RF813

I've narrowed my search into an area i'm pretty comfortable with, and I was hoping to get feedback if you have personal experience with either the Daiwa Tatula or a Mid-Range Lews Baitcasting reel. (Speed Spool Tournament TS1H?) I've read great things about both brands, and the models seem to hold up well to reviews, but i'd like the opinions of those who have used them. Thank you! R

Yep! And I look forward to sending you some of my business. (I emailed you yesterday). But for the time being, I have about $100 in Bass Pro giftcards that need spending.

I was just wondering where there was such a wide discrepency on action the rod should have. The links I provided were just to show the variety of answers i'm finding, not for specific brands. Maybe i'm trying to compare apples to oranges?

Thanks for the quick reply RW, from hanging around here I know how specific things can get. Hah. For now I need to keep things as "general" as I can since I can't afford to pick up half a dozen setups immediately. Slowly but surely is the plan. I always appreciate the input from all the experienced anglers here. Thanks again.

I know the tip action on rods isn't necesarily a standard, but I see a lot of what appears to be conflicting information. I've read alot of sites as to what makes up a good crankbait rod, and it actually makes the decision a bit harder. Below I have posted 2 links, and a quote from each site. One says fast action, one says moderate. I'd love to hear people's opinions, as I am looking to buy a cranking specific rod in the next month / month and a half. Preferably one that could be used light / moderate crankbaits & jerkbaits. (if something can be found that can cover all those). So if people with a bit more experience could give their opinons on the conflicting info, and maybe suggest a rod that would fit the bill, I'd appreciate it. I have a budget of around $150, give or take. I like using 7-foot rods for crankbaiting. The longer rod makes it easy to fling the lure out there for big distance, and that's important when fishing clear-water reservoirs. The longer rod also gives you more leverage for wrestling those bruisers out of the shallow weeds and cover. My personal preference is a 7-foot medium or medium-heavy Kistler Rod. Kistlers have nice, fast-action tips that help both in casting and hooksets. And believe me, that fast tip is important. No matter what brand of rod you choose, make sure it has a fast-action tip. (use a fast tip) A fast action rod does not “give” they way a moderate action for would. If you were to use a faster action rod while fishing a crankbait, the moment you set the hook the bait is going to instantly be pulled away from the fish. (do NOT use a fast tip)

Obviously black friday, and sales leading up to Christmas are great. But if you're looking or holding out for another seasonal sale, is there one expected before the start of next season? There are a couple things i'd like to pick up, but can wait a bit if there are typically sales coming up in the next month or two...(BassPro, Cabela's) (I know some of our sponsors have great prices year round, but with $ tied up in gift cards, I have to use them where they're valid, obviously.) Rich

Danbury CT, here. Lived in the area for about 4 years. I'm originally from Lexington MA, and I find myself up there a lot during the year visiting friends / family. If you'd like to meet up sometime this spring, bmac, i'd be up for that. I'm relatively new myself, but like you i'm completely hooked. (no pun intended).

Welcome aboard!!

My Dad bought us a couple Rods and reels as a kid, but I didn't enjoy it. Picked it up again last year at 36 y/o. Started my Son off at 6.

Just picked up a tube of Megastrike. Can't wait to see if I notice a difference. Just need winter to end first.

Do you guys know if there deals to be had there? (rods, reels) or would I be better off waiting for sales etc?

Another CT fisherman here. Thanks for the CTFisherman.com recommendation. I'll have to go through that. CTfish talk is ok, but this site beats them hands down in responsiveness from users. **Scratch that. Not allowing new registrations there?

The warm weather we're experiencing isn't the norm. Hunker down a bit longer. I suppose you don't remember the april fool's storm oh so many years ago?

Walking through Dick's Sporting goods, looking at soft plastics, my Son exclaims: "Let's get these! It says "Bass Love them!!" Me: "Yep, now look at these" I show him a different Brand. Him: "It says Bass love them." Me: "Uh huh...and" Him: "Hey....They ALL say "bass Love them...." Lesson learned at a young age.

http://sportshows.com/suffern/ Being held February 27-March 2, 2014. Has anyone gone to this in the past? If so, how was it?

There is so much great information on what has worked in the past (or didn't work) will really help me go in the right direction. I truly value the experiences of those here, thanks to those who have added their insight.

Really good to hear that while things like backlash will just happen, with practice (and the help of a better quality reel) it's not as big of a headache with some practice. I'll definitely be reviewing different models and will probably go the route of spending a bit more and invest in quality. Thanks to everyone for adding their insight. It's great to hear about the experiences from people when they fist picked one of these up. I'm sure it helped me avoid a couple pitfalls I was probably going to walk into. As for this just being some sort of glorified "how do I use a baitcaster" thread, I did do research before posting this, which is why I decided to ask those more experienced than I am. Thanks to everyone who took the time to add their advice, I appreciate it.

All good things to consider, thanks everyone.

Yes, this is a "want to learn query." I'm a weekend warrior (and at night when I can fit it in, haha). As always, not tring to light the world on fire, just want to understand more tools and their uses.

Looking into buying a baitcasting Rod / Reel over the winter. I've read that people experience a lot of backlash, and they're generally not as easy to use as a spinning setup. So what i'm asking is if you're someone who started out Spinning, and made the jump into adding a baitcaster to your current tool set, (or have experience using one in general) what advice would you offer? I've seen there are things in place to help reduce backlash, and general complications, but it's always good to hear some practical knowledge for those who have been there. I'm not specifially asking what brands are reliable, but if you'd like to offer some advice there as well, i'll take it. (Howeverm I have / and will continue to search for that info when it gets a bit closer to me pulling the trigger and buying one). Thanks.

Yep!

I went from not fishing since I was 14, to bobberfishing for sunfish, to regularly catching LBM. Learned just a smidge of what is out there, but gained a love for fishing. I hope to continue learning how to fish different lures and techniques in the upcoming year. Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions in the forums, it's greatly appreciated. Rich

You're missing the point. Someone can read all they want, but if you want to get someone's opinion on something whether it's product or techniques, I think it's best to ask people who have been at it longer.

One way of looking at it, and hopefully, it's how i've approached it, is from a genuine desire to know the information and be able to ask "WHY?", if something sticks out. For example, in my time here I have asked about Rods and then Reels in 2 seperate threads. There are A TON of threads about these, yes, but when I joined here, I had never heard of Shimano, Pflueger, St. Croix or ***. I didn't know what a spinning reel or a baitcaster was. I just bought what was suggested. So how do you search for something you know nothing about? I view it as having my own conversation, and asking my own questions, rather than read someone else's thoughts who may have different needs than I do. **Now before you jump all over me, once I get a bit of information I can then search for MORE information. ** I knew nothing of the differences between rods, and reels and getting the little clues I have learned a ton. I fish in a bubble for the most part. I don't have a mentor to fish with, I didn't grow up fishing as a kid, so this is a place to ask. Part of what I do for a living is teach animation to students. And just like fishing, there is so much information out there, but it's overwhelming when you're just starting out. I remember how it was when I was a novice. Now that I can do it professionally I think it's important for me to remember not everyone starts out on the same footing. Sometimes it's not being lazy, maybe they don't know where to begin. That being said, I am expecting an amazing gift from Mrs. Claus this Christmas, chosen from what I have learned here on the forums from you fine people. I'll also be setting my boy up with a really solid setup as well. There's a lot to learn when you're bobber fishing on $30 combos, and I have learned a ton of it here.