gulfcaptain

Only area not a fan of Quantum on is the spinning reels, namely because they did away with the ability to be able to back reel as they don't have that option on some of their reels and like using the 100 size spinning with 10lb braid, so unfortunatly I fish Okuma's which I have been plesently supprised by as well. But if they still had the ability to be able to back reel I would have purchased Quantums, just don't have the function I wanted.

I put the nail weight right between the lower finlets in the middle segment. May have to play with it to figure out what you like. I use my fishtank to get the weight right, as I don't want it to sink to fast but not float right away either. Try to get it where either it slowly rises and I mean slowly....like 30 sec to float that 8-12" to the top, or slowly sink the other way. The fish in the picture came right behind it and below. When they sink to the bottom to quick they seem to loose interest in the bait(observations made from the fish that follow). When they slowly float up or you kill it on the suface, they come in closer and seem to stay interested. I would get th lead nail weights so you can trim bits off of them so you can get the desired rate. And lots of attractant, these things have a really strong plastic smell straight out of the pack. Also change the hook, I like using the Mustad Triple Grip 2X short 1X strong. Haven't had one fail me yet or a fish come off a swimbait. These tend to sit a bit better on the back but are a bit heavier then the hooks they supply with the bait. And if your tail gets any bend from sitting, you are gonna have to boil it straight or it wil mess up the action on these. You give them a twitch when they are straight and running right and then slack they will almost do a 180 and turn broad side as it glides off. Being you are in FL, I would def get the floater or two and experiment with them, have had 3lb fish take a wack at these as well.

It's easier to break 20lb mono or FC then to break 50-65lb braid.

8' is plenty long and you should still get all the benefits you are looking for from the FC. I use anywhere from 3-8' depending on what I'm doing.

This one fell for a line thru floater which I have altered just slightly to suspend about 6" under the surface.

First, the floating is an awsome bait, and if you purchase some 1/32oz nail weights you can make it suspend as well as just suspend under the surface. Where I fish, the floating gives me more options especially when they stock as they pick the weak off first and a slow helpless surface trout perks their interest. Also in summer, well you can fish these over weedbeds as well as deadsticking it. You can quickly see the followers that deadsticking or slowly twitching these can pull opposed to fishing deep. If I am fishing deeper I swap to a Huddleston as the slower kick as well as line tie give them a more natural swim action but the floating Hudds don't swim as good as the Line Thru does. But like I stated the floater you can add nail weights and get it to suspend which is a great advantage opposed to a bait that already sinks.

All depends on what you're comfortable with. I normally don't use anything over a 1/4oz on my spinning rod. And an 1/8oz is tough on a spinning rod. Now if you're fishing a plastic worm with an 1/8oz weight that's different. May have to save and carry 1 of each so you have all your bases covered.

oh and forgot, the LC RC 1.5 is an awsome wakebait that stays right on the surface. That one and the Wakeshad I think are the two that I have found that are truly wakebaits in my line up of shallow baits.

The live targets get about 6-10" down if you really try to. But 6" isn't really a problem. SK has a series 3XS which wll run about the same depth up to about a foot. Or you could go a bit bigger and fish one of the MS Mini Slammer which would gives you both a bigger wake bait but also one that will run just under the surface which I believe runs right about $35-40.

First off, I do have a lot of rods, but it's within my budget and I have started to get outfits I use for certain applications and techniques as well as being able to carry a few rods as so I don't have to constantly change baits. Now prior to this I fished with one rod for quite a bit. Depending on what you're doing more then likely with only one rod I would go to a MH 7' rod (baitcaster) as it can be an around good fit for almost anything you want to do. Line depends on you. For me, I fish a lot of clear water and am comfortable with lighter braid in the 20lb range. This may not be the case for some. But for me it works great as I can topshot most anything from 10lb to 20lb mono or FC.

If you want to go heavier that's up to you. IF you're having issues digging into your spool, make sure you some backing before you put the braid onto your reel. I use mono and don't have that problem as well as making sure when you put it on you have enough pressure on the filler spool to keep it tight. When I do a lot of pitching, about every 20 or 30 pitches I'll cast out to straighten out the line and go at it again. IF you're putting it straight onto your spool without backing make sure you have some kind of tape for it to grip onto as it spools to keep it from slipping.

I'm more apt to agree with your knot slipping and hookset to hard. I'm in the boat where I fish 30lb braid (Power Pro and 832) and use it for frogging, punching, and on my umbrella rigs. Almost all my breakoffs are at the knot. There are a few exceptions where I've had a bad spot but I can count that on 3 fingers in the last 3years. Are you using the regular PP or the Slick?

Yeah 8lb isn't gonna hold up very well in heavy cover. And you also have lack of stretch that you get with mono so it may be breaking at the knot when you swing. Most of the time when FC breaks on me it's at the knot which is the weakest spot. And depending on what knot, how you tied it, and weather there was enough moisture/lube (spit) when tightening, these all can cause failer. Also, depending on how you store your line....if it's in a hot place then it could effect the strenght as well. And last, well ofcourse brand you're fishing with can make a difference too. My advice if you feel little dent or irregularities in your line when you're either spooling or fishing, it's been compromised and needs to be replaced. This can happen the farther down the filler spool you get as well.

