joelhains

Flourocarbon is much more abrasion resistant than mono

I fish pike waters frequently. Including an annual camping/fishing trip where it's common to catch several hundred pike a week. I got away from steel leaders years ago. When I'm targeting pike, I run a 40lb flouro leader. When I'm targeting walleye or smallmouth and know I'll be getting into some pike as well, I'll tie in a 12-20 pound flouro leader. A 20lb flouro leader will hold up to pike just fine, but it won't last as long as 40lb. I'm always checking for knicks in the line and if I see any I'll retie a new leader. If I was throwing an expensive custom swimbait around pike waters I'd be very comfortable using 30-40lb flouro as bite protection.

This Fenwick is the Elite Tech Bass

I'm looking at picking up one of these two rods. Found them both forsale on a local classified page. They are both spinning rods 7ft medium/fast and will be used mainly for smallmouth fishing (tubes, drop shorting, bed rigs etc). Is one significantly better than the other? I had the Loomis as one of my baitcasters and really liked it, but haven't held the lighter spinning version. I've heard really good things about the Fenwick also but have never fished one. What have been your personal experiences with these rods? Thanks

To each his own. I refuse to participate in combat fishing!

I don't know why people fish shoulder to shoulder. I don't care how good the fishing is, its not worth it to me! I enjoy the peace and serenity that is fishing. That doesn't look like fun to me. I've fished the Maumee but refused to fish it during the run.

Here is a video I put together showing how I hand dip soft plastic tubes. Check it out. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Any of you guys every go up to the Temagami area? I'm taking the family up for one last camping trip of the year for an extended weekend to a small back lake I found this year with a few awesome island camp sites. I've got the pike and smallmouth figured out pretty well but could use some tips for landing a few walleye for a shore lunch or two. I caught some last time I was up the while bass fishing, but really didn't take the time to target them. In thinking drifting worm harness and. Jigging minnows might be the way to go. But if anyone here has some experience walleye fishing in that area I would be great full for a few pointers! Going to be up there this weekend. Thanks

So I've got a Lews Tournament MB I bought earlier this year and a Daiwa Tatula that is a few years old. These are my main, "go to", everyday reels. I've been happy with them. They cast really well the drags are smooth and once I get them set up for whatever I'm throwing I don't have to mess with them again. A friend of mine who is a first time baitcast user bought himself a new Abu Garcia Black Max and asked me to teach him how to use it. After casting it a few times I was quite impressed with how it felt compared to my everyday reels that both cost twice a much. It was smoother than either my Daiwa or my Lews. It didn't cast as far but it felt tighter. I've owned Abu reels (Various low end Revos) in the past and decided I didn't like them and wouldn't buy any more. So the Cheap Black Max surprised me. The tolerances feel like they are better. Over time Both my Lews and Daiwa feel like they have loosened up a bit. They both make a little noise now both when casting and reeling. The noise doesn't effect the performance just kind of gets on my nerves. I'm not really asking anything with this thread. Just expressing some thoughts that have been going around in my head. I have no plans to get rid of my Daiwa or my beloved Lews and buy a couple Black maxx's.

I found some on the Mud hole site that look very close if not the same. Pretty sure I read the the guides are Fuji guides. I can measure either inside or outside easy enough. It would be nice if Mud hole posted dimensions. Also is Mud hole the best place to order from or are there better options?

I have a Quantum Smoke that needs a couple guides replaced. I was on Mudholes site looking at replacement guides but I'm unsure of how the sizing works. If I'm looking for a 3mm, 4mm, or 5mm guide, is that the inside diameter of the ring or the outside diameter of the frame? I can measure the guides on the rod but am unsure if I need to be measuring inside or outside diameter? Anybody know? Thanks

I have a Quantum Smoke that needs a couple guides replaced. I was on Mudholes site looking at replacement guides but I'm unsure of how the sizing works. If I'm looking for a 3mm, 4mm, or 5mm guide, is that the inside diameter of the ring or the outside diameter of the frame? I can measure the guides on the rod but am unsure if I need to be measuring inside or outside diameter? Anybody know? Thanks

I have a Shimano Exage. Its a 4 piece 7ft medium. The action is really nice and sensitivity is surprisingly good for a 4 piece rod. I keep it in my work van but I also use it regularly.

