NYWayfarer

Try the Zebco Cajun lines. Smooth Cast Cajun red and clear Bayou blue or Anti-Abrasion in Gator green. it's cheap line that is infinitely better than that South Bend or Omniflex line.

I would rather buy something new on sale than buy anything used. The only items I would consider buying used are things that are not in production anymore.

Great news for Lew’s and KVD I eagerly await the Mach KVD combos they will be releasing for Icast 2020 (That’s my prediction)

Hope it goes well and you are back on your feet soon.

I am hoping this is nothing serious and you are back to normal soon.

Lew’s Mach 2 Speed Spin. Aluminum framed spinning reel. Smooth and tough.

Love a good in-line spinner. Mepps is one of my favorite brands up there with Panther Martin and Blue Fox.

I have reels and rods from many of the brands out there. Abu, Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum, Pflueger, Kastking, Lew's, Powell, St. Croix, Denali, etc. I gravitate towards my favorite brands but I like trying new things from other companies

Have a safe trip and great luck. Can’t wait to see the vids. It’s not in the cards for me and my crew this year. Hopefully soon enough where our bodies are in good enough shape we can actually enjoy the experience.

Hahahahhahahahhahhhahahahaha! (Joker laugh) No such thing as beating the bait monkey...

My wife and mother in law go garage sale shopping on the weekends. My wife will report back to me when she sees fishing stuff so I can go take a look.

One of the posts I wish I can love more than once. i had a rod break in a door frame to my garage before I could use it once. Never had that happen with reel. I can’t imagine a scenario where that would happen with a reel. i can only imagine when someone says “they don’t have. Lot to spend” they are talking about purchasing something in the $30 to $70 range. That’s in the range I like to spend on rods regardless of the fact that I have rods that cost way more. Thats my assumption and if I am wrong it’s up to then OP to tell me so.

Awesome deal. I didn’t mention it but I bought my normally $100 Lew’s LFS for $70 on clearance sales for last years model. A decent graphite rod will transfer all the sensations you need. I find watching your line more important than how much the rod costs. I was Smallmouth fishing today and noticed my line moving in a different direction way before I felt the bite in my IM7 graphite rod.

Amen! quality reel first, then rod IMO. For example I have a $100 Lew’s LFS that I brought on my July vacation to Florida. Packed it in my luggage. When I arrived down there I made a quick trip to Bass Pro to purchase a $25 Berkley Cherrywood casting rod. I was set for the rest of the trip. Rods are the weak link in the chain. I have broken mine in doorways, car doors, ceilings or bumping them on rocks or the ground. I rarely spend more than $100 for a rod for that reason.

I use the regular size and baby. Texas Rigged, Ned Rig, or used as a trailer. I am sure the magnum has it place but I am satisfied with the other two in my arsenal.

Same here. When she does go away for a few days my usual 1-2 hour fishing trips become 6-8 hour ones. As far as night fishing goes, carry plenty of bug repellent. I would also bring a high powered flashlight, 120 lumens or above. If you don't have one already get yourself a Jitterbug lure. One of the best night-time fishing lures out there.

That sounds like you have a knot in the line on your spool. Pull line out until you get to the knot. Try to get the knot out if you can't you might have to cut it.

I agree. I wear a pair of nitrile gloves underneath my Kastking Sol Armis gloves in October in November up here. December through March I go into hibernation so no need for gloves.

I am sure the companies on the jersey will appreciate the free advertising. How many of us walk around with a Strike King or other bait, tackle, rod or reel companies ball cap? Same free advertising.

I noticed the same thing. I assume it is to keep the cost and weight down on the BC combos. The Mach Crush is the same way, Aluminum frame on the spinning reel and carbon frame on the BC. The Custom Black combos are the only ones that the spinning and BC reels are both aluminum. I have both of the Mach II combos, spin and BC. I picked up the BC combo at the clearance price of $99 at DSG. I have been using it exclusively since I bought it, I like it that much. It casts great, is nice and light and I like the smaller Winn grip knobs as opposed to the larger knobs on my Mach Crush BC or the paddle knobs on my Tournament MB or LFS' Normally I like aluminum framed reels but $99 for a $180 combo was to good to pass up. As far as the aluminum body spinning version goes, I highly recommend it. Second season with it and it performs like the day I purchased it.

Never forget!

I can vouch for the Z-Man TRD Crawz. In clear water I have seen Sunfish grab them by the claws, tug and run with them. I have not lost a claw to one yet.

Same here. I hate the mess. I will carry a wet and a dry rag just for cleaning my hands before handling my reel after baiting my hook with a crawler. I will catch a dozen Panfish to every Smallmouth In my local creek.

Columbia makes great products. I have jackets and coats from them that have lasted for years.

I stock up on baits I know I use regularly when they go on sale. Things like TRD's and Yum Dingers are on my peg board in bulk. I do like to try new baits. I have shoe boxes full of soft plastics that didn't work as well for me as I would have liked. It makes me look like a tackle junkie but I am not.