islandbass

That's cool. Any idea what is happening chemically though? I know Baking soda can be used to remove odors from the air and I wonder if it's the baking soda doing some magic.

Yep. Seen it. Don't particularly care for that shade of green. Makes make like the battle ship gray a little more now. ;D

Dang, you missed the rebate. Id' still get one but with some good searching, you might be able to find one for less than MSRP.

x2, me too. Loyalty, schmoyalty. ;D

I'm no expert, but here is some information on the SVS 4x4 system: http://www.japantackle.com/Topics/brake_system.htm

I too am from the Pacific Northwest, and yes, we do have bass. ;D Steelhead and Salmon rule, but that only means that there is more bass for a few others and me. Here's the proof: 8-) LMB Smallie Bass Chump, I can refer you to local forums where there are people who know our bass' preferences better than me. Send me a PM if you're interested. Also, one of the toughest things for me being shorebound is that I don't can't always get to them. I think one key for you is locating them first. That is half of the battle. Unless they're found, not even the sweetest loomis GLX and Chronarch Mg is going to help. You are right. Bass fishing can be very tough. If you are in the Portland area, Hagg Lake seems the place to be or the Columbia River herself. Best of luck. -Alex

Wow, that is the pinnacle of beauty.

x2. There isn't a better reel under $100. I know stradics and saros reel have been recommended, but at normal price they exceed your budget. So unless the bait monkey tempts and convinces you to increase your budget to acquire a stradic or saros, then the symetre is the ticket, unless you find either under budget. -pround and pleased symetre owner.

Absolutely not... Never... ever.... J/J Happens to everybody.

I too would recommend using at least 1/2 oz when practicing. Also try to feel the lure's weight swing away from you as just before you flick your wrist forward. Better to be smooth with this movement than quick when you start out. Good luck.

Don't count out Shimano's Clarus ($59) and Compre ($89) rods. Excellent bang for the buck with quality components and warranty.

Don't worry about the bearing count. Both reels have quality bearings in them, and I would be surprised if you could actually feel the difference. As long as the bearings are where they will enhance performance and castibility, the rest is extra weighted fluff. As for casting light baits, I am certain that both should easily cast a 1/4 oz If you are a true student of the bait monkey, you know that there is only one answer. Get the Citica and the Revo S. 8-)

I've used Evo in 12# strength with the palomar knot without issue. How careful are you when you get to cinching the knot? One thing I've noticed is that when tying it, keeping the loop only as big as it needs to be to accomodate the hook or lure is the better way to go vs. having a huge loop. Rushing and impatience when cinching the knot tight with a big loop greatly increases the potential to damage the line if the knot is already cinched up before it gets to the hook or lure. With knot already being tight, the line from the knot to the hook or lure is going to get damaged. I actually use the improved clinch knot whenever I tie on larger lures. It is easier to tie and you don't need to create a huge loop. Then again it might be possible you have a bad batch. If you have a buddy that fishes with you (or anyone else) have him tie the palomar and see if the same result happens. Then you will know it is the line.

For the components and graphite it possesses, it is VERY tough to beat at its price point. I have a 2 piece spinning MH that I need to have two piece for convenience, and I use it for applications ranging from drop shot to jigs and cranks. It is an awesome all arounder. I too have a Clarus casting rod and if you like a Clarus, you will love a Compre. I do not think you will be disappointed with the Compre of your choice. Some models even have the cut away in the foregrip for your finger and that IMHO is a nice touch.

For bass fishing, absolutely. It is more than adequate as already stated. The species you target is a factor that you would need to consider. For example a large salmon, can and will make short work of that. Matter of fact, it can spool that much. I know because it has happened to me. A brutish chum salmon spooled an optimally filled curado d. The only thing I could do was tip off my hat in respect. The worst thing about the whole thing was that it was swimming around with a hook in its mouth with a whole lot of line. :'( It was the best 22 minute (yes, I timed the battle) fight of my short fishing career.

It is far more convenient, bottom line. You could put line on with one hand and pick your nose with the other. ;D To achieve tension with ease, I use a phonebook.

Mine either. The only time I took her fishing, she hooked into a trout and handed me the rod. :'( You're a blessed guy, basspaddler!

