FishTank

I kind of spaced Elite, haven't used it in a long time. It is good line and I agree it is better than XL overall. It tended to last longer and also seemed to stay smoother longer. Stren is ok but to me it is too stretchy. It is all the guy I fish with uses and he swears by it. XL for me though> I always knew what I was getting and I understood its characteristics. I also like it best for crankbaits, which is the only thing I used it for.

XT is decent line but it is pretty stiff for most of the stuff I use. I have used Big Game in the past as well and liked it better but both lines seem to have a short life once used. For mono I have always like XL but my new favorite is Sunline Defier. It's overpriced but it is fantastic line. It holds up well and after a year of use, it has not degraded. Usually with most mono, I am changing it frequently. My main application for it is crankbaits and some topwater. For everything else, I use FC.

Not a huge fan of XT but it should be fine. I say fish it.

What reel is this and rod? Maybe some more pics of the whole set up? Especially zoomed out so we can see the reel and the reel seat, and one of the first guide on the rod.

After owning the Curado DC for over a year, I use to think it would make for a great beginner baitcaster because of how forgiving it is with casting but I have since changed my mind. It is still a great reel but I believe it is best to start with a reel that can be easy to use and easy on the wallet> Also, at the same time, be a good solid reel that allows you to learn the proper way to use a baitcaster. So I would go with the Shimano SLX with some 10lb mono (Trilene XL or Stren Original), then progress to some FC (Invizx). The SLX rods don't appear to be too bad either.

904C Conquest

Going to ask a dumb question I should know the answer to..... Why would I use FC leader material instead of regular FC like Abrazix or Invizx when attaching it to braid? I have used leader material for saltwater but it was probably 100lb and was as think as a guitar string. Also, great purchase and I like the the hat. I have been wanting to swap all my baitcaster line for 12lb Tatsu but I haven't been able get myself to put down $200 for a big spool of line. Having used the 200 yard filler spool in the past and based on how long it lasted, I know over time it will be a good value but that starting price is painful.

I have used both 12lb Sniper and 12lb Invizx. Sniper is good line but last few times I have used it I was getting random break offs. Invizx on the other hand has been fantastic. I haven't bought a spool of Sniper in the past few years. I don't see a need to go away from Invizx.

St. Croix Avid 7' M Fast...

So I have the Daiwa Steez SV TWS, Shimano Bantam, the Antares 70A, and Curado DC.... When you compare these reels for skipping, the 70A with the MGL III spool is the pretty good but the DC sometimes in certain conditions is better, so between those two it's a toss up. The Bantam is not bad either but just isn't as goos as the other two. Now between the Steez and Antares 70A for skipping, you can backlash both of these reels depending on the lure and the rod but in the end I like both. My favorite jigs to use are from V & M and Dirty Jigs (don't care for the Strike King skipping jig) and a beaver type trailer trimmed down a bit.

Out of the ones listed 12lb Hybrid but I would choose 12lb Invizx any day.

I have tried several reels and rod combos but I found the rod is the essential part. My current reel of choice is a 2016 Antares 7.x:1. I have an Antares 70A 6.x:1 that palms better and casts further but I like the spool capacity and the speed of the 16. I have paired it with G. Loomis 783 GLX.

I have tried both the Ardent kit and Simple Green (also Simple Orange). I like the cleaner in the Ardent kit for a quick cleaning but if a reel is completely corroded or extra dirty Simple Green has worked the best. As stated, I too use acetone for the bearings. I would also add that I have used the oil and grease that comes with the Ardent kit and found that I like Bantam oil and Shimano Grease better. I have also tried Cal's and it is great as well. I just ordered my first batch of TSI-321 oil. I will be giving this a try in future. I keep reading and hearing that it is fantastic for spool bearings.

I have been using CXX for a few years on a couple of set ups and once you get past the memory, it's great line. I never have had issue with it.

297 is only numbered senko color I remember. It has caught a lot of fish for me. The popularity of this senko color is why I think Green Pumpkin has become such a popular name for whatever sort of brownish/greenish bait with black flakes that come out. It's seemed it was June Bug that played the popular name game before that. Black with blue flake is still my favorite though. But if it's not working, 297 does. It's just weird like that.

