The Bassman

I use little Flambeau Tuff Tainers for my terminal tackle. I have different boxes for different applications. I bank fish so they're handy for carrying in my pocket if I'm not wearing my vest.

I've had some real fun with Baby 1 Minus on the ponds I fish.

The HMG's I've picked up felt counterbalanced already. They feel very tip light but specs are heavier than similar rods with the same lengths and action.

Honestly, I like knowing what's going on with my bait as well. Tried the wandering no feel thing and really felt disconnected. Works for Ned Kehde evidently.

Ned.

Just saw your post. Looks like we're transitioning from winter tactics to spring. I'm starting to get them on chatterbaits and paddletail swimmers. Ned always works but I'm kind of ready for different methods after doing the finesse thing all winter. Have caught over 200 bass since early Dec. up to 5 lb. (most under 2). Best of luck.

Really didn't know much beyond Mepps spinners and Rapalas when I was a teenager wading creeks. I need to revisit that.

Tell that to @Bluebasser86's dog.

I'm actually somewhere in the middle. USDM too much, JDM not enough. I considered a Stradic 2000 CI4+HGS but all of Shimano's JDM shallow spools are too much so. Not enough capacity for anything except for low test braid.

Definitely want to stick with braid on that spool. Really shallow. Japanese are big on that. I never really understood their benefit on spinning reels.

Gonna give the Fat Ika a try this summer. Found them on E-Bay. I hear the best way to fish them is t-rigged backwards and weightless.

I just bought some Parasite clips and weighted clips that I'm going to try for this and T-rigging worms. Heard about them in another thread. Should prolong the life of soft baits.

I'm giving Sufix Advance a try on some of my BC. Will see if it's the best of both worlds like it's marketed. I'm like @Scott Fas far as spinning goes. Just can't improve on straight braid because of its manageability and casting distance.

Really something to consider. And I fish small lakes. Fortunately all bass don't spawn at once so I would think that one could focus on deeper water techniques.

Recently saw a Scott Martin episode where he was fishing with his dad. Roland couldn't turn around without having a Favorite logo displayed on something. Money talks and Roland Martin is exhibit A. Remember U.S. reels?

That's what I understand it to be. Would be perfect size for most applications. I'd get one at that price except that I've got too much now.

I foul hooked a good sized carp the other day. I just make believed I was at my buddys' in Fla. fighting reds. It's all fun.

Return it.

Probably not. A wobbly rotor sounds like a loose rotor nut. Would also mess with the handle rotation. What reel is it?

I know you're kidding but there is one thing different about it. I ordered a 90 mm handle with the bigger knobs from the XG. Smoothest reel I've ever handled. I'm trying some Sufix Advance to see if the hype's true.

When the going gets tough the tough get going. It's 42 here and I'm going fishing. "Bundle up" and get out. Actually it was 70 here a couple of days ago but those temps just show up briefly this early. The bird chatter is picking up. Spring's coming.

I stick with light braid for spinning. Being a shore fisherman distance is important. The very occasional tangle is offset by the benefits.

I'm mostly a spin fisherman but this one's special.

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Had the same issue with my 2500. Absolute pain to deal with. That tiny nylon washer is almost impossible to remove. For all the good things I've said about these reels this issue is a real nuisance.