Long Mike

By all means, get started with reading the articles posted on this site. There is a ton of information available for bass fishermen of all levels. Gain some knowledge before you make the decision on the right rod or reel. Keep in mind that, despite suggestions from the members, there is no "best" rod or reel out there. The rod and reel that fits within your budget, and feels comfortable in your hands is the best.

And I think I've got health problems!

Mike, I am sending you a PM with my cell phone number. Keep me advised of your status on Friday.

I have to disagree. I have never failed to remove a backlash from any braid I was using. I may have to retire the reel for the day, but am always able to remove the backlash. It just takes patience. My worst backlash took me over two hours to remove. The great thing about braid is that you don't damage the line when removing the backlash.

The only time I have a strong gas smell in my boat is when I'm fishing with Roadwarrior.

Although the distance is long, the great majority of the route is turnpike, with a speed limit of 75 mph. I drive it at 80 all of the time and have never had any problem with the Authorities. The only caveat is that there is a toll booth about half way along the route which can become very congested unless one has a "Pike-Pass," which is an electronic device that allows one to go through the booth without slowing down. Let's hope all of the Pros have been given one.

How about we settle on Elmer's at 6:00 Friday night? It's a hole-in-the-wall joint, but the BBQ is some of the best in Tulsa and the prices are reasonable. The address is 4131 S. Peoria Ave. It's not within walking distance of the exhibition center.

Very well said! It's the most unbiased post in this thread.

I'm a Cat Burglar. The police call me the Pantie Snatcher.

Have you tried doing a forum search on this topic? Better yet, have you tried reading the articles posted in the Fishing Articles section of this website? There is so much information available that it will blow your mind.

See the thread on the same subject just below this one.

Welcome! That was a very well written intro! Looking forward to reading more of your posts.

The simple truth is that probably all of the reels mentioned above will get the job done, if adequately maintained. Whichever reel you decide on, make sure you break it down (or have it broken down) and re-lube it no less often than once a year.

If you haven't visited the Member Map, it's really cool to see how widespread our membership is. In addition, it allows you to determine if there are BR members located in your area and who they are. You are invited to add your location to the map. To begin with, go to your Profile and enter your City and State. Then, select the Member Map and click on "Update your Location." Type in as much information as you are comfortable with. You can enter just your City and State, or your actual address, or something in between, and then start zooming in to your locale. You might be surprised to learn that there is another BR member just a few blocks away. A word of caution, if you are under 18, enter only your City and State. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/membermap/

For those of you who haven't been following the Road Trip thread, this is a reminder that the trip is less than three months away. We have blocked all the cabins and a number of rooms, but the resort is going to release all unreserved rooms/cabins to the general public thirty days in advance. This means that you have only about six weeks left to make your reservation. For more information go here: http://www.bassresource.com/pickwick/lake-pickwick-info.html

Huh?

$200 will not buy you much. Take a look at the SeaEagle 9, but it's going to cost you twice as much as your budget.

Welcome! There's lots of nice folks around here.

Way to Go! Ghoti, BassnChris and I are headed to Taneycomo this week-end. I doubt that we will do as well as you folks without Hotdawg around.

Lake Ft. Gibson meets your criteria. It's a good bass lake and is about thirty minutes away.

Pfleuger President. You will NOT be disappointed. Shimano makes some very good reels, but in the price range you are speaking of, the President blows everything away.

I guess the oddest thing I ever caught was the clap - twice, but I was in my twenties and I was fishing a for different species. Promiscuous? Absolutely!

Has it ever occurred to the idiots of your state legislature that they have no definition of what a "rubber" bait is? In addition, do they have a definition of what a "plastic" bait is? Since 99.9% of all lures these days are manufactured from either a pliable or ridged "plastic," it would appear to me that the only recourse for your idiot legislators is to ban everything but live bait.

Why don't you ask Mike Sieibert? Just send him a PM and you will have a quick, truthful, and unbiased response.

Are you fishing from the bank or a boat? BPS has bags that meet your requirements. One of them can be worn as a back-pack if you are a bank fisherman.