The Bassman

Read it was going to use the core solid frame like the Bantam but in a lighter package.

I've been going on about how good this winter fishing is. Yesterday was cloudy, breezy, and made it to the fifties. Results: four 12 inchers in four hours and those came in 45 min. after I gave up and fished a couple of ponds just before I got home. That's what makes this sport so fascinating. Other times when conditions don't seem to favor success I have some of my best outings. Tried to get the fish to tell me why but didn't get any feedback.

You're gonna love that combo. I've got three with the last gen CI4's. FWIW I use a lot of 832 and the stuff runs stronger than other braids. Drop down to 15 at the most and you'll get a lot better casting distance.

Pretty sure that wouldn't be doable in an older reel with ratchet anti reverse. Some guys prefer that feature for some applications.

Fourteen bucks on a LC Pointer. All my other baits are under 10.00. I know I wouldn't be enjoying myself while chucking something any more expensive.

I strip mine by hand. I keep enough backing on my reels that I rarely top shot more than 60-70 yards. By the time I respool, I'm down from that. Just use braid so time doesn't dictate respooling either.

Don't know what the water temp was but that warm up and rain two weekends ago definitely put me on a spring bite. Hefty fish hitting lipless hard. This was a large HOA lake that's mostly shallow so temps probably change quicker.

Caught four 5+ this year. Two came on chatterbaits, one on a Zoom finesse worm, and the most recent on a Ned rig. Caught many 4's, several coming on a Fat Ika, others on a number of things, my favorite being an Azuma Wake-Z wake bait.

Welcome. With that resume' you'll be a good source of input. I need all the help I can get.

Two days of wind and low 30's. New Year's day: low 40's and sun. Gonna try to get that Jan. bass on the books right away.

It's 1:00 AM here, I'm looking at this and can't have it. Now that's not fair.

It's a very cost effective idea. I've got three Stradics with spare spools that I rotate. Not sure if you're speaking of spinning or casting. Depending on the reel either can be pricey but certainly cheaper than another reel.

Wish I knew a shop here that turned rotors. Any more they all say they have to be replaced because by the time the pads are worn the rotors are too thin. Nice smallies, too. I miss creek wading for them.

Search In-Fisherman crappie. Lots of info. Welcome to BR.

I don't give up on anything. Baits just go into hibernation then I "rediscover" them. Seems everything has its moment. It's all in my head, not the bass's.

Experienced a very good bite this afternoon. Seemed more like early spring than late Dec. Fished a large neighborhood lake near me that has a shad forage base. Shad were splashing on top and bass were eating my small lipless crank. Caught 5 between 2-4 lb. and several smaller. Good way to close out 2019. Like Sinatra sang it's been a very good year.

I carry stuff in my pockets most of the time since I fish on foot. Can't remember how many times things have come up missing.

Agreed. Lots of good stories here, Mike. Hope it doesn't take attention away from the thread.

No coal but got a new stick for myself, a JDM Zodias for right at 100.00 shipped. Absolute steal.

That would be the drive shaft bearing and I believe they're pretty much universal in size (5x9x3mm) You should be able to get it cheaper (Shimano charges 6.00 shipping, too). Try Dad's Ole Tackle, Conroe TX. Easy to bring up on Google. He'll have it and it should be cheaper. Kinda surprised that the Casitas had a bearing instead of a bushing. Bushing would be real cheap and serve just fine. Hope this helps. Edit: Schematic is calling it a spool shaft bearing but it is in fact the drive shaft bearing. Don't mean to refute Shimano but it looks like a goof on their part. Spool shaft bearings are bnt 4343.

fishshop.shimano.com. Sounds like you're talking about the A/R roller bearing BNT 2396. Check the schematic under low profile reels drop down menu.

Both are great. If you're having knot issues with XL then you will with Stren.

Nice pose. Looks like a DD.

Six pounder in the making.

Well, I guess you can't have a forum site without trolls. (I can dis Santa's elves cause I already got my Christmas stuff.) Merry Christmas!