kickerfish1

Very nice job on your part, though someone dropped the ball. The good thing is there are lots of options out there. The hawgtech brand handle and knobs would be a good choice at a reasonable price. Also could try the pixy or zillion handle kit. Both can be had for around $100. What ever option you select would look great on your work of art!

Digging the cumulus and cumara rods... very nice!

I understand there may better knots or knots that test well on a competitive demonstration like knot wars. If you want to get technical there is probably an idea knot for each type of line out there. The last few years I put hours into perfecting a few knots. The improved clinch or my version of it is simply the strongest and easiest for me tie. I have all the faith in the world in this knot and its strength. I can tie this knot in under 20 seconds. I have seen others tie versions of the clinch or improved clinch and simply put there knots weren't as good "looking". They actually asked me if I would tie it for them. Sorry, not trying to brag but this is the knot I will continue to use for everything until results tell me otherwise. Pitzen, San Diego jam, Palomar, etc... all are good knots and for the guys out there that tie them and have confidence in them that is all that really matters. Just happy to have options to find one that works best for said user.

That first reel pictured looks awesome. Some sort of Alphas variant probably. Thanks for the pics!

Wow! Good stuff... appreciate the breakdown and congrats to the two of you!

Same thing for this guy. Frankily, I have sort of got the improved clinch down to where I can use it for any line and have confidence in the knot. The key is to make sure everything secures together properly. I find that I can ties this knot the fastest, most efficiently and in most any condition including low light periods. There probably isn't a right or wrong answer here, just make sure whatever knot you choose is tied properly cinches down well.

The 6'9 ML fenwick elite tech smallmouth rod is killer rod for finesse tactics up to 1/4 oz.

Seems to be rave reviews of the *** *** rod, though I haven't fished one. I have a phenix recon that I paid under $150 for. I feel it is the most sensitive rod I have handled for under $150.

Just flat slough awesome. Check in with a report if you don't mind, once you get it out on the water. Thanks for sharing! Any idea on a rod for it?

Listen to this man. Pretty much a great starting point. Without fishing your waters it would be difficult to give you the exact color, size, weight etc to use.

I don't think people that use floro are prone to knot problems. I have fished several sunline (sniper and shooter) and seagar (invisix, abrisix, tatsu) products and have yet to have a knot issue. I am also picky about my knots so if it isn't perfect I will re-tie it until I am satisfied with it. Any line can fail at anytime for just about any reason ... braid, mono, and co-poly included. The reason for the number of knots is to allow anglers the ability to perfect a few or one that they really like. Some knots work better for some lines and other knots work with most any lines. Simply find one or two and perfect it. Also sunline isn't the only superior floro line out there. Seagar is just as good. Tatsu would compete with or outperform most any sunline fishing line. The downside of seagar is they have less line choices and colors than sunline. Also tatsu is about as pricey as it gets though comparing price and yards of line shooter is right there. I have straightened gamagatsu 4/0 hooks in wood with 12# invisix. Basicsally the hook gave way before the line or knot did. I have 100% confidence in both seagar and sunline products.

Could you elaborate more on what consisted of the frustration. Was it line management? Sensitivity? Abrasian resistance? Something else? While floro lines are similar there are certain floro lines that tend to be better at the areas mentioned above. Also is there a max amount that you would spend or are you open to all floro offerings?

Really like tatsu above any other line all things considered. Invisix and abrisix are really good too at half the cost. I am also impressed with the sunline products... sniper and shooter specifically.

-Favorite for all around use would be a core 50 -Furthest casting would be a shimano chronarch 100sf supertuned and upgraded bearings

I have a Citica D. I believe the reel has brass gears which is ideal for power techniques. I think it would be fine.

Currently running... 10# Tatsu 12# Shooter 12# Sniper 12# P-Line 100% floro 12# Invisix 10# Abrisix 10# Trilene XL 12# Suffix elite 10# Gama co-poly 8# Sniper 8# yozuri hybrid 12# P-Line floro coated co-poly Seagar kanzen braid Suffix 832 braid

I like this list! Personally I would swap out flukes for the senko and add any floating worm around 6-7 inches in length to the list and that would be pretty accurate for my bait selection.

Fresh line!

Thehooligan... very sharp setup! Isn't it a bit early to reach for the pop max!!! I have the core 50mg paired up with 6'10 mh cumulus rod with 10# tatsu. To say this outfit impresses me would be an understatement. Casting distance and accuracy is phenomenal, the outfit is just smooth and comfortable, and everything that is happening with my bait is telegraphed so well, it leaves nothing in question. Congrats on an outstanding combo!

The biggest advantages shooter has is superb sensitivity, low stretch, abrasian resistance and overall line strength. However shooter has average at best manageability but that is a trade off that comes with the sensitivity part. The line diameter is also larger than that of tatsu. Tatsu on the other hand isnt as sensitive but still a very sensitive floro line... one of the top 3 in my opinion. It handles much easier and has a lower diameter for a similar # test. The line is incredibly strong and abrasian resistant and knot strength is up there with the best of them. Another plus is the life span of the line is very good which eliminates the need to change the line often. For example if I had 3 50 series reels you can get by with 1 spool of say 10# or 12# test for all three. Simply back each reel to the point where you can get 60-70 yards of tatsu on the reel. You just spooled 3 reels for about $16 a reel. I know it is expensive but worth it if you have the $ to spend on it. I fish both... however I like shooter for my dedicated jig rods where I may be fishing deeper and the bite can be a bit tricky to detect. Both are superb lines but looking at "all around" use I would say tatsu would have the edge.

On a manageability standpoint alone I would say it as good or better than invisix. Casting distance is better due to a slightly thinner diameter and also due to how well the line lays on the reel and and how it comes off the reel during the cast. I have experienced little to no memory. For good measure I do spray the reel with a little KVD before hand but to be honest you could probably get by without it. I know it is about as spendy as it gets for a spool of line but to me the line is better than the floro lines priced around $20+/-, an the added cost is worth it.

Been conducting research this spring on quality floro lines. Main objective is attempt to find a line or two that stands out in the around $20.00 range and around the $30+++ range. I will be measuring sensitivity, stretch, handling, casting distance, knot strength, and line breaking strength. The amount of research out there isn't as complete as I would like so I decided this year I would put some popular lines through the ringer. It is still very cold and snowy so I haven't had much time on the water with all of lines yet so I will withhold further comments. Generally over the years both seagar and sunline products have impressed me the most. You have 10 setups ... assuming you fill about 40-50% of the spool with backing I would purchase. 1 spool of 8# floro 1 spool of 10-12# mono for your reaction bait rods 1 spool of your favorite braid 2 spools of 12# floro 1 spool of 15-20# floro

I also like the Albert knot. Outside of practice and repetitions with the knot I have found it easier to use two different colored lines. For example... my main lines are mostly clear in color and I use green colored Trilene big game for backing. It helps a bit to be able to know which line is which during the knot tying process. Also once you start losing some of your mainline during regular fishing use, you will have a good idea of where your backing starts. Once it gets beneath a certain level you will have a better idea of when to re-spool.

Just a very SMALL drop will work just fine. You can use the the oil that might have came with your reel or something like rocket fuel or Boca lightning as noted above that is thinner and this will run the bearings faster. I have tried several and have decided the reel oil provided by shimano gives me the results I want with a decent life span.

Just bump up to a 2500 or 3000 series shimano reel. The new symetre retails for a $100 and has x-ship. The step down would be the sahara, but still a solid reel. These reels are just over 9 ounces and would balance your rod just fine.