strick9

I too use 20 or 30lb braid on my spinning reel to skip with. I no longer use any leader because after experimenting with and without for a couple years I saw no advantage using the leader. As far as the reel goes, any of the major brand reels in the price range you can afford will work well.

The Triton Explorer is not using the same shell as the TR18. The TR 18's hull is deeper and has more support thus the higher hp rating. I know this because a Trition rep. explained it to me at a boat show that I went to a 2 months ago. Now as for the other boats. The Nitro X5 would be the only one that I would consider. The 115 on the back should push it about 52-53mph. If you're going to compare the the X5, compare it to the Stratos 186XT not the 176XT. The 186XT is almost a foot and a half longer and 1 inch narrower than the X5. Both have the same max horsepower rating and are the same price. I have the Stratos 176XT with a 70hp Yamaha and it's an awesome boat. I can't speak for the Nitros which I'm sure are nice boats, but I can recommend the Stratos 176XT or 186XT!!!

Thanks Chuck, I take you're opinion as being an honest comparison from someone who has used both. It looks like I will have to try some BTS and at least do a side by side test. If it is better than BBS it is one very good product!!! Thanks again for the info.

I have been using Bass Boat Saver for a couple years and love it. I use it on everything in the boat. Have you ever used the BBS and if so how does the BTS compare?

2007 Stratos 176XT 70hp Yamaha I love it!!!!!!!

This is how I used to hold my spinning reels also but I have recently tried holding it with the reel between my pinky and ring finger. This has allowed me to put one finger on the bare blank of the rod above the foregrip but still allows my hand to be in the proper casting position. Felt a little awkward at first but it has worked out great.

The spring classic was in February and March and they do the reel trade in every year. The value of the trade in is not based on what you purchased the reel for originally, it's based on the value of the new reel you are going to purchase. You can turn in any working reel (to be donated to kids) and you get a coupon for money off any non Shimano reel. The more expensive the reel the more discount you get.

9 in the boat. 7 baitcasters and 2 spinning. 6 St. Croix's, 2 All Stars and 1 BPS Extreme.

Very good success with the toads and the shad!!! I like the shad a little better, it just may replace my buzzbaits all together!!!

I have used St. Croix Premiers for years and love them!!! I have been wanting to try a split grip rod so the Mojo was the perfect option so I bought a 6' 8" M XF spinning rod and love it!!!

Norman Speed Clips no swivel.

That dial does not adjust anything. All it is for is to mark the size of the line you have on the reel as a reminder.

x2!!! I have the Accurist PT and is has been a very nice reel and for that sale price you can't go wrong!!!

The Mojo rods are made on the same blank as the Premier and the Triumph. I have had several Premiers and they are very nice rods and I have never had an issue with the guide inserts. I just bought a Mojo spinning rod and can't wait to use it!!! I believe the Triumph is made in China the Premier is made in the USA and the Mojo will be made in Mexico but I contacted St. Croix and they did confirm that the Mojo's are currently being made in Wisconsin until the plant in Mexico is ready. There will be no designation on the rods that says which ones were made where.

Hey Tuckman, sorry to hear about your bad experience. I can totaly understand how that can make you shy away and go to another product. I had a bad experience with a Shimano reel many years ago and I found something that has served me well and stuck with it!! I'm glad you have found something that you enjoy fishing with, that's what it's all about!! We all have our opinions and our favorites. Have a great fishing season!!!!!

For one the gears on your baitcaster are disengaged on the cast. The Quantum baitcasters do have a distinctive whizzing sound when they cast but it is not the gears grinding and it is not because there is something wrong with the reel!!!! I fish hard too and my Quantums reels have served me very well!!! Between the two I would say the Zilloin is the better reel but I have used the Energy reels for several years and they are very good reels!!!!

I learned to use the skipping technique a couple years ago using an existing 6' 6" ML spinning rod I had. I mainly use tubes to skip under docks and boats in tight places. I am in the market to replace this spinning rod and am considering getting something shorter. I have been looking at the St. Croix Legend Tournament 5" 10" M skipping rod. Any of you that use this technique alot, does the shorter rod help with accuracy?

I've had several St. Croix Premiers over the years and they are very nice rods!!! I just picked up a Mojo spinning rod and I am very anxious to use it!!!!!

I have two of the pre PT versions and one PT and they are very nice reels. The PT version is deffinetly smoother, if you can pick one for $60 it's a great deal!!!!

I too am right handed but grew up fishing with nothing but spinning gear and it didn't seem natural to cast and crank with the same hand so I learned to cast with my right hand and crank with my left. When I did finally decide to give baitcasters a try it seemed to me to be a natural choice to go with left hand retrieves so I use left hand retrieve for both. I see many many fishermen switch hands when casting baitcasting reels and do fine, it just seems way to awkward to me.

So is Park Falls Wi. so there is no need to change the website if they are just being made in the USA until the plant in Mexico is completed. I am just curious to know if the ones being made in Park Falls now are marked as being made in the USA. I have tried to contact St. Croix about this but have not received a response yet. These are made with the same blanks as the Premiers and I have had several of the premiers over the years both spinning and casting and have no problems with them at all. For the price they are very good rods!!!! I have been thinking about buying one of the Legend Tournament rods but I may have to try one of the Mojo's first to check out how I like the split grip, especially if I can get one that is made in the USA!!!

I've been using my Bass Boat Saver on my rods and reels. This stuff seems to work on just about everything!!!!

Quantum TE PT / 6'6" St. Croix Premier MF - diving crankbaits Quantum TE PT / 6'6" St. Croix Premier MF - lipless cranbaits Quantum Energy PT / 6'6" All Star Classic MHF - spinnerbaits Quantum Accurist PT / 6'6" All Star Classic MF - topwaters Quantum Energy PT X-metal / 6'6" St. Croix Premier MF - buzzbaits Shimano Bantum Curado / 6'6" BPS Extreme MHF - froggin 2 Quantum Catalyst PT spinning reels / 6'6" St. Croix Premier MLF - 1 for soft plastic finesse applications and the other has a tube on all the time that I use for skipping docks. The 2 spinning rods are 12 years old and looking to replace them this year.

I hope this helps. Directions to remove handle: Quantum's new Tour Edition and Energy baitcast reels have a new and unique handle design. This design eliminates any looseness between the handle and crank shaft. It also eliminates the use of a handle nut, washers, and cap, for a sleeker look. So removing the handle is different than any other product. To remove the handle; tighten the star drag all the way down. Push and hold down on the handle ratchet (black round ratchet located under the handle). Note: If the handle ratchet is hard to push down , you might need to hold the spool and rotate the handle forward slightly. Then twist the handle backwards to remove Quantum Fishing 6105 E. Apache Tulsa, OK 74115 (800) 588-9030

I picked up some 15# Ultra Soft for the first time and have been using it for about a month now. So far I have found this line to be very managable!!! Much less memory than most 15# line I've used. I am looking forward to trying some 8# on my spinning rigs. The abrasion resistance and knot strength seems good as well, I've been catching alot of pike and this line holds up well when nicked up from their teeth. I've been a P-line flouroclear user but I think I'm switching over!!!