J Francho

I can't wait for my switch to break, lol. I'm gonna tear things up!

I'm at it right now, Abanakee Lake, at my buddy's place. Smallies, largies, and northerns coming over the side of the boat, none attached to my line, lol. It's all good though, it's paradise up here.

Nothing like getting up front in your own boat to put a sock in the co-angler mouth, lol. Happened to me. Thankfully, I adjusted quickly and took a solid third my first tournament. But man, what a different perspective.

Rigs? Texas, drop shot, wacky.

Congrats!

To what models do you refer?

Kind of hard to put a hard bait on a worm hook. This thread is discussing the Black Dog G2 Shellcracker, not the Ragetail Shellcracker, which is also a great bait.

MCS, I haven't even held the Tour MG. They seem a little late to the low mass party. There many reels in the sub 6 oz. range that use an Al frame - I'd be looking hard at those models over an Mg frame. That chameleon finish reel was well made, but the finish corroded if you looked at it wrong. It's a weird hit or miss thing, too. You either got a good one or a bad one. Many that have more than one have both.

I took a Skoda for a test drive, but the Czech engine light kept coming on. Lol.

Honestly, they haven't come out with anything that turns my screws. I think the last reel I was really psyched to get was a Daiwa Sol. Small, light, simple, well made. The more I use my Pinnacle, the more I like it. Another Quantum reel that was nice, but pricey, was the blue Tour PT. Worked on quite a few of those, and they were well made. Not sure why they get a bad rap. They're budget reels aren't the best value, but really, no one's are unless you pony up at least $120. Okuma, Pinnacle, Flooger, Browning, get no air play, but have done decent products as well. I will say this, some of the touted Shimanos are almost over built. They're really well constructed, and you pay a premium for that. They've been doing it like that for a long time. People respect that track record. They didn't used to be so hot. Somewhere in the early 90s, they came out with some great stuff. I tried a few, and actually took them back. Kept the old Stradic, though, lol. Most of my reels today are 4-6 year old Daiwas, and a few Pinnacle, Shimano, and Okuma. Mostly sub $250 reels. Save your money, and get into that $150 to $200 bracket. No matter the brand, there are sweet reels in every make there.

There's been a few decent Quantuns. I still have an IR3 that works like a champ. The old gold Accurist with the flipping switch was a good reel. I have a parts scrap yard of around 150 reels. The majority are Abu round reels and Quantum low pros. There are a few Daiwas, mostly from the 80s and 90s. Not one single Shimano is in there. No Zebcos either, for what that's worth.

When I cast a lefty, my right is palming the reel. When I cast a righty, my left is either palming the reel, or I move it to the butt grip for a two handed cast, while my right is on the trigger.

I consider finishing in the top third of the field a decent showing. I have a few wins, many, many 2nd and 3rd place. Even have a few dead lasts. Never blanked in a Tx though. That would be tough.

My age is in my profile. I still feel young.

He just sent me two more pics. This has to stop, he's killing me.

This has run it's course…

I use both. Try a lefty, see what you think. You should be able to at least try a floor model out at a store.

One of the Alphas types, for what you want to do. Otherwise, for gen. purpose a Zillion.

And you better get those plants in the ground before I get there, lol.

Nice fish! Save some for me, bud!

Do I need to start an official incontinance thread? Lol, let's get back on track.

One thing, smallies are a different story. They will often take bats that are way bigger than their mouth, but they will ram or slap at the bait. The important thing is to keep doing what you were doing with bait, maybe adding a pause. It can be pretty violent, and they get competitive. So, I guess if looking for the biggest splash, target smallmouth.

The G2 is a great bait. Put your tip down, and burn it, and it will run sub surface. Keep your tip up, or slow roll it, and it wakes. I catch a lot of fish on that bait, and the jointed Lucky Craft Clunn waker. I too, throw it on 15 to 20 lb. P-line CXX.

I try not to leave anything in plain sight that's worth more than a broken window.

Hammer vs. Screwdriver, which is better? They are different tools. Pros and Joes use the right tool for the job.