For flouro to lure/hook the only knot I use is a Davy knot. I haven't seen it mentioned yet. Small, easy to tie and strong. You can thank me later!

I forgot about Fenwick Aetos rods. I really like the feel of the Mojo Bass rods too but I just can't purchase a purple rod lol! I had a Tatula rod and I wasn't impressed. Broke after just two times out with it. I love my Tatula reel though.

I'm trying to decide which baitcasting rod to pick up next. I had a first gen Veritas a few years ago and it was ok, but I always liked the feel of the St. Croix rods better so I got rid of it. Now I'm looking at them again. Yesterday in the tackle shop I looked at the new quantum Smoke. I liked the feel and how light weight it was too. Both of these rods (7ft medium heavy) feel a little too stiff, to the point of being brittle. My Favorite spinning rod is my St. Croix Eyecon. I thought the baitcaster might be a good one too. It is a little lighter action (7ft medium). The grip is very comfortable and the spinning rod has held up very well considering what I put it through. The old Veritas I had lost a ring out of one of the guides but besides that it held up pretty well too. I've never purchased a Quantum rod and I like to broaden my horizons so I'm leaning towards that one. Do any of you have any experience you'd like to share regarding these three rods? Which would you prefer? Which can I expect to hold up to abuse the best? Which would have the most sensitivity? This rod will be used mostly for spinnerbaits and creaturebaits thru weedbeds. Targeting both bass and pike. Also open to suggestions for similar rods in the same general price range.

Ive been kayak fishing for 15+ years. I've yet to lose a rod or anything besides sunglasses. I dont use floats or leashes. Never had the need. Just be careful and you wont have to worry about it. But if it makes you feel more comfortable floats are cheap insurance.

I ended up taking the two reels i bought at bass pro and going to a local mom and pop tackle sgop with better selection and prices. I picked up a Pflueger Supreme and a Daiwa Legalis pretty happy with both. I'll see how they fish this week!

Sorry man, my mistake lol! Fixed The Symetre is one of the reels I just got rid of. I was really disappointed with the quality of it and the Saros. I looked at the Penn fierce and really liked it but it was too large. If they had it in a size smaller I would have bought one. I ended just picking up a Pflueger President and a Pflueger Supreme. Not sure if I'll keep them or not though. I feel like I settled on them. I keep reading good things about Okuma reels.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm looking at spinning reels. I agree with you about the Tatula and Lews. I have both and love them!

Looking to pick up a couple new spinning reels. I've always used Shimano but decided I want to try a couple other brands. Looking at Pflueger, Okuma, Daiwa and Lews. What is your favorite reel for under $130? I'll be using them on 7ft medium and medium light rods mostly for hopping tubes for smallies and soft jerkbaits.

I think so. The clicking/ticking sound is directly proportional with the speed of the spool.

I use a Davy knot almost exclusively as a flouro to lure connection. I haven't found another knot that is as strong when using flouro. The fact that it's so easy to tie is just a bonus! You can do a double, triple or quadruple Davy if you feel you need extra wraps. I've been confident enough to use it fishing for bass, salmon, pike and even musky. I've been using it for about two years and have never had a Davy knot fail.

it doesn't matter how I adjust the tension. I can tighten it right up, or back it off or set it so it casts perfect and it still clicks. Sounds like there is loose line in the spool slapping during the cast. But I've respooled with new line and no change.

I have a Diawa Tatula reel. Its about 1 years old. Casts great reels smooth. Everyting seems to be just fine except when I cast it makes a clicking noise. Doesn't do it every cast, about 75% of the time. I've torn it down, cleaned and lubed it, put it back together and no change. Everything functions and performs fine, It just irritates me when I cast and I hear a clicking noise. Any ideas?