Preytorien

I've used both, and I tend to prefer Sufix. However.... If you've not tried it, the Power Pro Maxcuatro has become my new line. The 50lb version is about the same size as everyone else's 30-35lb braid. I used it all last year and it made a believer out of me.

Nice fish....what a Christmas present!

This pretty much identically states what I do. Those Cabela's gloves are nice. Good grip, well made. I stuff the warmer on the palm and bring a small microfiber towel to dry my hands with since I'm braid-only.

I'm still waiting on mine, but like others mentioned, I probably won't be able to give this much of a workout until at least April.

I had a Curado G, and was impressed. Then I bought a Curado I, and was blown away, it's the best I've had so far. I've tried Lews at a few stores around here and while they're nice looking, they just don't feel as refined. They feel like my Bass Pro Carbonlite, which feels substantially "cheaper" in as that it's not as solid feeling. I say go someplace that has both, pick them both up, palm them, spin the handles, simulate casting, and make your choice off of feel...not brand reputation. You're the guy who's going to make a million casts, it's got to feel "right" to you.

I haven't ever understood the point of a perfectly balanced rod/reel. Once I'm on the water I'm like you, I cast and retrieve, and despite being on the water all day, I don't notice any fatigue, especially none that would be caused by an unbalanced setup. My outfits are somewhat balanced, but all seem to be a bit heavy at the tip. If anything I could see a tip being a bit heavier as an advantage when you're casting, much like adding weight to the end of a baseball bat. I'm sure I'll find out soon enough the pros/cons of a balanced outfit, but I haven't yet seen the light for myself.

I'm excited to try the Livetarget Hollowbody Sunfish. We get a lot of good frog bites where I fish, and I can see it being a good producer, then again, it may make a fool of me. I haven't got it yet, as they're all backordered for the time being, but I'm excited to try it. I use a really really cheap bluegill imitation I got off Amazon as a last minute thing. It swims incredibly and has done very well for me. I can't remember the price but it wasn't more than $8

I like it! Thanks guys! This is the best site out there!

I didn't use a trailer. Just a plain ole' 1/4oz white spinnerbait.

I have a 6'10" Zodias paired with a Curado I and its dead on. It seems tip heavy out of the tube but balanced with the reel. I seem to have balance issues over 7ft though. It's just harder to do. You're gaining more forward material, either the manufacturer has to add material at the butt or make the butt section longer. Then you add to the overall weight. It's a fine line to walk for rod makers.

I for one buy quite a bit from Amazon, mostly items that local stores don't carry, and not necessarily fishing equipment. I share an account with my sister, and let me tell you, it seems like she's always ordering stuff for her house, especially since my nephew was born. We laugh and talk about how Amazon must hate us since we must eat into their profits with all the "free" Prime shipping we use. I don't know their margins, but it doesn't look like they're hurting. I know for a fact we've used FAAAR more than $99 worth of shipping, not to mention our streaming TV and music services. It's a win-win for us all. Regardless of all the margins, overhead, etc talk that can be said, at the end of the day I am exactly x1000 more likely to buy something from Amazon, even if it's a couple bucks more knowing I'm not getting ripped off for shipping, and in most cases have it in a guaranteed 2 days. It burns me when I need a $5 pack of Z-Man Shroomz heads from BPS/Cabelas/TW and I have to pay $7 to ship it. I sell quite a bit on eBay, and believe me a tiny pack of lures ISN'T $7 to ship. Additionally for all the "buy local" crowd, I would do that at the ONE shop I even know of around here, but I can't bring myself to pay almost exactly twice the cost (many times more than that) of what I can get it everywhere else. These guys at this shop seem to find it sporting to gouge people who are typical weekend fishermen and don't know average market prices. Anyways.....(rant over)..... A fishing retailer implements a shipping subscription model, and they will allofasudden have me as a VERY consistent customer. Whoever does it first will almost singlehandedly assasinate their competitor.

I can't ever remember a time where I waded the river in mid-December and got warm enough I had to take off my jacket. Air temps in the 60's Water temps in the high 40's - low 50's Hey, I'll take it!

I agree, Sam I've never heard of the trick. Do enlighten us.....

