Ballpark Frank

I and many others here agree with you. This was discussed in excruciating detail no long ago. Check out the link: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1206983271/0

Here is a link to all of the Master Caster videos by TakeMeFishin.org http://www.takemefishing.org/community/master-casters/master-casters-home

I think these are only for the European and Asian markets, but I can hope. http://www.shimanofireblood.com/

Micro, I must agree. I like the custom colors on some Abu's but that is definitely FUGLY.

The Gander Mountain here has a pretty decent selection of plastics. They have gone down in other areas though, especially rods, tackle storage and boating. They no longer have G.Loomis and St.Croix, but have a ton of their rods and a few other brands(Kistler and Castaway). I think GM has gotten into the entire retail bit for seasons, like the Walmart and Kmart stores. They start gearing up for fishing season in November and hunting season in July. They forget that some of us fish year round. They are becoming the Walmart for outdoors. Although I do most of my purchasing at the locally owned tackle shop, I'll be glad when the BPS gets here.

I just bought a Sahara 750, which has one bearing less than the Symetre 750. I love the little Sahara, it is a great panfish and trout reel. I have it mounted on a St.Croix 6' light action rod. My daughter and I beat up the bluegills and sunfish with it yesterday. Be aware that the Symetre 750 is not an aluminum frame like the larger size Symetres. Other than the bearings(Symetre 5, Sahara 4) and colors, the Symetre and Sahara 750s are the same reel.

I have never heard of the Stradic FI having a problem with saltwater, but the Stradic MgFB is another story.

Bluegill or green sunfish are the only bait I use for flatties. That's part of why I like hunting flatties, I get to have a blast catching the bait. The ones I choose are usually between 4"-8". I use them on a basic Carolina rig with 3-5oz no-roll sinker and 8/0 gammi circle hook. This is what I caught my PB 42# on last year(which I caught in a kayak). I usually cast it out and troll very slow around the structure. You need a pretty stout rig for flatties, no channel cat tackle here. My main rig is a Catfish Safari Flathead baitcasting rod(8' MH 2-8oz 20-50#) and an Abu Garcia 7000iC3. When a flathead takes off, it's like a freight train especially if it is a big one. Also be aware that Flatties do not use the same habitat that channels and blues do, they are also not found schooling together. Flatties usually prefer habitat much like a largemouth bass; brush, logs, log jams, downed tree stumps, etc. They are rarely found in the tailraces of dams or super deep water like channels and blues. These guys are one of the ultimate freshwater predators. Oh yeah, I understand about the flavor of Flatties, but please only harvest what you will eat. Flatheads are usually not as plentiful as channels and blues. These guys are starting to become the favorite quarry of big cat hunters and we always C&R the big'uns. I only keep those in the 10-20# range and usually only one or two.

I love catting, it is so different from bass fishing. You just sit back, relax, sip the suds, and wait for the big ones. Channel Cat: 28#5oz. Blue Cat:76#3oz. Flathead:42# even(caught while kayak fishing, now that was fun)

I have two Citica 200Ds that are great, they are in the top tier for ease of casting and control. I had a Revo SX awhile back that was an excellent reel, but just too small for me. The SX casted light lures probably better than any reel I have ever used, next to the STX. I recommend you find a shop with both mounted on rods and put your hands on them. If possible try to cast both as well.

I agree with Micro also. The Zoom Trick and Finesse worms are awesome fished weightless. My other favorites are RI Sweet Beaver 4.20, Wave Worms Tiki Stick, and Tiki Bamboo Stick.

smallie

Do any of you guys have a favorite inexpensive rod? I have my G.Loomis and St.Croix rods, but I have two inexpensive rods that I lstill like to use. My two are; 7' MH Lightning Rod and a 7' M Quantum Tour Pro IM7. Neither of these cost over $35 and still do their jobs well.

I know we don't talk about other forums here, but I have to mention this. I will not say which forum. I just joined this forum a couple of weeks ago for some specific information related to a tournament. I know sometimes we get heated over rod/reel brand preference here, but not like this. I posted a topic about a set of SPECIFIC rod/reel combos. One person, as usual, posted back with their preference. I casually posted that I had not listed his, and really did not like the brands. Well, this kid responded back with a "childish", "uneducated", and "threatening" post. Then, he sent me a seriously threatening PM. Needless to say, I am no longer a member of that forum. I also deleted all of my posts. I forwarded the PM to the administrator with my resignation. I am so glad I belong to the Bass Resource. We may get heated and opinionated, but we never threaten each other. We make little smart remarks, but we still behave like adults. I am so glad of the excellent work that the moderators here do. THIS IS THE BEST BASS FORUM ON THE NET.

