bilgerat

This thread is the BR equivalent of any episode of The Big Bang Theory. It's like trying to teach Sheldon how to fish with a baitcaster

My brother in law was a live bait only guy for years until he started using artificials. We had gone in together on a jon boat. He was content to park in one spot for the entire day tossing minnows. If a spot does not produce for me after half an hour, I'm outta there. Many (good natured) arguments later...

My Revo is an '09 with mag only. Most of my adjustment is done with the cast control knob. I rarely go above 30% with the mag brake, most of the time it's at about 20%. Depends on the bait and wind.

Agitator...

There's about four Dick's Sporting Goods I see in my travels throughout South Jersey and fishing inventory varies from store to store. You need to be right there when the deals start 'cause the good stuff goes in a flash. Our Wally Worlds here are completely useless for fishing.

I think what Micro was trying to tell you is to initially set the drag so that a little force is needed to pull line from the spool, then the fish you hook up with will either require more or less drag, which can be adjusted during the fight with usually a few clicks one way or the other. If anything, be hair on the loose side initially so if your bait gets freightrained the line will not snap. Think of a properly set drag as a controlled slippage of a clutch. A drag is nothing more than a simple clutch pack. In a car clutch slippage is bad, in a reel a little is good.

Will any given lake you fish require all of your tackle be with you ? No matter what you do, space will be at a premium on a 10' boat, especially if you have a buddy with you. For tackle, take only what you'll need for that lake. If you're fishing a pond, why have deep cranks with you ? Don't pack like you're going out to sea. Pack smart and you will be ok.

Don't leave tackle bag in car before launch boat

It's not "tape" in the traditional sense in that it has no adhesive. It's more or less teflon material in ribbon form packaged in a roll. It will likely be in the plumbing department wherever you get it. To get it on the reel seat, back the seat nut all of the way out. Lay the tape on the threaded portion of the seat where the nut will be when the reel is on. IMPORTANT wrap the tape in the same direction the nut turns when tightening. Wrap tightly as the tape will conform to the shape of the threads. Two to three wraps should do it. Pull on the tape when done to break it or cut it with a razor, then smooth down the tag end.

Great fish, great story. Well done, sir

Teflon tape is the way to go. It can stay there for years and leave nothing behind when removed. I also wrap the reel foot with it to protect the finish.

Pflueger is right up there in quality with all of the rest. Yeah, they have duds in their lineup and so does everyone else. They really seem to be coming on strong, especially the last few years. My only knock is limited selection in left handed baitcasters.

That deformity may give it that difference in action that the fish would tear up.

The thread in this section about the 20lb Japanese bass proves a point about bait size in relation to fish size. Japan has arguably some of the most pressured fishing waters in the world, yet a 4" bait on a 1/16oz jighead took this fish. The point is, don't be afraid of small baits. I myself have caught many nice fish on UL using 2" senkos and other small baits. Of course I get my fair share of dinks, but a bent rod makes me happy. I'm not saying UL is the way to go, it's not for everyone, but consider downsizing in both bait and line when the bite is tough. Don't get locked into a "big bait only" mindset. My buddy is a master of slider fishing and I can't tell you how many big bass and pickerel he's landed over the years. Give him a 4" slider worm and a 1/8 oz slider head and he's unstoppable. He fishes regular 6lb mono mostly on a spinning outfit. Does it work all of the time ? NO ! but what does ? When the 12" worms aren't getting it done, try going the other extreme. As long as you use decent gear and a reel with a smooth drag, you won't lose any more fish than you normally would. No way have I abandoned my bc rig, there's always going to be a time for that. Just have another option, that's all.

I own Falcon and St. Croix rods. Can't go wrong with either one. I have not had to deal with Falcon yet for any warranty issues but I have with St. Croix. Great people to deal with.

That looks like something that happened in production. A nicely worded e-mail to Zoom would probably get you a couple of bags of baits for your trouble.

If you're on the fence about the Supreme, this may push you over: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0053575122647a&navCount=1&podId=0053575&parentId=cat601359&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21404-cat21406-cat601359&catalogCode=OG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601359&hasJS=true It may not be the greatest rod (I really don't know anything about them) but it's a free rod. Also with the combo I don't know if you get the extras that come with the reel; reel bag, spare spool.

Simple Green, an old soft toothbrush and some q tips. I'm not so sure about the alcohol.

;D Straight out of an Irish cookbook "Put everything in a pot and boil it for 11 hours"

http://www.histacklebox.com/ Anyone here ever deal with them ? Good experiences, bad experiences, I want to hear them all. I've seen they've been around quite a while. They're one of the few online stores that stock a particular rod I'm looking for.

I love it. Rental boat with a 2 horse motor. A 4" bait on a 1/16 oz jighead. One mind blowing bass later....

I just walked in from work to find a Cabela's box waiting for me:http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0053583122676a&navCount=2&podId=0053583&parentId=cat601360&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21404-cat21406-cat601360_TGP&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601360&hasJS=true Snagged it for $69.99 in the Bargain Cave. I know the price in the link says $99.99, that went up after I ordered Tuesday night. They must be clearing out the first generation gold colored ones. A nice touch is a big thick neoprene reel bag included in addition to the spare spool. I'll tell you what, no one makes a bail like Pflueger's Sure Click. I've had bail issues on just about every other make of spinning reel I own, never these, including the "bottom end" Trion. The drags have been flawless for me also.

Hallelujah !! Bring on those crisp days. My favorite time of year.

Sufix Performance braid does very well on spinning gear. Personally I use a leader, but that is my preference. If you fish clear or rocky water, you should use a leader. If you make the switch, be sure to put a layer of backing on the spool first (mono or tape) or else the braid will spin around the spool.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0082567125589a&navCount=9&podId=0082567&parentId=cat20333&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20166-cat20333&catalogCode=XA&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20333&hasJS=true The braid ready spool is a nice touch. I love the color, it's so anti - bling. 8-) It's just a bada$$ looking reel. I see it in my future.