brophog

I use a 3700 size TUB Binder. It's convenient for several reasons: 1) Already in a 3700 size, so it fits in any standard 3700/370 bag/box. This is one of the biggest issues I have with most spinnerbait specific storage options. Spinnerbaits don't fit well in common boxes and spinnerbait boxes don't always easily fit into common bags/boxes. The few that do tend to be unique. Some store safety spin style well, but only safety pins....etcetera. 2) It's modular. I store extra spinnerbaits in extra sheets and just swap them out depending on my needs that day. 3) It allows you to carry extra parts, such as skirts, rings, blades, and tools. Everything I need for spinnerbaits is in one location. 4) Baits are easy to see. Most storage solutions for spinnerbaits make it hard for me to see what bait it is I want. 5) I like to use one of the TUB binders as a mini-tackle box for shore fishing. I can quickly add spinnerbaits by swapping out my sheets and have a nice, compact storage option that easily holds any (or all) of the spinnerbaits I want that day. It isn't easy to just store 5 spinnerbaits with other gear. Most spinnerbait storage solutions are made to hold 20-30 of them. Having the option to swap in binder sheets for spinnerbaits is a lovely option. I love spinnerbaits and originally went to the TUB binder as a means to store spinnerbaits easily. But after doing so, I started to realize just how great the TUB is over a regular binder. It's an expensive (albeit well made) storage binder that just happens to double as a tackle box. ;D

I've had several CX's over the years and have always been happy. Definitely not the smoothest reels I've ever used, but good enough, and plenty rugged. I still use them as my primary baitcasters, despite the fact I know there are better out there. Just a good, solid reel. I like them so much, I bought up a few last year on closeout for a good steal. They may never even leave the boxes, for all I know, but I also know that I have an extra reel around (if I ever need one) that I like to use.

You'll have to point me to the cheap ones.......because for the cost of most of the LC's, that fish needs to take me to a dinner and a movie first. 8-)

Agreed on whomever said the thing about order. Most of these lists are numerically independent, but nearly everyone assumes they are in some form of top down order. I will give them this much, though: at least they gave us a convienient list and not force us to click through all of the pictures. Why is that so difficult for others to do?

I hear what you're saying, and maybe that's why a few others on this thread seemed to place him in the bad category, but of all the shows, it's perhaps the one that reminds us all of why we fish. No one seems to truly enjoy being on the water more than Hank, and for that, it's a fun show to watch. I guess it just depends on what you're after and your mood that day. If I want to learn something, or check out new baits/techniques, I'll likely skip over it for something else. But if I just want to relax, Hank is hard to beat from an enjoyment angle.

I don't put much faith in gizmos. Just buy quality reels, and imo, don't worry about it too much. Twisting in spinning reels is like backlashes in baitcasters.......feared more than they ought to be. It really isn't a big deal, imo.

I agree, a lot has to do with name. And in that sense, Quantum produces a very wide range of gear with their name on it. For instance, I own two different baitcasters with their name on it, both 5-6 years old. One came in a combo as a gift. The thing is complete garbage. Does it work? Yeah. Is it about as low end of a real as you can think of? Yeah. If I'm stuck on a bank using live bait, it may get used. It's not worth much more than that, however. The other is one of the older Accurists. They've improved that line significantly since I got this reel. None of that PT business on this thing. But even though it's got some miles on it now, it's still a great reel. Smooth, decent drag, good brakes, casts well. It's been fished very hard, but gets regular maintenance. It's a great reel. Is there better? Yeah. But let me tell you a secret.......there's always something better. If not this year, then something comes out the next. I'm comfortable with that reel and don't have to fight it....it lets me just fish. The key is pretty simple. Stay with known brands. Stay away from discount all purpose shops that often use alternate versions of known brands, but with cheapened parts. Get yourself into that $100 range. That's really the sweet spot for quality baitcasters, imo. You can find cheaper, but then you have to be more careful. That price range gives you a ton of options from quality brands. From there, you can throw more money at it to get just the exact reel you're looking for, but most brands at that point are giving you very good reels. Unless I knew a lot about a particular reel, preferably from someone I knew that had it and let me try it in real world conditions, I'd be hesistant to buy anything much cheaper than that. A bad baitcaster ruins an otherwise good fishing day in a way that few other pieces of equipment can seem to accomplish.

Either or. Any of the above. I can do any combination, but obviously don't need to the majority of the time. I have my spinning rigs set up to cast left, crank right. I buy right handed baitcasters and do the same. However, since I tend to fish from the bank a good deal, I do a lot of casting with my right hand with baitcasters too. Sometimes shore cover just makes it easier to cast with the off hand, so I think it's helpful to do both. In a boat, especially by yourself, you don't tend to have those obstacles. So many people with casting rigs, especially, just switch hands. They've done it all their lives, and it can be a little hard to change. Muscle memory is either a great thing or terrible one, depending on how you look at it!