brophog

Right hand dominant Reel right hand Cast/hold with left hand As someone mentioned above, I learned this way because it makes casting and spinning gear setups the same. In all likelihood, if companies had offered left handed retrieves back in the day, I probably would have gone the more 'natural' route for a right handed person and cast right handed and reeled left.

Great tips. As someone that does this (the snack size bags work well) I can attest that this saves so much space. Ziplock bags are far more flexible than most original plastics packaging and don't tend to naturally hold as much air.

As legit as it gets. Have fun.

Unfortunately I feel the same way about many bass boaters.

I own both, as well as the fisherman deluxe (essentially the slightly smaller version of the last generation magnum and the bag linked to earlier in this thread). The Super Magnum seems like a great idea and I do like it for the fact it stores practically everything, but it gets insanely heavy when fully loaded. To its credit, the bag can handle it. It's a fabulous bag in a fabulous series of bags, but maybe a bit big for its own good. It is about the size of a narrow cooler, if that helps you imagine the kind of space it would take on a boat and the challenge one faces maneuvering around it.

My preferred bags for years. Have several sizes and no matter how much weight I put in them, never a problem. Love the fact you can buy them without boxes, too. I don't think anyone makes a better heavy duty bag, in terms of construction.

If my wife wont take its picture.

Many years ago I was strictly a one piece advocate, but like everything else on a rod, the ferrules have improved over the years. With quality rods, I don't mind using 2 piece rods anymore. If I had a choice between a one piece 6 ft rod or a 2 piece 7 ft rod, I would take the longer rod. Too many advantages in terms of casting and leverage with that longer rod.

I've never trusted a combo rod/reel and probably never will. Just too easy for a company to mix and match on you. It can also, depending in store, be more difficult to replace in the event something breaks. I've never really felt there was a lot of convenience to be had and if you follow the sales you can often get those components for less if you buy them at the right time of year.

The reel has come up quite a few times on this board, and the owners seem to really enjoy them.

Very few fishing shows would be deemed strictly 'educational' in nature. However, it is very hard for any fishing show to not teach *anyone* *anything*.

I've got a few of the past years models, too. I don't care for split grips, so I'm not thrilled with that decision. The new reel seats can go, imo. It's a line of rods that I've been moderately happy with when they're on a big sale (and only then), but I can't see myself buying one of these new versions due to these design decisions. In the past they were good enough rods that I could find some excuse to buy one (at 50 bucks or so), but I'd save my money for something else now.

Have several Accurists from before that time, and they hold up fine. They really need new spool bearings to really shine (imo stock bearings leave a bit to be desired), but the overall construction isn't too bad for what they cost. I simply keep them lubed properly, break them down about once a year and I've never had serious problems with any of them. They're decent reels, and a pretty good deal. I've never cared for the flipping switch, but I don't really use it, either. I certainly wouldn't buy one for that particular feature.

Save your money or buy spinning gear. Low cost baitcasters are just a headache waiting to happen. There are areas to skimp on in this sport, but baitcasting reels are not one of them.

It's the anticipation. Knowing you're in an area with fish, with the right presentation, just waiting for that fish to suck one down.

Trailer them to a bigger crankbait.......can not only cast them, but get them down deeper, too.

I've grown tired in recent years with some of the hair brain decisions the fishing department of Cabelas has made, but they still know outfitting and their Advanced Angler bags are worth every penny. Definitely my recommendation for a bag.

Small, compact baits are your friends into the wind. Things that can hang up are not good. I like things like lipless crankbaits, or 1/4 oz or bigger ball jigs tipped with plastics. Both are very easy to cast in the wind.

Nice tip.

I agree. Stay away from cheap baitcasters.

I've got a Shimano Compre UL in 7 foot that I really love.

It could be worse........she could fish, too. I spend at least twice as much at the tackle store with her than without her. Women have no natural defense against the bait monkey. :-?

If I knew the answer to this question, I'd know the secret to bass fishing.

Me too. Tom x3 Right handed, cast left on all setups, reel right on all setups.

Versus is expanding, but they're still chopped liver compared to FOX's stable of sports networks. FOX is not only ESPN's chief competitor, but they win their fair share of contracts against ESPN, and for some of the really big events, too. They've shown that they'll outbid ESPN on desirables, just to gain market share. Not necessarily the smartest choice, but a very real thorn in ESPN's side. There's more fishing shows than one can shake a stick at, and on a huge number of networks as well. Soccer, domestically, is only shown on a few networks and has a growing fanbase in a highly desirable demographic. I miss some of ESPN's Outdoors programming, too, but this is a very easy to understand business decision. ESPN sees the competition out there, and is re-focusing on the bigger events. Outdoors programming made nice filler for them, but the future of sports programming is global and those early morning time slots can be better filled with popular global programming.