AdamsEye

Most of these bearing are a few dollars, some kits can be had for under $20. Far easier and faster to replace with better bearings any how, then to fool with them. The bearings start to wear under clean use, add dirt and you get increased wear. Best move at that point is to replace it, the price factor is minimal.

Photozo is where I got my start, even got a few free classes. I got a canon, with kit lens and a 70-400. The lenses is where the real cost factor is, not the bodies. I like to shoot sports and action, but have dabbled a bunch. Its a great a hobbyd

Yes with out getting into much detail, baby was taken at 37 weeks to prevent compilations. She was in or for 2 1/2 hours and needed 2000ccs of blood. I didn't know if she the baby or myself would make it through it. I had to do skin to skin with my son to keep him out of nic (intesive care). It was not easy on any of us including the Doctors. Thanks for all the well wishes!

Yea sir way to fast. I have another boy he is 2 1/2 and that seems like yesterday too. Soon I will always have afull boat!

The birth of my son. This has had me out of wack the last few weeks, we found out two weeks before the date of the section. That meant last minute planning, and I got fired from work the day after we got the due date. It is by no means an excuse, but I have been pretty stressed as of late. Now that this part is over, life can only get better. Archer Marcus Trahim born 7-6-15 @10:43. I hope that this help bring a smile to your heart.

That is cool because I fish that pond every so often too. I don't fish it much because I think it is not allowed anymore, but I see a guy or two out there every now and again. My cousins and aunt/uncle live in belmar, on Washington near the old airplane park. I have spent my time down the shore fishing too, and nothing like some fresh fluke, or Mahi!!! Google maps shows Beltzville as with like 40 boats on it, but the other 3 lakes empty. Got some pressure there huh.

Mistake

Okay let me help out first, tension and brakes are two totally different animals. Tension is a constant force, all that means no matter what that spool is doing, stopped, spinning, the tension force does not change. Brakes are a reactive force, that kick in after the cast and are dynamic. The amount of force they put on the spool varies from the amount of brakes you have on, to the speed of the reel. Before I go any further let me clarify, brakes are not a bad thing, and I don't care if you use them. Being that brakes affect the results of the input from your cast/swing, they can be really good at hiding any flaws in your swing, or casting mechanics that create a backlash in the first part of your cast. Spinning rods are very forgiving, it's not just the reel that you are going to have to learn how to use. You are going to have to learn the impact of not knowing how to swing a rod efficiently. The whole reason I say not to learn with brakes and on tension, is because it is going to show you and teach you a lot more about the cause and effect of a good cast or bad one. It is going to make you start off with smooth gentle sidearm cast that won't go far, but you are going to learn way more about yourself doing it this way then by jacking up the brakes and the tension so you can cast overhand. You can learn how ever you want, for me I like to start off with all new things making sure I use the best techniques I can. This makes the first few cast more difficult, but it also in my option is going to force you to slow down and learn far more then just setting the tension and brakes so that you can go fishing with it. To me buying your first baitcaster and thinking you should be able to cast with it right away is just not the way you learn. That is the way you get to use the reel, and casting. I think a lot of people are stuck on the reel aspect too, if you can't use a rod, it is only going to make using a bait caster that much harder. When I am fishing, and looking for long casts, I drop the brakes, and as much tension as I can. My casting style is smooth, and graceful, I don't whip with all my might to over power my tackle and waste energy. In my experiences the more brakes you use the the less thumb you need, but even a high tension with no brakes still needs a thumb. It is not two equal forces, and lowering one and raising the other might net you the same results, but brakes whole purpose is to decrease the energy that you put into the spool the more energy the harder they work. Sounds to me like you can correct this problem for the most part with the rod and a smooth cast and for the most part be a much more efficient fisherman by not using brakes at all. Allowing you to fish longer with less fatigue. I do know the lighter the spool is, the less resistance to spinning it has and less force it takes to start moving it. I also know that overruns are a simple case of the spool having more energy and motion then the line or the lure. Given that I would say focusing on learning good mechanics from the start is a much better option then the instant gratification you might get from brakes. Again this was about learning to cast, and not about how to get the most from your reel. For me I can cast any reel with no brakes, I don't need to turn them on in order to cast far, or be productive. I also find that even when I take a little tension off with brakes on, I can not cast as far as when I have the brakes off. I have to use more effort in my cast with brakes to hit the target even with less constant spool tension.

