jimmyjoe

I went to wallyworld and bought a backpack from the school supply section. It won't hold a 3700, but it holds 2 3600 boxes. It has pouches on each side that will hold soft plastic bags. They had lots of different packs on sale (this was right before school year) and I'm pretty sure I saw some packs that were bigger, but more expensive. Go check that section out. You'll probably come up with something you like for a reasonable price. jj

Braid will increase your distance. I'd use 10 lb. test. Take your pick as to brand. Cranks won't give you nearly as many problems with line twist on spinning gear as in-line spinners will, so I wouldn't worry. If you want what might be a better rod, try the Powell Endurance 723 CB Glass MMF. It's good for crankbaits. jj

I'm retired, and I fish 6 days a week when the weather allows. It's great! I love the peace and quiet. But let me tell you something that I found out long ago: peace and quiet doesn't come from the outside. It comes from within. If you have problems that you can't deal with, fishing isn't gonna change that. Only you can change that, by fixing the problems. Then you can enjoy fishing. Nobody on earth can run fast enough to run away from their problems. jj

Try it with a pike on the end. It's Mother Nature's way of educating fishermen as to how much pull you actually can put on 4 lb. line. ?? jj

Other than 3/8 oz., the Wordens don't want to start spinning well. This is especially true with the big ones; i/2 and 3/4 oz. So I use 3/8 in Roostertails, and for smaller I switch to Super Roostertails, which are the spinnerbait-style. The Supers spin really easy. But I chiefly catch wipers and white bass off those, not LMB. The spinners that really do a number on the LMB are Mepps, especially the #5 Aglia. The Aglia Long, not so much. Sheldons recently revamped the Comet line, and I have yet to get a good idea as to whether they are productive or not. jj

Wow! I'm jealous! ? This lake is 260 acres. Why the crappie are only in this one little cove, I don't know. I have my suspicions, though. I think there's an underwater seep or spring there. I've seen that before. If you look uphill from this cove, you can find muddy places and soft ground. That usually indicates a seep. Crappie would love that. jj

I have a situation like @DanielG. One cove, one little hole about 75x150 yards. In the flooded brush I use a slip bobber with marabou jig, and in the clear water I use very small spoons. Half cornmeal and half flour, and don't over-fry them. Mmmmmmm .......... yum! ? jj

welcome! jj

Welcome! jj

I agree ..... in BIG reels. In small reels, it's unnecessary, increases wear and cuts distance. But in big reels, it's like a slice of heaven. jj

Braid doesn't feed well off the reel spool on baitcasters if you're trying for distance. Braid digs into the spool under heavy load (a heavy pull). Braid has lousy abrasion resistance. Braid has lousy knot strength. The sudden slam on the knot when you have a backlash sends some very expensive lures sailing into the next county. Braid has no stretch. You can tear the hook right out of the fish's mouth on an imperfect hookset. The braid-to-leader knot can catch on guides, giving you a backlash. The Braid-to-leader knot can catch on guides, cracking an insert or popping it out. Braid can absorb silt in muddy or silty water, making it far more abrasive than mono. Braid costs too much. The advertisements about using braid for multiple seasons are b.s. if you have an abrasive environment. Braid on spinning reels twists worse than a tornado, giving rise to sudden "wind" knots. And they're worse than a backlash on a baitcaster; you often need to cut them out. So in a nutshell ..... mono is inexpensive, predictable and forgiving. Braid is none of those things. jj

I think strikezone still has some. http://www.strikezonelure.com/ghost-blade.htm jj

HUSH! Don't hex yourself! There's still time enough left for you-know-what! ? jj

This sale has been going on since Christmas. If anyone is looking for a swimbait reel, this might be your puppy. You need to remember, though, that this reel has synchronized levelwind. Some people don't like that. Other than that, it has an aluminum frame and has a reputation for being a beast (no pun intended.) https://okumafishingusa.com/collections/reels/products/50-off-citrix-350-baitcast jj

I was nosing around the Okuma website, and I found out that they still have this sale going on from before Christmas. Someone might (or might not) be interested. https://okumafishingusa.com/collections/reels/products/50-off-citrix-350-baitcast jj

Plastic surgery can fix ugly. Nothing can fix stupid. jj

I've got a few of those 7/8 oz. Rapala Rippin' Raps. Those things really head to the basement if you don't keep up the speed on them. I don't usually need that kind of depth where I fish. OTOH, they're not called "Rippin'" Raps for nothing. They're just fine for high speeds across flats. jj

Wouldn't you really rather have an ABU 5500c3? jj

One word of advice: check to make absolutely sure that there are no aromatic solvents stored close to the reel. Otherwise, it might happen again. jj

Only by way of hearsay. Two people cussed it in the 3xx and 4xx sizes because it had synchronized levelwind. I think they were all hung up on their own predilections, though. I don't see that as a negative in a big reel. I haven't seen the 2xx size, and I have heard conflicting comments as to whether it's levelwind is synchronized or not. All comments, whether positive or negative, invariably included the word "tank", as in Sherman tank. jj Ah ..... I see DVT beat me to it! ?

Exactly. It works with other types of lures, though, too. I use Mepps spinners. But my pattern is exactly the same as yours, and I get exactly the same results. Nice to get the spring monsters after a wintertime of sitting around, isn't it? jj P.S. Duh! No wonder! I just now saw where you are! ??? jj

Yes, I have very definite "dos and donts" when it comes to taking apart a baitcaster. "Do" send it to a professional, and "Don't" do it myself. Of course, my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it ........ jj

On issues like this, it is by far best to see for yourself instead of tabulating other opinions. When I say "issues like this", I mean issues that you can easily answer for yourself in a definitive manner. Put on an old lure tied direct to braid, and cast out over gravel. Retrieve. Then tie on your long leader and do exactly the same thing. If there's a difference, you'll notice right away, because you're testing the radical two extremes of the same condition. And if you DON'T notice any difference, then you have your answer no matter what other people say, don't you? ? Good luck! jj

^^^^ what he said. ^^^^ Actually, I have Lewis Rat-l-Traps for slightly deeper work, and I have Cotton Cordell Super Spots for slightly shallower work. Over grass beds, I'd probably use the Super Spot. Some people definitely prefer Red-Eye Shad by Strike King for yo-yo work. Just thought I'd mention it. jj

Well, your replies have been consistent, I will say that. ? I think I'd better heed prudent advice, and start saving up. I said thnx, and I meant it. Thank you. jj