Big-Bass

Welcome!

What rod are you using for the baits? Thanks for the heads up on the hooks.

Isn't there an old school 4-5' Slider rod that Charlie created with a Tennessee grip? Can't imagine a short rod like that now for bass.

Thanks Tom. I typically use InvizX but figured this might be worth a try.

Have you seen the new Zillion HD reels? Based off the newer Zillion, they are pretty sweet!

How do you like the Savage Gear Bluegill? I saw them a few weeks ago before the Sleeper Gill came out and am curious. Thanks.

I purchased some 4lb. Basix and put it on a little trout combo and I can say that this line is pretty darn manageable and seems to be a decent quality for the price I got it for online. Does anyone have any experience with 12lb.+ on baitcasting gear and can offer any insight? Thank you.

And the new red knobs lol. Still, a fun little reel that is affordable.

The St. Lawrence is a great fishery but the fish will be all over as far as spawn and post spawn. The best bet is to search around, learn the waters, enjoy the time spent, and hopefully catch some great fish! Best wishes on the water!

Casting: SV103XS and SV103H (also the Megabass IP68) Spinning: Luvias Airity LT 4000CXH and Certatat LT 4000CXH

How old in the crankin' stick?

Very limited Abu/DaySprout 100th Anniversary Cardinal 3 CDL w/ 24k gold plating. A very nice reel.

Which Smallmouth rods do you have? I love my ET Smallmouth 6'9" ML XF spinning rod.

Anyone have any more info on these? They seem to be spec'd very similar to the old ET Smallmouth series. https://www.purefishing.com/products...39761655103621

I was actually researching the rod and forgot about the 2008 one I got (which is since no longer in my possession). I found it funny that I bought another. I cleaned up the Citica this morning and it literally looks brand new.

Adding a response to a really one old... Today at a flea market I picked up a 5'6" Mitchell Fulcrum casting rod with a pistol grip handle that has an extension to the handle like a modern split grip. The rod is 5'6" and rated for 1/4-1oz. It came with a really nice Shimano Citica 200B reel. Grand total: $5 I had to share since I posted many years ago about a similar rod and good price.

Good luck with your new boat.

1974 Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5500C. Simply cleaned with an aftermarket handle.

In 1952 with the introduction of the Abu Ambassadeur 5000 (red reel), the modern baitcasting reel was using a 3.8:1 gear ratio. It had bushings and I have some from the 1950s and 1960s that I collect that can still launch a bait but are very slow in retrieve by modern standards. In about 1966, Abu released the 5000C (black reel) that just featured bearings instead of bushings. In 1972, Abu launched the high speed 5500C in at 4.7:1 with the circular right plate sticker that said "High Speed" and it was the quickest reel at the time. Even the first Lew's made by Shimano in the late 70s had a 3.8:1 gear ratio until Lew Childre moved production to Ryobi in the early 1980s and they upped the gears to 4.7:1. They made BB1, then BB1N, then BB1NG (gold), then BB1NGH (gold high which came in 5.3:1). With the narrow "V" spool of the Lew's, the IPT increased even though the gear ratio didn't. Throughout the 1980s, Daiwa, Shimano, and then later Abu used 5.3:1 reels in their lineup as their speedier models. One exception was made in 1987/88. Daiwa introduced the PT33SH which was 7.1:1 and stayed in production until 2015/2016. It was fast but didn't have alot of power in the gearing. 6.3:1 became a mainstay in the early 1990s with Daiwa's TD1Hi and TD1Hi Tournament reels. Abu had the Pro Max, Black Max, SM round reels in 1600, 3600, 5600, and 6600 that all "caught up" with 6.3:1. Shimano had the Chronarch, Curado, Coriolis, etc. In the early 2000s, 7:1 reels were the new hot thing until they became "average speed in the early 2010s with 8, 9, and now 10:1 reels. Sorry for the history lesson but anything in the 5.3:1 - 8:1 will cover all most all bases for all baits. Best wishes on the water!

I am curious to see how opinions may have changed and/or stayed the same in the last five years? What are your thoughts? Thanks and best wishes on the water!

2500CDL

Excellent reel. Welcome to the realm of Abu round reels!

Looks like BPS in Harrisburg.

Did you order one? I am sure if you did it isn't here yet but I held one at a local Cabela's and it was nice. Let me know your thoughts when it arrives. Looks like it's the JDM 3000SH (US 30) at The Hook Up. What's the difference between the JDM 3000SH and 3000MSH? Thanks!

I picked up a Fenwick 505 5' Medium pistol grip casting rod. Combine that with an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 1500C or 2500C and it's a fun little outfit. Or even add a Black Max or Pro Max 1600C in the mix! Not going to replace 7'+ rods by any means, for for a local farm pond and finesse bass stuff, it should be fun.