. I own a pro qualifier and it is a great reel. Its easy to cast and I think it would be a wonderful reel to learn on.

They're 12 a piece. Bur if you lose one and send them a copy of the reciept they send you a new one, and you just pay shipping.

Sounds awesome. Anyway I can help you just let me know. Also look into AZUMA baits. They have thr most amazing crankbaits ever.

Amazing how that works isnt it? You cant get a decent quantum and i cant get a decent shimano. Gotta love the irony of it. The Smoke has been working very well for me. I have definately enjoyed it. It has very quickly become my favorite reel. Granted it took me a day or so to get it set up right for what i was throwing with it. I havent had the first problem out of it.

I have some stuff I can give as well. Heck cullman is only a thirty to forty five minute drive from my house in Birmingham. Let me know if i can be of assisstance in anyway.

Azuma crankbaits. Size 2 3/8 inches. Weight 1/4oz. Colors: Fire Tiger, Natural Bass, Blue Sunshine, and Murder Black.

I agree. After three lemon shimanos. I have given up on them. I just had a day old curado break on me yesterday. Took it back and got another Smoke instead. Im sure they make great reels. I just for the life of me cannot get a decent one.

The Pro Qualifiers are great reels. I love mine and am getting more before long. Im also enjoing my three Okuma Aluminas. Been fishing them for about three years now. They have held up amazingly. Had a Diawa Excellor that i just gave to my cousin, who just started fishing. It too was an awesome reel.

Jig or a tube. That would be my choice.

If you do go with the braided line remember the line diameter is different than mono and flouro. For instance 65# braid is the same diameter as 14# mono. 15# braid is the same diameter as 4# mono. Another thing with braid is if you pull really hard on the rod if you get hung up. It will bury itself into the spool. When this happens i try to pay out line until i reach the indentation and then reel the line back on. It will cut down on backlashs down the road. Personally i use between 20 and 30# braid on most of my reels.

If i had to guess i would imagine they get it straight from the manufacturer. Least thats how it was when i worked retail many years ago. Thats my thoughts anyway. Im guessing your looking to cut past the retailers and go to the middle man huh?

It completely relaxs me. It is a time for me to get away from any and everything. However it is also nice to fish with my brother, brother in law,and cousin. Usually though its just me and nature, and i love it. Complete and total serinity.

Im gonna go with shallow. I destroy those bass in the shallows. By far my favorite area of the lakes and ponds ti fish. However crankbait works too. I used to hate cranks, i couldnt by a bite with them. However they have become my favorite lure.

I have a tackle addiction as well. I have given in to the bait monkey and he has made my wallet shrink and my tackle boxs grow. As a matter of fact he even...... Hold on..... He's calling me right now.

Im getting a new reel after work tommorow or the next day. Currently im hung up between a Calcutta and a Curado. Everyone speaks highly of the Curado, but they feel kinda cheap to me. Anybody have any insight as far as durability and what not with the Curado's? I dont want to spend that kind of money and have the reel shatter if it is accidently dropped.

They work very very well. You can feel every little pebble. The sensitivity is amazing on these rods.

Well you convinced me Aaron. I believe i will head out there after work one day this week. I'll definately be out there this weekend. Maybe we'll run into each other out there one day. Thanks for the info homie.

I have 2 carbonlites one medium and one medium heavy and am getting another medium heavy this weekend. I recommend the medium heavy carbonlite. Its been good to me for jigs, shallow to medium cranks, and rattle traps. The pro qualifier reels are also pretty good for the price range your in.

People fish as a hobby? I view it as a lifestyle or all encompassing obsession. I recommend a okuma alumina on a lowend or middle line, medium heavy All Star rod. Thats the first setup i bought. Still fish it too. But hey everyone has a opinion on the beat rod and reel. I agree with the others, talk with your local bait shops.

Machette is for hacking through the pond brush and over growth. The .44 is for keeping no legged critters away. And protection from the two legged ones that come in from the city to cause trouble. This and one other pond are the only two places I pack weaponry with me while fishing.