Uncle Leo

Understand the braking system. Choices are magnetic and or centrifugal. IMHO they are much different, I find with my casting style centrifugal works the best. Also buy the best quality that you can afford, you will soon want to upgrade so buying the best could save you money. As far as backlash you must adjust the spool tension and brake to fit your casting style, unlike spinning this is a must. Also you will be spooling with heavier line so keep that in mine. One other differance between the two is playing and landing a fish. With spinning you use the rod, with baitcasting the reel winches them in. Personally for me I learned to fish with a baitcaster and can not cast a spinning setup with the same accuracy as I can with spinning.

Now that is what I am talkin about, make some fine sandwiches with them, also enjoy something to warm you up while your a jiggin I hope.

Cut a hole and getta jiggin

I would agree that a vast majority might still be there. I would try the same pattern but be prepared to adjust.

I used my partners, it is a good cranking rod but too whippy for jerking I believe.

Tom, I believe the weather is heading east, still time to relocate!

Not that I have much experience with this but I tend to agree with Bankbeater. As you are at the back of the boat and will need to fish the way the boat owner fishes you may want to find out his style of fishing. That will rule out certain tackle and help to trim down. Also if you can gather information on the lake it could rule out certain size and colors of baits. I carry a lot in my boat but normally use maybe 20% of what I carry. If I know the lake and conditions that I will fish in I could easily remove much tackle. I believe the best solution is preparation to help trim back some.

We are at 16 degrees right now in Cleveland Ohio but later today we will get down to -11 degrees with wind chills at -35 degrees and up to 8 inches of additional snow. I believe it is winter.

Seems like you boys need to head south!

Hee hee, wait for negative numbers.

Look for the warmest water you can find. That is where the more active fish will be.

Not to shabby, follow your dream.

Summer Craw has been very production. Falcon Craw in the Lobster.

Welcome, also in Ohio but transplanted. Trying to still figure out all the best bass spots other than Erie LOL

Guess I traveled too much from Chicago when i lived there. Could have been anywhere between Milwaukee and Grand Rapids, then again I fished any where between.

Well said Catt

Humm seems to me proper lubrication also stops and or reduces corrosion. Hard to make something bullet proof, all bearings require lubrication as does anything running metal on metal. Proper lubrication as I said will reduce corrosion. Not sure the selection of bearing is only for that reason. Any bearing with a tighter tolerance will cost more. I believe that also comes into play on bearing selection along with life expectancy. I have upgraded bearings on all my Shimano Reels and have not experienced corrosion issues but then again I properly lubricate with a good quality oil.

Rage Lobster, larger profile Rage Craw

Yep tough stuff!

I prefer a Mono for stretch on any treble hook application. I use Trilene Big Game either in 12 or 15 lb depending on cover. This is the toughest Mono I found and cheap so respooling is not am issue.

Thanks Kent had a rough summer but life is back to normal and I sure miss my fishing. All healed so next year will be different.

Big O gave me a good tip on braid if you are worried about the bass seeing it. Use a marker and strip the line to simulate a break. With the change in colors it may appear that it is floating vegatation to the bass. It worked for me or at least gave me more confidence in using it.

Ha ha I have maybe 10 3700 boxes full of cranks and use maybe one box at the most.

As others have stated fish them where you would fish a spinner bait. Vary the retrieve much like you would with a spinner bait and rip it out of the weeds to create a reaction strike. To be honest I never caught a bass just by casting and retrieving, it requires an erratic presentation.

I believe it would be beneficial for the baits to have the Pros name on them, you know how us fisherman are, LOL. For that reason alone I would think they would want involvement, but who knows.