I am not looking to insult people, or fight. I came to the forum to grow. I apologize if I did, was not my intention. You basically suffer from 3 types of backlash. 1. Beginning of the cast because the spool is spinning faster then the bait is taking the line. 2. middle of a cast, this is most normally caused by wind, but a messy spool or light lure can play a part. It again is caused by more line coming off the spool then needed. 3. At the end of a cast, because either the brakes or your thumb did not stop the reel and line kept coming with no where to go. Most of the time 1 is cause by snagging something in mid cast, or just trying to cast to hard. That rod and reel are only going to throw that bait so far, to much power and it will have a negative effect. 2 is where brakes come in the most useful in general. Wind can slow you bait and create a overrun, but when you add brakes you add resistance to the spool that is aggressive enough to soften the change in momentum. Now is when it is worth loosing the casting distance. 3 is just basically caused by not paying attention or having no thumb on the spool at the end of your cast. Besides the wind factor, every other factor that creates an environment that creates a backlash can be easily fixed with better casting mechanics. Some thing that most fisherman who use spinning gear only don't really have understanding of due to the forgiving nature of the spinning reel. That is also why I insist you start with smooth gentle casts, so you can learn how to cast properly right away. This is not an area where you want to learn bad habits if you can avoid it. I am not trying to compare teaching a new user to the setting of anyone's reels, or the results. I am only trying to point out that you do not need to learn on brakes, nor do you need to use them all the time. Learning my way can be a great way to point out what your biggest weakness is, and might even show you things you could have over looked about yourself. It does not matter to me how you fish, what matters to me is that you enjoy fishing and continue to do it. The last thing I wish to do is discourage anyone, or break the spirit anyone might have! Again I apologize, and hope everyone had a great weekend, and tight lines!

Spool tension is determined by the weight of the lure, not the confidence of the angler. Knowing how to set this knob will make all the difference in using that cool looking reel the pro's use. Brakes should be used with as little as needed, to aid your thumb. Not the other way around. Understanding the reel and how it works can make a big difference when it comes time to use it. I have a few diawa reels, and abu reels. From 20 plus years old to 5 years old. The only time I use brakes, is centrifugal brakes on my older Abu Eon. I will throw on two brakes, because you use them in pairs for balance. I find that these two brakes will aid me casting lighter baits, but won't stop you from getting a backlash either. It is not replacing the thumb, and without it it's gonna over run. Look either you use brakes or you don't, and I am not judging for that, or saying it should not be done. When I am casting into 20mph gust, I will turn my brakes up if the reel has them. But not all my reels do, so I tend not to rely on them as much. To be honest I can cast further with out brakes in the wind, but I am not the type of guy to look for the easy way out. I want to earn it, it feels better inside. All I am saying is that if I can do it, anyone can do it. It is not that hard at all. Unless you have nerve damage in your spool thumb, then I can see a problem. This isn't rocket science, and the internet has plenty of solid information. You guys make it sound like you had to learn everything the hard way, and that would explain your worries with casting with out brakes as being a bad bad thing. Maybe you read the bad information? Turn up the brakes, don't use your thumb, and you will look like the pro's on tv. Turn off the brakes, and learn something, you will cast like the pro's on tv. I guess it is all about what look you want to go for.

Spool tension is found on all conventional reels, however brakes are not. This is counter intuitive to your statement, and proves that spool tension is a key factor, and brakes are not. Whether the reel has brakes or not, you still have to activate them. So saying you won't use tension on a reel that has braking means you are using the reel wrong. Unless you are just confusing the two... When you learn the value of a good thumb, you learn the difference. That is why you turn off brakes to pitch right, harder to generate leverage to cast with brakes then use your thumb with out them. So how can you say that it is silly to try and learn to do this right away when it is the whole point of using the reel?

To me it was not very challenging. I understood the fundamentals, and learned with no brakes when I was 11 years old, it's really not all that hard or frustrating. I am sorry you feel that learning how to cast is such a headache, and wish you could of had a better teacher. Trust me it is far easier to learn with out brakes, then put brakes on to start. Putting brakes on after you learn makes it easier, taking them back after you learn makes it harder. At the least every time you drop a brake off that person is going to loose more confidence, and have to work harder to continue good results. I can see where you are coming from and the only real pro is getting to fish more from the start. I love to fish to, and no you don't have to start in your yard. I started at a lake and started the same way, small side are cast not trying to cast to anything really. Just getting used to the gear, and learning to thumb. If you start with a heavy thumb, or heavy brakes you get the same result, short casts. But starting with a heavy thumb will at the least shorten the amount of time it takes you to learn, and I feel make you a better caster. If you go out your first day and go thru 50 yards of line, and can't use one with out the brakes but still want to go ahead! I want you to fish too.

