FishTank

Usually I'm a ... Don't knock it until you try it but.... What makes me scratch my head..... Why would a good rod manufacturer stick their name on something like this?

Normal. Most Shimano reels have some play in them.

The form was weird to fill out on my computer as well. I couldn't see what I was typing into the super small boxes. Hope I filled it out correctly.

I worked out for years, mostly powerlifting. As I have gotten older, a healthy lifestyle is what is most important. This could be a book, short version.... Change your lifestyle permanently > So first thing, see a doctor about the arm and not just any doctor, one that specializes in sports medicine and have him clear you for exercise. Next eat like you can't stop and fill your body like you would fill a shrine. No food that comes in a box or made in a factory, no fast food, no pop or alcohol. Only natural foods that you can track where they came from, also no hamburger and don't go near a Wal-Mart or gas station for food. Eat 1.5 times your body weight in grams of protein (150lb=225g of protein) and drink water not sugar. Once cleared to exercise, learn to lift to recover not to look like a bodybuilder. Workout in 8 week cycles. On the eight week, go light and switch your routine. And finally sleep 8 hours and nap once a day. Bonus ideas, always work to reduce the stress in your life outside of the gym (cortisol is no fun) and be the consistent, focused example at the gym.

Besides my Leatherman.... This is my go to for work.... And my everyday pocket knife....

The Queens Gambit.... I started watching it with my wife and it was about chess. I thought this will help me get to sleep. It only took about 2 episodes for me to get sucked in. It was actually quite good.

Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits> I go back and forth as to which rod I like for this but I an old G. Loomis 783C GLX. This rod works for a lot of stuff. I general I like a MH fast rod that has a softer tip. The MBR series from Loomis fits the bill. G. Loomis 903C IMX Pro Crankbait> Rattle Traps. Even though it's a Mod. rod, it has a faster hook set than most crankbait rods. It's also pretty sensitive for a crankbait rod. St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M > Crankbaits all of them. This, to me, has been the perfect crankbait rod. There are more expensive options out there but this rod does everything perfectly for crankbaits> hook sets, the way the rod loads, it's sensitive but too sensitive and it's fun to fish.

I have a tried a few Daiwas over the years for cranking and haven't had issues but, like you, I just like the feel of most Shimano reels, for that purpose, better. I have 4-5 cranking setups and my favorite reels are the Shimano Antares 12, the Bantam and a Curado DC. I also just picked up an old Shimano Calcutta TE 101GT (reel before the US Conquest). I am not going to use it for crankbaits but it's crazy, buttery smooth. It would make for a great crankbait reel> So I would assume the current Conquest would be the same. It's a work of art both inside and out.

St. Croix Avid 7' MF. You can do pretty much anything with this rod. 12lb braid will also work fine on this rod. Depending on the the lures you use, a ML might also be a good choice in the Avid.

The last time I ordered from them I received an email from Cool Japan Logistic Center. I thought it was weird but it had the tracking and EMS/Japan Post shipping info for my purchase. Another thing to consider, is their holidays (two big ones in Feb.) and that some but not all businesses are closed on Monday and the postoffice is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

I live in Indiana as well and the weather can be unpredictable. Also, sorry to hear about the Raynaud's. I had to Google it. I have never heard of it. Hope it gets better. So on gloves.... It can be tough to find a good pair. Are you going to use these for fishing or just to keep your hands warm? I have tried several pairs over the years and to keep my hands warm, I have a pair from Scott. They are motorcycle gloves but they do the job. For fishing gloves I have tried pairs from Simms, Glacier, Sealskin and Seirus. I have liked the Xtremes from Seirus the best but these probably would not be the best for what you have as they are form fitting (slows circulation) but work great for fishing. The Outdoor Research battery pair is the only one I have seen that is super warm, almost too warm for me though. Another brand to look at is Arcteryx. I have wanted the Fission SV's for quite some time but haven't been able to bring myself to pay $200 for them. They are the nicest gloves I have found yet. Here is a great website for some info.... https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/snow-sports/best-ski-gloves

It's saltwater safe but it's primarily for bass. In short, it's an awesome reel.

I just picked up the P5 Super Destroyer. Can't wait to try it out but wow.... that is an impressive haul. What is the rod on the bottom?

Hopefully it will be an updated Avid but after reading some posts and info, I think its going to be a new rod positioned below the Avid. I hope they don't pull a marketing push that causes them to raise prices once again on all rods.

That's a good deal. Enjoy.

The SLX combo at A.L.F....

For backing, I wouldn't use braid, just cheap mono. I have been using some 6lb and 10lb Yozuri Hybrid for years. I found it in 1/4lb spools for $3 I believe. Works great. I fill my spools about 1/4 to 1/2 of the way full.

I have tried both, and like both but I like regular Defier the best. Armilo is a little stiffer but casts well. I have been using it for swimbaits and regular Defier for cranks.

I have one that is a JDM color of a Lucky Craft LV500 that is albino with pink (milk white with pink eyes). This weird bait would catch fish in stained water like crazy. I think I bought it on Ebay 10+ years ago.

I have caught a lot of bass from 5-7lbs and only one over 10. After years of fishing, learning, spending and waiting, there is only one thing you need to catch a big bass > Luck.

I almost picked that same rod up but went with the Megabass P5 Super Destroyer instead (see above). Its a nice rod but this was the one that had me on the fence. You will have to let us know how it performs on water.

I set myself up for this one but probably the last big one for awhile (if the monkey doesn't get me for another rod before the years over). The LC Fat CBBDS2 baits are getting tougher to find but great baits. The prices are getting out of control but I got lucky on ebay with them. I also posted photos on the new setup on another thread but I had to put it all together here.

If it falls in line with it's other 3/8 -1.25oz rods, a 1/2oz-3/4oz jig with trailer is it's sweet spot. I think if you stay around 1/2oz you'd be good to go for chatterbaits not sure how this rod would be for spinnerbaits though. I tend to like a fast or x-fast for that technique.

Just curious..... Which St. Croix rod is it exactly? Most of their MH Mod Fast rods are designed to for flippin and are more stoat than your average MH rod.

Well they are now home. And when the guy I bought this from said it was new in the box, he wasn't joking. A 17 year old reel, mint in the box that I had always dreamed of owning.... Super happy about this one.