I have the G.Loomis 903C IMX and so far I love the way it feels and handles deep cranks but lighter baits than you mentioned. If the IMX-PRO 968C CBR is anything like it, it would make for a great big bait rod.

I dealt with this all day today, except I was using a Rage Tail Anaconda. I switched to a smaller Berkley Powerworm and found myself catching a few bluegill. The regular bass bite was really slow today though no matter what we used.

Not 100% sure but I don't think they make it anymore. It was good tough line but it had a huge diameter compared to others. The 12lb had a diameter of .016 which equivalent to 20lb Trilene XL or 17lb CXX. If memory serves me right, this line was tough but became softer and stretchier with use. The more deformed it got, the more it was prone to brake offs. This probably can be said about a lot of lines though.

Without seeing it....Casting distance> could be a lot of things. Brakes need to be changed, the brake racing needs a drop of oil, spool bearings, the spool itself needs a small drop on it and probably a few things I can't remember.... Noise >Is it a loud, high pitch noise during casting? If so, I have seen these reels, over time when left on a boat, dry out (no oil) and moisture seeps in. As the day goes on and the sun heats up, somehow this magically gets better but is not fixed. All it really needs (maybe) is a good cleaning and re-lube.

This guy is the one I am referring to. The guy I fish with every week has 5 and I know about a dozen guys that still use at least one or two of them each week in the tournaments we fish. I usually service about 20+ reels for these guys each year. I charge them about $15 to $20 at the most for a clean and lube plus parts and some maybe $10 if I owe them a favor or something. I also have about 15 different reels of my own that I take apart and clean each year. As far as parts go, it depends on what it needs. It can be hard some times to find specific things but I usually have good luck on ebay or E-replacement Parts. Bearings, though, are not an issue. Most just need a good clean, soak, and re-lube but some guys do some heavy fishing and it kills them. I have not branched out from the local guys as I know what to expect and sometimes my repair knowledge is a work in progress. I have been doing this for about 10 years and I am always surprised at what I find sometimes. The best and also a good resource for me has been DVT. His prices are fair and his knowledge is quite extensive, plus he probably has a better track on parts than I do.

The closest Shadrap type bait from LC might be the Bevy Shad or the Staysee. As far as a floating jerkbait, maybe the Wood Pointer but good luck finding one. If memory serves me right, this one did not go over so well and was short lived. The best I have seen in a floating jerk bait is the the Megabass Vision 110 High Float. I got one by accident in an order I placed from Japan. It was too much of a hassle to return it so I fished it. It does well in cold spring time water and it only goes down a few feet (2-4). The few fish I have caught on it, tend to hit on the way up so it's kind of a weird bait in that respect.

I picked up at least 12 bags of the Green Flash color at DSG maybe two years ago when they went on clearance. I believe they were buy 5 get 5 free. With a coupon they come up to about $2.00 a bag. I still have several bags. Great color though. I think I also picked up Bama Bug, Plum with blue flake, and Gooseberry Laminate. For the price, I thought, I wouldn't have to buy them for a long time. The Bait Monkey had other ideas.

I have two set ups I will through buzz baits on depending on the weight. I use a G. Loomis 844C 7' H Fast with a Shimano Chronarch 51E (this my everything topwater setup) and a 7' M Fast Abu Garcia Fantasista Regista with a Abu Garcia ALX. I have tried longer rods and shorter but these two seem be just right for the task.

My personal favorite is the Curado B series. I have repaired several over the years and they are the easiest to work on out any reel I have touched. I could take one apart in my sleep. After a clean and lube, with new high quality spool bearings (if needed), carbontex washers, and maybe a super tune, this reel can go toe to toe with its newer version any day. I has that iconic status amongst the guys I fish with. It's always fun to see that look of amazement when a guy uses this reel after new parts are put in. I think out of the reels I have worked on, it tends to benefit the most when it comes new bearings and a super tune. Another reel is the Shimano Core. Great in the same way.

I have used it off and on for years and never noticed it altering line visibility. I would suggest starting with a good quality line, like Seaguar Invizx or Tatsu, Trilene 100% FC, or Sunline Sniper or Assassin , and decide if you really need it.