You should not go out looking to do anything other then learn how to thumb the spool, if your goal is to learn how to use a bait caster. Turning the brakes up, replaces that thumb input but it isn't as good. So it reduces your casting distance, as well as prevents your thumb from learning how much pressure it really take to keep the peace with the spool. I started using bait casters prior to the days of brakes, it's nice to have them, but they are not needed. Even today, you should be able to go out on a calm day at least with all the brakes off for the most part. If you have been fishing with bait casters for a while, then you have taught yourself to rely on brakes, and not your thumb. Only making it harder to learn the right way. Just think, fishing poles used to weight a lot more too. They just made stronger fisherman I guess?

Sorry but in my humble opinion you need to learn how to control the reel, before you worry about anything else. That spool tension knob is far more important then the brakes!!! The brakes do the work that your thumb is suppose to do, putting them on stops you from learning it's that simple.

A lot of pros drive large suv's just so they can store the rods like this, so I think you will be fine. If your worried get that solar window fan to keep the air moving.

Can't speak of them, but it is what I would buy. http://www.gamakatsu.com/fishing-hooks.php?pid=1236. I have Gamakatsu hooks that are well over 10 years old, some have been used, and they are just as sharp as my brand new ones. The only one I have ever broke, was to a giant snapping turtle, not a bass. I am sure you can find other brands with good hooks, personally I trust them and I hope you get that catch next time!

I learned on a Old Lews BB1 that had no brakes, but many bearings. That thing was all thumb, and had no problem throwing 10 yards of line at you lol. This is how I learned, and I am glad I did. The key is learning to control that spool with your thumb, and to me over using the brakes stops you from learning how to use the reel. It instead teaches you to rely on the brakes, and creates bad habits that can be harder to undo then learn right the first time. I don't mind switching hands, and really that only plays a part when say fishing a buzzbait. But I am still young and quite the ninja, so for now I am comfortable with my ways.

There is nothing wrong with how you reel bro, why fix what ain't broke. Each line offers advantages that when used properly, will only make you a better fisherman. Braid just so happens to give you a feel of your bait that mono/floro just can't do. 10# or 60#, you feel whatever your baits hits, or hits your bait. The first time I hooked a bedded bass on braid, I was sold 100 times over. I felt my craw rubbing in the mouth of the bass, I didn't need to see anything to know the fish had my bait I felt it. I do agree that a lot of people take the sport out of it, but I would not let that stop you from taking advantage of it's strong points.

HE nailed it, I totally agree you would be better off with two lesser priced combos!

I would look at what kind of lures you plan of fishing most, and getting a rod with an action that favors the one's you will use the most. Things like the lure weight, and action of the rod should determine what rod/reel you wind up buying. If you know what kind of lures/baits your gonna fish the most, you can look up technique specific rods that fit. http://www.stcroixrods.com/products/freshwater/mojo-bass That link has a chart, it list the technique, power, action, and lure weight. Like Jerkbait is medium power, fast action. So you know if you plan on using jerkbaits more then anything else, a rod with this power and action would best suit your fishing. Once you know what kinda rod you want, you can look for a combo that suits your price range and fishing. Hope that helps. And welcome to the forums!

I am positive that at times I am very much at a disadvantage, but for the most part I don't fish heavy pressured or clear waters. I have and do fish it with a floro leader, but most of the time it's not needed.

Thanks everyone for the Welcome, and I don't know why I took so long to find out about the site!

I do.

I say sensitivity is key. You want to be able to feel the worm or jig rubbing the inside of the fishes mouth. I like to feel the vibrations, and move a lot of line quickly. That is the one key I see to my worming rod, is how great of a feel I get with braid.

I have noticed that with these lures, they are hit or miss out of the box. Meaning they need just a minor tune, or can be almost worthless as far as a true running bait. I just wanted to share that, because I have had a few that I had to totally remount the hardware to to make useful. I agree with the above, and I throw mine on mono because it also floats.