Bauerus

Hi, I am stuck here in Belize and darn is it warm...been in the mid 80s all week. But got really really cold last night down to 65°F Brrrr Looking forward to hitting the lakes in Michgan later this summer when we head north again. Cheers from the jungles of Belize

Hi all, Anyone using Castaic Jerky Js? I now have some but not sure how to hook them. Off set worm hook? Wide circle? Hook protrudinge from top or bottom? Escaped from Belize and now in Michigan and ready to start fishing.

Does not work with Opera, all temp files cleared on exit always so cache is clean every log in. I can jump directly to the forums and stay in place but when I try HOME it sends me through the revolving door. Sorry to say same issue with IE latest edition and ALL temp. files removed. Any other ideas? Tnx for putting up a superb site. As I head north every year I rely on the tip, tactics and great info shared by all. Cheers from the jungles of Belize PS where is a site to stick a JPG to post on theh site since it will not allow direct uploading? I do not have a "Home page" nor intersted in setting one up.

Thanks all that replied. I scored a new Quantum Energy 760PT on eBay for $122.00 over night. So when I emerge from the jungles here in Belize and hit Michigan it will be waitng for me. Even had the wife's blessing once I showed here the list price of $180.00 From BassPro Shops ;D Now if my rod will be up to the task is the next quesiton... Hmm now I undrstand why the pros have soooo many differnt rigs. You might want a different color Power Worm and do not want to take time to tie one on. Just pick up the pumpkin or maybe the purple worm rig and set down the watermelon LOL. /me

Has anyone purchased a new reel on eBay? Seems like some good prices for Quantum PT Energy reels and others. Are these factory seconds? How can these people sell a reel that retails for ±$180-$190 for < $120? Or is the retail mark up just that huge at regular shops? Almost seem that it would pay to become a "dealer" and buy say 10 reels at wholesale and sell off 9 on eBay and make a profit LOL. Just curious. Cheers from the jungles of Belize

Tnx all. I have used the Fireline for a few years but not sure abot the new Crystal... What is Power Pro?

Hi guys, Anyone out there tried the Berkley FireLine Crystal yet? I like the regular Fireline but wanted to get an idea if anyone has tried this new one. Getting ready to get my budget set for new line and all when we hit Michigan in a few weeks. Tnx

Fell apart in two weeks of use! Not two years. One week of use the first year then the second week the following year finished off.

Hi all, New to the forums. 2 years ago I bought the new U.S. Reel the spinning reel with the large spool and yes my casting distance was awesome. However light weight it was with the carbon fiber body etc. it turned out to be a truly "Light Weight" reel. I used it for my annual fishing trip to northern Michigan all of about 2 weeks and about 4 hours per day. That completely wore it out and the bearings, what there was of them, such as they were, completely cratered. As did the bushing material. My wife indicated we had no "fishing budget" to buy a new one last year. For the second year I tried everything to resuscitate it to no avail and in the end returning it to the factory. I have not seen it yet, but they sent a replacement. Clearly the admonishments in the books by Grigsby and VanDam et al. hold up. Buy reels with quality bearings, don[ch8217]t look for bargains. Although on my meager budget $150 this was not a bargain reel, it turned out to be a true light weight. :-/ Now I am shopping for a new reel and will be looking for something that will last longer that the U.S. Reel. The Zebco spin casting reels form less than $30 lasted longer then the U.S. Reel.

I am getting ready for my annual northern Michigan fishing excursion. Last year one a small inland lake in northern Michigan I was going after smallmouth where the previous year I caught the 3rd largest smallie reported that year for eh state. Most of he big ones were caught near dusk and just after dark in August. Last year using a black Jitterbug just as the lure hit the water I has a hit that snapped the 10 lb test braided line. It was just dark enough I could not see anything but what I heard was like a cinder block hitting the water. I was able to retrieve the lure and about 50 of line the next day as it was floating on the surface. For the next 4 nights I had new line and continued trying with surface baits. I was continually getting short strikes and explosive hits that essentially just knocked the lure in the air but never hooked any of these big one. Having fished the area for eh past 15 years I have not previously experienced anything like this. For my spinner baits I use trailing hooks and trimmed skirts and that avoids short strikes. Any ideas form those of you with more experience? I am suspecting size of lure may have been the problem. I lost my small black Jitterbug and the only black Jitterbug replacement locally available was the larger size. I am assuming that the lure was simply too big form eh small mouths, assuming that what was hitting the lure. I suspected Moby Pike, but then Pike rarely miss if they hit my lures and I lost far too may lures last year to huge unwanted pike. Thanks for any feed back. I have a few weeks to continue planning before I leave Belize and head north for the real fishing.