The Bassman

Tom's advice is real good. To that I'll add the lipless crankbaits you mentioned. They're my go to when the wind's up. They cast great, too.

Don't know how the fishing would be but I'd bet you could do some serious frog gigging.

And don't forget Homer Circle. He was my favorite. Had some funny lines. (no pun intended)

Looks like where I used to fish below Westfield Blvd. spillway at the mouth of Williams Creek. Had some 50 fish days there in the spring in years past.

Then buy lots of tackle so you can reminisce 40 years from now.

This was actually my first reel coupled with a Garcia Kingfisher rod handed down by my dad. I was probably 8 or 9 and incidentally it was a Christmas present, too. I didn't care that it was used. It made me feel very grown up.

My first quality gear was a Mitchell 300 on a brown Garcia Conolon 6'6" rod. Christmas 1970. Couldn't wait to spool it up with blue Trilene that came in the twin spool pack.

Had mentioned in another topic about a friend's little girl fishing with us using a plastic worm gobbed live bait style. She caught fish! Sometimes I think we overthink. (BTW I fish senkos T-rigged w/bullet weight also.)

Here in IN a freshwater drum is a white perch. Boy are we confused.

I enjoy using my Shimano Aldebaran 50 paired with a Loomis Classic Bass 722 IMX. I bank fish so the 6' rod works best for me. Right now I'm spooled with 10 lb. Big Game but I like to try different ones. Red Eye is one among several lipless that I use. I spin fish a lot and do well with a #5 Rippin' Rap.

Thanks for the write up. Can't believe I missed this yesterday. Always enjoy objective input.

Really nice pic. I'm considering this reel. Give us a review. Thnx.

Saw the wind yesterday as an opportunity and jumped on some lipless action on one of my favorite ponds. I only fished for 45 min. after working in the morning close by. Nonstop action including one close to 5 lb. No wind today but gave it a go in one customer's retention pond. Couldn't keep the dinks off my bait but managed to catch my best in many years on a 9" bass that hit my crank. The fish had to be close to 7 lb.! Even the little guy survived the ordeal. Makes me want to take up swimbaiting.

Sounds great! I'm going to go against popular thinking a little bit, though. I've found gear ratios above 7 to be too fast for me. Some cranks like wakebaits and spinnerbaits want to roll over. I think this 7:1, 8:1, etc. are more marketing. Guys that fish contact baits will certainly disagree. An outfit dedicated to heavier apps. will do better with a modest 6:1 ratio. At one time 6:1 was unheard of. Just had to stir the pot. LOL

I've got mine in the past from Big Green Fish. He lists the reel you mentioned. Smoooth Drag (not misspelled) is another one.

They most definitely add pressure if run dry or with minimal grease and last forever. Composite washers like dartanium deteriorate into a mass of goo. I don't know about other manufacturers but Shimano has moved away from them.

Closest I can think of is Blue River near Fredricksburg and Milltown but it's way east of you. Supposed to be some of the best smallmouth water in the state. Right now would be prime time.

I've been cranking since early Sept. and doing pretty well. Granted, I'm fishing smaller waters where location isn't as difficult and fish are easier to catch. I really enjoy moving baits over contact when I can.

If I'm not mistaken I think Shimano's intent is to leave all four brakes on and adjust with the dial. Keep cast control tension minimal. The point made earlier to not snap cast is good advice. I just lightly roll cast sidearm. That said, some lures just catch the air wrong and you have to be quick with the thumb. Hope this helps.

I've got the Ald. 50. Just got in from some lively UL lipless action. Absolute pleasure fishing in combo with Loomis IMX 722.

Just messin' with you. Very healthy solid fish.

I wouldn't give that frog 8 oz. Oh, you mean the bass. Depends on how far your arm is stretched out.

Very true. I catch more fish with fewer baits on hand. That said, what's the fun in not having more toys?

Sounds like you've got a real good situation. Options are limitless. The wacky worm suggestion is pretty foolproof. Your spinnerbaits and chatterbait would be great too. The cranks would be effective if you can get them past the snags. They'll deflect off of bigger stuff and trigger strikes. The soft jerks are good too. Lots of choices. Have fun and let us know how you do.

Anybody getting e-mails like a couple of weeks ago concerning login? I'm fine since I followed prompts to add my signature but I keep getting the e-mail.