jimmyjoe

Welcome to Bass Resource. jj

Just to be contrary ........ I wonder whether the gold-colored large-arbor spool from the Pro SP SLP would fit on the Custom Lite SLP. Might be the ultimate light-braid baitcaster with a lower gear ratio, eh? Move over, Shimano Curado 70 MGL K! jj

Are you asking how many rods were broken by my EX-friends? ?? jj

I have a name for muddy water with 3ft visibility: clear. Seriously ........... I fish the Mississippi and several of her tributaries as well as several local lakes, and I think @Smokinal nailed it right on the head. Don't worry about the color of the braid, and personally, I wouldn't worry about a leader, either. Remember: a leader knot is one more weak point. jj

oops .... too slow!

Shocking news, just absolutely shocking! Please keep us current. ? jj

Looks like the advertising copies the blurbs that Berkely used for Fireline Ultra 8. Diameters are somewhat different, though. Like @DomQ, I'm not excited. jj

OP didn't mention a rod. OP asked ONLY about using a low-retrieve-ratio reel for light lures. So that was the question that was answered. I have said - and so have you, @Catt - that most fishermen retrieve lures too fast. We can take up the matter of the rod if and when the OP asks. jj

Whichever you desire. People do both. jj

The top pic (the red arrow-like thingee) is called a "flipper". It's supposed to go on the rear split ring of spoons to act as a "focus". The second one from the top is a hook retainer. The various sizes of o-rings hold it on to your rod. Look at the way the Fuji hook retainer is installed and it will give you the general idea. Third one from the top is a screwlock for plastic baits. You thread it onto your choice of hook and then screw the bait onto the retainer. The fourth one is a set of leaders, with a crane swivel on one end and a duolock snap on the other. What use the willowleaf blade has, I have no idea. jj

I love to cook. If I just knew how to make it edible, I'd be in 7th heaven. ? jj

Sometimes people have a problem, and the advice comes down like snow. They don't come back to tell us what went on, and we kinda wonder sometimes. So thank you for telling us what the resolution was. It's appreciated. ? jj

Why choose a lure that mimics a million other look-alikes in the water? Do you realize how slim your chances are that a bass will select YOUR one-out-of-a-million lure? It might be better than the lottery, but not by much. Instead, throw something that will incite their territorial instincts or their defense mechanisms. Throw something DIFFERENT. If you throw a lure that blends in rather than stands out, the bass has absolutely no reason to go for it. Just my 1/50th of a dollar. jj

^^^ 8 ^^^ You've heard of the "Old Masters", right? Well, here's an Old Master:

Think about it: small lures mimic small creatures. When was the last time you saw small creatures tearing around in the water at 60 mph? You don't! Small creatures move at a relatively slow pace. Not only that, but they are creatures of cover and creatures of the margins. So the next time you want to present a smaller lure either close to cover or in the shallows, your rig will be PERFECT! I expect pics to be posted later. ?? jj

I've been retired for 5 years. I remember that when my wife and I were looking for places to retire, we decided that there were only 3 that interested us: 1) Texas, 2) Texas, and 3) Texas. I can't remember why we decided to stay here. ??? jj

I stand corrected. Yes, there are two Microwave guide families; the 12, 18, 20, 25, 30 and 50 with ceramic inserts, and the Air Slim ring which is only steel. Guess which one I saw? ? ? ? jj

No! Something is wrong here. I've never seen even the cheapest ceramic guides exhibit wear. Not at all. Steel? Yes, I've seen steel wear. Even then, not really soon. But ...... not ceramic. Like I said, I think it's defective. jj p.s. - Is it possible that your guides had ceramic inserts in them, but the insert in the tiptop has broken or fallen out? That would go right along with what you're describing.

Heck ..... most people are not used to being accountable! jj

No, they're not supposed to do either. But sometimes they do anyway. Take it back, and take it back SOON, and see what they'll do for you. If it were me, I'd upgrade to a rod with a ceramic guide system. Good luck! jj

In my opinion, yes to both. jj

I use the Pad Crasher and the Stanley Ribbit. I use the Ribbit both on top of weeds and like a buzzbait on open water, but the Pad Crasher only on weeds. They seem to work about the same where I fish. As in all things, YMMV. jj

Per the TW website: 300A, 301A, 400A & 401A models include Double Paddle Handle 300AHG, 301AHG, 400AHG & 401AHG models include Power Handle jj

Welcome back! ?? Did the previous conversation not give the best results? Are you still thinking of using this for snakeheads? If so, then I reiterate my choice of the Shimano TranX 300a. I'm sure that there are many people here that will offer the Daiwa Tatula 200, though. Give us a better idea, specifically, of what you need and what you don't want. I'm sure we can help you. jj

What do you mean by "best"? Smoothest? Strongest? Greatest longevity? I would have said the Shimano Curado 200K, but you specified 1/4 oz lure weights, and the Curado is not known for casting lighter weight lures all that well. Great reel, really great reel! Just not the best with lighter lures. In the Shimano stable, I think you'd need to look at the various iterations of the SLX to get what you want. In the Daiwa line, you have a lot more freedom. The Fuego CT and the Tatula CT, the Tatula SV TW and SV TWS are all capable of doing what you've specified. And don't forget Lew's. Lots of choices there. Gear ratios that result in 24-28 IPT ratings are what I use, and I think they're the best overall for cranking either from shore or a boat. One other thing: Look for sales, look on the auction sites, check out the flea market here on this site, and you might even check out the Japanese sites selling JDM reels over the web. You DON'T have to pay MSRP. Reel repair people can usually tune your reel to work better with lighter lures if you tell them that's what you want, too. Lots of choices. And I mean good stuff, not 2nd rate stuff. Good luck! JJ