hooah212002

Two pictures of the same fish? My beer goggles tell me the second one looks bigger....

I was in your boat just recently. I couldn't figure out what it was that caused people to say "save some money and get an expensive reel". Then I got a BPS Pro Qualifier. I knew immediately after tossing it a few times that I'd never go back to a low end reel. Smooth retrieve, smooth casting, casts a mile. THEN, I got a Shimano Citica and it made my Pro Qualifier feel like a piece of crap tank. It feels like nothing is in my hand when casting. Then, when I reel in a bait, it is so smooth that the absolute ONLY thing I feel is what is on the other end of my line. That, imo, is the biggest difference maker: a high quality reel allows you to forget about futzing with the reel and concentrate on fishing. I can cast weightless flukes a mile with zero backlash. And that is with fluoro NOT treated with line conditioner.... I have yet to try braid on it. Invizx is so good it doesn't need KVD, though. Higher price tag typically equates to lighter weight, smoother retrieve and less backlash if you want a list of attributes. Long story short: yes, it IS worth it to spend a bit of money on a better reel if you take fishing seriously.

I wonder if that has something to do with the fact that 832 sinks? For example, though: on my fluoro rod I can shake my hand a bit and that translates to the line sitting on the water (doing that makes ripples on the water). With PP I do the same and get nothing. The only way I can get anything to shake the line is to waggle the rod tip. With my fluoro setup I can feel strikes when my line is far out. With braid, I have to be a line watcher because even though I can see my line getting a bite, I can't feel it. Make sense? I am certainly intrigued to know if 832 is better about this.

x2. I have been experimenting with different casting techniques (new reels and all that) and have found that the only thing that throwing harder gets me is a bigger backlash. I can cast just as far tossing easy and get less hassle. Set up your reel right and you don't need to throw with all your might.

I think that door should be more worried about what's on your hands than the other way 'round.

All good responses, but it's worth considering that some reels just don't cast lighter lures well. I can't throw light stuff on my Pro Qualifier, but I can with my Citica. I can almost fish weightless worms with it (weightless flukes are no problem). My PQ casts a mile with some weight, but I backlash like crazy with lighter stuff. Maybe some upgraded bearings or a good oiling?

I'll put another vote in for a Pflueger President. Solid, well built and very smooth.

I think Invizx might be a bit too stretchy for jigs. It does handle extremely well though. I'd suggest some Abrazx in higher pound depending on what type of cover you fish.

"The grass is always greener", so I would opt for a boat 9 times out of 10 since I don't have one and am stuck on land. However, I have frequently thought that it is easier to be able to just pull up to a spot and start fishing and you can't really do that with a boat. I'd still rather fish from a boat most times though since you can get to A LOT more spots than you can from shore and your techniques aren't so limited.

Braid because, IMO, it has superior sensitivity for bottom contact baits. That's not to say fluoro isn't sensitive enough, but I like braid for applications when I am not worred about slack line sensitivity.

Well if $100 is your budget, that changes things. I think most replies were trying to stay within the price range of the Laguna and Silver Max (around $60). For $100, get a Lews Speed Spool.

You're right. I didn't actually intend to lay accusation at all boaters because it is obvious that not all of them are like that and not even 99% of them are like that., but my verbiage makes that accusation nonetheless.

It is customary to Dirty Sanchez it before handing it to him.

Then if my jig enters your hull, tough luck. You think you deserve special treatment because you have a boat? That said, and as I have said a few times already, no I won't come to this spot because I know there are better ones accessible via boat and only boat.

I heard the same complaint when I was looking to get one. If you look at the reel itself, you can see how it sticks out.

Seaguar, Seaguar, and some more Seaguar.

You could even save (abe: save as in spend less) some dough and get an H2O Mettle from Academy which is nearly identical to the Laguna. Or, you could save money, then be told to save more money, only to find out you should save a bit more until you have finally saved enough for an MGX. No matter what bracket you are in, you "should save a little more and get X reel".

