Micro

Those of you that fish waters where shad are the primary forage, do you notice you catch more fish on lures with the black shad dot on them? Do any of you add the dot to any of your lures that don't have them?

How old is this reel? It's a years several years old. I note it has a swept handle.

I use them on a plain Owner Ultrahead jighead. But I got these to use as trailers on some swimming jigs.

Yes. It's good enough to consider becoming a right handed fisherman.

I doubt it. There were only 4 left and they are on clearance. I don't think they are going to carry them anymore. They told me they just don't sell that well.

Here's my other puppy...

The Zillion rods are sweet. I want a rod to handle heavier hard wakebaits, hard swimbaits and big jerkbaits. Things with big trebles. I'm partial to cork, and Fenwicks. So I'm thinking I may order a Techna AV 7'6" or 8" MH/M.

Here's a few I got with some Christmas money

Somehow, I know it won't be my last. > Now for the perfect-rod search.

A couple of months ago I posted that my local tackle dealer had Daiwa Fuegos on clearance for $149.99 (MSRP $249.99). Well, now they are on sale and the sale price is $134.99. At last check, only 4 left. You can't order on-line, but they will take a phone order and ship to you. http://www.greentophuntfish.com/ That's a heck of a deal.

Are you only considering jointed baits? If not, pick up a couple of Ima Roumbas.

How about some of that stuff you found in the creek?

Yes! It's an Eastern Kingsnake. I think you have Black Kingsnakes in Tennessee. The Eastern is essentailly the same snake as the Black, just with a lot more white markings. I caught this snake about 2 years ago. It was about 2 feet long and had 2 big spots on it where the skin had been ripped of by a cat or raccoon or something. I was going to kill it since it looked so miserable but I took it home, treated its wounds with betadine and bacitracin, treated it for mites, gave it calcium and vitamins. It healed up completely (with scars). It's about 4 feet long now and about 300% heavier. It's a handsome snake and has turned out to be a great pet.

Don't he look sweet?

There is a chrome knurled screwhead on the upper part of the crankside sideplate. Loosen it. Once it's loose, it will come out a little, but it won't come all the way out. Once it's loose, twist the brakeside sideplate clockwise about 1/8 of a turn, then lift it off the frame. The brake will be underneath it. When adjusting the brakes, push them up from the center so they are loose on the post. This is ON. To turn them OFF push them down to the center until they lock. CAUTION: Unlocking them off, and locking them on, can be a little difficult. For maxiumum control, I grip the reel with both hands and use both thumbnails to pop the brakes on and off. Using both thumbs give you the necessary force and also the control necessary not to pop the brake right off the post. Be firm but gentle. Reassemble the sideplate in the reverse order. Do not use a screwdriver to tighten the knurled screw. Finger pressure is all that is needed. BTW, why'd you delete your post after I answered it?

Cool fish.... http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Is-Mutant-Catfish-Behind-Unexplained-Deaths-In-Indias-Great-Kali-River/Media-Gallery/200810215116899?lpos=World_News_Third_Picture_Gallery_Teaser_Region____5&lid=GALLERY_15116899_Is_Mutant_Catfish_Behind_Unexplained_Deaths_In_Indias_Great_Kali_River

Flip a coin.

Only 2 goals for me. 1) Fish more 2) learn something new

Bullitt. Not only the action, but the sound is great.

I like it well enough. It's a good cranking rod for deep diving cranks. I'm not a big fan of fiberglass. I don't like the foregrip that tightens onto the reel foot. I thought I would but now I don't. I do like the main grip with the bulge at the end. It makes for good two-handed casting. Otherwise, it's got a typical fiberglass action - whippy. The graphite lower half does give it decent backbone. It's got really nice guides. I use this rod solely for deep diving cranks. For lighter cranks and shallow and medium divers I prefer something else. In fact, I'd rather have a MH/MH graphite rod to replace the Elitetech.

I had a Curado 200DPV in 5.0:1. I now have a Winch. (I can't comment on the Curado E.) The Revo is a little smaller and feels better to palm. Distance wise, the Curado cast light baits better (under 1/2 oz). The Revo cast heavy baits better (5/8 oz +). Quality and smoothness is a toss up. I think the deep spool of the Revo is better for casting heavier baits longer distances. The Curado rocked with light cranks.

So you don't have the zillion, well in my little time of experience with the fuego, zillion and td-a it seems to me that the fuegos brake isnt as good. Both reels can cast further I don't even have to thumb the spools some times. The only experience i have with the revo is sx is trying my fishing partners own which felt smooth refined casts well, but the zillion poops on it. If I get a bonus this year, I'm planning on buying a couple before spring. I like the Zillion a great deal. As far as the Fuego goes, it's a sweet, sweet reel. It's super light, and is exceptionally well made. The spool seems heavy, though, and may be the reason I don't get as much distance with light baits as I do with my Revos. But I must say, within practical distances, it's a wash. It does just fine. I just need more time with it. Otherwise, it's a finely made, beautiful reel. I could easily jump ship from Abu to Daiwa.

But they do have bearings, and the C3 does not. The arms may look the same, but they are smoother assemblies overall.

I think the Zillion is more meticulously made, too. The reel, and most of the higher end TDs, exhibit a superior fit and finish than any other reel I've seen, whether its Abu, Shimano, Pflueger or any other. As far as the Mag-Z brake goes, I'm still working on it. I am not getting the distance with my Fuegos that I can get with my STXs, and I have to use more thumb, too. Maybe I'll find its sweet spot, but right now, my opinion is that I think its an overly complex brake and so far rather a pain in the butt.

Both reels have some plastic in them. As far as which has better components, it's a toss up. The Zillion is smooth, but the Revo is very smooth as well. The thing about the brakes popping out - I've yet to experience that. As far as the Mag-Z brake goes, I'm not liking it all that much. It seems unpredictable compared to, say, the Revo STX's mag brake. After using my Fuegos that have the Mag-Z brake, I'm gonna say that's the weak point. It seems to kick in hardest at the middle of the cast when I need it least. I'd skip the Revo SR and just buy a Revo STX.