ThatZX14Fella

I've never listened to the rods weight recommendations. I go over the weight for catfish and under the weight for brem and bass.

Try not casting with so much power until you get used to the flex of the rod, then start casting harder. Also, leave more line out when you're casting. It took me a while to get used to casting light lures on mine and I have a heavy Abu Garcia Vendetta. I'm not sure if it's fast or extra fast, but a lot of it also has to do with the way you set your reel to cast.

I'd get the Berkley Cherrywood/Pflueger President set up if you're decided that you're going to stick with a spinning setup.

Don't believe people when they say you can't cast as far with a Black Max. I can easily cast farther with mine than I can with the spinning reel.

I have a Black Max, they're great. I have no experience with the rod you mentioned though.

I throw worms, not sure what size the weights are. It took me a while to get used to it and get the setup down pat but now that I've gotten it I an cast them way farther than my spinning reel with the same weight.

I have a 7'3" Heavy, not sure if it's fast or extra fast, but I can cast light lures way farther than any spinning rod and reel setup I've used. I've never seen the point in spinning reels. If it's anything to you I have a Black Max paired with my Vendetta. Caught a lot of bass off of it with many different baits.

Ignore my previous comment, I have been fishing the river a lot lately. So far I mostly throw a jig or a spinner, and if I'm not getting any hits on either of those I'll throw a T-rig and try to cover a good area. If that isn't working, I just start throwing everything in my arsenal to try to get a bite.

Jig with trailer Spinnerbait T-rig soft plastic Hollow body frog That's my four, but I'm a pretty bad fisherman so don't trust my word. Those just seem like the most versatile baits to me.

I stick with baitcasters. I can throw a lighter lure a little farther with a baitcaster and I can throw a heavy lure way farther. Not to mention the different gear ratios, more smooth retrieve, heavier drag, they're lighter, more fun to use, etc. That's just my opinion, but then again I never gave spinning reels much of a chance.

I'll stick with my $1 spinners. I had a bad day in the rocks yesterday and lost my $7 spinner, $5 jig, and about three worms.

I caught one a good bit bigger yesterday, but I only have a picture of this one.

What? O.o ^

I like the better color selection and the differently sizes, but when you're on a really tight budget it's hard to buy the good spinners.

I haven't been catching much out of the pond I go to either. I think the problem I am having is that the bass in the pond I go to like to hit worms and I've been trying spinners, buzzbaits, frogs, etc. I've been trying to keep on topwater because anytime you go past 3 feet it's nothing but moss.

That's awesome that you make your own spinners, and I plan to start doing tournaments. I really appreciate you taking the time to elaborate the pros of the more expensive spinners. I am on a very tight budget because my only source of income is the lawn care business me and my buddy are trying to start and that's why I buy cheap baits. When you don't have the money for the good ones and you finally do get one it feels great, but it sucks 10x worse when you lose it.

I know it sounds weak compared to you guys, but my biggest bass was a 2.5 pound largemouth. It was my first bass out of the river and I caught it about a week ago, caught another in a different spot that was about the same size. My friend has a picture of it but hasn't uploaded it to FB yet.

I just recently bought my first one that wasn't a dollar, which I mentioned, and it was a War Eagle. I like it but the dollar ones I don't worry about losing, and that one I am skiddish on using because it costed me a pretty penny. Lol the buzzbait I bought was a clacker buzzbait and after using it and seeing how much better it is I know the importance in using a better one of those but I really don't see the point in the spinners. I mean, the majority of the time I lose them before they fall apart anyways. I've had some that lasted long enough that I needed to replace the skirt on but since they were only a dollar I just bought more spinners.

That sounds like a good idea, just trying to find someone may be difficult. I've noticed the spinner not running 100% all the time with the cheap ones too, but I've never had any problems as far as durability goes.

I was curious as to why people spend so much for spinnerbaits. I bought one spinnerbait the other day for around $7 and I bought three of the dollar brand. With buzzbaits I can understand why after using a cheap one compared to the $4 one I have, but with the spinners the only real differences I see is the color of the skirt, skirt style, and blade shine. Are they more durable or does the better shine attract more fish or is it just a confidence thing?

I'm kinda trying to try some different gear, the only equipment I own besides my spinning rod and my dad's equipment is Abu Garcia. Lol

I don't really care if I come in dead last, fishing isn't really a competition in my eyes but that could be because I've never competed. I'm a competitive person which is why I got so good in motocross, so I have the drive to be the best. It just depends on if I decide whether or not I think of fishing as something competitive after my first tournament.

Thanks guys, and I actually do have a Gander Mountain near me so I'll go check out their rods. I don't mind spending an extra few bucks as long as it's worth the money. I would buy a BPS rod but the closest one is about two hours away. That's the only reason I haven't bought a BPS PQ reel. Lol

I bought a Abu Garcia Cardinal SX spinning reel the other day and I need a new rod for it . I was wondering what a good rod for around $50 would be. I'd prefer a cork handle but it isn't the most important thing.

My knots normally never fail, and the line that I was using that day I have spooled up many times on my Pflueger baitcaster.