Thanks for the responses. I figured that for others, their favorites are also their most productive. Yeah, there's nothing like a topwater strike. It's almost like a a good addiction to have. 8-)

As one who is guilty of thinking too much, I would like to pose some questions. Are your favorite lures, say your top three lures you like to use more than the others also the most productive? This has always been something I have been thinking about since I started fishing about five seasons ago and I think I have enough data to make a fair assessment of it. In my case, it seems that for the most part, my favorite baits, the ones I like to use the most appear to account for fewer bass. My top three favorite baits to work, i.e., impart life to are: 1) Hard Jerk Baits (e.g., Husky Jerk, X-rap): I love working these lures; jerk-pause, jerk-jerk-pause Gosh, they're a lot of fun to work. However, with this lure type, I can only think of one fish I have hooked up. It was a pig however. 2) Poppers (e.g., Skitter pop, homemade poppers): Man, oh man, do I have to work these topwater baits. While I have caught some, I have come to learn that certain times have given me higher percentages of catching bass. Also, many of the bass caught were greater than 3 lbs., which is decent in my neck of the woods. Many of the biggest ones caught were with poppers. On the other side of the coin, after learning that there are better times than others on my waters, in its defense, I pull it out when I think its chances are best. 3) Walk-The-Dog Lures (e.g., spooks, skitter walks, sammies): Now who doesn't like to zig-zag these bad boys? I can work them all day and just enjoy them. To date, unfortunately, only two bass in my entire bass fishing history was caught on one. What is the relationship/correlation between your three favorite lures to work and their productivity for you? Also, state what region of the country you are from and general water clarity of the typical lakes you fish or your home lake. The lakes I usually fish have are green in color with a usual clarity of about 5-10' in the Pacific Northwest. I think this is good information to share here that could possibly lead to see if there might be trends in what some bass in different areas of the country prefer to munch on. -ib

If you're going to spend $80 on a reel, I can't say anything about the Pfluegers, but that is right up the alley for a symetre 2500. This is what I use with my compre. Solid combo for sure. Good luck on your final decision.

Wow!! Now if the LH reel doesn't work out for you, I'll be more than happy to take the reel off your hands.

Take a look at Shimano's Compre line. I have a 2-piece MH 6'6" rod and it is two piece out of necessity. It is a great all around rod rated for 8-17 # line and 3/16-7/8 I think. There are also two piece medium rods in this line up. And to your liking, they are only $89. I was lucky to gind mine for $54 but even at $89, they are well worth the price. The guides are quality for sure and they are back by shimano's lifetime warranty. They are also very sensitive rods too. Just another option for you.

Heck yes, go left handed. I went through the same thing myself. I highly recommend reading through the linked items. This topic comes up from time to time and there is a wealth of information in them. Don't be ashamed to be a part of the lefty club. ;D Yeah, I'm a lefty but not in politics. ;D

Do you know why they say this? I have been doing this, but if there is something detrimental I would like to know if I should stop. Thanks.

Everyone is entitled to have an opinion, and giving an negative opinion is not necessarily bashing. Sometimes you have to call things how you see them. Take this from someone who has 2 Curado Ds, a 101D and 201D. What I am stating is my own opinion and my dislikes and no one has to agree with me. I for one do not think that the 101D is worth the $199 MSRP and the 201D, maybe $175-80 is a price I's be willing to pay. In the case of the 101D, it is lighter than the 101BSF, but I don't think it is worth the $50 increase in price for its lower weight, lighter spool and the dartanium drag and lack of the 1/4 turn sideplate. Why? The citica 100 size also has many of the same features but is only $119. In the case of the 201D, you are getting more: The HE Gearing, Dartanium Drag, 1/4 turn sideplate to name a few, so I like I mentioned, maybe $175-80. But at the same time, the Citica 201D also has many of those features. The differences appear to be in the bearing count and spool, but can such changes be worth the $70 increase between the two reels? Ultimately, the buyer decides. The Citica D is so close to the Curado in the 100 size that the $70 difference almost doesn't seem worth it. I think the reason they didn't make the Citica 101D (which irks me : and I would have bought one) is because the Curado 101D sales would suffer for the reason I pointed out. In both of my cases, I did not (and would not have) pay full retail. I got the 201D for $179 and the 101D for $133 after the rebate, both prices I was willing to pay. Just because I mention this does not mean I am bashing the curado d. Heck no. I have two awesome reels and there is no doubt about it. I am merely pointing out that perhaps a better pricing structure could have been made for the every day Joe could have benefited them better. I realize they put in the $$ and the research, but at the same time, but there is also a corrleation as to what folks are willing to pay for things they want. Now I know that people bash the 201D for its bulk and weight but on the other side of the coin, perhaps it doesn't dawn on us bass anglers that the 201D was targetted to anglers seeking larger quarry that can spool a 101. I bought my 201 because there are salmon and steelhead that I face that would smoke a 101 in no time flat. As "heavy" as the 200s are, it is a solid reel.