Basseditor

How long should I soak bearings? Let’s say in a new reel if I want to use ZPI oil afterwards? Hours? Days? I’ve read that on this model, cleaning new bearings helps. (Daiwa tat 100) But no details were given.

Here in Texas we have the Rio Grande cichlid, which is black with blue spots/accents— especially in the spring. It’s about the size of a bluegill.

When it comes to fishing stuff, you just don’t know if something will go up. Xcalibur XR50 or Paycheck Baits Transporter come to mind.

Thanks for the advice. It’s still in the box, put away. I’m probably going to use it.

I bought a 60th anniversary reel when they first became available. My intention was to put it away and watch if the price might go up in a few years — then sell it at a profit. (Only 3,000 were made, supposedly) TW has it on sale for less than I paid for mine. So much for prices going up ha ha. They still have some in stock and the sale has been going on for a while. This leads me to believe that there is not much demand, nor will there be in the future. I’m torn, save it or just use it now. What would you do?

Wow, many to choose from. I’m going with Senko.

The advice to check out the TPWD ShareLunker information will help. Fish lakes known for big bass and at the best times for highest percentages. However My experience is that my best DDs have come on days when fishing was tough. Sometimes it was the only fish I caught all day. Big bass habitat and habits are different. Here in Texas you have a shot at 6-9 pounders regularly but 10+ is the benchmark that doesn’t happen often. Most of my biggest bass have come on 3 lures: Strike King 6XD, Berkley 10” powerworm and 6” Senkos.

I’ve used 15# Invisx the most, but just tried K9 14 and 15 #. I was pretty impressed with it. Caught some bigs (5-8 lbs) lately with no break offs. I’m afraid to go any lighter line. I know guys use 12# but I’ve had too many break offs with it.

Too bad you’re so far away. I’d let you try one. In the 5H models, I have 3 of the 7’10” — all 2019 series. Of my 3, 7’6” two are the older LE models and one is the 2019 build. I only have one Helium 3, but it’s 3-4 years old. It looks good to me. Between my adult son and I, we have about 100 Kistlers. I have one 7’11” XH, but I rarely use it. It’s no longer a standard model.

I am a 6-inch Senko aficionado. I usually rig it T-rig, but I pitch into some knarly cover much like others use jigs. It’s surprising how well it pitches. I use two rods: 7-6 or 7-10 inch Kistler Zbone 5H! 20- and 25-pound flouro. I have super tuned Daiwa reels to make it easy to pitch. I haven’t tried wacky rig, but it should be fine. Plus, it casts very well with these set ups.

I keep a jersey or two in the boat and put it on when I need to take pictures if I get lucky and catch a big fish. I’m not a pro, but I do have some team deals so I try to represent when possible.

We slayed the Bass last weekend ripping lipless crankbaits out of the grass. It’s been a good year here using them.

I have several ZBones but no Conquests. Can’t help with comparison. Sorry. So, I hear anecdotally about breakage complaints. I don’t know about it first hand. I have been using Kistlers since 2009 or so. I never had one break! zbones have 5-yr warranty. I have the older and newer 2019 ZBones. I really like the 2019s ... a lot.

I usually order 100 mm handles anyway. Lots of sources in aftermarket parts. You can spend from 20 to 100 on them.

Minutes ago I posted in another post “Dropping Dobyns...” Check it out.

What I like about Kistlers is the variety of models and actions. For reaction baits, I like the many options in Argon or KLX. For pitching, I’m using ZBones. Many anglers like rods with faster tips, but I mostly use more moderate tapers. The Helium series is a big seller for Kistler. Most of my Kistlers are ZBones because I like the action, but that’s me. Once I find a model I like I get 2–3 rods of each. I have several Zbone 5H (heavy) in 7’10” (3 each), 7’6” (3 each), and 7’3” (2 each). I’ll be adding another 7-3 soon. They’re paired with some super tuned reels so I get good performance. These rods/reels are great with 20 and 25 pound flouro. I lose fewer fish, if any, with moderate actions. Sign up for email updates on Kistler’s website to get sale notices. They’ve been running sales on various models this month so if there is a rod you like, it may go on sale.

When I find stuff locally I use, I buy it all. but I buy more online my garage has more tackle then the Cabela’s down the street.

Darn it. Daiwa is going to suck more money out of me.

Fun topic. I'm just the opposite. Never go lighter than I have to, and especially no less than 15lb flouro.

Follow up. Plan for big fish by using good equipment and big fish baits (seasonally). I think catching big fish every time I go out. I moved to Texas about 15 years ago. Before then, I only caught a handful of 7 pounders (all smallmouth). Now I “expect” to catch one 6-7 lbs. + every time I go out. I caught a 6+ the last two weekends (6.95 yesterday) between rain storms and minor tornadoes. In other words, pretty poor weather. But nasty weather is a good time for big fish. Having said that, some of my largest bass have come in summer when temperatures were 100 degrees plus. Many, at mid-day when it was sweltering hot with no breeze. I don’t like to fish in either of those conditions, but I can’t argue with the results. Big fish act differently! (My biggest bass almost each of the last 10 years has been at least 8 pounds.)

Not wanting to be a jerk, but the best way to catch a PB, is to go to big fish lakes.

Definitely not a medium heavy. I like to think in terms of the number power rating. The Kistlers 2 powers are light. The 4 power, to me, is pretty heavy for a 4. to keep the number of rods to buy, I only have two 4 powers. therefore I use the 3 and 5 powers the most. The new 2019 Zbone 5 power, 7-10” is a great rod for half ounce. I like the 3 power for up to quarter ounce, but preferably less than that. Even weightless the 3 power fishes great. I prefer the 5 over the 4 power. sorry, for delayed response. I was out of cell range for a few days.

I have the LMH in 7’, 7-3, and 7-6 in ZBones and 6-9 (something near it anyway) in the Helium 3. some were ordered custom with the balance kit. Those don’t feel tip heavy; the others do a little, but I don’t mind. I like them all. No blemishes, no problems, etc. I use Steez on the ZBones and Tatula SV on Helium. I’m still moving reels around looking for the perfect weight combo. Just got the new Steez CT SV to try.

So, I did an inventory of my rods/reels to have for insurance, just in case. I don’t have it in front of me, but there was about 80 Kistler Rods. Mostly, ZBones. In reels, I have more Daiwas than other brands, but I have quite an assortment of reels. Most major brands, but just like I converted all my rods to Kistler (over about 10 years), I’m going to convert to all Daiwa over the next year or two. My favorite combinations are 3 power LMH 7’ to 7’6” Zbone and Daiwa Steez SV TWS.

Suick Muskie lure while Muskie fishing. Even though it was a big bass, I was disappointed at the time. Because I don’t live in Muskie territory now, I’m 100% B.A.S.S.