islandbass

JWO, It has perplexed me and I am relatively new to bass angling with this upcoming season being my 5th, as to we so many bass anglers seem to be an either exclusive to one reel type or the other. It is MHO, but I do not see why you should need to "give up" spinning reels, especially if you are already comfortable with spinning reels. I see both reel types as tools and each might excel where the other might be lacking or somewhat adequate and vice versa. I have a MH compre spinning to handle my "all around" spinning rod and have used it for drop shotting and t-rigs. It does well doing both. I think it would be better to see the upcoming baitcast setup as an addition to your arsenal and not a sayonara to your spinning rigs. I too felt awkward leaving my comfort zone as I too came initially from a spinning background, but I will say that I am glad I did. Baitcasters rock, but IMO, so do spinning reels. I like, love, and use both. Bottom line, reels are tools. Some anglers might think of it as a pride thing and that it is beneath them to use a spinning reel, and that is their prerogative. But if they look down and frown on me for using a spinning setup, that is their problem. A spinning reel spanks a casting reel for most finesse set ups. So unless they can cast a 1/16 oz lure and not have to pull line off their casting reels just to give the lure a more vertical drop for lighter items, I won't even give a second look. As for a MH setup for bass fishing, you need not look any further that a 2500 spinning reel and a decent MH like something from Shimano's compre line. After the 2500 size, reels are just to heavy IMHO. As for learning a bc reel, I will tell you that it is NOT is "hard" as you perceive currently. These modern reels out there like a Citica or Curado have such a high tolerance for user error in set up that I guarantee you that you can learn in as little as 3 twenty minute sessions of focused quality practice. I am dead serious. I taught my little girl when she was six and she was hooked after the first cast. Heck, I could teach you how to use one in less than 10 minutes. And get reel with the handle on the same side as is found on your spinning reels. I think it is not worth it to spend your hard earned $$$ on a good casting reel and buy it with the handle on the opposite side. Just because most older bass anglers use RH casting reels doesn't mean that you have to. They had to learn that way because back then, there really wasn't a choice as there is today. I use LH casting reels and I will bet you a floating rapala minnow you will feel much better using LH ones too. ..."Why did they originally make baitcasters the complete opposite of the spinning reel, meanings which hand you hold the rod in and which hand you reel with? "... It leads me to believe that the inventor of the baitcaster was left handed.

As good a line as CX Premium is, it too acquires a lot of memory. It is one of my peeves with CX Prem. or CXX and I just might if I need to in a pinch consider use of them only on a baitcast reel. I have also used 12 and 15# CXX and they both have memory up the ying yang. I realize that memory doesn't affect performance but it sure is ugly to look at. : I have 8# fluoroclear on a spinning reel and it has been on for nearly a year. While their is some memory, it is very manageable and seems to be fine. You will also find that Evolution also acquires memory rather quickly.

I don't think so IMHO. My trion spins like the dickens, much more than my curado d. They both cast about the same distance. It is cool to watch though.

Well, I can finally say that I own a G Loomis rod, and the best thing about it is that I won (or probably selected for) it. It is a custom rod that was built on a GL2 blank and given to me by a most generous benefactor at another forum. I am very grateful and was told that that the win was not necessarily random. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I think it might have been partly due to the stories and reports I've posted in 2007. I cannot wait to give this rod a try. I was also given the choice of spinning or casting. I chose the latter. I realize GL2 is not GLX but, who would I be to look a gift horse in the eyes and say no? Sorry, I just couldn't contain the joy and had to share it with all of you. I'll try to post a pic when I get the chance.

Not only that, no lefty version. For newbies to baitcaster who fished with spinning reels with handles on the left side, this reel will most likely not be a good option unless you want to reprogram your muscle memory to fish opposite handed.

I think I'd rather construct some sort of adapter that I could attach a power drill to to wind up that line. I would imagine that by now someone would have thought of using a drill. That was a long time BTW.

