NYWayfarer

I agree. I love the swing wing cover but it makes more sense on a reel with an internal brake.

I don't see that Spartacus Maximus on Kastking's Amazon site. It was their only aluminum frame reel. I wonder if they have any plans to bring it back or make another aluminum framed reel?

My favorite soft plastics ATM: Worm: Yum Dinger (shallow) Senko (deep water) , Powerbait MaxScent (deep moving water) Ned rig: TRD and Hula Stickz Tubes: Zoom Salty Super Tubes Don't throw many creature style baits to have a favorite

Tournament MB for under $100, Now that's a great deal!! Lew's confuses me with their pricing of reels at times. Comparing the 2 reels in question (Tournament MB and the Crush) I don't see why the Crush costs more. The aluminum frame Tournament MB seems like the better reel in every aspect other than the Winn grip knobs.

Awesome vid! That was some leap. I could hear the shock in your voice over the wind.

Please tell me there is a vid on the way!

Now that's what I call a BUCKET mouth. Nice fish, grats!

This thread is from March I would hope the OP made a decision by now If he didn't I would say have a look at the new Kastking Royale Legend Elite reels. I really like the looks of the red one. That swing side cover is a nice feature they added.

I have the Tournament MB and it is my favorite Baitcaster right now. I highly recommend it and I would get it over the Crush for 2 reasons. 1) Tournament MB has an aluminum frame. Crush is graphite. 2) Purely cosmetic reason but the Crush has the orange Winn grip knobs. They get filthy fast. I would have to trade them out for the black Winn grip knobs or the flat paddle handles.

Got a Lew's Mach 1 rod 6'10" MH/F for $35 on sale at DSG with free shipping. The way it was packed it was a miracle it wasn't broken. Paired it with my Lew's Tournament MB and broke in catching some Smallmouth Bass.

I have the 75 and the 90. The difference is the 75 sits on top of the water when standing still. The 90 dips its tail and sits nose up in the water when at rest. The 90 so far is a much better producer for me.

I am addicted to the topwater bite. My new Whopper Plopper 75 loon color has failed to produce a fish for me. I had one fish on my very first cast with it. That one shook the hook at shore and nothing since then. My Whopper Plopper 90 Bluegill color however is a solid producer.

I like to handle things like this in subtle ways. If he asks for tackle, have some baits and lures from your "bought it, tried it, didn't like it pile" (every fisherman has one.) If he asks why can't he use what you are, tell him limited supply, sorry. If he asks for snacks and drinks, give him a jug filled with tap water. As far as snacks go, he has been your friend for awhile you must know what he doesn't like to eat. Make sure you have some of that on the boat to give him.

I was out a few days ago trying my new Whopper Plopper 75 Loon color to no avail. I switched to a Berkley Squarebull Bluegill color and got a Smallmouth on the first cast. It hit the water and 2 cranks later fish on! The second catch was better and proves the Berkley fusion hooks are wicked sharp (my savage hookset helps) Last picture is after I preformed surgery to remove the crankbait. You can see the marks the hook left in the Bass' side. One of the many things I hate about treble hooks.

I do the same! Trokar wacky rig hooks gave me the idea as they come on some kind of paper clip looking keeper. I put the safety pin held hooks in a small ziplock bag and use a sharpie to mark what size hooks they are. Then they go into my tackle bag.

I agree with everyone that has commented on the fast fall rate. Yum, Senko, General in that order. My second outing with them produced some Smallmouth catches. I have been wacky rigging them on a 1/0 Eagle Claw weedless hook. Durability... Day one I had a worm rip in two after the second fish. I will save the halves for Ned rigs. Day two I lost 2 worms. One on a cast which surprised me as it was on a weedless hook. Could be my savage casting though. Second worm was lost as I was bringing in a fish. The worm had ridden up the line and went flying when the fish shook. I assume the line cut right through the body. The weight of the worm probably contributed to this. Another observation, make sure you seal the pack properly or it will leak all over your tackle bag.

Awesome job Nolan!

How great is this!

Bought a pack of the General today in watermelon green pumpkin color. Surprisingly it has no scent to my nose. So much better than regular powerbait dead fish garlic scent. I caught 2 Smallmouth on it before my weedless hook tore it in half. I will use the halves for Ned rigs so no waste. You can see the purple pack of worms in my tackle bag. The other Smallie was a pounder. I am happy with my purchase.

I was on the river today trying out my new Whopper Plopper 75. I arrived just after the top water window closed but I tried anyway. Around 9:30 am I switched to a split shot rig, weedless hook and a Z-man Hula Stickz in green pumpkin on my Lew’s Mach II size 100 spinning reel/St Croix Premier med light rod, Suffix Elite 8lb line. Got a dink Smallmouth right away. Kept throwing the same bait for the next half hour, dragging and deadsticking. Around 10am “THUNK” I set the hook and my rod bent over. This was a big fish! Fought like a demon trying to keep her away from rocks and a fallen log. I was praying she stayed on as I was able to drag her ashore on the sandy beach. She weighed in at 3.33 pounds. My new PB Smallmouth Bass from the Hudson River.

When the top water bite is on nothing beats the rush of catching them that way. I use it mostly as a “search and destroy” bait. If a Bass hits and misses the top water, I immediately reach for a soft plastic to throw in the same area.

Bluegill, Bone and Loon. Going to purchase the Munkey Butt and Perch colors next.

I might try that but we have been married over 15 years. She knows all my tricks.

Big Doctor Who fan here. I can see A-Jay as the doctor however he looks more like Doctor Smith from Lost in Space minus the cowardice. Thanks for the review A-Jay. I was close to picking up a pack of the general’s today. My wife gave me the side eye when she saw they were $7 compared to my $2 Dingers. The woes of marrying an accountant.

Sounds great! After losing a Plopper while bank fishing this weekend I am all for The Berkley clone. My plan...purchase a Berkley for bank fishing and my plopper will be strictly for kayak fishing.