hawgchaser

That is the exact rod I was going to suggest. I have 2 of them and love them.

I am looking for a spinning reel that can be used in saltwater but will be used primarily on freshwater fish. I go redfishing several times a year and usually use my bass gear BUT i really don't want to keep exposing my reels to saltwater. Do any of you have personal experience with a reel rated for saltwater. It will be on a 7' M rod with 30lb braid. I know many don't like quantum but several guides have recommended the Quantum Catalyst. It seems like a lot of saltwater folks use quantum. That surprised me. Anyway, i want to spend less than $250 on the reel and any info would be appreciated. HC

There is quite a bit of difference in the extreme gear and the two rods you mentioned. The tourney special is a lower end rod. however, I agree that the avid is a awesome rod.

I really like my lowrider! Great rod and it has held up over the years.

Shakey heads are pretty good about hooking fish. It could have been small bream or other small fish hitting the tail. I was fishing tubes this morning and the dang bream would not leave it alone. They would puck it up then drop it and sometimes it felt like a real hit. That tap tap...tap tap :

Here is what i think of BPS Extreme rod and reels. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1207490444/0#0 I have fished with all types of gear in many situations. My fishing buddies all use top notch gear and I try it all. To me, there is a point where the extra price you pay does not equal the performance gained. For instance, nobody will argue that Loomis rods aren't great rods. However, I truly like the new Quantum Pt Energy rods just as much. I have spent a lot of time with both of them in my hands and the extra price for the Loomis is not worth it to me. Some people believe that it is and thats fine. I did fish with a Kistler not to long ago and thought it was the cats rear. I would spend the extra for it. But I can usually find less expensive gear that performs as well as the higher end stuff. But you do have to look. I have caught several 10lb+ bass, a 15 lb hybrid plus literally 500 5-10lb hybrids, and many big bull redfish. I have not had one single problem or mishap with any of the extreme gear. It has always been flawless. What else could a fisherman want? The one thing I will say is that not everyone likes the power hump grip. It fits me well but some think it makes the rod feel bulky.

sound like a great day. Has the water cleared up or was it still pretty stained?

People either love Quantum gear or hate it. I have only briefly fished with a tour edition but it was a great reel. Most people will agree that the performance of quantum reels is good. The knock on them is durability and quality control. I bought 2 codes this year and have been very pleased. Hopefully they will last.

I use power pro and just put sufis on one of my spinning reels. I like them both. I tried fireline and can't believe anyone would choose that line over the other two. That stuff was terrible IMO.

I have much better success fishing them tc rigged weightless than I do wacky. If they aren't hitting it tc style then I will switch to wacky both ways catch fish.

JM rods are awesome but a medium will be a little more versatile. If you want to stay in the $100 range, you can't beat the new Quantum PT rods. A 7' med will be hard to beat. These are quickly becoming my favorite rods.

Anywhere there are big bass, I use big worms. My favorite time is night fishing with 10" berkely power worms. I have caught more 7lb plus bass on these worms. I fish them Texas rigged in just about any structure, rocks, brush, drop offs....they are a lot of fun to fish.

Thats odd because my experience with fluro fly fishing is that its HORRIBLE in rocks. It gets nicked up so fast that the invisibility is virtually none. Funny how different people have different experiences with the same equipment. One of the selling points of flouro is its abrasion resistance. I don't know about lighter lines but 20 lb Seagur just doesn't fray like braid. However, the 50lb braid might be better in this department than the 30lb I use.

One thingvto consider is the structure you will be fishing. Braid will fray and break if you crank against a lot of rocks or even trees. I use 30 PP but not if I am cranking on the river. We fish rock jetties and they will wear the braid down quickly. I prefer flouro for this type of structure.

I am a big fan of the extreme rods. I have many of them. The handle makes them feel bulky to some but fits me well. I have said many times that they are the best buy out there especially on sale.

Greers is my home lake but I have not even fished it bc of the water level and then my boat was stolen. However, the reports I have heard are that the bass are still in the far back of the coves in brush. Spinnerbaits, stickbaits, and floating worms are catching them. I have been fishing greers since I was 6(now 32) and when the water gets really high, I always find the bigger fish a little deeper on c rig lizards. I prefer watermellon or green pumpkin. Usually they are in 12-15ft off of points where the stained water begins to clear. Rocky points are the best. Also spend a lot of time throwing a jig head worm. Good luck and let me know how it goes. I won't be out there until memorial day weekend.

30lb power pro for me.

I have several of the extreme spinning reels and really like them. They cast great and I have never had any issues with them at all. However, I also have some pfluegers and shimanos that I like as well. So truthfully, I am not sure it makes any difference.

Model A bombers still catch a lot of fish for me. Uncle josh porks, rooster tails for whites and hybrids, and rebel pop-r. Forgot to add the rogue. Been catching fish on it since I was a kid

The Brutus is an awesome little swimbait. They have incredible action, i also like their giggy head and their ace stick baits.

It depends on your price range. I love the new Quantum PT Energy rods. They are $100 and the best $100 rod I have ever fished. There are plenty of good rods but the key is to find one that has some tip to it. This helps "whip" the bait further. What are you willing to spend and we can go from there.

There are literally dozens of lakes within an hour of little rock. The Arkansas River runs through little rock and is one of the funnest bodies of water to fish IMO. You have Lake Monticello for 10lb bass, the red river currently holds the world record trout. Greers Ferry holds the world record hybrid and walleye, crooked Creek and several others are top notch smallmouth waters as well. You will see that there are limitless opportunities for great fishing! Congrats on your move, i love Little Rock.

Thats very similar to my rigs and i can throw a 4" YUM dinger a country mile. You probably need a rod with a little more tip to it.

Senkos should be pretty easy to throw with a baitcaster. However, line and rod will have a lot to do with it. I have 2 Quantum Codes paired with quantum PT rods that cast really light lures very well. I have been throwing spot removers and other small jig heads with the codes and been very impressed. I am also using 15 lb Triple Fish X rated line. This line is limp and very castable. I have been very tempted to pick one of these up. I have 2 Quantum codes that i throw finesse worms on and I have been very surorised at how well the cast light baits. However, line and rods are very important as well. On these rigs, I am using a Quantum PT rods and triple fish line. I've been tempted to pick up one of these just out of curiosity. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90674_100001001_100000000_100001000_100-1-1

Oh by the way, I am dying to try the Revos. I have heard nothing but good things and they are supposed to be smooooooooooooth.