FishTank

I haven't run into one of these yet but looks like a winner. Reminds me of the Fenwick HMX.

Bank fishing for panfish or a rod to take hiking.

$110. Its one of their cheapest. Makes a bluegill feel like a monster.

St. Croix panfish 5'4'' UL fast. Enjoy https://stcroixrods.com/collections/freshwater/products/panfish-series-spinning

I haven't felt the the need to this when bass fishing. Maybe fishing saltwater but not fresh water bass. The drags now are amazing. I set the drag by pulling some line out and use what feels right for my line and reel/rod.

As a general rule of thumb, I don't buy any of BPS fishing stuff or any equipment that puts an anglers name on it. It has always screamed knock off but there are of course exceptions. But in any case, I hope Huddleston wins.

I had a habit of doing it years ago but try not to do it now. I set up my reel's drag to pretty much match the pound test of the line. I try to let the drag of the reel handle the fish and for the most part the drag on my reels can handle just about any fish I am after. The problem is that I get excited and I end up putting my thumb on the reel. I then try to muscle the fish and end up breaking the line (losing the fish).

I would double down on both those statements. Armillo has been the best mono I have ever used. I rarely get mono to last a whole season and this stuff looks like it may last for two. I have fished 13lb heavily and it's still in good shape.

I have worked in printing for years and we use epoxy for various applications. To remove it, we use vinegar on delicate surfaces, hands, etc. Once it is hardened, heat maybe and goo gone or vinegar. There are other methods..... https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-epoxy/

If it is epoxy, vinegar should take it off but be careful not to get it any place else and don't let it soak into the guide ring. Just a drop on a q-tip again.

Love the Kreature. I found some custom ones from GYCB at a local shop about 12 years ago. The best was the Green Pumpkin with black tail. Another one I found had yellow legs and a solid black body. I wish I would have bought them all.

On a spinning reel, 20lb works great, 40lb and up on a baitcaster.

I like the LT rods and they may be a touch more sensitive than the Avid but I think it is pretty much just as good. The Medium power rods seem to be the sweet spot with the LT rods to me. The older version seemed tip heavy in the MH line but the newer versions seem more forgiving. I think on many rods, a light weight reel is going to make the set up feel tip heavy, especially if the rod is a MH X-fast or a Heavy Fast. It's just the nature of rod and reels. If balance is what you are after, purchase a reel that fits what you are after in the complete setup. Also, on a side note most of the rods in the LT and below from St. Croix feel about a 1/2 to a whole power stouter than most other brands.

I don't have the Accurists anymore. They were all returned. The Smoke and Vapor are the only two I still have.

Sniper shouldn't cause the guides to wear like that unless you are really putting some high stress on the rod. Have you tried running a cotton swab through the guides? If it teares the cotton, then something funky may be going on. I would also clean the guides with alcohol, same swab. You can also run a cotton swab lightly wet with reel oil to smooth them out. Otherwise hopefully Loomis can work with you on it.

Just curious. What kind of line is being used?

Asian Portal Fishing has been good so far. Ordered two reels from them. Took about 2 weeks. Their prices are somewhat better on ebay. https://tr.asian-portal.shop

I normally would have some advice but I am in same boat so to speak. I caught 3 fish last weekend for 12 hours out on the water and today I was out for 8 > caught nothing. ? I plan on staying confident (which does catch fish) and I'm going to enjoy it no matter what.

They were the PT's and not samples. The first was given to me (sort of) new by an avid Quantum fan. I had issues with it and exchanged it. The second I bought on ebay from Simmons Sporting Goods. The one I exchanged also had the same issues. In a way, I tried three. I cant's speak for the newer versions but they do look like the Vapor, which I do like. I used it today, as a matter of fact (no fish though).

They are the Guides Choice with black frames and the Techlite Polarchromic Copper Mirror lenses. I used them on the water for the first time today and they have been the best I have used so far. We had clouds, cold rain, wind, and then sunshine. They handled all of those situations. https://www.smithoptics.com/en_US/sunglasses-lifestyle/GUIDES-CHOICE-SUNGLASSES.html

I fish mainly Shimano reels as well and had that itch to try Quantum again last year due to a bet. I found some at a good price from an Ebay dealer and decided to give it a go. So I tried an Accurist, Smoke, Vapor, and Icon. The Accurist was a dud (tried two of them). The Icon was good but I just didn't fit my needs so I sold it. The Vapor was a work in progress. The side plate did not fit properly but Quantum's customer service got it fixed (it took a lot and a long time). It is a really smooth reel. The Smoke is the shining bright spot of the bunch. It's just a good all-around reel. The down side to all of them though..... When you take them apart, it's clear that they are not as well made as others despite performing well. I can't speak to their longevity myself but others here have had great luck. On another note, when contacting their customer service I got the sense that they are struggling with production/quality control but they do care a lot about what they do and they want to make it right. Personally, if you have to have one, the Smoke would be my choice >otherwise I would stay with Shimano.

Monkey has me working overtime..... I was able to cross off several things that I have been eyeballing over the past year and beyond. I have gone to pretty much all Plano Edge boxes. I had some bad luck with the first one but since then they have been excellent. I have about 5 pairs of Smith Sunglasses and like them all for different reasons but this is the pair I have been truly hunting for. They are high contrast (all the time) and impact resistant lenses but they change intensity with available light. So in low light everything seems brighter and in bright light they darken up and make everything clear and sharp without getting blinded by the sun. The Yeti has been on my list for a while and I just couldn't bring myself to pay $300+ for the one I wanted so this was a compromise. I had a gift card and a 30% coupon for Kittery Trading Post. In the end it was about $175. If filled with ice and a large ice saver, the ice will last about 2 days and the drinks are all most frozen. New fishing jacket for fall and spring, Arc'teryx Gamma MX. I haven't used it much but it's does the job and then some. I like it but I think I should have gotten a Stormr. And finally some real fishing stuff...... My favorite jig line, Abrazx and some TSI-321 oil.

I think you can use both for all of the applications you mentioned. I have the 853 and the 844. The 844 is probably the more versatile of the two. I use it for jerkbaits and topwater/frogs.

G. Loomis GLX 803C.....I throw chatterbaits on it and have used it to skip them a few times. It has worked great so far. It's only 6'8'' and it has a pretty fast tip so in order to load it properly I roll cast the baits I skip.

I love St. Croix rods but not this one. They are now an additional 20% off select boxes. I picked up the jig box for $14. Amazon has 200 yard spools of Tatsu in 10lb and 15lb for $30.