J Francho

Rookie...I have 14 Alphas/Sol based reels.

Wow, even I don't carry that much deep cranking gear. All of what you have there gets bit. Have fun with it man!

Geez, guys say I have a problem.

The oil is not nearly as obnoxious as their grease.

No way you can make anything even close in your garage. Sometimes you gotta cough up the cash.

I have zero issues with a Palomar and fluoro. Take your time cinching it down, and make sure you moisten it. If there is a kink before the hook, start over because you failed, and it will break.

I fish them almost exclusively wacky on a wide gap finesse hook, or on a hand poured wacky jig.

I use Oust Metol in sub freezing conditions.

As you noted, there is much more to the picture than just viscosity specs.

Yep. Another buddy of mine did well on Oneida with a bunch of Kalin's grubs.

There was absolutely ZERO sarcasm in that reply.

Be careful....I've heard stories of voided warranties. Why not just call Shimano, and get the right stuff? Permalub and Bantam Oil is what to ask for. 1-888-577-0600

I use the rod, not the reel to move fish out of cover.

LMAO. My 4YO had all super hero toys out. They were having a Christmas party at Batman's place. The bad guys came too - they're off on the holidays.

It really depends on what you do. I know guys that don't do anything but throw senkos and flukes. Yeah, I know....a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while too.

The knob on the 2500 is smaller. Forgot about that difference. I doubt you'd notice when fishing.

It's the same diameter, just deeper with a smaller arbor to accommodate more line.

I wish someone would make a 6-8 H/F for walking hollow bellies. Just sayin'.

Get a boat with oar locks, and you have a man powered trolling motor.

Perfect sense.

I don't bass fish for the fight. It's a much more cerebral than that. To me, it's about patterning and successfully tricking bigger fish. If I was in it for the fight, I'd target some of the larger, gamer species available to me. Most of the biggest fish I've caught, save for a particularly nasty 6-1 largemouth, were reeled in without much ado at all. Including my PB largemouth of 7-2 that felt like a waterlogged boot. Now some of smallies I've caught on light line, that's another story as well.

I doubt it, Kent. They are a very specific tool. If you can't locate large bait balls with suspended fish feeding, you aren't going to get bit. I've read many reports from guys gung-ho to try the rig, and have blanked. They guys that do well up here, are usually guys that do well anyway - they're just doing even better.

Kayak anglers have been using floating nets for a while now. They are pretty easy to make - you need a suitable hoop, replacement net, and pool noodles for floatation. Hopefully soon, there will be a commercially available net. It's a great idea for shore guys. Better for the fish for sure.

I use different rods for each of those baits. For the Ribbits, I just pick any 7' MH/F jig/worm rod that has braid. I'll even use a M/F rod and 12-15# CXX in open water. I don't like an X-fast tip for Ribbits and other solid toads. For hollow frogs and rats, use a heavy duty pitching rod. Most designated "frog" rods I've tried throw a frog better than they get a fish out of the trash. I need something heavy when dealing with fish in the water willows, pads, and milfoil/coontail slop up here.

I don't think I've EVER see him throw a wacky worm, LOL.