J Francho

Which Fireline product are you talking about? There's at least four different types of line labeled "Fireline" in Berkley's catalog.

Another tip, press the thumb bar before removing the handle side assembly. Resist the urge to reengage the drive by turning the handle. The handle side assembly will go back on much easier - I promise!

That's no longer accurate. Almost every reel has a "metal" gear where it counts. Many high end reels employ a plastic gears to drive the level wind system, because it's lighter, quieter, smoother, and isn't under any load. Your friend might be referring to the the Abus that used a brass idler gear, and then switched to a plastic. I think that change came about over 30 years ago. Again, this doesn't come under load, and doesn't need to be metal. I know of no "cheap" reels that use (or ever used) a plastic main or pinion gear. Soft, or poor quality gears, well that's another story. One reel that is interesting is the old Daiwa lefty "pitching reels" with the thumb bar on top, e.g. TD-X HSDL. They use a series of plastic gears between the main stack and the worm gear that drives the level wind. Thsi setup is exactly the same on the lower grade TD-X as it is on the top of the heap TD-ITO models.

If you're looking to get a fish picture, it might be easier to fish first, and keep the fish in the livewell (with the pumps running, of course) ready for the shot, instead of trying to fish while you're paying a photog.

COuld be. You have to go about 15" to get above the "goby zone" up here.

Not if you don't over-tighten them. They also sell the foam separately. Probably more than a pool noodle, but will offer better protection for your vehicle. If you have a roof rack already, then the noodles are fine. That's what I ended up doing when I use the car with a Thule rack. It was way easier than the J-cradles.

Those are gizzard shad.

You can buy a car top kit that comes with foam blocks and straps for less than what you'd spend on the ratchets and pool noodle, and it will work better.

It certainly doesn't act like leader material, but I'll take their word for it.

Actually, 9" is much shorter than most use. Usually I go 8-24", sometimes even longer.

A good starting point is 4 on, in an "X" pattern. Once you thumb becomes educated, you can decrease to three in a delta pattern, or two like James' picture above.

Silicone is for sealing, not for a fastener. You use screws, well nuts, rivets, or other fasteners to attach, and silicone to seal those fasteners.

This.

Drum. They get big.

Raider bought a Can-Am Spyder.

Glenn's gonna kill me for that, lol.

Glenn? I don't think he even fishes for bass. Pretty sure he's into trout.

5-12

Wild Bill, Maico, Gene, a few others, can't remember their screen names.

Redline is buying a Prius.

There's nothing political about this. Thanks for starting the thread.

Thanks Pappa.

If you're gonna fish at that level, you must change this situation.

I'd bee looking for a reel with lower IPT as well. something in the 20-24" range.

I think surface temps were in the high/mid 50s. I really just judge it by the bite, and throw a frog much later than many would.