That I wouldn't mind. I mean, don't just come along and nod, leave your big motor on, then start tossing right in my area as if I am a figment of your imagination. This spot is marked on all maps as being the only area for public shore access, so they ought to know there are likely people there when coming through. Plus, I could understand if this was a smallish body of water with maybe a couple spots, but as far as fishing goes on this lake, the spots accessible from shore are definitely not at the top of any list (but still produce good fish). I really just see no reason for boaters to do it. I fish another lake by my dads house and it gets hammered by boats and shore fishermen, yet I seem to be the only person that fishes the only downed timber. Boats steer clear of all shore accesible spots even though half the lake is shore accessible. It is less than half the size of the lake in question, yet I never have a single problem with boats and that is even on the weekends. Ok, I said I was done complaining, but I am kind of bored.....

I assure you there are, and will always will be, better spots than that that are only accessible by boat. Delavan Lake isn't some podunk junk fishery with only a handful of spots. There really is no reason for boats to come fish there if there are bank fishermen there. If none are there (which is a rarity), then game on just like a spot on open water. I can guarantee that ANY boater would react the same way if another boat came as close (within casting distance). But since we are shorebound, it's "tough luck".

Hello boaters. How are you? Enjoying the open water and choice of fishing spots? That's good. Glad you are having a good time fishing. Me? I was until you decided to bring your boat right along into the ONLY PLACE ON THE LAKE FOR US BANKBEATERS STUCK ON LAND. Ok ok, maybe this is only something that is a problem at my local spot and maybe (just maybe) I am over reacting, but it's a problem nonetheless. Delavan Lake is almost 2000 acres, so it's not small by any means. How much of that is shoreline that is open to the public? One small section of shoreline in an inlet. Oh, but everyone knows there are fish there so they bring their boats right up to shoreline and figure they can share the space. "oh, sorry Mr. boater, is the rest of the lake too small?" Not to mention that they (the lake? the DNR?) has been running the weed cleaning machines back there the last 3 times I've been fishing. Do they have a right ro be there? Of course they do. I don't own it and they are well within their rights to be there. It's just a bit rude, imo, to impede on those on the shore (even though boaters are far superior, right?) and to spook the fish about with your motor right in front of me (when the only cover available is pockets of submerged grass, this matters). Good fishing in my neck of the woods without a boat? Good friggin luck. /end of rant, /done complaining /panties no longer in a bunch

True that. I have lost more than I care to count already this year, but DSG has them on sale a lot so I can recoup easily.

Spincast reels are fine....if you are catfishing off the bottom (cast a hunk of liver and wait for a big 'ol cat to take it), but for repeated casts they are a pain. Is there a learning curve for spinning? Barely, but anything new has a learning curve. There are tips that you will learn and keep learning for years to come, but a spinning outfit will lead to far less trouble than a spincast. Namely because you can see exactly where the line is causing you trouble. Also, don't let baitcasters scare you off. They do have a very high learning curve, but are worth it in the end. Spool up some cheap mono line doused with line conditioner, get a casting plug and go in your backyard. Check out some of the videos or threads here about how to cast a baitcaster and you will be on your way in no time. Last but not least, as with anything, cheap gear will only lead to frustration. I say cheap as in el-cheapo, not on sale or inexpensive. High quality gear lends itself to more time fishing and less time futzing around with your gear on the water (but you'll end up futzing with it at home, much to your wife's chagrin). You've already shown more dedication than most by coming to bassresource, so keep at it.

Thanks. I typically use regular PP and have absolutely no problems with it, so performance should be fine. Like I said in my OP: it's for my UL rod so I don't need anything special since I don't do much panfishing. Next time I use braid on a regular set up, I plan on getting 832.

I make sure to shake the hand of the first person I see upon exit the facilities after having not washed my hands. It's a ritual for me to spread my filth. Posts like this validate said ritual and make it all the more worthwhile to imagine germ-a-phobes squirming. Just like that scene in Mallrats with the chocolate pretzels.