islandbass

You got it for $59 ? I paid $200 for mine ! How did you manage that islandbass? Great rod though eh? I bought mine for heavy cover wormin'. Well, I stopped by a local shop with the intent of buying nothing and I walked over to the Shimano rods. The Crucial's price tag was $59. Confused, I asked the guy and he confirmed the price. I couldn't believe it so I snatched it up. I screwed up at the same time. There were 2 other 6'10 MHs same model. I could have bought them and even if I sold them for $100.00, I would still have made a good profit and gave the person a saving. Stupid me! >

They pretty much covered why, but I'll add one thing to closing the bail manually. That is 90% of the battle. The other 10% involves ensuring that there is no slack on your side of the bail before the retrieve starts. You can still get the loops manually closing the bail if there still is slack in the line before the retrieve is started. The move is simple. Close the bail and then move the rod up or to a side slightly with your hand or small flick of the wrist to make the line taut and start your retrieve. I don't experience line twist or loops any more as a result. 8-)

Niiiiiiiice Catt! I just bought the same rod in the Heavy version for my heavy cover wormin' : Shimano Crucial CRC-X610H Length: 6' 10 Line: 10-20 lb Lure: 3/8-1 1/4 Power: Heavy Action: Extra Fast I also just bought a 7' St. Croix Avid for my "lighter cover" wormin': St. Croix Avid Length: 7' 0" Line: 10-17 lb Lure: 1/4-5/8 Power: Medium Action: Fast Awesome! I also have the same rod and I scored it for $59 to boot. I bought it to be my jig rod but I am glad to hear this is great for worming. It has not seen much use until last week when I first tried it for jig fishing. I was dragging a 1/2 oz football jig at 50' down and even being a jig newbie, with this rod I felt the take and set the hook. My beyond frozen hands couldn't seal the deal and the fish got off but this is a little testament about what I have discovered about my crucial to date. So I guess I'll x3 it for worms.

I've never heard of that but if it were true, many of us would probably lost a lot of bass by now. I hope it isn't true but I will continue to use the Palomar until otherwise. This knot has never failed me. Anytime speedbead. Being a visual lerner, I can at times find it difficult to learn to tie knots from books too.

http://www.animatedknots.com/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg For bass fishing for me: Palomar Trilene Improved Clinch Rapalas

I'm going this afternoon with the kids.

The CardiffA is an understated reel. If you are a Curado or Citica user, the Cardiff will feel like a second glove. You will not be disappointed with it. I have a 301A and I use it against brute salmon. If it can handle Salmon, it can handle a musky. There is a lot of bang for the buck in a cardiff. It also sports the Datranium drag. Check to see if you can get away with a 300 size. It ought to fit your hand better than a 401.

Fish4Funalot. Sounds like a good screen name.

Holy Smokes! I didn't even notice til you pointed it out and as I scrolled through, I was praying it wasn't I who resurrected it. Whew!

Rattlin' Rapala.

Given the choices, I don't think the GL2 is worth its price. Crucial hands down over the GL2. The GL2s feel realtively "heavy" for their price. You will find a Crucial to be an amazing rod for its price. I guarantee it.

I just saw at Sportsmans Warehouse travel rods, both spinning and casting for about $39 (I think). They varied from 6' - 7' in length and they broke down into 4 parts. The pieces would probably fit into an attache case. Unfortunately, I can't remember the brand name but for travel purposes it seemed a fair deal. If you have a Sportsmans nearby you might want to give them a call.

It can be done IMO minimally with 3 and this is going bare bone in which these rods will play multiple roles. 1 spinning rod to cover finessing and other light plastics 1 casting rod for jigs, heavier/bigger plastics with or without weights 1 more rod (casting or spinning angler's choice) for cranks, jerks and spinner/buzz baits. This covers the gamut minimally. In addition, the scenarios you face should also be an infulencing factor. Someone who faces lily pads and thick slop probably doesn't need a crankbait setup as a priority need to have rig and someone facing open and deep water probably doesn't need to bring along a flippin' stick. As a shorebound person, I have tried carrying up to 4 rods and realize that no matter what I bring, it usually boils down to 2 of those rods being used 90% of the time. As a result, only 3 I bring and still the 3rd one hardly sees play. Two of the three rods cover the scenarios I face.

I am glad to see people finding great deals. Shimano compre new from Sportsman's: $55, normally $89. Shimano Crucial from a local shop: $59, normally $129. Rapala DT 6s from Target @ $1.49 each. I just about bought the whole darn lot. Always a good deal that is normally priced and not a sale, a local shop sells 300 yds of the Real Power pro for $19.95 and 200 yds of SeaGuar Invizx for $12.97

You are so right about those Norman lures. Never again for me either. Junk out of the box.

It is an application that you can buy. Here is a link, but I think those prices are on the high side. I have the 2001 version that I bought from Costco and I think it was about $60. I can't fathom how it is going for $189 present day. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=software&field-keywords=picture%20it%20microsoft&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_software_26014696_1&results-process=default It does more than make collages. You can edit photos, make cards, flyers and many home type projects. -ib

Wow, those are awesome! I have the same program. Thanks for the great idea.

Those are just names of the casts. Spinning or Casting rig is irrelevant. You can pitch (which I do a lot when drop shotting) all day long with a spinning rig and flip if you wanted to. Such things are not written in stone. There are a couple of steps more to do, but you can definitely pitch with a spinning set. You can flip with a spinning set up too, but given the cover you will most likely face and the line you'll be using, it is far more convenient to use a casting set up.

If there is one brand I will no longer buy, it is Norman Lures crankbaits. I bought two on the recommendation of someone and the piece of crap didn't run true out of the box. I guess I am spoiled with Rapalas, but shame on me. The second one was also out of tune. I also threw out the danged receipt on the way to the lake so I don't know if I can even exchange them. I am thinking of sending them back, well at least one of them (I got one of them hung up) with a tactfully written letter informing them on my less than enthusiastic praise of them. Those Normans sure got me stormin' > And Berkley Vanish. I don't think I need to say more.

Mono - Sufix Braid - Power Pro Fluorocarbon - SeaGuar Invizx

Another for Rapala as the favorite, but I am not completely loyal to one brand. If I were forced to fish with lures from only one company, I could do quite well with Rapala.

I will bet you a floating rapala minnow that you definitely prefer the handle to be on the right side. I hope you don't make the mistake of buying a rh reel like I did. It was actually a good thing because I can fish left or right as a result but I still prefer left sided when possible.

x4. If I'm feeling up to practiving, I will tie the albright, but the double uni is much easier and faster for me.

Just curious what you guys say when you hook up. For me it's mostly Got 'em, and an occassional fish on when I fish amongst salmon anglers. :

They also have a 301/300 size. I have a 301 and this reel handles the salmon I battle. I am sure it can handle a muskie with ease.