tyrius.

So it isn't a "flaw" then? I may just be inexperienced, but my citica's don't have this "backplay" that everyone speaks of. Maybe someone can clue me in to this issue with my reels.

I have a couple extremes and they are actually the best rods I've used (I'm on a fairly tight budget so can't afford the really nice stuff). However, they aren't anything special but they get the job done. My MH worm rod has plenty of backbone. That said, if my price range was 80-100 I'd buy a different rod like a Shimano or Fenwick. I got my extremes as combos (citica reel extreme rod for $135 - $30 rebate was too good to pass up). That was basically getting the rod for free!!

I've got 4 setups, but 3 that typically get used (this year I've been focusing just on 2, a worm rod and a jig rod). The one that doesn't is a light spinning outfit for throwing small rapalas that are less than 3/8 oz. I'd like to add a spinnerbait setup, but I mainly fish from the bank so I'll spend more time tieing than fumbling with more rods.

So how does this "flaw" negatively affect the reel's ability to fish?

My vote is

A steady retrieve can be used for many lures presentations. It may not always be the best presentation, but at times it can be. I don't typically start with this presentation, but have used it. I've used steady retrieves on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, worms, jigs, jitterbugs, etc. It could also be used on swimbaits (never fished one though).

Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. It's a good thing too because on a percentage basis the price of a barrel of oil has risen SIGNIFICANTLY more than the price of a gallon of gas. As I said, the price of oil is a strong indicator of where the price of gas is going to go (oil is the biggest cost driver of gasoline).

If you want to use snaps with braid then check out the ones that T-Rig linked to above. Those look to be rated high enough to handle braid.

I hear Lake Eirie smallies are actually BIG!!

Because the market price of unleaded gas is not dropping. Oil prices are only one portion of the total price of gas. It is a leading indicator, in that as the price of oil rises the price of gas typically follows and vice versa. However, it is just an indicator and not a driver. Unleaded gasoline is also traded on the NYMEX. If order to see what the retail price of gasoline is going to do you need to look there.

Cast right handed and reel right handed regardless of the type of reel. What's really odd is that I write left handed. Just goes to show the power of learning a behavior. I could probably get used to left handed reels, but it just feels off so why mess with it?

Welcome from will county, IL!

And that's pretty much anything that it thinks it can fit into its mouth.

I actually thought that Rapala (makes up 95% of my cranks) recommended a rapala knot for their cranks. I just checked and it is recommended for minnow baits, without a split ring. The cranks have a different knot recommended. Thanks for setting me straight!

Snapswivels - never Barrel Swivels - work with inline spinners Snaps - with crankbaits (Contrary to Raul and Brian, I hook them to the split ring but maybe I'm doing it wrong. What's the issue with this?)

As a kid I used to be able to catch bluegill on a bare hook in an overstocked pond. It worked but I wouldn't recommend it as a proven fish catcher.

Have you tried Bobby's Cavitrons yet? Overpriced, overhyped, nothing special. Should we read that as a no then?

This would lead me to believe that your snaps are fine, but you are not using the correct size for the line that you are using (or your drag setting). When using too small of a snap, the snap becomes the weak link in the chain between you and the fish. Because braid does not stretch it is more inclined to break on really hard hook sets with the drag tightened down all the way. Braid's "shock" strength is not nearly as much as it's "normal" strength. Fish Chris talks about this a lot in his responses regarding fishing light braid.

I only use snaps (not snap swivels) on crankbaits to create a wider wobbling action. I never use them on soft plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, etc. By "fail" what do you mean. Did the snap open up on you or did the wire break? Was there still part of the snap on the end of your line? Are you using braid (snaps only stand up to a certain line rating before they will fail too)?

A LOT more bass are killed than people realize. You can catch a fish and have it appear to swim away fine only for it to die later because of infection/injuries/fatigue/etc. Fishermen say that they haven't killed a fish, but if they've caught any significant amount of fish then they have killed one without realizing it or knowing about it. Not every dead fish floats.

Sure they do, because they are all fish. However, the taste is very different. White meat tastes different than dark meat, but they are both chicken (even though they don't taste the same). A filet tastes much different than prime rib or a hamburger or a roast, but sure they are all beef (even though they don't taste the same). My wife likes filet and hamburger but not prime rib.

All fish most certainly do not taste alike. Some have a much more mild flavor than others. I think anyone would be able to tell the difference in taste between catfish, tuna and salmon.

I've been focusing on learning the jig this year and it has resulted in larger than normal fish. I'm becoming a big fan of this bait. Senko style worms are also producing well.

As a rule of thumb I (personally) try and use the lightest weight possible for the size of lure I'm fishing. I haven't noticed a size difference (minus the head size) between most 1/4 through 1/2 oz jigs. So, if I can use a 1/4 oz I will. If I'm fishing worms (senkos) fairly shallow I like to throw them weightless. In determining the weight, the first thing I look at is what am I fishing. Submerged cover that is deep will use a larger weight than vegetation that is shallow. If the fish are holding to cover on the bottom then I will use a heavier weight. Next I look at wind. I need to be able to "stay in contact" with the lure (whether it's a worm or a jig). When fishing worms and such in shallow water I like to fish them weightless. On a windy day, this is too big of a headache to deal with. Now all that can be negated by the fish's mood on the given day. Do they want a faster fall or a slower fall? That can be changed by trailer/skirt size or by going up or down on weight size. Just my unprofessional opinion.

I grew up fishing spinning tackle so I'm still kind of partial to it, especially for smaller baits like the small jointed minnows, etc. Anyone make a decent rod for this applications? I'm not looking to break the bank on this so somewhere in the $100 range or lower would be great! Thanks so much.