Certified Public Angler

My definition of the bait monkey is when you go to the store to get a specific item, say I need 2 packs of 4/0 EWG hooks. Well as soon as I get into that section and pass all the pretty lures the baitmonkey tells me I could use a few new cranks, then somehow i get the idea i need some 50# braid bc that 30# isnt good enough. In the end you spent way more then you intended. But the worst type of bait monkey is the rod/reel bait monkey. You could have 15 quality rigs to fish and the bait monkey will still convince you that a certain deal is too good to pass up. Of course once you buy the great deal reel/rod you have to match it with a rod/reel. And you end up with a combo for your 16th arm. Recently the bait monkey is making a move into the anglers home. When making a simple internet purchase of tackle the bait monkey will coerce you into adding a few more lures to make sure you get the most out of the shipping cost.

Ive opened that page about 10 different times...thanks for putting the baitmonkey back on my shoulder. /me goes to see if they are sold out yet...

I can't say enough bad things about the Post office. Competition is good for business...and USPS has none, if you walk into a fedex or a UPS store there is someone there to help you immediately and make the experience as easy as possible. At the post office they dont care.

Hey thank RW, he pointed me in the direction of Reeds and I'll definitely be using them again. I think he must be on the payroll, if not he should be. ;D

Good article there...I recognized myself in a few of those "No" pictures. I'm going to have to keep those in mind and ignore my instincts.

It came in the mail yesterday. A St. Croix Legend Elite casting 6'8 MXF. I walked down to the lake yesterday afternoon and threw a senko for a little while. I caught 4 bass...but one was clearly bc of the incredible sensitivity in this rod. Casted the bait out and was putting my pliers in my back pocket when I felt a tick on the completely slack line. Put the tip down, reeled in the slack, and BAM, fish on. I was impressed after that. Well I have this rod paired with the Curado E7 I got for christmas. It looks sexy! I will probably be using it for some plastics and some topwater. Well the rod I guess is last years model, its MSRP is $330 and I paid $192 shipped. A nice deal from Reeds...they are also having 20% off on all their rods right now. I guess when the lake freezes over FL ppl can get a steal!

My family and I are thinking of going to Lake Talquin this spring, is there anywhere to stay that can accommodate like 18 people? I saw the lodge there but there is only 4 rooms and they look kinda small, and how about renting a boat to fish out of? Don't know how well you know the area, any help would be great. Sorry I don't know any specifics about this. A quick google of Talquin rentals listed a place that sleeps 14...also I'm unsure about renting a boat but I think it is probably possible, I would call the marina on Talquin. Sorry I got no info...

Another Cabelas > BPS vote here.

the citca E works great for plastics. I have it paired with a MH/F Compre.

The fishing companies are no dopes, they know the bait monkey doesn't care whether it's a recession or not. Raising the price by a small amount on high end gear won't effect its sales, imo. Now keeping the entry level stuff low is important to catch those that wouldnt buy otherwise. Face it, new and cool fishing tackle and gear is an inelastic product for us mooks. Besides with commodity prices dropping the direct competition for my cash is more than 50% discounted. Do you know how much tackle and gear those savings equal?

i casted mine 100 yards just a second ago : ok, kidding...in all seriousness it is a great reel. I have a citca 200d, citca E, and curado E7 and I don't reach for one over the other for the most part.

The compre is an excellent rod, I own a casting MH/F. You could probably find a better price for it though, they are selling for $50 at my local sportsman warehouse.

I just bought a St. Croix...so Go USA! I'm pretty sure it's made in the US...

If it is way more expensive then sell it and buy a citica new. The point is you will love the citica.

I think the rod should be different for buzzbait vs. popper just solely based on the lure weight. But I don't have multiple rods to give you an opinion.

learned on a righty, im right handed, and they make more options in right hand retrieve so no reason to switch it up.

great answers, thank you guys.

These two action types seem almost interchangeable when looking at different rods. I know it has to do with what portion of the rod bends when pressure is applied, but what does that translate to in english? Which applications would you rather have an XF then F or vice versa? What type or weight of lures is better for which? Thanks BR.

Most people use their left hand to retrieve spinning gear and their right to retreive baitcasting gear. I'm right handed and do this^

senko.

is this a poll about where the next great football player will come from? ZING ;D

for an all around rod I would choose a 6'6 or 7'0 Medium Heavy/ Fast Action rod. Depending on your price range there are many different options.

I got the E7 for christmas and I'm looking for a new rod. I will probably use it for plastics. P.S. Has anyone used a kistler helium LTA MH/XF for plastics? Does it have enough power to get the job done? I was also looking at the St. Croix legend elite M/F b/c i think it would look sexy with the curado, I would use it for buzzbaits, topwater, and lighter plastics, I would go MH/F but the deal i found is only M/F

edited OP...bump

there are also citica E's on ebay for 101 w/ free shipping.