skeletor6

I fish Bills lake a clear water lake with many points and drop offs. Seems to have more pike in it then bass than previous years. Clifford lake a lake that is really weedy with deep long extending weeds. I've only had success with top water here. Also, there's a lot of lillypads as well. The third one being Mona Lake in norton shores where I. Have only caught one 2 lb bass and huge catfish and carp.the water at Mona lake is more murky. I am looking to spend no more than a $100. Sorry I did not post that earlier.

Very good knowledge there sounds like I should grab up on another frog too then. I fish three different lakes here in Michigan. They don't yield bass like a lot of you guys have as your avatar pictures. So I think I need to go smaller with some of my lures. The water clarity, vegetation, and forage are very different in each lake so that's why I was looking to have a nice variety to match conditions. Any input on whether to get the jr or standard super spook?

I actually have a rapala jerk bait I forgot to mention and a green jitterbug. Should I get the standard 5" or jr 3.5" super spook? As far as buzz baits. Should I get the boohyah pip squeak or the regular? And in what color.

I can't seem to find Zara spooks at TW. Is there an alternative? And in what color

I am looking to buy some more tackle to expand my inventory in my tackle box. I am looking for some advice as of what more I need. Here's what I have... 1) SK spinnerbaits 3/8 oz colors are only variations of white yellow and green. No bluegill or darker colors here. 2) scum frog white with green. Also some rapala poppers for my top water. 3) Yamamoto twin tail hula grubs and 5" Senkos. (I am going to buy more of these.) 4) I am all set as far as crank baits go I have square bills and deep diving cranks in various colors. Also I have many lipless crank baits like red Eye shads and some diamond shads in other colors. plus a rat-l-trap in chrome and blue and a KVD 5xd. Just one though. I do not have dark colors in any of these. 5) jigs I only have 2 one in brown and green 1/2 oz football jig. And a 1/4 oz white and yellow swimming jig. I need more of these and from reading on here it seems blue and black, pbj, and green pumpkin are good colors. Also, I feel I need to buy trailers for them so I was thinking matching color zoom super chunk or using my DT HULA GRUBS. Also, the lakes I fish in do not yield bass larger than 3lbs. Are 1/2 oz jigs too big? I am looking at buying the north star Premier hairy Craw football jigs or is there a better choice of north star on TW. 6) No buzz baits or trick worms except power bait 7" worms with the swirly tail. That's about all I have so some advice and specific name brand suggestions would really help. I'm buying everything from tackle warehouse so they must have it there. Also the weight and colors I need would be much appreciated. I hopefully can complete my tackle box with your guys' help. Thank you so much!

You make some really good points. I'd probably be better upgrading my rod before buying some seaguar tatsu. I understand what you mean about how expensive this gear could get. My goal is to get as many baitcaster rods and reels as I can since having a few would help me make quick switches of lures. I figured it better to spend more on my reels and then buy quality rods when I can learn to appreciate them.

Texas rigging a senko would probably due well. You can work it multiple ways through the vegetation without worrying about any hang ups. Fry's suggestion would work as well.

With 20baitcasters you got me beat! Lol Okay I won't over tighten the tension knob. I found Using 3 centrifugal brakes instead of two also helps. I now keep the tension knob to where the lure or plastic is falling slowly. Also, note that the issues I mentioned were just on weightless Senkos. Now I'll just either use more of the centrifugal rakes or increase my magnets. Either way does the trick. Honestly I'm glad you guys talked me into the tournament speed spool. The MSB system and drag are definitely necessary now that I use them. My buddies all bought newcbaitcasters and were bragging how they have 6 ball bearings and put braided line on. I check them out and they are plastic and without centrifugal brakes and light drags. Sure, they get the job done but I was throwing a weightless Senko about 20 feet further than their red eye shads and they still won't admit mine superior.not to mention theirs make a huge winding noise when casted and my lews is dead quiet when reeling and casting. Nonetheless, I've been using yo-zuri hybrid 12# line and I am considering trying a 100% fluoro such a seaguar abrazx or tatsu. Would the upgrade be worth it over yo-zuri? The rod I'm using is a $17 Walmart 6'6 medium heavy Shakespeare. Thanks for everyones help! I've been using yo

Thank you I'll try that out. I fished with it all week and it was amazing to use. I'm already wanting to get another one.

