bilgerat

Don't "swing for the fence" when casting. Keep the upper part of your arm still, pivot your elbow to cast. Release too early and your bait will go straight up. Release too late and it hits the water 5 feet in front of you. Keep the reel settings a little on the tight side to begin. Use your thumb to slow the spool down as the bait approaches the water. Training your thumb takes the most time but is crucial to baitcasting. Practice, practice, practice.

Did you FIRST push down the thumb bar to release the spool ? After you do that you adjust your cast control knob. Been there, done that

One example is Boyd Duckett leaving E-21 ALLEDGEDLY because they were not building the rods to his liking and he did not want to be associated with the poorer quality rods being sold. I say allegedly because unless you work for E-21 or are Mr. Duckett himself, you don't know the whole story. The other extreme is KVD who has his name on who knows how many products. I'll bet even he doesn't know. I'm not criticizing him at all, you don't get to his position being a lousy fisherman. When you see KVD Barbeque Sauce in the supermarket, then you know they've gone too far.

WASN'T IT STARTED IN 2004 ? http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?action=ml

We have the same thing here, STC Sports in Gibbstown, New Jersey. They get most of their inventory from the company that owns BPS. Unlike the chains, they carry what actually works around here. They are smart and can compete as the majority of their inventory is based on what the customers ask for. I had to laugh when I read Fourbizz's comments on the store owned by condescending saltwater guys. That describes just about every saltwater tackle store on the coast here.

Casting distance has very little to do with overall reel quality. I have a little South Bend baitcaster downstairs that's built on a plastic frame with one bearing, and it'll outcast my Curado, Patriarch, and any other baitcaster I've ever owned as long as I keep the bushings oiled. There isn't a single "quality" part in this little piece of junk, but it'll sling a lure quite a ways. South Bend tackle. Now that brings back memories. I still have a SB spincast reel from when I was a kid. That used to be a big name in tackle back in the 70's. Come to think of it, it was crap back then also

I can't believe a pro changing sponsers yet again pokes a stick into the Abu vs. Shimano vs. Daiwa vs. whoever bees nest. It means nothing. If KVD signed on with Pocket Fisherman today, by tomorrow they would be the best thing in the world in some people's eyes. Do you REALLY factor in what a pro uses when you make an equipment purchase ?

At that size they don't fight very hard anywhere, especially if it was a lake fish that didn't have to fight current that may have 'muscled' him up. Think fat guy sitting in a recliner eating twinkies vs. lean guy with muscle. Fat guy has the weight but who's going to give you a better fight ?

$24.81 divided by 8 (screwdrivers) = $3.10 per driver. Some people pay that much for a cup of coffee. :-? If you have no mechanical skills whatsoever these or any other brand are of no use. The critical thing with scew removal is using the correct size driver for the screw.

I'm gonna shrink myself down and go fishing in Dave's aquarium

x2 Teaching yourself skills like these can be immensely rewarding even if you make a few boo-boos along the way. It is a hobby after all. Agreed BUT it's better to learn on a beater reel than a working Revo.

...I suggest these screwdrivers : http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-26199-Slotted-Phillips-Screwdriver/dp/B000NZ5QG0 They are very well made and worth every penny. Lifetime manufacturers warranty. There are other kits besides the one in the link. You can purchase individual drivers on Wiha's site if the set doesn't interest you. They might seem a bit pricey, but strip out a screwhead in that $$$ reel and you are done. Dollar store screwdrivers don't cut it.

Here's one to get you started. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=chatsworth+lake&sll=39.855849,-74.686882&sspn=1.381015,2.463684&gl=us&g=Burlington+County,+New+Jersey&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Chatsworth+Lake&ll=39.821095,-74.559917&spn=0.021589,0.038495&z=15 If you zoom out on the map you will see that County Route 532 (the road the lake is on) intersects Route 206. You will also see other water on the map. Some of it you can get to, some you can't. Everything is frozen solid down here, you won't be doing any fishing anytime soon. You could still kill a day scouting water. Pack lunch because there is nothing around as far as places to eat. You are pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Beware of the Jersey Devil Useless Chatsworth trivia for the day : Ocean Spray gets a large percentage of their cranberries from here. It's one of the largest cranberry producing regions in America.