If you click on the Savagegear Icon on the side I believe you can order from their sight. Most of mine have come from TW though but newer products will probably take some time. Can also check out BPS depending on where you live, their selection maybe limited.

First off, price wise your options are unlimited. BPS makes a nice 2" size wakebait for about $4, then you have the Manns 1 minus for about $6, All depends on what you're looking to do. Have all the above mentioned except the new BX Wake minnow which is really perking my interest as I like the idea of a wake minnow style bait. Also have the Live Target both Bluegill models as well as the Tilapia and blueback herring. What are you looking to do, price range you're wanting to go, and size? If you give us those, we can probably help narrow your search.

Good to see that there are quite a few people on here that really do like their Quantums. And as far as reviews on products, if you haven't fished it, don't review it. And picking one up in a tacklestore and playing with it doesn't qualify. I don't give reviews until I take it out, use it a few times, and get a good feeling for it. And fyi, off topic, have a couple Shimano Torium saltwater reels, everyone bashed my Newells for years, well the 2 Toriums are in a box because they couldn't hold up, my Newells that are almost 20yrs old, still going strong. But love fishing Quantum reels, have no problem with their braking systems, and all handle what I expect and require them to do without fail.

how small is this pond you caught that fish 4 times in?

Have a differnt angle for the use of FC. Fishing offshore found fishing a short leader of FC helped with abbrasion from fishes teeth, mainly smaller bluefin and Dorado (Mahi Mahi). Hook up to land ratio on the later was about 50% on mono, but the use of FC it jumped up to around 80%. The FC just held up better with the abrasion. In the bass fishing world, use it on my worm/jig fishing or crankbait, but always in topshot's since I fish with braid on all my reels, and topwater switch to mono. Does it help me get more bites, well not sure but it's just what I prefer to fish, but it does let me fish a bit heavier with FC in clearer water then I would be able to with mono.

8" Savage Gear Line Thru in rainbow trout floating model altered a bit to suspend slightly.

have 2 Kinetics, 2 Accurists, 2 Codes, and 1 EXO, fish them all. Also have a couple Diawa's, 1 Shimano Cardiff 300(for swimbaits), and 6 BPS reels(carbonlite and older extremes), and 1 H20 reel. I find myself aways fishing my Quantums other then the Codes which I have retired after a few seasons and upgrading, and working my way to getting more EXO's. Also have one of there rods (Greg Hackney Hack Attack 7'11"), which I love. Never had any problems with any of my Quantums. But I do love to read the reviews of everyone who imediately bashes ALL Quantum products and states to get a Lew's or Shimano. Don't believe they have ever even fished a Quantum, just upset because the Quantum Pro's seem to always be in the spotlight and really like the equipment they fish with. Even Zona being a Shimano guy doesn't fish Shimano rods, he fishes Loomis although now they seem to be one in the same.

Agree, had to do that with the big swimbaits and not bring anything else. Caused me to fish only that lure and not be able to switch....after catching a few nice fish realized how good those baits could be, just have to have the confidence in them and know you're swinging for the fences basiclly. But there are times I do keep a few other rods in the car just incase I see something when I get there and adapt to the conditions that are presented to me.

Don't think I've ever wondered what makes a bass a bass, but have wondered what do I need to use to make these d@#m fish bite.

I remember working in a tackle store when the AC Plug rage hit I believe mid 90's and the first Castaic Lure Trout were really amazing looking. Thought for $35 no way would I pay that much...wish I had bought one just to have on the bookshelf. But remember the guys buying the AC plugs and taking them to Castaic and Casitas and bringing back pictures of the fish they were catching as well as stating the amount of big fish that would follow the baits. Only difference now is they seem to be a lot smarter then they were back then on what they choose to eat.

Being mainly a shore fisherman although seriously looking at getting a boat I find that I fish an assorted arsenal of baits and presentations. New techniques require you to put in the time to become confident. Last year I picked up larger swimbaits and the umbrella rig as well as strengthing my flipping/punching game. All 3 accounted for most of my big fish and the more I fished them the better my confidence in them increased to where I didn't want to put them down. Yes there were days I went back to my finesse dropshot and up'd my game there with different baits II hadn't fished before but became big producers especailly when days were really slow and tough. I new I could get bites, even if they are the 1-2lb fish, but they are fish and if I was fishing tournaments fish in the boat count more then the ones you don't have. Bottom line fish your strenghts first but always have a back up options when things get tough so you aren't trying to put a square peg in a round hole.

yes I know, and I corrected myself....it's been a long week at work and today well, it just wasn't mine and lost focus....suffering from fishing withdrawls and can't think straight.....lol