KyleW2015

So I picked up one of these the other day and I really like this reel. However the first day I started using it after a while the reel starting to kind of grind and me hard to reel in, kind of hard to describe. Anyone heard or had any similar issues? Should I just return it and grab another one or two to put some oil in it?

Thanks for the advice everybody, think I will go with the Crucial for now since thats all my local BPS has in stock as of now. If I end up not liking it I could always return it and get them to order me one of the others. I usually like fishing with a 7 ft rod but apparently they don't make them, so I'll either be getting 6'6' or 7'3. Guess longer is better for a more all purpose rod?

Thanks, my main concern is just seeing some bad customer reviews on BPS website of the Crucial

I guess my main question is between the Crucial, Duckett White Ice Pro Series, G. Loomis E6X, and St Croix Avid X.... which are all around the same price point... which would everyone go with and which is the best all around rod?

Bueller?

Looking at getting a 7ft 3 inch ft MH fast action Shimano Crucial casting rod. Anyone have any experience with these? I'll be using it for a variety of different lures, not one in particular. Thanks

Haven't tried live bait. Never tried with bass before

I think that may be part of the problem. There are TONS of baitfish in that pond, walking along the banks you see tons of minnows. Shad schooling all over the pond all day. Fishing off the dock for bream you will catch one as fast as you drop a line in.

I'm in GA.

I guess around April. The only thing I can attribute it to is putting pond fertilizer in shortly before I noticed. Just doesn't make sense to me that it would screw up the fishing

Thats on like, the BEST day of fishing there though. Over a period of about 6 hours. On average, I'd say 3 fish over about 5 hours

So I've been fishing this pond my family owns for quite some time... and lately the past few months the bite has been SLOW... like MAYBE 5-6 fish a piece on an EXCELLENT day out there. The size of the fish is great, probably average 2.5 pounds at least, with at least a 4-5 pounder or two on a good day. I've tried worms, creature baits, spinner baits, crankbaits, senkos.....of different variety with no better luck. Now we have taken out plenty of fish out there so the little ones don't take over... but its a 14 acre pond and I KNOW we have plenty of fish out there. There is loads of structure out there as well. I am currently considering buying a fish finder so I can map out the pond a little better as I forget where we had originally put all of the structure in the middle of the pond. Anyone have ANY ideas or recommendations, things to try? As a sidenote, its not just me not catching many fish either..... many have gone out with me and otherwise and still.... the bite is very slow.

Thanks for the input guys, I have checked out tackle tour as well. I just try and research from a few different sources to be thorough. A few sites I have checked I can kind of weed out usually, this one just had a few reels I KNOW are good reels so it peaked my interest in the ones I am not so familiar with that it rated so highly (***, Duckett 360)

I'm really big on doing my thorough research on products before i buy, especially if I am going to be spending some big $$$$. Since I'm somewhat new to avid fishing.... being that I never really paid attention to brands, specs, etc..... I was curious to see what people think of these ratings, or if anyone has used any of them. RODS http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/wringer/tackle-test-2015-best-spinning-and-baitcasting-rods REELS http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/wringer/tackle-test-2015-best-spinning-and-baitcasting-reels I'm more curious about opinions on casting rods and reels than anything. Thanks for any opinions

I've always heard early morning and late afternoon. Never really tried in the middle of the day and when I have I haven't had a lot of luck. Any in particular good for middle of the day? I want to get one of those jackal pompadours, looks like they'd be a blast to fish with

Thanks for the advice! I went with what you suggested and like this setup pretty well. I'm pretty new to using topwater, man I love it though when they are hitting it. Wish I could fish it all day

Sorry, the carbonlite is actually 6.4:1

I had been using the Shimanofor topwater, just because it has a faster return.... not sure if I am correct in this thinking though

So right now I am primarily using 2 setups for fishing. One Johnny Morris Carbonlite (5.4 gear ratio) and one with Shimano Curado I HG, (7.3 geaer ratio) both with the same rod (7 ft MH, johnny morris with micro guide) I mainly use one for soft plastics (mostly worms and brushhogs) with the other being saved for topwater along with the occasional spinner bait. I was curious as to which reel I should use for which? Thanks for any advice

Anyone have any ideas of when the new Metanium will be available in the US? Would order it from Japan site, but just in case I would like to return I'd like to have that option

thanks for the tip, unfortunately the Metanium isn't one of the reels available for demo...

Just to revisit this, I really want to be able to hold the reel and get a feel for it before I buy. Best ones my nearest bass pro has in stock are the Core and Chronarch ci4, thoughts? Or should I just save for Metanium and buy online?

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I think I am going to save up for the Shimano Met and get one of the rod recommendations mentioned here.

Met 100 and ALD 50

Main difference between Aldebaron and Metanium is spool capacity correct? (and weight)