FishTank

Again.... Reels I think can be the same but I would like different retrieve rates based on the technique. For rods, I would want a range that will suit the needs of the bait and technique I am using. So if I were to set up my gear this way, I might go with the Shimano Curado or the Abu Garcia Revo STX. They each have 3 retrieve speeds and will work for my type of fishing. Rods, the St. Croix Legend Tournament might be an easy choice. They have 20+ technique specific rods and the technique is printed on the rod handle. Makes it kind of dummy proof. For me personally though, I like to fish a variety of brands. Each have their own specific feel and qualities. In a small way this kind of increases the fishing fun for me. I think I would change my mind if I was tournament fishing on a regular basis or if I fished for a living.

I fished with a guy for years that used five of the BPS Tourney Special Rods and Reels. He would win or place consistently in the tournaments he was in. He never had any issues with these reels but he would trade them in at the beginning of the year at BPS spring sale and get a new set. Some of the reels would be pretty beat up and usually he had one or two that were like new. He was sort of semi retired and I believe he would fish about 30-50 hours a week all over the midwest from mid March to November. I believe with the sale and trade in, he would spend about $40-$50 for each setup.

NRS has a few that fit up to a 56in chest made for fishing and kayaking. They run from about $75 to $150.

I ran into trying to replace the bags on an old BPS Extreme. I contacted BPS directly and they found the bags but it was cheaper to buy a new bag with new bags.

I like to think of bass as a sort of dingy cat. They do things instinctively and they do things just because they want to and if given the right stimulus they can be trained.

I still have one with a Zebco bullet. It's still great for crappie and bluegill.

For me Braid and FC are two different tools used for the same thing. I use FC mainly and I like to think I catch for fish with it but that's because I have more confidence in it. With braid (sometimes with leader), I use it for thick weeds, topwater and large rock bottoms. FC for almost everything else, except crankbaits (mono).

Color was definitely a factor when I went to pick one out. It's can be hard to find a PFD that has all the features and a good safety color combo. In Indiana we are required to have one on board that fits but you do not have to wear it all the time. I think this were commonsense comes into play. As far as what I have though, I bought one at Gander Mountain years ago that is red and grey. Not a very visible vest so I put some reflective, high vis white and yellow tape/decal material on it in various places. It may look funny but if it is dark and I fall in, I want to seen and found safely.

I saw this on another forum and thought it was cool .......

If I were setting one up... Rod: Okuma TCS 7'11'' Heavy goes up to 2 oz > about $120 or less on Amazon or the Daiwa DX Rods (seen one in action but not used it). This is a beast of a rod. I think the one I saw went up to 6oz. Reel: A few I would consider ..... Shimano Cardiff 300, Abu Garcia C4 5600, and the Daiwa Millionaire (new version classic) I have looked into getting a dedicated swimbait setup many times but once I start looking into the cost of the baits, the equipment and transporting them, I get gun shy. I do have to admit, it is really cool to see a bass explode on a big 5'' to 6'' swimbait.

Sufix 832 isn't bad and runs about $4 a spool cheaper than Power Pro and there are often rebates if you buy two spools. With that said, I still like Power Pro but the Sufix is the best bang for the buck.

Both are great. I think it's up to you, whichever you have the most confidence in.

A stand up jig.

Terminators get the job done but they are not my favorite.

I believe that rod was designed for flipping and pitching medium sized jigs. I would think for an all around soft plastic rod I would go with a Med Fast or MH Fast but if you intend on going with this rod, a Shimano Curado DC would make a great flipping and pitching reel.

Just a shot in the dark but if it's getting worse when you tighten the tension knob, the spool shaft could be bent.

I have the G and the new K (haven't fished it yet). I have owned the the Curado B, BSF, and the D. I have never fished the E but it seems to be the reel that everyone sets bring up. The weird thing, I haven't seen anyone with one in a long time but I do see a lot of the Curado B's still out there. To me they are all good in their own way but when Shimano switched from manufacturing in Japan to Malaysia, it seemed, at the time, that something was lost when the G came out. Even though I own the G and love it, there is just something special about the B and especially the BSF.

You could contact Boca Bearings directly to be sure but I believe they take the 3 x 10 x 4. I like the ABEC 7's (non orange seal).

No, it's just old. I bought a bunch of the 600 yard spools at BPS about 10+ years ago. I think they were about $2 a spool. I missed placed a couple of spools that fell behind my work bench. I moved the bench a few years ago and found them.

Horrible call but this may be the wrong platform for analysis. I think they should keep it in the sports world.

I still have some of the smoke and green in 6lb. It is not in the best condition but it works great for backing.

I cleaned everything out about 15 years ago and started fresh. I have added one setup about every three years.

I like Hybrid as well but I have heard a story about this line that I can not corroborate.... If it is old (not sure how old) even if it is well stored, it will become brittle faster than most lines. The way you can tell supposedly is the line turns milky white on the spool. Also, this line above 8lb on spinning gear can be a pain. I only use 6lb on spinning gear, 12lb and 15lb on baitcasters.

I grew up on spincast reels (zebec 33) with the handle on the right hand side and spinning reels (Ryobi, Mitchel, and Daiwa) on the left. By the time I was a teenager I stopped using the spincast reels and just started using spinning reels. When I reached my 20's I tried out a few baitcasters (BPS, Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum) with little success, all right handed reels. It seemed no matter what I did, my casting was terrible and I just seemed to fumble around like I had never fished before. Someone handed me a left handed Curado (201 CU I thinK) and all my problems were solved even though I am right handed. I have been buying left-handed reels ever since.