Smuth, I'm going to be honest with you when I tell you I don't fish any of the big well known bodies of water. It's not that I'm trying to hide any great spots or anything, I just hate fishing water that gets pounded. We stick to the out of the way spots. One thing I will tell you is I find most of my spots while traveling through the state. Stick to the county roads and secondary roads and you will find water. Keep a rod and a box of baits in the car and be ready to pull over and give it a shot. You'll be suprised how many times you'll hook up. Burlington County is largely rural with plenty of prime pick water. That's why I suggested it. The picks dominate in Pineland lakes. I've fished cranberry bogs that were excellent fishing. Be mindful of posted areas. Get some detailed county maps, pack lunch, fill your tank and leave home early. As for baits you can be as simple or fancy as you want. 7" worms, inline spinners, topwaters, just be able to cover the whole water column.

Hey Smuth, greetings from South Jersey. We are THE pick spot in the east. Do yourself a favor, get away from the big lakes everyone knows about. Head into the Pinelands or find water off the beaten path and you'll find them. Burlington County is loaded with spots. Just drive around and find them, that's how I find my spots. As was said, they'll hit just about anything. Have plenty of extra tackle and pliers, you'll need them.

Well that about sums it up for me. We need to go on a long *** fishin' expedition. I just need to win the lottery, quit my job and ditch the better half. I'll be in touch....

Distilled to its essence. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing-forum/Templates/Forum/default/grin.gif Well done, gentlemen.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmjHT5GpAYQ

The link does not work, it takes me to a technical site. I'll call him with the number you gave. Thanks Falcon.

I was going through my stuff and came across this. It's a Mann's Model 79 crankbait Tru - Trac series and it has the B.A.S.S. logo on the side. It's got kind of a lime green/ chartreuse sparkle finish. The body is 3" long, the bill is another 1" It's still in the blister pack. If I remember right, it came as a freebie for joining B.A.S.S. back in the 80's. I tried Googling it and came up with zip. I'm not sure how to post pics, that's for another time. Just curious about it.

As a fan of the technology, regardless of the brand of reel that uses it, I'll point out that the new Revo STX that was recommended earlier now has dual braking, which should greatly enhance the "castability" of the reel. If the STX dual braking works as well as the BPS and Pflueger systems, it can literally be a thumbs-free cast - except for stopping the spool at the end of the cast. I am a baitcast noob and I had no trouble with my pre - dual brake system STX. Follow the instructions to the letter, especially paying attention to the part about adjusting the cast control cap so that you have to shake the rod tip to get the lure to fall, as opposed to allowing it to fall under it's own weight as is the way with other brands. If a stubborn 45 year old like me can pick it up in a few hours tossing baits onto the ice, it's a no brainer for most.

Yesterday was the first time I got out to try my STX. Keep in mind I have not thrown a bc in over 20 years. When I first got it I PM'd Micro for some advice on setting it up since I had read about how 'finicky' they were supposed to be. Thanks to Micro for the tips and advice. I could not believe how well I did with it. I was expecting the worst and got quite a surprise. At one point I was throwing 4" tubes rigged on a 1/8 oz. tube jig without any trouble. I had the brakes at about 25% - 30% the whole time. I had a few minor overuns but nothing some further thumb education couldn't handle. As for the noise, mine was quiet and smooth. I think the screaming issue was on earlier models and has been taken care of for a while now. Then again I could be wrong...

As kids we would hook them and try to catch fish with them. It never worked for us. They must secrete something nasty

I taught my daughters to fish with the Zebcos. Always a combo kit on sale somewhere.

This season I get serious about crankbaits.

Good site, lots of good info and a few videos to check out. http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Arkansas-Stones-C96.aspx?gclid=COCr5LGUgZ8CFYdd5QodtVZAhQ