J Francho

Gotcha. Yeah, they click on the retrieve too, lol.

You are referring to the spool or bait clicker, not a drag clicker. There's a subtle difference, though it probably doesn't matter. There are some older Abu reels that have a notched metal top drag washer. When the spool is engaged, and the drag slips to the point of paying out line, there is an audible click. There is no turning this feature on and off, and it only gives a click in that situation. On a reel with a bait clicker, no matter whether the spool is in free spool, or engaged, it clicks, unless you turn it off. It's useful of leaving the reel in free spool when soaking bait. You hear it go off, engage the spool, and set the hook.

The short answer, yes. Anytime you want more distance, you will use less braking and less spool tension. 9/10, the use gains very little with upgraded bearings since they cinch down the spool tension and use brakes to control the cast. The way to get the most out of the reel is use your thumb as the brake.

Gander and Dick's do that all the time. They say they are "discontinued" items, while in reality, they've stopped carrying them for whatever reason. Years ago, I was panic stricken by the Gander fishing department manager informing me that P-Line CXX was being discontinued, and was on clearance. I found that later to be untrue, they simply updated their packaging. Needless to say, I bought them out, lol.

I generally use a weight so heavy with beaver style baits, that I don't think a bass has a chance to determine anything other than, "that's an easy meal I better bite before it hits the floor!"

Post of the day! I actually chuckled out loud.

Sure, if you're fishing relatively shallow, in moderate to heavy cover, it works great. But if you're fishing deep, open structure it's much simpler to open the bail and let the bait plummet. Spinning reels handle light line better as well.

Maybe nature called.....

Not too many. You should be able to feel that it is letting out drag. The reason a spinning reel uses an audible click is to warn you not to reel against the drag. On a baitcaster, there is no issue with reeling against the drag.

If you can't afford much more than line, then by all means, spool that baby up with some 6# line, and get out there. I wouldn't say an Ugly Stik is "dead" by any means, but newer, modern tackle is so, so much more sensitive these days, and it doesn't take a small fortune to get there. Lots of good recommendations for new rods already.

OK, bass seem to have a preference for crayfish. Why couldn't they learn a dislike for a chrome rattle trap? I'm trying to see the logic of one side, to prove or disprove the other side of the coin. I know from anecdotal experience sore mouthing just about every fish in noontime pond that you do have to change things up. That lime green Senko ain't gonna cut it by July. But that's in a relatively sterile "fish tank," a 20 acre pond, not a big lake.

I learned a great trick from wnybassman ("No Good") and that's to leave a rubber landing net out on the deck. Makes it real easy to swing a dink over to a wet, non carpeted surface. Then you just grab the net, and unhook the fish. Here he is grabbing a dink after landing him on the net.

Shimano Bantam Oil is one of the better all around bearing oil. A good blend of speed and durability.

I like braid around weeds. On spinning gear, being able to use a smaller diameter line with a higher breaking strength is a huge advantage. I like to present a wacky jig or shaky head on clear fluoro. 10 or 12 lb. is just too unmanageable on spinning gear, but it's really necessary when the weeds get think. A dedicated finesse casting rig isn't in many's budget either. The simplest solution is something like 15-20 lb. braid. You can tie direct, or use that heavier 12 lb. fluoro leader as I prefer, but still be able to cast without thought to line management issues.

The XPS line in 10 and 12 lb. sizes really worked well for cranking duty.

Here's what I'll be trying: Hedden Chuggin' Spook Smithwick Perfect 10 Xcalibur One Knocker Xcalibur Zell Pop Yum Mighty Craw

Wait a minute. Doesn't the very notion that a bass will learn to use certain structure and cover to successfully forage verify their ability to learn, or become conditioned? I mean, we're only talking about one facet here, not biting baits. If they can learn how to repeat positive results, then the opposite must be true. A negative response must be learnable by them, or they'd fail to become successful predators.

Yep, I got it. I'm not as active on the weekends, so I sometimes take a bit to get back to all the PMs that stack up.

Got 99 problems, but fishing string ain't one....

Maybe it's time to invest in a paddle leash? Glad you're OK.

I use a custom build off of Saint Croix's Legend Tournament LTBC79HF that I love for this stuff.

If anyone is worried about turtling a small boat, the Mini-X is for you. You'll fall out before it flips.

You're wrong, this isn't appropriate and clearly falls under the forbidden subject of politics. There has been an excise tax on fishing gear since the 50s, part of the Sportfish Restoration Act. In 1975 an excise tax on archery gear was established to support the Wildlife Restoration Program. Links, information, along with the source of the incorrect information is on snopes. http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/medicaldevice.asp

I've fished in a Mini-X. It's worth it, if you can afford it. Malibu has really stepped up it's game with regards to construction, design, and quality. It's a lot more boat than the Ascend.

Snapping turtle.