Jaheff

Have you considered a different technique? I was in a situation where i couldn't reach the zone from shore. I had to move up to a heavier rod and weight. The carolina rig was perfect for the situation.

Distance is distance...

Fat Ika is one i wish i knew about earlier than last year.

Did you clean the spool bearings in your Curado yet? I'd start there...

Curado I on sale at Walmart.com for 150. Alot of reel at that price.

12# Izorline XXX Used this exact set up yesterday for 1/4 ounce traps. What a great all around rod! Loving the reel too.

Close in your weight, and fit your line cap. Okuma Helios Air is on sale at TW.

Pretty deep, Deep!! Nice write up.

You answered your own question.It's all about smoothness for bass. I know all my multi stacked reels are smoother. The new trend in old Penn saltwater reels, is to take out the old thick washers and add more thin washers. It's all about more surface area.

Doesn't it only have one belvelle washer for drag pressure? I have an old Bantam with only one washer. looked it up online, and that was the way it was made.

I experimented too. All the brush and rocks in one of the lakes i fish, tore up my braid. Copoly for my mainline now.

Your gonna love it! I think you would of had to pay 230+ just 5 years ago to get a reel that performs like the I does. Just my opinion

So now were detecting bites by the vibration in our reels? Guess i scored, cause i only bought them for their light weight.

I personally think it's more about confidence. My lightest Mag set ups make me feel like i'm a better angler, and that i can detect the lightest of bites. Does it in reality...not that i can tell.

Why not just buy depth counter line? I guess it only comes with braid?

You tube has a few...Put your money towards a proven reel in any brand. Unless your just messing around..IMO

I have ceramic hybrids in a few of my reels. They work great, but are really annoying in a Magnesium framed reel. kinda loud on casts, and that's with oil in them.

I stand corrected, i couldn't see that good in the pic...

Your right iabass*, cause that's such a common problem the spool pin and the pinion gear not lining them selves up. Even tho he states he was messing with the brakes and adds a pic... Your next step after properly pushing in brakes, is to loosen the cast control knob on the handle side of the reel about a quarter turn.

I cant see real good in the picture, but it looks like you have all the brakes on. push all but two brakes back to the center and see if it smooths out. If your spool is a clock, leave 12 and 6 o'clock alone,and push the others all back to center.

The cheap 1.97 Cotten Cordells lipless crankbaits in the bargain bin at Wally world work great in shallow water. I've never had to tune any of them out of the package, can't say that about RES.

The 300e has held its value. I bought a barely used one for 180 about 5 years ago. Their a real work horse reel for heavy freshwater and light inshore. It does have brass gears, most other reel Manufactures with reels this size are going stainless.

I got a Curado I yesterday for 30% off,due to a store closing. Still won, you just won more...

Great advise already givin by Cheetah!! Lipless crankbait fished right over the top of the grass. Find the depth of the top of the grass with the weight of the lure. Start with a 1/4 ounce, cast out, start with your rod high, and see if your lure comes back clean. lower your rod tip on next cast. Do this till you find the top of the grass. If your not finding the top, switch to a 1/2 ounce and start over. When you find the depth of the top of the grass, reel the lure over the top. if you feel the grass hit your lure, give the rod a quick rip up (you wanna feel the vibration of the lure on the rip). The quick rip might trigger a strike... http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Rat-L-Trap.html BTW, That's my favorite color lipless crankbait on a sunny day! 3 or 4 inch stick bait (senko) texas rigged,thrown into the grass,or edges/holes if you can see them.

The wazwing is aim the rod tip at the bait,and steady retrieve. It's a do nothing with the rod, lure walks itself. Kills it on Calico bass.. just haven't used them in a couple years, water's been too warm to spend time on Calico's.