Ballpark Frank

I know what you mean, I love it too. Other than one BC with flouro and one spinning with braid, all of my other bass reels are spooled with Big Game 15#. I have tried a ton of different mono lines and none performed like the BG.

If you guys remember a little while back, my wife bought me a Quantum Code just because she heard me mention it. Well today when I got home from work, there was a Citica 200D box sitting on my dresser. The day after Mother's Day and she buys me something. She has heard me talk about getting a Citica for a least 2 months, and I would never get one. So much for that. All she said was that now that I have the boat back, she and I (without the kids) are going fishing this weekend. I thank God each day for bringing this woman into my life!!!!!!

I too am a bluegill hunter. There is nothing like a slab gill on an UL, then in the frying pan. The only place I have ever found really good information on bluegill is in the Game and Fish(state specific), and In-Fisherman magazines. Their websites have archived articles that are easy to search and printable. Sometimes Crappie World has good articles about other panfish as well. Hope this helps.

My family has been playing PS2 and PSP for several years. We are wanting to get a new gaming system, but can't decide which one, the Xbox 360 or Wii. The Wii's interactive capability is really cool, but I think we might get tired of it. The Xbox seems to have a better selection of games and availability. I have played the Rapala fishing and MLB on the Wii, and loved it. Their system prices(if you can find a Wii) and game prices seem to be comparable. If anyone has any experience with them, or has a preference for one, please give your advice and reasons. Thanks

I have thought about getting one myself. Tackletour had some pretty good things to say about them. www.tackletour.com/reviewbpxpstravelrod.html

Nothing is better than natural for cats. For channels, use shad(or bluegill if legal) cut-bait. For blues, use live shad or cut. For flatheads, a decent sized live bluegill. I have tried all concoctions, stinkbaits, dipbaits, worms, hotdogs, cheese, chicken livers, etc. and nothing works like real fish.

I agree with you Micro. I have handled/played with the 400 and 1000, and was far from impressed. I have handled $20 Shakespeare reels that felt better and were smoother than the Ardents.

From what I understand, the Premier and Triumph are essentially the same graphite. The difference other than cosmetic is that the Premier is made in the US and the Triumph is made in China. I have 2 Premier rods, one spinning and one casting, and like them both. The problem with me is, I suffer from an addiction called GLoomism.

Go for it, Red. I have been thinking about a Pflueger Supreme or President myself. They feel great and look incredible. I know they have had excellent reviews. Although Quantum(in the past it was Abu) seems to be dominating my tackle collection right now, I want to get a sampling of each of the major companies. Pflueger is next on my list.

That wood looks great. I have couple of fly rods with wood handles that I love. What kind of woods are you using, looks like some purple heart in there.

X3

I fished a 5'6" Pistol Grip Lightning rod for a long time, until my daughter took it over. Now my favorite short rod is a G.Loomis GL3 CR723(6' MH) with a Quantum Energy PT. I liked the pistol grip, but have figured out that the straight grip is alot less stressful on the hand and forearm. I fish alot from the bank and this rod is perfect for it. I like the accuracy that the short rod has, and the ability to avoid trees and brush from the bank. It has become my car rod for pull-over fishing and when I get off work on midnights. I also have a 6' St.Croix Premier spinning with a Symetre 2500 that is a great little rod for light lures.

Zoom Japanese Bluegill

Thanks Micro for passing this along!

My 783 IMX is my magic wand. It is the one rod that is always with me on a trip. I use it primarily for jigs and t-rig plastics, but when needed I use it for everything. Like a few others, if you have the money, go ahead and get it in GLX.

I personally love my Quantums(Accurist CXs,PTs, and PTS). I have had no problems at all with these reels. Now that I have switched to LH crank, I am using Revos, but will be getting some LH Quantums. I do find it odd how disliked Quantum is on this forum. They have alot of pros on their staff that I look up to and respect, both Bass and Saltwater. I can't believe that they would sign on for inferior products. KVD has been with them for a very long time, and always speaks about how happy he is with Quantum.

I just recently switched to LH cranking due to nerve and muscle issues with my left hand. The only problem I have experienced is trying to remember not to swap the rod to my left hand after the cast , which with a left hand crank can hurt a little. > I have only been using LH crank for a couple of weeks, but other than the above, I have had no problems. I am actually finding that I can work a worm/lizard/craw, better with the right arm.

Cockroach, welcome to the forum. A 5600WS spool will fit a 5000 series C3,C4,or C5. You got me curious, so I took the spool from my 5600WS and tried it on all three. I would have tried the Record 50 spool, but it is in Alaska with my brother for a couple months. I suspect it will still fit in the others, although as Micro noted, part numbers are different. As far as different colors, I have never seen different colors available in the wiffle spool(just the 5600 gold and the Record baby blue).

With the current TW sale, I am going to go ahead and get a Citica or Curado(or maybe 2). I had decided on the Citica 200D, but now that I have switched to left hand crank, I am considering the Citica or Curado 100. Does anyone have a picture of of a 100 side by side with a 200.

Silstar is the originator/manufacturer of Pflueger/Shakespeare, Pinnacle, and BPS reels in the North American market. They also make reels for many companies in Europe.

It's on 8 out of 10 reels, 12# to 40#. What type of reel are you putting it on? Big Game has memory, but it has never been a problem for me. I use Big Game for almost all of my fishing.

I don't drink much whiskey, but when I do, it is Bushmill's Original or Black Bush. I have acquired a taste for good vodka over the paste few years and primarily drink Chopin neatly. I also have a soft spot for a dirty martini (Beefeaters only).

I am back to using Revos again, picked a LH S and SX yesterday. I had another visit with my nerve doc Thursday and he recommended switching my crank hand. He doesn't want to operate on my left hand/wrist, and thinks that switching will help with the cramping and numbness. I have been considering this for awhile, but I have always casted right and cranked right. I took the new Revos out this morning for a several hours of fishing. Other than getting used using the rod in my right hand(which is how I use spinning gear anyway), I had a good day. I caught 11 total, ranging from dink to about three pounds. The best thing is, I had no problems with my left hand. I did make one interesting discovery also. I have never really been able to tell a difference between G.Loomis GLX and IMX graphite as far as feel is concerned. Well I can now. I had not realized that the numbness in my left hand is as severe as it is. Today, I could feel everything that the lure touched and especially every little nibble by the bass. It is going to take a while to get completely used to cranking with my left, but I think my fishing will improve alot. Oh yeah, I am now probably going to have a few Quantums for sell.

I have used Big Game for almost all of my fishing, with the exception of fly-fishing. I have been experimenting with Trilene 100% Flourocarbon for a few months and love it, but it is too darn expensive for me. I have gone back to Big Game for everything except my worm/lizard rod which still has the flouro. I use 12#, 15#, and 20# Big Game for bass. For my first love, catfishing, I use 20# to 60# Big Game. Like some guys that always come back to Stren Original, no matter what I try, Big Game ends up on my reels. I think confidence has alot to do with it. I have only had one fish break off when using Big Game, and that was a HUGE Blue cat on 25#.

Don't worry about it. I agree with above that it gives the rod character. My favorite rod, G.Loomis MBR783 IMX, is covered in scratches and performs as well as the day I bought it.