stkbassn

Wow, Metanium all day.

CL8 Water Vole, just sayin. Check out the Mighty Mouse too...both awesome baits

I like the Curado I and the Tatula. The Tatula is bigger than the Curado but by no means a big,heavy reel. I feel like the weight and size of the Tatula are heavily over dramatized. They are both great casting reels.I lobe both. It seems the Curado is over-greased from the factory in most cases from what I've heard. The one I had did not have those issues you mentioned. I will be getting another for sure. I don't own any Lews but I've had some and will not go back to them for any reason. Just not my cup of tea.

Shimano and Daiwa Definitely, necessarily in that order HAHAHA Good luck with your decision but I think it's all in what you're happy with and what feels right to you. Everyone has their preferences. Not to say there aren't technically rods and reels that work together for the right reasons but that doesn't always translate the same from one angler to another in my experience. I seriously doubt that I have one combo that everyone would like but I'd guess some would. Enjoy your gear!

I'd say bass because no fish has ruined more days for me than that critter!! LOL

Thanks A-Jay, I'll pm you sir

Thanks for looking out Dave. I picked one up a couple of weeks ago. Still trying to get it dialed in. I think it's ready for the trip tomorrow but we shall see. It's tricky to get it set up right but I will keep working at it. So far I love the profile , the handle, and the appearance. It's smooth and powerful from what I can tell with practice casting. Looking forward to getting it out on the water.

I got it on Ebay. I picked up the 7'H Swimbait rod. It's a sweet little rod and super versatile. Put a few on your watch list and swoop in at the last second. Mine ended at 153. I was surprised that I got it that cheap too. Looks like it's not uncommon to get them under 200.

Will do sir! It was a gift so that makes it even sweeter. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

I have a pink I-Slide 185 on the way from Japan. I used to catch a lot of fish on the pink floating worms. The 185 should be easy to see for sure!! LOL

The Zodias does feel lighter for sure. I like those too. I am going to get the 6'8ML spinning rod for sure. That is a sweet rod. It's true the E6X isn't the best rod on the market or the best rod you can get from Loomis but it's a solid rod. I am kind of sucker for technique specific rods even though I realize that actions, power, etc can be exactly the same in a rod that isn't specifically labeled for any specific purpose. Mainly I wanted a new spinnerbait rod that was Loomis without the high price tag and I liked the looks of the rod. After reading the Tackle Tour review I was confident that it would be a good rod. I was right, it's been a great spinnerbait and jerkbait rod. It's not the lightest rod I own though. They aren't as light as other Loomis rods I've had but it's not heavy either. Very comfortable to fish with. I don't think you can wrong with either rod. There are a lot of good ones in that price range for sure! You can probably get a Zodias or Adrena for less than $199 on Ebay. I got my Adrena for $150.

I use 10# Sufix Siege for my cranking. I might try Senshi next season as I'm using it on some reels with good success. I don't break off often but do re-tie often. A trade off but I like lighter line for getting baits down deeper.

I have the spinnerbait rod and so far it's been great. Not sure I could ask more of it! It feels great in hand and looks good too. I have a Shimano Scorpion 1000 4x4 on it and that combo is a spinnerbait machine. I wouldn't hesitate to buy more E6X models.

In my opinion, if it's Powell it's good. I wouldn't worry about disappointment.

CL8 Water Vole should be on your radar if you're looking to match that. It works very well ! Perfect size and awesome action!

I have 2 of the 168's, 1 in bass and 1 in trout. I love the gliding action on these! A bargain glide bait for sure. I'm ordering party crasher next and think it's probably the most natural color they make. It would have been my first choice but I needed the trout for a particular lake and the bass I got on ebay for cheap.

Hootie, you're right, those Croix legends are awesome. Go ahead and get it, it's already yours in your mind. The bait monkey has seen this and knows it will come to pass. I wish I still had mine but like a bone head I sold it. I had the one with full cork grip and wish they still made those.

The credentials for being a non-boater are tougher to attain than just getting a boat yourself. LOL. I personally will only fish with friends or people I know very well that have boats. I wouldn't dream of being a non-boater with someone I only knew from a club or whatever. People expect too much in my opinion. If you've agreed and invited someone to go on your boat with you I say give them a break, let them enjoy the experience and don't expect a pro to be in the passenger seat and on the back of the boat. I've been there and felt undue pressure from guys that thought they were Capt. America. When I used to take friends I didn't ask for gas, I didn't ask for money, I didn't expect them to unload the boat or know how or even to back the boat down the ramp or know how....if they did it was purely a bonus. I only ask that they don't expect me to leave early. I'm not saying anyone is wrong about their requirements but there's too much pressure a lot of the time for something that is supposed to be fun. If you don't want a non-boater just don't have one.

This is exactly it. I posted before in a similar thread about when I was much younger I never thought about all of these specifics and one of my main rods was a blue Bill Dance Quantum I bought at Walmart for $40 bucks, 7 MH. I never considered what I should use it for and didn't know any better...I used it for everything and caught a lot of fish on it. Is it possible that some baits weren't ideal for it? Yes...Is it possible I lost fish because they weren't ideal? Yes....But thank goodness I wasn't thinking about it back then as I sadly do now! I drive myself insane these days like an idiot. Back then I just had fun and caught fish.

Congrats on your success but from a pro's standpoint if that's where the majority of fish are at the time and they need to make money to stay afloat so to speak then I don't see any problem with catching the fish where they are. A moral victory won't pay the bills when the champ is at the podium accepting his big check at the end of the tourney. As for me, as little as I get to fish compared to a lot of folks I am going to catch as many fish as I can while I'm out. If they're on the beds that makes it much easier to do for an amateur like me. So you can call me weak if you want, I have zero shame!

I buy my reels from BR members, Auction site * mostly, once in a while I purchase one in a big store but very rarely. I just bought a Calcutta 300D at big retailer here locally because the deal was great for a brand new Calcutta. Over $60 off retail. I don't know how big retailers sell rods and reels to be honest. Prices are much better elsewhere 99% of the time.

Take a look at the Shimano Zodias 6'8ml spinning rod. I don't have a finesse set up myself but its going to start with this rod when I get one. Handled it in the store the other day and was blown away.

You got it. As soon as I get out and give it an honest effort I'll be sure to let you know. I was extremely impressed with the action of it. It looks so good in the water. I actually bought the bigger one first and didn't like it...it kept rolling over on me. Not sure if it was me or the bait but the baby wake in 8 inch doesn't do that. Nice steady retrieve and it's doin it's thing it's pricey but I'm so glad I bought it. I highly recommend the megabass eeler too. I love mine. More subtle and it dives a little ...straight retrieve or jerk it to make it erratic. Great bait, not too pricey at 20-30...check ebay, Russ *** is who I got mine from. Looks like the paint is starting to chip a little but no biggie. Stu

I promise some good fish on my new ABT Baby Wake snake...I threw it on Saturday just to see the action and it's absolutely sick! A beast will come soon enough it better for what I paid!! Lol

If I could find a spinnerbait that I thought was as good as a War Eagle I'd use it but I really don't think it exists. It might, just haven't found it myself. Of course I really don't see the need to look for one. Get some War Eagles and decide for yourself but I think you'll be pleased.