FishTank

This is the guide line we have in Indiana as far as outdoor activities go..... State parks remain open, but welcome centers, inns, and other buildings are closed. Families will be able to go outside and take a walk, run or bike ride, but they should continue to practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from other people. Playgrounds are closed because they pose a high risk of increasing spreading the virus. I have been fishing a honey hole located behind a local Target and I have seen no one there as of yet. I think it's safer to fish than it is to go to Target. But for me, I think being practical and avoiding large groups is just common sense even if that involves a large crowd at a fishing dock, boat ramp or even a park. If you are out and see people gathered together have the state of mind that you need to be smarter than they are. In times like this I seek the wisdom of George Carlin..... "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.” “Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.” “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that."

I have the old 783C GLX (maybe 15 years ago). To this day, it is one of my favorite rods. To me it's just perfect in about every way. Now as far as how it compares to the newer versions, I have no clue. The old version is not tip heavy at all. It will of course depend on which reel you put with it and the Met MGL would be just fine. I would say the 783 is one of the most versatile rods Loomis makes but my favorite use for this rod would be jerkbaits. It has a soft tip and the shorter length works well for Lucky Craft Pointers and Vision 110 (these a little heavy though). I also have a new NRX 853C and it's more sensitive for sure but not quite as versatile. I really love it but I don't seem to have the same connection to this rod as I do the 783C. It is better for jigs and has quicker hook sets. I kind of wish they had something close to the 783 in the NRX line.

Talking about fail.... It's been a few years ago but one of the guys I fished with used an inflatable pfd and he was a big guy, around 300lb+ and 5'7''. One day he reached over the side of the boat to get a fish and he snagged the cord on a cleat. The thing inflated and about choked him to death. He had bought one made for a much smaller person. Made me want to stick with regular type.

I personally like the Ned Rig but it's nothing new or even something to get overly excited about. It does catch fish and it has it's place. I don't care for the jigs from Z-man. I like the ones from Owner better. Also, the small TRD has not been that great for me. The Big TRD has worked better. My favorite set up for this is the Abu Garcia ALX and a Abu Garcia Fantasista Regista with 8lb or 10lb FC.

I have the K and the DC. I like both so far. I have fished, but do not own, the Tatula SV TWS and it is also a fine reel. I didn't care for regular Tatula in hand but there are many that love this reel. The one reel I would put ahead of the K might be the Tatula Elite. In hand, it just has that special feel to it. For a 10 year old though, the Curado will be beyond a great reel to have. Personally, for that age, I think the SLX might be a better choice just based on the size of the reel alone> and maybe the price point. For the rod, just a suggestion, the St. Croix Avid 7' M Fast. There are cheaper options for sure but this rod will balance well with the Curado. He can have a quality rod and sort of grow into it. It also has a great warranty to boot.

Just curious and this is as far as I go into inquiring..... What possessed you to buy this reel in the first place?

I have a Calcutta 251 that I have used for years for crankbaits. I never thought of it as too heavy or unbalanced. It's a tank of reel that will last forever. I also have the Abu Garcia Revo Winch Gen. 4 and this is probably one the best technique specific reel I have used. It's designed to do two things... cast a medium size crankbait a mile and bring in fish from around 8-12 feet. It will of course do whatever else but this is it's happy place. Another reel I just purchased is the Shimano Antares 12 5.6:1. There is a guy eBay that auctions them off. They usually go for less than $300, which for this reel, is a bargain. I have only been able to fish it a few times so far but its super smooth and casts like a dream. Two more to look at it if you are looking to cast lighter crankbaits... Both JDM reels.... Daiwa Steez A CC and the Shimano Alderbaran 31. I think both of these have a retrieve rate around 23-25 inches. But with all that said.... I like using the Shimano Curado DC for cranks baits probably the most. It casts a mile, it's smooth, and is pretty much worry free when it comes to casting. And with all the reels that are available, I still think if you know the reel you are using, it's pretty easy to just watch the line and slow down your retrieve.

I just started watching it and it's pretty messed up. It's like a train wreck that you can't turn away from and I have to admit, I am fascinated with the animals. I have only watched a few episodes but when you think something can't get any stranger, it does.

I have tried 12lb Sniper more than a couple of time and always found it to be good line but not as good as Tatsu. I have used Tatsu in 10lb and 12lb and Sniper in 12lb. The Tatsu line for me was softer, lasted twice as long and with Sniper I would get an occasional break off. I have had one setup that Tatsu on it for 4 years and Sniper might not make through a whole season. Did the Tatsu you have come in a black box? If it did, it should be the most current version. Also, has the Tatsu been in the water yet? I notice that it gets much softer when wet and the Sniper when exposed to water and sun, gets harder over time faster.

