Micro

The S is highly regarded, but I'm not a fan of its brake system (on any brand). The SC, SX and STX have mag brakes and they work very well. I think the $91 price on the SC is an incredible value.

One of the biggest bass I ever caught as a kid was on a 7' 6 weight fly rod, level floating line and a 6 lb mono leader tied directly to a big yellow popper. Bass came up, gently inhaled, and I hooked it in the tongue. Thought my rod was going to break. I bought my rod, reel, line, and a few flies for $25 hard-earned dollars at the Rod & Gun Club at Ft. Eustis, VA when I was a kid. I wore that sucker out. I ought to try it again. Nothing like honker bluegills on a fly rod.

$91 Abu Garcia Revo SC at Cabelas.

I think Abu is going to be introducing the Revo Premier in the $250 range. Don't know when, though.

That makes me cry just thinking about it.

I know what you mean. The Shimanos I've owned I hated - despite their cult following. I liked the Curado in the store, and it came highly recommended. But after a few fishing trips and I would have given it away. I felt it was cheaply made, had a silly disassembly procedure, and over priced. I owned 2 Cardiff's, too. Got rid of those and got a couple more Abu C4s - smooth reels you can't beat with a stick, and saved a few bucks ta boot.

I understand it's Pinnacle. Apparently, Pinnacle manfactuers Brownings and BPS reels.

Me, too. I got rid of a Curado SF and bought a Revo SX-HS (and now own a couple). Never looked back. Love my Revos and All Star rods...

Can anyone render a qualified opinion on US REEL spinning reels? I've seen them in stores and they seem very nice (understanding that looks can be deceiving). I understand they are supposed to handle braid very well. But I don't know enough about the brand or their long term durability to consider buying one. Anyone have one?

I was deer hunting several years ago. I was hunting alone, on some paper-company land. There were power lines that ran through the middle of the property and the land beneath them had been cleared. I got into the woods long before sunrise, while the moon was still high. It was cold, and everything had some frost on it giving everything an eery glow. I had walked the trail under the power lines a few hundered yards and stopped. I stood there for a few seconds very still and I closed my eyes. I was holding my shotgun at a sort of port-arms position. I took a few breaths and opened my eyes. When I did I saw a very large owl heading straight for me, appearing to have the intention of landing on my head. Instinctively, I yelled and hoisted my shot gun. The owl veered off but came so close that I felt the woosh of wind on my face. I'd probably have needed stiches if it had landed on my head.

Here's my Tracker Grizzly 1548L. Many of the lakes I fish are limited to 10 hp, or are electric only. When I fish an electric only lake, I take my 9.9 hp motor off and replace it with a 55 lb thrust Minn Kota transom mount. I also fish larger tidal rivers and creeks. I don't have the speed of the larger bass boats, or the stability on bigger waters. But I have a definite advantage in agility and can take my boat places big bass boats can't go.

Does anyone ever target Gar specifically? I've caught a couple accidentally, and they are pretty good fighters. The rivers and creeks in which I fish are loaded with them. I see them rolling on the surface (gulping air?). I also see them just below the surface, sometimes in large numbers, as I work up and down a shoreline for bass. But I can never seem to get them interested in anything I'm throwning. I caught a couple on in-line spinners before. I've also had a skirt torn off a spinner bait by one. Otherwise, they just hang around oblivious to my presence. A few weeks ago I saw 4 or 5 of them in a group hanging around my bow trolling motor. I was able to get some crappie jigs in front of them, and even bump a few with them, but they seem completely disinterested. Anyone have any good techniques? Lures?

I used Stren Superbraid 30# on two of my casting outfits, and 10# on one of my spinning. I like it a lot. I've never used Power Pro. I've heard there is little to choose from between them, except Stren is a little more expensive (true), and Power pro looses its color sooner (unknown if true). I just like Stren products.

All Star makes fantastic rods. Their Team All Star IM-10s run about $100. I have a couple and am thoroughly pleased with them.

It's just a red x. They're harmless. Plankton feeders.

I have several Revo SX-HSs and love them. They seem to be very well made and are very smooth. The mag brake seems to work exceptionally well and I have far fewer backlashes than I've had with other reels. Compared to my Shimano Curado SF, they're ahead in performance and workmanship.

Looks like a Gizzard Shad. I'd be interested in seeing how it works on stripers.

How do you fish a lure like that? I don't see a lip. Does it have some built in action? Do you have to work it yourself? Thanks.