albassslayer

Hooligan, who did you contact I sent in some pictures to them and then later on told them about the problem and they never emailed me back.

Thanks, that is great information. To anybody else on this thread if you dont talk to any saltwater fishers, you better start doing this. When it comes to reels and rods these guys dont play around and know what they are talking about. Like you said if it works in sw it will work anywhere. Im a bass fisher, but this is very good solid information. Thanks again!

I have a question for anyone out there that has fished the McStick 115. Have y'all noticed how easy the paint comes off in particular the Old Glory color? I was fishing this bait for the first time a couple of weeks ago and after about 12 fish the lure was almost bald and had just about none of the original paint on it. This happened on the Old Glory color. So, I got another one in the Spooky Shad or something like that color and a 95 in Blue Bandit and neither of these colors have that problem. Anyways I really like this bait in the Old Glory color, so does anybody know of anything to maybe act as like a seal for the paint on the bait. I realize it will still come off, but maybe something that will slow the paint peeling down with out effecting the action of the bait. I was thinking some kind of clear coat or something. If anybody has any ideas or found something that works let me know thanks.

I know I was mainly going to get a personal preference when starting this forum. I mainly wanted to find out if anybody had flaws with Abu spinning reels. I realize a lot of people dont use spinning reels a lot, but I use them in a lot of situations just because it forces me to slow my presentation down. It isnt that I was trying to stray from something I love the stradic, it was more because I picked up an abu at gander mtn and it felt really nice. To what roadwarrior, I have never tried a pinnacle spinning reel, in fact I just got my first pinn reel about a month ago. I got the optimus xt in the lowest gear ratio, and man did it impress me. First time fishing with it I caught an 10lb 8lb and 4lb along with a lot of 1 to 2 lb bass. Its drag was flawless and had enough power to get all of them in with no problem. So I have no doubt that the spinning reels are good as well I just havent ventured out to trying one yet. Thanks for the comments so far keep them coming.

I got a general question out there for y'all just to get some feedback.. I'm currently upgraded all my rods and reels. Last year I got a Stradic FJ and absolutely love it, but I have been hearing some great things about some of the new Abu reels. I am a fan of sticking with what I know, but I like finding the best thing that fits my personal needs, so I like trying new things as well. So, What do y'all prefer a shimano spinning reel or abu? What is your favorite brand and model for them, if you prefer something other than Shimano or abu? And finally what is some experiences y'all have had with them? Right now the top reel on my list is the Stradic FJ or Stradic Ci4. Thanks ahead of time!

According to the review for the c14 it sounds like a pretty good reel. Either one you go with will be a great reel! Rip N' Lips

Thinks sounds like so far keep it to medium heavy/ heavy and action any where from moderate to fast. I didnt put this in the original post, but I need it to be somewhat versatile. A lot of the lakes and ponds around here I fish have a lot of grass at certain times of the year, so I need it to be strong enough to run through grass with no problem and at the same time ill need it to be able to throw good in open water, with it being a stronger power i need to insure that I do not lose to much casting length as well. I usually dont use braid for my traps. In fact the only time I do is when I know I am going to be fishing in the grass or weeds. I usually will be using fluoro though, in my experience fluoro still gives you the stretch mono gives you, but is a lot more sensitive, there are times you will literally feel the fish in hale the bait before it even touches it. I tried Copolymer, but I just didnt like it, because it didnt seem strong to me. Thanks for the input there is no right answer in fishing, and not saying any of yall are wrong and/or that I am right, just giving some more detail to see what yall think. Thanks again

Unless you already got your rod go with a 7' or atleast 6'6". I used to think 7' was way to long, but I am glad I put mine on a 7 it makes a huge difference, not just casting, but also sensitivity. I havent heard anything about the black stradic, but I can find out. I can also promise you that you will not be disappointed with the FJ though which is cheaper. The guy under me said he got his used for 135 and now that I am thinking about it, Im pretty sure I got mine for the same price. ***This reel is not going that cheap on ebay because people dont like it or because its not that well made I assure you it worth the full $200 retail price. Last thing, suggestion, I do not know what kind of fishing you are doing or how often you fish and what not, but the Sedona ($50) is a very good reel for the price I still have one to this day that is about 3 years old and still works perfectly even though about to upgrade it.

What are the specs to look for when picking a good lipless crankbait rod? and What rod have you used for lipless that you like? I can't decide what I want to use for this set up or what I want to get for this set up. I really like 7' rods, but most of the things I have read say you want a 6'6 rod to get the right presentation. Also, what power and action is best? Any help would be appreciated, if you need to know I will mostly be fishing this with braid and using a reel with a ratio between 6 and 7 because I've seen and found out that anything lower than 6 is to slow. If you need any more information or have any other suggestions about lipless crankbait set up for me, let me know I am all ears. Thanks a head of time.

If you are talking about the Stradic Fj (The white Stradic), here is your answer. YES it is completely worth the money! I got mine a month after they put them on market and have had no problems with since. Ive caught probably over hundred fish on this reel including an 8, two 6, and several 1-4 lb bass. The drag is quite simply one of the smoothest drags I have ever felt on a spinning reel, not to mention how smooth the thing is just reeling it. I have the 2500 FJ and its paired with 7' Medium St. Croix Mojo Bass (I believe its tube and grub rod), which I just recently paired it to. Ever since I have put it on that rod is by far my favorite spinning reel set up. You can through anything a mile and the rod and reel have enough backbone in it for any size fish. I usually keep either 8 lb flouro on it (Seaguar prefer.) or 8 to 12lb nanofil depending on what kind of situation I am in with grass. I have never fished any other fluoro or braid on there because those are the two I like and that work for me. Mainly use it for texas rig or flipping craws in heavy cover. This thing is even easy to clean (if you ever feel like it needs it). There is a screw on the reel and all you have to do is drop some lube in there, you dont even have to take it apart. Im sure there are other spinning reels out there that compete, but I tried this one and liked it, but if any of y'all prefer me a better one im all ears. BTW you said they are $200 right now on *** they 179-199,but you get 15% if your on the mailing list. I would recommend ebay though, last time I looked I'm pretty sure they were at about 150 which is what I paid for mine. Just looking forward for you, if you want a good less expensive rod, go to dicks and get the blue field and stream rod (I think it is tech spek elite or something like that), they are about $80 and man are they good rods for the price. I think they beat a lot of the big name rods in that price range, but just a suggestion for if you dont want to pay more than 100 for a rod! Hope I helped.