Wow, very impressive. Good to see other builders out there. You've started my wheels turning and I might have to make a similar set up, but one that I could break down. A beautiful setup, but an eyesoar to the Mrs. : Alpster, yours is pretty cool too. 8-)

Cool! I once did their buy 5 and get one free by mail. They sent me a shad rap. 8-)

Holy smokes! I would NOT put my thumb on that!! It sounded like a high pitch saw or rc airplane. It was awesome though. I never thought a reel's spool could spin that fast. 8-)

You friend is right and wrong. He is right in that you probably have a prayer of a chance if you were fishing heavy cover. But if the cover you are facing is sparse, he is wrong. The UL rod should be able to protect your line regardless of the size of the fish with a properly set drag. I know of folks who have landed 30# King Salmon on ultralight with 6# test. If that is true and it is, then shoot, your ul which I am sure is a quality ul rig could definitely land a 5lb bass if the cover isn't too harsh. The bass could struggle all it wants. It will not break the rod. As one who loves to UL fish for bass (especially when the "real" lures and gear aren't working :), there is nothing like watching the parabolic bend of my rig when I have a 3-4 lb bass on and I fish confidently that my rod will protect my line with a properly set drag. It is awesome. Your buddy doesn't know what he is missing. Anyone can horse in a 3-4lb bass on stout gear, but it takes a those made of sterner stuff and an iron clad mind set to land a nice sized bass on UL gear. Okay, so I'm flowering it up a bit, but catching bass on UL gear conditions permitting is a great way to fish for them. I think you did the right thing. The next time out, you take him and show him the joys of UL fishing.

I have seen this before in other threads. I am wondering what you do with it at each location??? I find it hard to believe that everywhere you go you find the perfect place to set it. Do you strap it to tree's to hold it up? Hang it from a branch? Set it where ever it lay's?? Good questions. You answered it. I set whereever. Usually I lay it down flat or let it stand upright as shown here: If the ground is such that it wouldn't be wise to lay it down flat, I just prop it on my tackle bag like this: Since I usually carry 3 rods, there is no third rod on the flat side of the triangle so when it is lying down, the other rigs don't touch the ground. The other benefit is that when I prop them on my bag in the car for transport, no matter how bumpy the road is, the rods don't bang around and hit each other.

Look like you need to do a little building. I made this to address that exact concern before I realized the is something cool is already on the market. I call it a rod quiver. With it, I can hold 3 rods in one hand. There is one downside to the backpack deal. If you're travelling through brush, forget it. I initially added straps so I could where my quiver on my back but trees and other things just get in the way. I found out it was far better to hand carry when negotiating through the brush. Here it is in action. I went fishing yesterday and easily ported 4 rods and the ones not in use ever touched the ground. I know, I'm a geek, but it really works well and to me, it's Sweeeet!

Yes, the jury is still out. However, on paper, the Saros has some of the newer technology that the older Stradic does not have, yet at the old Stradic's price point. I too have tried it but I don't "need" one at this time. They sure look nicer and better than the old stradic's sickly (IMHO) appearance. On looks alone, I'd never buy the older stradic and this is coming from one who normally has function override looks. Butt ugly the old stradic is, young padawan. ;D

Sounds good. If I may ask, does a tightened drag reduce the overrun? If so, that is a great thing to know.

Consder yourself lucky. My daughter is the same age as your and she claimed my Curado BSF as hers after her first cast when she was 6. I found her a nice southbend two piece casting rod that I got for about $10. So Kudos to you, from one proud dad to another! Oh yeah... The first words out of her mouth after her first cast "Papi, this reel is so much easier to use than the other (spinning) kind." Now that's my little girl! 8-) And the only thing I told her that no matter what happens, your thumb must stop the spool from spinning right before it hits anything, be it the water, the ground, or the neighbor's fence.