I've been able to get out in a smaller shallow river near me and go after smallmouth. The night before, I thought I'd try a trick and took the front treble hook off of my squarebills I normally use. Contrary to my common frustration, I didn't get a single snag or foul up the entire trip. They weren't in a crankbait mood (liked spinnerbaits that morning), but it still has me excited that I have a way to effectively fish cranks without getting so fouled up every time I use one. Typically I have to fish one where it's deep enough the crank won't hit the bottom, which sort of takes away a major attraction method, but then I have to take it off when the water shallows up. Now it appears I don't have to. I used it all the way up to 6in of water without foul ups. I'm sure others have done this trick, but it's new to me, and I can't believe I didn't think of it before. But if you're shallow water fishing and getting fouled up with slime from the bottom or snags in rocks, it might be worth a try to take off the front trebles.

Oddly enough, a 1/4oz white colorado bladed spinnerbait was the winner. They seemed to love it. They were up close to the banks, out of the flowing water, which was odd for this time of year, but the water WAS a bit under 50F. Who knows, our weather this year probably has them a bit mixed up. Works for me though!

I'm a "fanboy" but probably for different reasons. I'm also a cyclist, and Shimano is one of the 3 current options you can select for drivetrain components. It's well known that Shimano for those parts are reputable for crisp, perfect, and durable shifting mile after mile. I've used them for years and had excellent success. Their brand reputation is second to none and is the reason the majority of teams in the Tour de France are using Shimano components, they speak for themselves. I'm sure sponsor dollars factor in, but with money on the line, a rider won't ride a brand that has a failure tendency. When I got into fishing, which wasn't that long ago, it seemed a logical choice, and I must say I've been very pleased. I've never had a reel that didn't work very well and so far all have stayed very durable and reliable year after year.

Eh river is very shallow right now. Even a shallow squarebill will be digging up trenches on the bottom.

All great suggestions, I've had varying luck with most of these ideas. We're in strange conditions here in Indiana.....mid 60's tomorrow....I'll be wading the river the next morning. While the water will be cold, the air will be warm. Not sure what to use now...I'm even more stumped. Ha!

I use braid on all reels, with an additional flouro leader if I am fishing very clear waters. I'd never go back to anything other than braid

I have a couple of the iProp spinbaits, but I prefer Duo's over Jackall. The quality and finish are spot on, but I feel it rises in the water much easier than the Duo's do. Same rod/reel/line and I'll have to almost halve my retrieve speed to keep it deep. I have the Pompadour also, which I got late this year, probably too late in the season to give it a good topwater go....but I'm expecting awesome stuff from it.

I have yet to try any other brand I'm more impressed or comfortable with, and I've tried many. To me it's about how it feels in my hand, and I can't find any others that feel more refined or smooth.

"Then again, when my boat is finally repaired, I can see myself inviting random bank fishermen to come out. I thought through this while watching a teenage bass fisherman fish a frog on the opposite bank of the small lake this past summer without much success. I would have told him to jump into the boat had I had it up and running as that's how the lily pads are accessible." - Josh Smith This is how I got to be more "serious" in fishing. I had a guy who knew I was bank-restricted take me out for the first time (he invited me - I still paid for launch), and showed me the ropes, especially on frog fishing. After that I was hooked, it took me to the next level and I started getting really into fishing after that. I still consider that the turning point. I know this was off-topic, but thanks Josh for posting that, you can really make a guy's day doing that.

In central Indiana most of my fishing waters have turned over and are cold.....I'm not even wasting my time for the next week or so But hey! 60's this weekend....I'll be wading in the White River for winter smallies

I have also had bad problems with large swimbaits and braid. No shock will equate to knot or line failure. I use Gliss, but only for finesse applications and rarely use more than 5/8oz worth of hardware tied to it

I fish the White River quite often as it's known as some of the best smallmouth fishing around. It's easy to wade, especially south/west of Anderson. There are a few public access sites as well as bridges you can park at to wade if it's your thing. They had a chemical spill and a resulting fish kill about 15 years ago, since then the DNR and various cleanup groups have done a better job of keeping it clean. In the parts I fish, it's gin clear most of the year. There are a few local reservoirs that are decent but not great. Eagle Creek is okay, I never hear anything great from it though. It's got motor restrictions on it. Kokomo Reservoir is also decent, unfortunately it's pretty busy too. The best bet is to find local fishing ponds/lakes and get permission. I've got a few I fish that I literally cold-called the property owners and asked permission with the promise that I'd do my part to keep it clean and pick up any found trash. Most say no, but just a few will say yes, then you've got your own private-ish fishin' hole!