NYWayfarer

I am currently using Sufix Promix line, 6-10# and I have become quite the fan. I was fishing for Smallmouth this weekend off of a dam. A good 15' I had to lift Smallmouth in the 1# range with 6# test. No stretch, no breaks. It's a solid performer in my book. It runs around $6-$7 for 330 yards. Good budget line.

Such a great rod, nice and stiff. Solid performer that is hardly mentioned here as a budget rod that looks and performs better than it's price range would have you think.

My dad has them but doesn't wear them. At first I thought it was a vanity issue but it turns out he doesn't think they help enough. He has been to the doctor several times to get adjusted. His explanation is that they are terrible with sudden changes in volume and when multiple conversations are going on. It's been very sad to see his hearing deteriorate to the point where we can't have a normal conversation. It frustrates us all. I try to be patient and make my conversations short and to the point so I don't stress us out. Witty banter is a thing of the past.

Today I was using my Lew’s Mach Speed Stick Ned Rig 6’7” medium light spinning rod model#MHNRR With a size 100 spinning reel 6 Lb. Sufix Promix mono I pulled in my biggest LMB of the year and my PB Brook Trout slow rolling a shroomz jighead and a green pumpkin TRD. Ned Rig is versatile. I love it on spring gear on calm waters and lighter jighead. Heavier jigheads and baitcasters in rivers and current.

The fools on Fishbrain told him so... For those that don’t know, it’s an app. Free or pay to play it’s like Facebook for fishing with perks if you pay.

I have caught LMB in the 2lb range on 4# test mono using a size 6 Eagle Claw Aberdeen hook meant for panfish. It’s all in playing the fish until you get him to shore. Using drag, keeping constant tension and fighting the urge to horse the fish in and you can land almost any fish. I watch Professional and YouTube anglers waterski a fish on the surface and think I know why they do it but where is the fun. Landing a big fish on light tackle is one of life’s great joys.

Walmart sells the Lew’s Xfinity spinning combo for $60. It’s a great budget combo. If you can swing a few bucks over your budget, Dick’s has the Mach 2 spinning combo for $99 It’s an aluminum framed reel with a IM6 Rod, Winn grips on rod and reel.

LOL! I thought I was the only one who did this. I use sharpies to cover boat rash on my black reels. To the OP, that kind of damage is unacceptable on a brand new purchase. Return it and get a new one.

If live bait for Bass is legal this time of year for you then use a night crawler with a worm threader. Makes for a natural presentation. You could also use Gulp crawlers.

10# Berkley Big Game on a Lew’s Mach 1 reel, 6’, 10” med/hvy Mach 1 rod, 1/8 oz. Berkley half head jig. Works great.

Z-man's Mudbug color TRD Crawz would be a good match.

Ned rig, tubes and dropshot Roboworms are my go to favorites.

As mentioned above the annual sale is here. Tackle Warehouse has the Lew's Mach 2 Metal Speed Spin on clearance for $49.99 With the sale that brings the reel down to $42 before tax and shipping! As close to half price as anyone can get. -Aluminum body and sideplate -Lightweight high strength C40 Carbon skeletal speed rotor -Stainless steel bail wire -S-curve oscillation system -Lightweight anodized aluminum spool -Quality solid brass pinion gear -Durable stainless steel main shaft -External stainless steel screws -Braid ready knurled spool -Smooth six-disc drag system -Die-cast aluminum handle -Winn Dri-Tec paddle knobs -6.2:1 gear ratio (30+ inches a turn)

American Legacy Fishing & Outfitters Warehouse always has great sales on Lew's combos. Outfitters has the Mach Crush baitcaster combo for $150.00 The Lew's Mach 2 combos are on sale right now at Dick's $30 off brings the spinning combo down to $99 and the Baitcaster down to $140 Sometimes it's a matter of patience. I waited for a Black Friday sale to get my Mach Crush combo for half price.

Am I the only one who opened this thread thinking it was going to be about the steakhouse?

The hull on my Pelican is like construction paper. The only good thing about it is it weighs so little (38 lbs.) I can pick it up and carry it anywhere. It never has to touch the ground.

I have. I ordered a Lew's Mach 2 Ned Rig rod from there May 8th. Received it by UPS last Friday May 17th. They say items usually ship the next day and a tracking number is provided in 2-3 The rod shipped 5 days later on May 13th and that's when I got my tracking number. All emails from this company went directly to my junk mail folder so be aware that is a complaint against them I read online. The rod came in a long rectangular box. The rod itself was wrapped in bubble wrap and was loose inside the box. While it was undamaged, I was worried the box it shipped in was not sturdy like the hard cardboard tubes I have received when ordering rods from tackle warehouse and amazon. It was a gamble I took to get this rod for close to half it's full retail price. Worth it, yes, would I do it again, no.

7.5:1 is a great all around ratio. The 8.3:1 is for getting fish out of cover fast. For $16.34 less I would go with the higher gear ratio. Odd that that reel would be cheaper as the higher ratio is usually more money. Could it be a left handed reel?

And to answer the OP's question, this is a good time to fish for Yellow Perch in Northern NY Bass not so much.

Happy Birthday! It's the same in the Northern Capital Region of NY as well. I have a super shallow pond near my house and I have yet to see a Bass bed. That rules out the deep lakes and rivers around here having beds. I agree we are late this year. The spawn was in full effect this time last year according to my logs.

Me too!

Good to know. I love my Lew's SWAG

Tackle Warehouse has the Lew's Mach 2 Metal Speed Spin on clearance for $49.99 That's $30 off the full price of $79.99 It is one of my favorite spinning reels and a great deal at that price.

"fairly decent" is an understatement for sure.

Megastrike is great for masking scent. Also any Strike King baits that have the coffee/salt scent on them (Ocho's, Dreamshots, Coffee Tubes, etc) If you handle one of them the scent stays on your hands for quite a long time. I carry an Ocho in a Ziploc bag just for that purpose.