I've been using a baitcaster for close to ten years. I've only owned one which is a quantum 400cx and have used it throughout that time. I casted the TS1H with a light frog using the recommended settings and was really impressed it flings it a really long ways. I had to tighten the tension knob a little more where the lure wasn't dropping to prevent backlash, but that could be because of my casting technique. Is there any common fundamentals that I should follow? I've just self taught myself how to use them. When casting the tournament speed spool it is effortless and is so smooth it barely makes a sound I love it. All the adjustments on the drag, tension knob, magnets, and centrifugal springs click and let you know that you've adjusted them. Everything about the reel is smooth and solid. It is also super light and it fits my hand perfectly. I don't know if I want to use my quantum anymore. Thanks guys!

I like the sexy shad and bluegill color. I would go with the 1.5 personally. The lure floats so you could keep it shallower than 3-6 if you wanted.

Thank you guys I'll set mine the same way. What parameters should I follow when setting the tension knob?

Just got my Tournament speed spool in today I haven't had a chance to use it but my initial impression is great. It looks really crisp and everything about it is so smooth. Ill be fishing all week using it paired with a Shakespeare 6'6 MH rod. And I'll be using 12lb Yo zuri hybrid line. I'll throw everything from Senkos to frogs to crankbaits etc. Are there any tips for initial settings that people have had success with?

Thank you I will do that. I really appreciate the help.

So I was wondering if anybody here could help me figure out how to repair my baitcaster. The spool tensioner (knob that you spin to tighten or loosen the spool) no longer works. I can tighten it or loosen it all the way and it makes no difference the spool is always as loose and fast as possible. Looking at it there appears to be nothing in the center of the knob to put pressure on the metal pin that adjusts tension on the spool. So is it likely that I need some sort of washer to go in there? And where would I go about even finding parts for this old baitcaster? Besides that the reel works perfect. Thank you guys for your help.

Never mind I'm putting the #2 mustad elite on the KVD squarebill 1.5's. Now I have some red eye shads in various colors. What size hooks come on these? Would it be okay to change in #4 mustad elites on the red eye shad? Or should I upsize? Thank you guys

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who struggled with hook replacement, Would I be fine getting the #1 KVD elite mustads for the KVD 1.5 square bill?

That's perfect. Wow I seriously spent an hour trying to pry it with my thumb nail lol thanks a bunch

Thank you. I didn't know he did that himself. That's pretty cool you got that information. Sweet sounds like mustad is the way to go. Is it good practice to change most hooks out on lures? I usually buy strike king stuff or other mid priced lures. Also, is there any tips for getting the hooks off. I'm having a really tough time getting the hook off. It is like a super miniature key chain ring.

I had one of my treble hooks break after catching a fish this weekend. I am looking to purchase some quality hooks to replace for this lure and some of my other lures with lowquality hooks on them. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Something with good price to performance would be nice. Thanks!

Thank you guys for the insight. Since I will be using a variety of different lures, I will go with the 6.4 I appreciate the help and the time spent explaining concepts. Thank you

Wow, thank you Capt Bob that was a great writeup. Bang for the buck is exactly what drove me to pursue Lews reels in the fist place. So it sounds as though the TS is the right choice for my situation. Everything you mentioned seems well worthy of spending an extra $40. What gear ratio is the most versatile? My friend told me to always go with the highest, but I fish with everything from plastics to jigs to spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

Thank you guys for the responses. What advantages does the centrifugal cast control add? does that help any with casting distance, backlash, and certain casting techniques? Also, what other bells and whistles does the TS have over the SS. I'm all for spending the extra money since I will not be buying another reel in the near future. Thank you guys for the help and I've enjoyed reading the thread where you posted about your lews fry.

Hello Everyone! This is my first post here. I've lurked around for a while and decided to join in. I am looking to purchase a baitcaster reel for fishing Michigan lakes this summer. After reading many posts and threads on here I have narrowed it down to the Lews Speed Spool SS1SH found http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110894307798&ssPageName=ADME:B:BOC:US:1123 I can get it for $80 shipped and I was wondering if this was the best that I could do for my money? I missed out on the $30 H20 Mettle deal that the Academy was having so I am looking for a reel under $100. Does anybody have experience with this particular model and how does it compare with the other models that are talked about highly here such as the tournament pro and others. I have never fished with a quality reel before due to money constraints so I really do not know what to look for or how to even decipher different qualities so I was looking from some advice from you guys. Thank you!