J Francho

Consumers of sub $100 reels consistently base their selection on bearing count. Daiwa has no choice but to add bearings in order to compete. There are four bearings in the handle, two to support the spool, two for the crank shaft and and AR bearing - minus the handle bearings, it's pretty much the same for all Daiwa reels.

Aside from some of the newer AR pins, they are just an arbor on bearings. As long as it's balanced and true, and decent bearings, not much difference other than the inertia required to get it spinning. Kingpins sure are pretty though!

The guy with a tat knows where it's at.

Yes.

What depth?

http://youtu.be/gwEmQNd6wMA

I look them up - around $20 for the rod only. It looks like someone bought some combos for around $60. If you like them, fish them! Otherwise, someone on a budget might be able to use them, but they aren't super valuable.

He can't help it, he just had his lower unit serviced.

If you have a system that works where you fish, use it. I've fished in Florida, it's not like up here. There's plenty is of places where fling baits around with just braid will work fine. In other places, it would be utter failure, and worse since the fish are dinks compared to Florida bass, lol.

I don't dream about gear, just big fish.

I sonetimes set them into the air, but not into my chest.

CHECK EBAY FOR ENDED AUCTIONS, I BET THAT'S YOUR BEST BET.

Swimbaits a reaction bait. Yeah, sometimes. Mostly not, that's why they're so realistic looking.

Texting fishing buddies the night before a fishing trip.

I never think of them as overlooked, because I use them A LOT, but yeah, creatures seem to get more play.

Not really. The deal with hair is tying it is an art. As you found, not all of us are artists.

I love Benos. They catch all sorts of species. Used them a ton what I was a kid. They have a very snakey retrieve.

I call him Ted.

Pretty much everything up to about a half ounce. What's the taper/action? That's where things get specific.

Crap, I read the title as vertical, lol. Need more coffee!

Yes, but you asked, lol.

If there's a chance of freezing temps, I lower it.

Maybe the weakest point in YOUR line is the knot. I pretty much never break at the connection knot. I do laugh a bit when I hear this, too. I also fish for steelhead, Browns, and salmon which are much larger and fight much longer. A typical float rig has at least four knots, usually more. Line is usually a mix, the lightest being around 4#. If knots were an issue, it would be a problem here, not fishing for little bass - even in cover. Anyway, there are plenty of reasons to use a leader. I like light braid on a spinning rod for finesse baits, but I prefer the presentation a line like fluoro offers. I don't like hauling cover off my spots when fishing jigs, but I also want no stretch, so a leader allows an easy break off if I get hung up. I do believe there times when line visibility is an issue, so a leader helps. So there's three reasons to use a leader : visibility, presentation, convenience. It may not be your cup of tea, but now you can't say you don't understand.

There's a Lunkerville video, with "Lunkerboss" Marty Friedman vertical jigging a spot I've fished. It's like 50' deep. It shows the technique perfectly even though the show isn't about techniques, lol. Check it out. Marty uses 1.5+ oz jigs, and typical MH bass gear.

My next trip out.