islandbass

I hope you didn't spool it yet. You might be better off returning that line and exchanging it for something else. They ought to call that line poof because that is what the fish will do. I heard all the bad stories and took them with a grain of salt until I tried it. It was given to me by my brother. No matter how carefully tied my knots (and I'm anal about tying them carefully), Poof kept braking. New line, with no casts made. That was a hint and a half for me to leave my rig in the car and use my ones. I caught a nice 5.5 lb that even and shudder at the thought of what I would have lost with Vanish. It was 8# test and so weak a blue gill could have broken the line. Sorry if it scares you, but the risk of losing a hawg on this line is even scarier. Maybe we had a bad batch, but even then, the risk IMHO is not worth taking.

Folks that lay them on the ground are probably fishing solo and don't have someone to take the photo.

I think the short answer is no as a carry on. reels, yes. but anything with hooks will most likely be confiscated.

You may very well have a point and there is truth in what you say, or at the very least, my experiences in the challenge of catching LMB over SMB concur with yours that LMB are far tougher to catch, let alone coax to bite. I would be more inclined to believe that the word finicky (as in most finicky vs. smartest) would be more descript. One local lake I fish has a big bass who is pushing the 8.5 - 9 lb mark. This is about as big as LMB are going to get in my area. She is perhaps my greatest source of LMB frustration, test of patience, skill and wits. I have only been able to hook into her thrice and loss all bouts in a span of 4 seasons. I have not even seen her at all this season. :'( When I say to folks that smallies fight better, I quantify it by saying pound for pound they fight the hardest. You mention that you have yet to catch a smallie. You will most likely reconsider when you do. Pound for pound, their fight is unreal. Even the dinks don't quit. I am also proud to say that I have never ever lost a battle with a 10+ lb. LMB ever in my life. I have a clean perfect record there. Just don't tell anybody that it's perfect because I have never fought a bass that big! ;D

I think that tactic would work great. However, I fish super snaggy rip rap about 85% of the time I drop shot. On some days, I can lose up to 15 DS weights (even 1/8 oz ones) in an hour's time. So from an economic POV, it could be too costly a hit to the wallet to lose 15 or so jigs vs. 15 DS weights. I am seriously considering going to pencil lead for the rip rap. That is an even cheaper way to go especially when you have the pliers to flatten one end and pop a hole for the line.

Welcome!! This is a great place to be. 8-)

Look at the Lamiglas Drop Shot Special (either I or II). Lamiglas is so underrated. They make great rods. I have the DS I and can vouch for it. The I has a Moderate Fast action and the II is the one for deeper water and therefore has a touch more power, sports a fast or extra fast action. I can't recall for certain, but it is not moderate fast like the I. If I went outside of Lamiglas, I wouldn't mind checking out the Shimano DS rods.

It too is just about my favorite and most effective. I have added a jig rattle to the rig at the weight to fish dark and stained water with great results. Matter of fact, my first drop shot "hook up" was done this way on the first cast. That's my contribution!

Now that is a plan! 8-) Hope that SW has them. At half price Compres are an excellent deal. Did I tell you at another store I got a Crucial for $59?? ; ;D

x2. I found my compre at Sportsman's for $55 and another SW sold them for $45. Hopefully you have one in your area. At that price you could get both.

I think the only way to really know is to try it. I think it will work fine. From what I've seen, fourbizz is right about DS rods having F and EF actions from some of the big players. However, my DS rod from Lamiglas is a ML powered rod with a Moderate Fast action so I know that set up works. I rarely miss on the hookup if ever and I always know when I get the nibble. It's almost not fair for the fish with this rod. Let us know how it works out.

This has the best price I have seen. http://www.all-americanoutdoors.com/inc/sdetail/15937

Stay safe and thank you for your service. God bless!

Man, I also missed this thread. I am glad you were able to get something recovered and the bad guys got caught. 8-) Hats off to the scrap metal operator who had the wisdom to make the call to the police.

