Ern

Glad you found that post. I looked for it last night and missed it. Also, like he points out the handle and spool, the schematics on shimanos site I see different part numbers for the brake case for the spool. This is probably due to the coating on the spool. I think the name change was silly, but happy they keep the reel. Bantam had hinted to this price increase when the Curado 50e came up at $199. He made a statement that the curado 200e's should be $199 but they had an agreement with the factory. Either way a great reel gets to stay around with more option in gears and lefty's.

I got this rod a couple years ago and have really yet to play with it. I took it out the other day and am wondering what I was thinking for buying it. Anyway. Just wanting to know what you folks are using yours for. It is the 6'3" Heavy power in the reaction series.

Im glad to see it. For the most part the local Dick's stocks up once or twice at the beginning of the season and by fathers day fishing is done. The local pro stores only carry selections of specialty items and the pricing is nuts. They are great for what is "hot here and now" but again pricing is Rough. I hope Walmart gets back to the way they used to be. I like the mom and pops stores, But someone need to have the basics cheap.

The rod may be a rod from a Zebco 33 combo. In which case it would say that on the rod. But the ole "33" the name of Zebco reel. Now for the spinning rod and reel. Sounds like maybe you got a combo. Pretty standard rigs at most sporting goods retailers. I would say the reel would be a 30 or 35 something and the rod a medium power. If this is the case the spool should have a line recomendation on the side. Again, guessing, 6-10 lb line. In most cases your reel will perform best with a limp mono. Starters would be standard Stren and Trilene XL. I would go with what ever the middle line lb. recomendation, 8lb, is for starters. The heavier 12lb. line is better for baitcaster and bigger spinning reels. Your rod should have Lure weights recomended also. For the most part stay within these sizes for the best performance from your outfit.

Small or medium is what I have always used. We generally just ask for "crappy minnors" and the local store will give you the smallest. If they run out of small then you get a medium. Smaller is better for numbers but you will get everything from 'gills up. A little larger minnow will help eliminate smaller fish.

1) Heddon Tiny Torpedo- Blue Chrome ( I bought cases of this one) , Natural Frog and Black shore minnow. 2) White 1/8oz Buzzbait with a trailer hook. 3) Zoom Super Fluke Jr rigged to jump on twitches.

Very good advice. I do this myself. Stuff that is "junk" or un-used to me is exactly what the next guy wants. I got rid of enough stuff last year to pull off Christmas for my wife and pick up some other folks "junk" that I wanted....without spending any more cash.

I wouldn't worry about frame flexing.

Trout are by nature a stream fish. But they will live in what they have. In calm water look for something breaking the current. Rocks, logs, grass. Something to give them a current break and an ambush point to wait for the next meal. If they have a choice look at the moving water and again current breaks. Fish there. Stocker trout are easy and yes powerbait works great on them. It will also work on wild fish too. Stockers or better "fresh stocked" trout hit because they are hungry and all they know is eat. The ones that "learn" will get to be as picky as "wild" trout and just as spooky. Trout are predator fish. Big Trout will absolutely EAT little Trout!! The reason I have SEVERAL trout colored lures in my vest.

I too am blessed with a VERY fine Brown Trout fishery in my backyard. I can be there in roughly 7 minutes and fishing in 10. I would say that you have good tips above. One thing to remember about trout and browns in particular. The bigger fish are Predator Fish. To target them look at structure, Bigger lures and baits, and peak periods of activity for them. I look at fishing undercuts, rock ledges and laydowns. Somewhere that the trout will have an ambush point. Lurewise, I like # 9 Rapalas in jerkbaits. In spinners, I like Stuff in the size of #2 mepps or Blue Fox Vibrax. Some of the Best times are dusk dark and early morning. And where we have a tailwater, the flips between generating and draw down. I tell most people to look at the bigger trout like smallmouth bass in stream and you will be fine, but I have found that Line visiblity is CRUCIAL!! Trout do care about the line!!

Bill Dance used to preach about having confidence in what you were doing while fishing. This is a huge factor. If you think you need a new lure then by all means get it. If you think there is a different way to present what you have then that is what you should try.

Same here.

I have a few Bagley Honey B's I like.

Would definitely constrict the movement of the worm.

Still don't see the excitement over the 50..... the 200 just fit me better.

I'd get the orra over the code.

My UL line of choice has been MagnaThin for years. 6lb Magnathin is 4lb Stren Diameter or close.

Im a big guy with big hands and a big hook set, too. Take your hand off the handle on the hook set! Sounds like you are twisting it buy torquing too much on the handle. Using right handed reels? Have you tried a lefty? Would put the habit of twisting to rest.

Yeah don't blame ya for switching fish.

Looks like there is another FAD about to explode. I got tickled when I seen the Alabama rig, so much I showed it to my wife. She knows very little about fishing , but I had to show someone to share the laugh. Don't get me wrong. This may be the best thing ever for some areas. May be the worst money you spend. I don't know. But some other fads came to mind. 1) Color selector bait kits. Every lure maker had a kit of all the colors to cover every situation. 2) Fish formula. I remember getting this stuff. Spraying in on every lure and bait I tossed. Don't think I made a hill of beans difference now. 3) Fish formula Lures. I had a Eel and a Craw. Never got anything but the bottom of the lake. 4) Pumpkin Seed color. Every lure made could be had in this HOT color. Topwater to jigs. 5) Spiderwire. I still have the VHS that came with my first spool. While I have had a on and off relationship with braid I use it now and love it. Don't know that the original was best. 6) Boron rods. Was supposed to replace graphite. They are hard to find now. These are some of the more memorable ones. Things I have seen over the years. There are others. But my point.....the Alabama rig may work everywhere or be just the next fad.

Went out yesterday evening with my fishing bud expecting to tear up some smallies on the North Fork of the Holston River. Water was perfect. Perfect except missing one key thing. Weed Beds. I don't know if all the bad weather we had earlier has discouraged growth or the weeds just aren't coming this year. The water is warm. You could get a bath with some soap. But no smallie cover. Hoping that they come on in a few weeks at most. We got a small fish each. His on a Yum Dinger and mine on a Mepps with a Grub. I guess a couple of lighter rigs and some smaller bait next time just in case.

What I think you are asking is would you need more power in the rod when it may be a matter of action also. For small trout and panfish a slow or moderate UL is GREAT. I have a 5' that is a rated as such and is great for these little guys. They have a soft mouth and the flex of the rod keeps them on. A bass on the other hand is a different animal as are large trout. Tougher mouths need harder hook sets to drive steel home. I'd look at a good fast action in a light power, a good reel with smooth drag and some light braid. My personal rod for this is a Shimano Symetre 1000FJ, 6' Clarus Light power, and Powerpro 8/1.

The thing I don't like is the plastic t- knob. As nice as the reel is I think Daiwa could have done better here. I guess I got used to the "Tacky" Shimnao and Abu handles. The reel is very nice though, Especially for a FREE reel. Love that part. What I am finding on the web says it is good both fresh and salt. Very smooth drag. And Lasts. All big pluses. Just got to get it on a rod now.

WOW!!! Nice one.

Honestly, I like the story. Harrasment. On the part of the Dog owner. Hence the leash law. Maybe if the dang dog had grab a baby flopping on the ground you wouldn't be catching crap over tackling the dog and draggin it to the owner. Or maybe if people didn't think dogs are people, too... Personally you should have throw the dog in the lake. If the owner ask why, tell her it was fetching a fish!!