FishTank

Ours from last year. Temperature has no effect on her.

Some good info here.

I use to use both but I have broken 3 spinning rods that were over 7'. They were either Light or ML rods. I would like to think it was user error. On the other hand I have 6' ML, 6'8'' MH and a 6'8'' Med. All three are used for finesse. I prefer these rods over the longer ones I use to have. I have thought about going back to a longer rod but for light weight stuff, I can't cast them to far to begin with and I am more out for accuracy than anything else.

It was the only one they had with the 180 drive. It comes in ivory dune, orange, and camo. They didn't have the camo or orange I think it was $300 more for camo..... crazy. They had a few of the 360s in yellow camo and blue camo. The hot one is the Mike Iaconelli version. They got two in and sold both within a day.

So for if you going to only have one casting rig. Depending on lure weights..... Shimano Curado 150 MGL and a St. Croix Avid 7' M Fast Or Shimano Curado K and a St. Croix Avid 7' MH Fast These will cover just about everything and last a long time.

Megabass Orochi whipsnake or shakyhead. I have no experience with these two but they are recommended at that price point often enough that its sort of a no brainer.

Happens to me on occasion but I have been using a large Amazon box to work in with a magnified desk lamp. I also use silicone parts trays that I got from Lowes. These have been very helpful.

It has happened to me before. I think I have mentioned it when people ask "Why are Jackhammers So Expensive? " My only gripe with the original Chatterbaits is how cheaply they are made but they are an effective bait. Wire ties are the way to go.

I own or have owned all kinds of crankbait rods from the most expensive to your basic crankin stick and the St. Croix Legend Glass is the best I have fished. I have yet to find a flaw. It is built perfectly for the task. I would highly recommend it.

I have tried it a few times when the water temps are in the 40's (air temps in the low 30's) and I'd like to think I got lucky. I wore the same stuff I would wear on a bass boat. I had pair of water proof soft shell pants that were lined, a wool sock cap, face gaiter, a wool base layer, a mid layer and a water proof coat with my pfd on top. They area I struggled in, was my feet and hands. I used a pair of Glacier Gloves but they are kind of restrictive and on my feet (don't recommend it) Muck winter boots. My last outing though, the day after Christmas (40 degree water temps and the upper 40's air temp), I wore a new pair of NRS Kayak dry bibs. These are awesome. They kept me warm and dry. Next was a good base layer, a new Stormr jacket, and my pfd. I had a sock cap and gloves. My mistake was my feet. I wore what NRS recommended, a pair of neoprene paddling boots. I got me feet wet when my day was over and it only took 15 minutes or less for my feet to start freezing. My feet were totally dry though but the neoprene and the dry socks of the bibs don't supply any warmth when wet. Bad lesson to learn. I am back to drawing board to figure the shoes out. So if you go and if you get wet/soaked, you're done. Always be in close distance to your vehicle, take extra clothes, and pocket warmers. And do not go alone. Always be in a place where someone can see you.

Well I picked it up my PA 14 today... It's packed into the garage but it's still full of Christmas stuff that needs to get put up so no real good pics yet. It's a beast. I can't wait to get it out on the water.

Amazing collection. I would fish 1 and box the rest (FDO). Beautiful baits.

Not my pic. I stole it from Facebook. If it were my dogs, the owl would be a chew toy.

It's been 30 years ago but I dated a girl who's father was a volunteer fireman. He would tell all his experiences to me since he couldn't tell his wife and kids and his fellow firemen didn't talk to each other. I was a convenient ear. His stories scared the #@%# out of me. I could tell that one day he would reach his limit. I always thought of him as a hero. He did one day walk away.

Yamamoto Flat Tail Worm - Discontinued.

You are probably correct. The guy in question is older than dirt and has lived on this lake since the water was pored. I am trying to get through the line issue first, then move on to technique, followed by seasonal location. So basically, I need to follow him around lake and learn. I think he uses an NRX and an older Shimano Stella. He is a gear junkie before there was such a thing. He will fish stuff from 40+ ago and then have the latest and greatest on his boat as well.

That's what I was thinking of using but one of the guys I usual fish against swears by mono for DS and he loves Tatsu. I haven't been able to pin him down as to a reason why he uses mono but he kills it on DS all year round. Sort of tired of him kicking my butt at this technique. So I decided to start with my line choice and go from there. I might try both but wanted to see what others are using.

Getting ready to make a point of getting better at drop shot. I am torn between mono and fluorocarbon and what pound test for spinning gear. I've read ..... use the smallest diameter line possible and also.... use what you would normally use. So.....What is your drop shot line of choice and why?

No. I would use a 7.x:1 for lipless and 5.x:1 or 6.x:1 for square bills.

I felt the same about the casting when I first got it. It took me about 100-200 long casts before mine sort of loosened up. Not something I can really explain but the reel seemed to get better the more I abused it.

Oops copied the wrong link..... https://tzlure-com.translate.goog/shimano-2022-bantam-150.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US

I really haven't used it yet, other than as a fidget spinner. I have to admit I am not the biggest Lew's fan based on the reels I have worked on. That was until someone asked me to go over their new BB1 and oil it. I liked it so well, I bought one. Is it as good as a Curado?> Again, not sure yet. My initial thoughts are no but it does feel, inside and out, like a quality reel. If you are looking to go a step up from the Curado 150 MGL, maybe the Chronarch MGL or the Bantam MGL (JDM version is worth it). I picked up the BB1 for $160 based on a post from DodgeGuy. For that price, it's a great reel for the money.

You should read this from a previous post. https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-BANTAM_A.html#product_image_2 Once you get past google translate... I took away three things from this minus the new, but minimal, upgrades to the new 2022 Bantam..... 1. You get the features and performance of the Antares 70A (one of the best reels I own) in a cheaper 150 size reel. 2. Shimano is wanting to have it be a do all reel for casting light lures and even swimbaits. 3. Shimano needs a reel that can compete with the Zillion> which to me looks and feels similar to the Bantam 18 at the same price point. Both great reels. Also, a weight reduction of a reel is not a good indication of how good a reel is, neither is casting distance but rather they are features that can make a reel better for your intended purpose. I always shoot for consistency in performance. Like say the two Shimano Antares 12 I have. One is used for crankbaits and the other for jerkbaits. They are heavy, big reels but smooth and cast a mile. I wouldn't use them for something like a Zoom trick worm on a shaky head. I could but it's not ideal. On the other side of the spectrum, I wouldn't put a Shimano Aldebaran or a Daiwa Steez CT on a NRX 895C or a 854C and start flipping jigs> which I have seen, and then I hear the complaints about the rods being too tip heavy.

Nope, he has the kind that need both a belt and suspenders and they get rolled up 3 inches at the bottom. Plumbers crack can be an issue..... ?

This is kind of funny to me and I am showing my age..... Go back 15-20 years, most reels weighed between 8 to almost 10oz. I also tournament fish with a guy that has 5 older Curados. They weigh about 9oz and he uses G. Loomis E6X rods. One of his combos that he flips and pitches with is a 894C and with a Curado 200B. He's 67 years old and can skip and pinpoint a lure just about anywhere and do this all day. I don't think the weight of his reel ever comes into question. He also has the 904C FSR, 783C, 843C CBR, and I think the 802C (doesn't use it often) all matched with the older Curados.