Micro

I bought a Premier a few weeks ago. I kept it two days and returned it and got a 6.4:1 STX. Then I decided I wanted to try something else and got my Johnny Morris. I'm still a Revo loyalist, though. The STX is the best of the line, IMO. It feels a tad bit better than the others, even if it is heavier than the Premier.

I caught him on October 1, 2006. I took my youngest son out to see some cottomouths. We have a reservoir here that's loaded with them. Curiously, I couldn't find any that day. I was out in some weeds carefully lifting them with my snake stick but didn't find any. I was squatting down near a dogwood trying to figure out my next move, looked down, and he was coiled up on the ground right underneath me. If I had sat down, I would have sat on him. Luckily, it was chilly that morning and he was pretty lethargic and I was able to carefully handle him.

The biggest advantage of baitcaster for me is my left hand doesn't hurt and go to sleep while using it. With spinning rigs, my right middle and ring finger start to hurt and go to sleep, and my right elbow starts to hurt after awhile.

I love snakes. They are the most inoffensive critters on God's good earth. Here's one you don't want to try and put on a hook. He'll ruin your whole day (and week and month, too).

The STX has the Infini II spool, which disengages from the drive gears. The SX does not. No major difference in performance, though. STX versus top-end Pflueger. Hmmmm. I'm a loyal Revo guy, but the Pfluegers are nice. If you want a super drag, go with the Revo. If a very effective brake is more important, go with the Pflueger. You get a great reel either way.

Better day today. Wind was again out of the WNW, but only blowing to 8 mph. I did, indeed, fish those points. I fished the outgoing tide today. I fished in the channel at the point just before the current begins to round the bend. My son and I picked up a few on white/blue spinnerbaits with silver willow blades, and some Xcalibur Xr75s in chrome/black. All in all, a fair day for this creek. That island never has produced much for me. It's more a navigation hazard than anything. At high tide this time of year (grass is dead), it's hard to see where it starts and you may find yourself bottoming out before you know it. Did see several bald eagles, which is always cool. And tons of little shad jumping everywhere.

This guy likes bass!

Let's talk snakes. First, let me give you a quick lesson in terminology. "Poisonous" snakes aren't "poisonous." They are "venomous." Got it? Poisonous means - you bite it, you get sick. Venomous means - it bites you, you get sick. Second, there is no such thing as a "water moccassin." There are water snakes, of the genus Nerodia, and Cottonmouths, of the genus Agkistrodon, which is also the genus for Copperheads. The only "moccassin" found in the US is the Northern Copperhead (aka Upland Moccassin), of the genus Agkistrodon, species contortrix, subspecies mokasen. Third, bass do not regularly predate on Water Snakes. Northern Water Snakes, Banded waters snakes, Brown Water Snakes, and any other water snakes are very tough. And while non-venomous to humans, they are thought to produce a saliva that may be toxic to fish. Bass DO NOT predate on water snakes. So let the little snakes go before you hurt yourself, or the snakes.

Mods --- If you can't mention that website, why don't you say "don't mention that website?" These phantom deletions of posts with no explanation are odd, to say the least.

Here's my challenge. The wind is blowing out of the northwest. The most productive areas, the areas with steep banks, blowdowns, and lots of cover are directly exposed to the wind. There is next to nothing to break the wind because it is blowing over vast expanses of grass. It is easy to cast into these areas, but there was no bite. The only deep water is in the channel in the very center of the creek. All the coves are 1-3 feet deep with no structure. Water temp was around 57 degrees. I'm going to figure it out somehow. I'm going back today. We're supposed to have less wind. It's supposed to be shifting to a south wind.

I leave the split ring on, too, if it's a medium to large crank. It won't effect it to any real extent. I sometimes remove them on little cranks I use for panfish.

I bet if you called and asked they would match the in-store deal.

Probably been fed trout. They do that in California, you know. - - - - - - - - - -

So they can accomodate everyone's preference. BTW, my Johnny Morris Elite reel has both types of brakes - a magnetic and a centrifugal. It seems to be very effective. I can cast this reel without using my thumb to slow it down. I learned baitcasting on the round Abu Ambassedeurs. The ones I had never had any sort of effective brake, so I learned to use my thumb to slow the spool.

I don't think there is any performance difference with respect to casting. IMO, the STX does feel a wee bit smoother, thanks to the extra bearings. Other than the weight, the major difference is the drag. The STX has three carbon matrix drag washers. The schematic for the Premier shows one.

We had a front blow through last night. It's beautiful today, except for the relentless 15-30 mph wind. I mean, it's just whistling out there. It's blowing out of the westnorthwest. Naturally, my favorite tidal creek pretty much runs WNW to ESE. Figures. I went out today from about 10:30 AM until 3:30 PM. Caught nothing. I read the articles here on BR. I fished behind structure. I fished "up wind." I went deep into the channel. I fished the banks. I fished mainly cranks, but threw some heavily weighted senkos as well. Nothing. I don't get it. I can't seem to catch anything in wind. Doesn't matter if "do all the right things" of not. I can't catch fish in the wind. On top of that, I forgot my GoreTex and only had my sweat jacket and I got all wet running up river. Hope tomorrow is a better day.

I usually fish them once it gets warm and the fish are in the lilypads and slop. Toads are a great summer bait for me.

Congrats. That's great news.

Congrats, good lookin' kid. The Wife looks overjoyed.

Heddon Lucky 13

Where I fish, there are no highways nearby. There's an occassional plane. But otherwise, it's just the sound of nature. I don't get to hear just that enough to drown it out with music.

It's out of date, heavy, built like a tank, and you can mount it on the front of your truck and use it as a winch. It's a classic.

Someone at my job stole my Ho-Hos out of my lunch bag. And you've just given me an idea.

I'm really impressed with the S. When they first came out, I figured they weren't up to par with the SX and STX. They are. They are fantastic reels. I sold my Curado 200 DHSVs and replaced them with Revo Ss. I've got mine on my "spinner bait" rods - All Star American Classic 6'8' MH/F. Few days ago I was using one to throw Bass Magic swim baits. Man, that combo would really put them out there.

And my corn...