DaubsNU1

I would have exactly the same baitcasting reels that I have currently... Because I know myself... Step one: get the baitcaster of my dreams Step two: decide I need more than one "dream" baitcaster... Step three: decide I need a few "dream" spinning reels to compliment said baitcasters... Step four: well, with all those new reels...time for rod upgrades... Step five: time to upgrade electronics... Step six: thinking about a new trolling motor...can you say "Ulterra"?? Step seven: time for a new outboard... Step eight: well hell, while I'm at it...let's just order up a new boat(!) Step nine: time for a new truck. Strike that...already driving the "dream" truck Step ten: Headline: "Man stabbed in neck by wife after unapproved shopping spree" : )

Bass are simple creatures, with a very small brain. As a fisherman, I tend to over-think situations a lot...and need to remind myself of the statement above. Why would a bass hit a spinner-bait, a beetle spin, Mepps, Rapala, jig, Senko, Slug-Go, Jitterbug, Zara Spook...I don't know for sure. What I do know, is lure manufactures are always coming up with newer | better | flashier | more basic | brighter | darker | etc. | etc. | etc...They are businesses...and their primary objective is to make $$$. Want to catch fish...get a slip-bobber, shiner or minnows, toss out...sit back...get ready. Pretty simple.

Congrats! Impressive!!!

Weekly Wednesday night fishing trip with my Brother and 80 year old Dad... Pulled up on our spot and started throwing the Senko weightless...hammered them two weeks ago with this lure. But today the wind was blowing and I was having tough time fishing it... So pegged a small bullet weight, and essentially T-rigged it. Fish were not hitting it, as much as they were just grabbing the Senko and swimming off...luckily I saw the line move and set the hook... PLINK...broke off at the braid-to-leader knot : ( Tied on new lure, kept fishing, switched to a NED rig...and about an hour later hooked a nice bass. Boated the Largemouth, pulled my NED out, and amazed to see my Senko | hook | bullet weight in his throat(!) He went just over 3 lbs. And I got my lure back! HA!

All my rods are Cabela's branded, save one Berkeley MH bait-caster. Shimano spinning and bait-casting reels, one Cabela's branded spinning reel. All but one were were purchased between 1991 and 2000. Have replaced a few tips and guides through the years. They perform wonderfully...I have no desire to fish anything else.

I've had some friends have difficult experiences with big $$ items on eBay. If it were me, I would check with Minn Kota first, to make sure the warranty would be valid / honored through the vendor (eBay seller). Last thing you want is to plunk down $3k+, have the unit need service...and have it denied by Minn Kota authorized service center. I have purchased and sold a lot of stuff on eBay...all previously used, no warranty.

^^ Great advice here! ^^ I tore apart a bait-caster a few years back...installed drag washers incorrectly.... Should have been like this, they have a slight curve to them ) ( I had them like this ) ) Couldn't figure out why my drag was not working properly....(may have had something to do with my old eyes...) Anyway, took apart, re-assembled the correct way...all was good.

Dad taught me how to take things apart...clean...and re-assemble...from fishing reels, electronics, Chevy 350 V8, etc. Taught myself how to build computers (this was all before YouTube and the internet). Search YouTube, I'm sure you will find videos to help. Other thing Dad taught me...get the best equipment you can afford...buy once / cry once...

I clean as needed (rarely), and disassemble and lubricate once a year (usually in the winter when it's snowing...and I need to do something fishing related). Aside from that, no action needed. All my reels are 25+ years old.