I am a bonafied Shimano spinning reel lover. Other than my motor skill problem the past few days, I have had nothing but excellent performance out of my Symetres. I have been thinking about getting one of the higher grades, but waiting to see what happens at ICAST. I did get a new one though, but it ain't for bass(or at least big ones). I have been wanting a really good spots/bluegill/crappie/trout/stream rig for awhile. I had been using a little cheap travel outfit that is really no good. Well tonight while my daughters and wife were spending my money on clothing and toys, I went by Dick's for some toys myself. I ended up with a St.Croix Triumph 6' light rod and a Shimano Sahara 750. I have it rigged with 4# line and ready to hit the streams tomorrow.

Thanks guys, I worked out most of the problem this afternoon at the little lake. I am down to 3 bad out of 10, and the bad aren't really bad, just a little high in the air. I have always used my finger against the spool for release and feathering. I think the line had something to do with the problem. I had changed spools from the 20# Power Pro spool, to the 8# Trilene XL. The XL was a little elastic and popped off the spool. Actually stung the inside of my finger a few times. I figure it has been around 1 1/2 to 2 months since I have used my spinning reels. I used to get problems with my baitcasters when I concentrated on fly-fishing for awhile. Tomorrow(between launch and weigh-in at Wheeler) my daughter and I are going for some bluegill/bream action. I'll only have spinning gear, so I should get plenty of practice. I got a new bluegill rig tonight also.

Their are several threads in this section on the subject, just check out all of the Quantum threads on page 1 and 2.

Used the Fat CB(chartreuse/blueback and ghost minnow) this morning, before my outboard died(clogged up carb). They worked great on the shallows, I caught several 2-3lbs. The only problem is I think I am going to change the rear hooks to a smaller size. Those big suckers pulled up a ton of grass and milfoil.

Yep I know, Jimmy Mize was telling me the same thing Thursday morning. He said they hauled their kids with them to every tournament and thought they would be sick of fishing when they got older. Now Melinda is fishing the FLW full-time. My daughter woke me up Thursday morning at 3:30am, she was scared we would miss the launch. Now she is talking about going to bed early tonight so we can get there on time tomorrow. She is tickled to death that Shaw and KVD made the final cut, but is pretty upset that Skeet Reese missed it. She really liked him, I think she has a little crush. Sam, I got the bass at BPS in Destin. I think most of the stores have them and know that Gander Mountain does. She also has a smallmouth, bluegill, rainbow trout, channel cat, and blue cat; but the largemouth is her favorite.

OK, now that my little boat is back, I have gotten hooked on it. It is alot of fun and cheaper than using my grandfather's Nitro. I already have my plans and hardware for decking and electronics, but first it needs painted or refinished. The boat is a circa 1970 12' Sears Ted Williams Gamefisher; fiberglass and semi-v. The paint is awful right now. The previous owner seems to have painted it with rustoleum and it is peeling and chipping. How do you repaint fiberglass? Do I sand it down? Will this affect the fiberglass? Any help will be appreciated.

My daughter insisted I post this picture of us on the forum. Don Barone snapped this of us while the Elites were getting launched. Notice that she brought her favorite stuffed animal, a largemouth. She had planned to get Shaw Grigsby(her favorite angler, we watch his show all the time) to sign it for her, but changed her mind.

Since my little boat isn't worthy of big water, I am using trolling the shallows, channels, and streams. I usually have 4-6 rods rigged in the boat; shallow crankbait(0'-2'), spinnerbait, hard jerkbait, medium crankbait(2'-6'), t-rig lizard or worm, and shakey head worm. I will usually work an area thoroughly with each bait before switching to the next in the order above. This can sometimes take an hour or my take only 10 minutes depending on the area I'm fishing. I usually have the colors worked out went I launch the boat, but may switch later and work the area again with a different color. If all of this fails, then I pull out the swimbaits and start playing.

This afternoon I decided to go out back and fish the little lake behind my subdivision. I haven't been there in awhile and wanted to see if the dinks had gained some weight. I also haven't used my Symetres in awhile and decided to take my Symetre and Convergence out. Well I can't cast spinning gear anymore. I used to be deadly accurate with a spinning rod, but now all I do is chunk the worm about 40 feet straight up and in lands about 10 feet in front of me. I know I am releasing to early, but I couldn't fix the problem. Maybe 2 out of 15 casts were decent, straight and long. I can still cast sidearm, but can't get any distance that way. I did get a few decent overhand casts later on, but this was one armed. One armed wears me out after awhile. Although I rarely use spinning gear anymore, I do like to throw mini cranks and the occasional dropshot. Can anyone help me figure this out or offer any advice. I love my Symetres and the need to get fished.

RH Casting LH Spinning I have tried to reel my BC LH and my Spinning RH, both felt incredibly wrong to me.

Live minnow on a split shot rig. Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver 4.20 in Hematoma, pegged t-rig.