Woopee!

[new2BC4bass]

Picked up a Gen 1 Premier over the winter.  Got a spool of cheap fluoro (McCoy Fluoro 100 12#) during Father's Day sale.  Mounted on a custom RX8 spiral wrapped micro guides also purchased over the winter.  Headed to my local practice spot to see how it all performed together.  First couple casts the line was fluffing during the middle of the cast.  Had forgotten to check magnetic brake.  Adjusted.  Casting like a champ.  One click on the spool tension makes quite a difference.  More than I like.

 

I never expect to catch any fish here as it is at the PA 33 boat ramp.  Caught my first fish there a couple weeks ago...13-14" smallmouth...after having tested several combos here over the past couple years.

 

Threw 1/2 oz black spinnerbait approximately half way across river, let lure sink, started to reel.  Darn!  Snagged.  Lifted rod.  Snag came my way.  Good.  Pumped couple more times.  OH BOY.  Snag moved.  Hot dog.  Fish on!    Hadn't even set the hook.

 

I've caught plenty of pickerel over the years and a few Northerns.  This was neither.  I figured a Musky or Musky hybrid.  Young family showed up right after I landed the fish.  Father said a juvenile Musky.  Measured 25 inches.  First Musky I have ever seen in the flesh.  No camera.  No phone.  Dang! 

 

Forgot to use line conditioner.  Figured I'd have some problems with the line, but it handled well for the short time I used it tonight.  Figure on using the rod for bottom contact lures, but didn't want to chance losing any in the river.  Thus the spinnerbait.  Rod was giving good feedback on what the spinnerbait was doing.

 

Drag on the Gen 1 Premier isn't suppose to be very high, but it did well with the one fish I caught tonight.  I don't foresee any lack of power considering the size of the fish it will catch around here............provided it even catches any more.  As I've stated plenty of times, local fishing sucks.

 

It appears this is going to be a good combo.

[tomustang]

Awesome! Bought time you found one in there! And now you know your gear works

[new2BC4bass]

Thanks.  Sure feels great to catch a fish locally.  That is why I enjoy my vacation at relatives in Florida so much.  A chance to catch bass! 

 

I picked up several new (to me) rods and reels over the winter.  Still had a few untried from last year.  I will be down there testing a few more out.  Maybe I'll get lucky again.  One can always dream, and they cost nothing. 

 

I see you are also from the Lehigh Valley.  Mind sharing whereabouts in the Valley?  I'm in Bethlehem Township just off Freemansburg Ave. and about 5-7 minutes (depending on lights and traffic) from the PA 33 boat ramp.

 

I love the classifieds.  Bought this custom built rod for less than the cost of the blank.  Also got the same length/action in a Rainshadow custom built rod.  However, the Rainshadow has standard guides and is not spiral wrapped.  So far I prefer standard guides.  No opinion on spiral wrapping yet.