KeyWestJoe

Thanks folks... It sounds like I might be over thinking it. I have that habit. I must be doing it right afterall. I tried using straight flouro a couple of times when I first started out and it was a disaster. That was before I ever used bait casters. I'll have to play around with it now that I use them.

Hey all... thanks for the help and advice so far. I've only been fishing seriously for a couple three seasons, so I've got a lot to learn. A lot. One thing I've wondered and couldn't find a consensus on is how much tension to put on the spool of new line as I'm loading up a reel - either a spinner or bait caster. I know there are a lot of things to keep in mind when it comes to line type and reel type, but no one ever gives info on how much tension to use. You can buy line spoolers, or have the tackle shop spool you up, but that leaves a lot of variables... not every spooler is the same, they don't all use the same springs\tensioners, their age, etc. I made my own but it has no real tension so I keep the line between my fingers and hold onto it with just enough force to keep the line straight. I'd say it's a moderate force... the line is not loose on the reel. I seem to have good success doing it that way. I usually run a new spool of line under a warm water before I put it on a reel. And I have the line come off the new spool either off the top or off the bottom depending on reel type also. This year I'm going to use a lot more flourocarbon. Talk about glutton for punishment. Do different line types (braid, flouro,mono) require a different tension? Does the reel type dictate line tension? If I'm not using line conditioner, does that change how much tension I spool it on with even if I run it under warm water first? I could buy a line spooler, but they're not all the same. Thanks

Yeah, I hit that Crowfield pond a lot. My folks live in Crowfield. A couple guys trolled by us in a small boat...they were circling the shoreline. They didn't have any luck either. Just chocking it up to poor time of year. I'll be back! ?

I got into Ugly Stiks originally because of their price, and their quality feel before even using one. Been buying GX2's ever since! But from what I've heard they're not what they were years ago. People complain about the guides being cheap and wearing out quicker than the original GX2's. I have to admit that mine do show grooves in the first guide after only a season of use. Thats with mostly 10lb mono line and a thousand casts. But for the price, well... They can be on the heavy side though... I wish they were lighter. I use Med\H. Fast rods. I have a few 6.6' Ugly Stiks and a few 7.0'. The 7.0' rods (both casting and spinning) have amazing sensitivity. I've never broken a GX2, and I beat the crap out of my gear. I'm really hard on my gear and they've held up great.

Well... skunked. Tried a couple different areas with no luck. I guess it's been really dead lately. I threw everything I had at the water. I tried!

Thanks BigRed1977 The pond I'm talking about is in Crowfield Plantation in Goose Creek. I know there's tons of ponds all over the place but I'm afraid to just walk up somewhere and step on someone's toes. Actually the Pinopolis area is the first place I took my boat out just before bringing it up to NY. I'll find a couple spots...it's been a month since I got a line wet!

Oh yeah...know all about them. ? Been cat fishing around there a long time ago and we'd play with them from the boat. Chuck mullet at them. Watched half a deer disappear in front of us one time. The subdivision my folks live in has a big pond and there's a couple in there too...they like to chase your lure. At least there used to be gators in it. Unfortunately I don't think there's any fish in it... I've never seen anyone catch anything there, and I've never caught anything. I'll be careful...

Thanks The Reel Ess and Koz. We usually surf or pier fish when we stay on the island(s), but I'd rather be out on a boat doing that type of fishing. Too much competition on the piers. I'd rather bass fish this time. And visit the Shimano factory. I'll definitely check that spot out Koz. Looks promising. EDIT: Just mapped it...it's not far from one of my fathers doctors. I know right where that is...that whole area on both sides of Alt. 17 looks good. Thanks!

Hey all, I have a short trip to SC the first week of December. I'll be in the Moncks Corner \ Goose Creek \ Summerville area. I won't have the boat with me and I'd love to do some fresh water fishing to keep from being bored. Are there any places that might produce that I can legally bank fish within an hours drive? Are there spots on Moultrie where I won't get chased off? Or decent areas around Charleston that would be worth trying? I'm gonna assume being December that I'll need to go for the reaction bite and fish fast and cover lots of water. I know I can fish the Ashley or the Cooper but I won't have all the tackle I need, or any place I can access them that I know of. Are there any bass (or any fishing) guide services in the area I can take advantage of in December? I brought all my gear home so depending on where I can go will dictate whether I bring any gear with me or not... I'll be flying down. Thanks!