Owner Wide Gap Plus. This hook is made for the Fat Ika. It's thicker than most, wider, sharper, and has a slightly shorter profile than other EWGs.

Monkey got me for one. I picked this up new on eBay. I thought I was getting the 19 shown in the listing's cover pic but I received the 12. I thought I would return it but considering the deal I got and after fishing it for a few hours this evening, its a keeper. Simply an amazing reel.

I have used Big Game in the past and my only gripe is that it doesn't last long. For me, I use to get 3 or 4 weekend tournaments out it on a setup and I would have to change it. So if you add up the time I get out of it on the water, it's maybe 7-10 hours tops before it starts to degrade but I am fishing pretty hard with big baits and over rocks. If you consider how long this line last and the kinks you described from the backlashes, it might just be normal wear and tear.

Agree on the longer rod and you really don't need specialized equipment for it but if someone came out with a specialized rod for this technique, it would sell like hot cakes.

Ebay. I was watching this for awhile. I sent the guy an offer and he accepted. I hope it is the real thing. He had thousands of reviews and 99%. We will see.

This one was on my list about 10min ago and I just crossed it off. New $285 shipped.... I couldn't pass it up at that price. It will be here Thursday...... The monkey always wins.

I just checked how much a 2lb box DHL would cost from my place to a Thunder Bay address within the company I work for> $95 USD. That's insane.

Funny you should say that.... I have been eyeballing this one..... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-calcutta-50b-excellent-condition/223943313486?hash=item34240fc84e:g:ogMAAOSwWepeaPPr

This would be a little over your budget but it would work for both crank baits and jerkbaits, which to me are to different rods.... St. Croix Legend Tournament 6'9'' MH Mod. Fast. It's designed as a spinner bait rod. I used a buddies a few years ago and liked it but it didn't seem to be like the ideal rod for just one thing. Its taper was weird on hook sets but it had plenty of power. It was kind of soft at the tip but not as soft as a glass crankbait rod and stiff at the bottom. So it's sort fits in between two different rods, a crankbait rod and jerk bait rod. The one I use currently for cranks and jerkbaits when I am in my kayak is the St. Croix Avid 7' M Fast. Not ideal but I can use this rod for just about anything and the price is good for a quality rod.

This has been brought a couple of times but cabin fever is setting in again and thought why not...... If you were going to buy your last reel ever and money was no object, what would you buy, why and what would you use it for? Would you be completing an arsenal, buying one for a specific purpose, or just wanted this one reel for the fun of it? I keep asking myself this question and the problem for me is choosing. I have a few on my mind but can't decide as of yet. Maybe with some of your thoughts, I might come to a conclusion.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/10342.htm?utm_source=agency-website&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_term=&utm_content= Indiana's response as of yesterday. It seems sensible.

I bought a Mossyback spinning rod back in 2007 and sold it in 2008. I liked it but it was strange compared to other rods. It seemed more powerful at the end of rod and stiffer further up than most bass rods at the same power. It made casting accuracy difficult with the light lures that the rod was rated for. Also, it was not as sensitive as the IMX rods I had at the time. If I had to pick a true purpose for the rod I had, it would be deep vertical jigging which seems odd to me in a spinning rod. In the end, I picked up a St. Croix Avid M X-fast to replace it. I still have it till this day. On the other hand.... I have the 803C GLX and it is fine rod. I like the length and action but wish it was slightly more sensitive (more like the 783C GLX I have).

I have two setups that I use for the Ned Rig.... Spinning>7'2 Elite Tech Walleye ML X-Fast with a Shimano Symetre and 6lb Trilene XL 100% FC. This set up works great for the small TRD and Robo worms 7 M Fast Abu Garcia Fantasista Regista with a Abu Garcia ALX and 10lb Tatsu. I use this setup for the big TRD and an Owner 1/16oz or 1/8oz Block Head Jig. So far this has been the best of the two. Not total finesse but close enough.

I have two rods with EVA grips and they are OK but I prefer a good quality cork handle. Also, I do have a rod from Fenwick that has the cork/eva mix and it's not bad but I can tell in time it's going to fall apart.

I had the Tour rod and reel in my cart and had to stop. I have a too much in the works right now. I'm hoping to pull the trigger on a couple of Shimano reels from Japan. The exchange rate is too good to pass up on. The Tour S3 at $120 shipped is an awesome deal or even better the Tour rod and the Tour S3 reel for $230. Crazy....

50% off coupon. What is it and where to? Just asking for a friend....