Hopefully you aren't asking because you suspect your gear is something others wouldn't want to use. I think your gear is fine if it serves you well. You mention that you are comfortable with it and that there is the key. Hope you don't worry too much about what others are using. Some folks here have reels whose price alone is more than a monthly car payment, but as previously mentioned, the fish don't know nor do they care. If you like what you are using, then stick with it and if you are curious to try pricier gear, it couldn't hurt. Be forewarned about awakening your currently dormant baitmonkey. Once unleashed, he can never be permanenly caged. ;D To your main question, your gear should hold up if you take care of it. I've know some folks who target steelhead with barbie and snoopy poles with success on an annual fishing excursion. If a snoopy pole can do that, I imagine your rigs can also.

To me it is a cast that hits the intended spot regardless of the distance. Here is a acquaintance of mine who showed that it can also be done with a spinning reel. More steps involved for sure, but it doesn't mean that it can't be done.

Sweet! What XMG Model(s) did you get? And please give a review. The boys at TT gave a fairly postive review on one of them, but I would love to hear your perspective on those rods when you get the chance. Thanks! Every time I see one at the local shops I come close to pulling the trigger.

The Competitor series is awesome. Unlike Loomis, vendors can sell the Lami rods for whatever price they want, hence the price difference. The cheapest in store price I see is about $65. As the proud owner of one, I can tell you that they are remarkably sensitive. I also believe they used to sport Fuji guides, but the newer own sport pacific bay guides. I have the CC664 model. I also think you are probably right about those models being old stock and most likely discontinued would be my best guess. At $35, that is a steal of a deal anywhere. 8-)

Alpster, now that is the way to start! I don't mind eating beforehand either, but once I am fishing. . . No drinking No eating No need for a rest room - it ain't going to happen I am totally into it. I have fished dusk to dark without food or drink but the instant I am finished, I suddenly feel hungry and thristy. :

Gotta have my polarized glasses with me, even if I know the water I will be fishing is stained. I've turned around after 20 miles to get them or will stop be a local walmart if one is close and buy a $9 pair. I just go nuts without them. Willing to fish any condition or climate, even when I know full well from the shore in sub 32 degree weather my chances of catching are less than zero.

Being that you are probably accustomed to having the crank on the left side, I strongly recommend that you return and exchange it for a left hand version. It will never ever feel "right" to you without a lot of reprogramming. Take from someone who did the same thing buying his first bc reel with a rh handle. As already mentioned, the handle is not interchangeable.

I must say that fishing hasn't been easy this year and as a matter of fact for those shore bound like me. I'm batting 0 for 3 and I am trying to remove the funk of not catching a fish in winter. It's perhaps my biggest fishing related peeve right now and it irks me that I hooked and lost what would have been: 1) The first fish caught in 2008 2) First bass caught in winter and 3) First fish caught on a jig. Oooohh that gets me steaming like Yosemite Sam. Fortunately, I have found comfort in making some lures that will be auctioned off at my daughter's school auction. I made two sets of five inline spinners. Here is one set: This set of 3 I made tonight: I love my Patriot pattern of Red, White, and Blue bucktail. Too bad they wouldn't fare well as a Valentine's gift!

I think you will find 3/16 to 1/4 the best for depths up to 20-25' especially if you're just starting out. 1/8 is cool too, but it will most likely be easier and more convenient to "feel" the bottom with a 3/16 or 1/4 oz. weight. Bottom line is that nothing is absolute. You will come to learn that one weight is good for one situtation but not so good in another. For example, I had the opportunity last month to fish 45-60' for the first time ever and unfortunately for me the heaviest weight I have was 1/4 oz. To this point I never "saw" the need to acquire heavier weights because I never thought I'd face a deep fshing scenario. It seemed like an eternity for the rig to get to the bottom even with a spinning reel. I will definitely opt for a heavier weight if I fish that deep again.

You got it! And neither are largemouth nor smallmouth. They are actually members of the sun fish family and not true bass. However, the name stuck as it has with peacocks. For me, given the choice, I'd fish for smallies all day, the period of the fight is almost like a drug to me. Most of the lakes in my vicinity have LMBs though so it's always a decision: within 5 miles of the house, LMB or 50 mile round trip for best chance from the shore for smallies.