Congratulations. It was actually kind of cool seeing your progress. I think you really scored with that compre. Soon, you'll be a veteran here giving the same advice you've been giving that you learned both here and on the water. The only thing I see "wrong" with your reel is that the handle is on the "preferred" side for me. ;D

X2. Rods don't have to come from the same family or series to make it work for you unless you want it. Rooster, be careful. Pretty soon you are going to start to accessorize and color coordinate like a woman does her clothes and shoes! ;D As for me, I am not absolutely loyal to only one brand. I pick what I want from those companies because I think what they offer suits me. I think matching rods as one might a set of golf clubs might be apples and oranges.

I have the exact same rod. I just love Catt's remarks on its power, but I can tell you about its sensitivity (I have the same rod). Picture a 20 degree weather January day in the dead of winter, fishing 60' of water with hands so frozen (despite a pair of gloves and mitts) and numb that you would have difficulty bringing your fingers together to grab the knob of the crank to retrieve let alone hold the rod securely with the other. Despite those conditions, I felt the take of a smallie 60'. I lost the battle, but to feel that take with my numb hands really upped my praise about the rods. They weren't frozen from the 20 degree temps, but by blazing down the lake at 55 mph. Winnnnnnd Chilll,,,, baby! ;D

You sure got that right about this being debateable. Go for it since scruples appears to be something you lack. It's almost as if you couldn't contain how "slick" an idea you concocted and had to share it with everyone here. Such intentions are better left in the dark for if only to not cause what you didn't want, and that is to not get flamed. If I had the popcorn smiley, I'd post it right here. I hope they demand to see the receipt. Good luck with your transaction.

Oh yeah. This tactic is very effective. Love doing this.

That was a great read. 8-) Here is some more information. http://flw.flwoutdoors.com/article.cfm?id=141123

Just remember that not all bc reels are equal when it comes to tossing lighter lures. Reels like the curado and citica make short work of lures in the 1/4 weight range. The rod is also a very important factor to consider and so are the aerodynamics of the lures. For example tossing a 1/4 oz spoon will probably be a lot less hassle than say a 1/4 oz spinner bait. Line choice also influences castibility. Lighter lines tend to toss lighter lures better, but at the same time, lighter lines on some casting reels can be a pain (generally speaking, pixies and chronarchs I imagine would be the exception). Don't expect a rod rated for 3/8 - 1 oz to toss your 1/4 oz little crankbait too well. Choosing a rod rated for the weight(s) you intend to cast will make it easier for you. It can be done. A curado can handle even a 1/8 oz lure when properly set.

For the time being took off the braid (save it) and put on the mono of your choice. What you experienced is what is commonly called line dig. It can be minimized by stepping up to a braid in a higher pound test, but for the sake of your learning and sanity, stick to mono for learning. Every time you get snagged and use the rod and reel to "free" it, this causes the line to "dig" into itself. The simple solution to minimize this is to remove the line and reel from the removal equation. Also, pulling off line with a tightly set drag can also do this. Simply pull off some line to work with to tug the snag free. Be careful. Braid can easily cut into your fingers. Based on my experience, it has only happened with braid. This is why I recommend mono for your learning period.

As one who has both a Clarus and a Compre, I can tell you that both are very decent. The lifetime warranty that accompany's these rods is also a great plus combined with decent components for their price points. I have a Casting Clarus and a Spinning Compre and while I will say that the Compre is more sensitive, it does not mean by any stretch that the Clarus is lacking. You might want to shop around. Shimano revamped those lines if I am not mistaken and the prices went up about $10. You might be able to find the "older" models on sale for up to half off. To illustrate this, I got my Compre, an $89 rod for $54 at Sportman's Warehouse. Now that is awesome. Another SW sold the compres for $45! So some hunting around could pay off. Good luck.

I use both types and it just depends which is in my hands at the time. Both work well. The only limiting factor when using a casting set up is making sure you use a bc reel that can handle lighter weights. Most new reels can but some don't handle them well.

Same here. Could you modify the pole to add that option? My preference given the choice is left, but I have since learned to fish with either. 8-)