adclem

WOW! Avoiding the bait monkey that long usually results in a really and I mean really full basket! The bait monkey always gets his way, ALWAYS!lol Later,

I really like this worm rigged Wacky Style. Later,

The Citica E is a much better reel overall. Lighter, smoother and casts very nicely, even casts lighter lures fairly good as well. Later,

I have a couple and haven't caught as much as a cold with one yet. Much better luck with the Sammy's, not much but at least some. Later,

PM sent on custom rods. Later,

Curado 200E5 all the way. Later,

That is the same setup I have and I love it. The rod will handle braid, I would go with probably Daiwa Samurai braid in 40lbs test(mono equivalent 8lbs), I am using fluorocarbon line with mine and I can feel every single little tap. You will love this etup no matter what line you decide to put on it. Later,

I have both and I have to go with the Curado. But my 51MG outshines both by a long long ways. Later,

Yeah the only place I know of is Cabelas. That is where I get mine at. I got some a week or so ago on-sale. Later,

I have used the Signature and the Elite, have not used the Gold. I do believe for the money for a Gold on-sale and even not on sale that there are a lot of better reel choices. The majority of them will be smaller and lighter and probably cast just as well if not better then the JM reels. I know my Curaods, 51MG and my STX all out perform the JM sereis reels I have owned. Later,

WOW! Right place right time. Later,

Now that is funny, have to give that a shot.lol Later,

You can switch the gears in a Curado 201 to make it a 6.3:1 reel. Just need the gears from a Citica 201. Not sure of the price, but Bantam said it is not very expensive. 5.0:1 would be very nice, just started throwing some crank baits and it would be nice to slow it down a bit. Oh well, we can only hope. Later,

They are nice reels but they are on the big side and tend to be a little heavy. There are better reels out there that are also a lot cheaper then the JM Gold Series reel. Shimano Curado Abu Garcia SX or STX Pflueger Patriarch and I am sure there are more, Later,

The only bad thing with this reel is the size. Other then that it is top notch. Later,

There is no need for a leader with Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Ultra Soft at all. Later,

I am trying some of the new Seguar Red label fluorocarbon and so far it seem to be very good line at a very good price. We will see how it fairs over time. It did seem to line twist a little but not to bad. It is on a spinning setup. Later,

This is the link for Gman's Jigs Custom Bass Fishing Lures Later,

Very interested to see this design. Later,

Braid is noisy when passing through the eyelets. Just the nature of the beast. Later,

Barbless makes it much much easier especially when you gut hook a fish. Had one today I caught with a worm and with no barb it came right and off went the fish, no problems. May lose one in a while by not keeping the line tight, but it sure beats trying to get that barb out from deep down a fishes mouth. Later,

Strike King Red Eye Shad is the only one I have ever tried. Had moderate success with it. Considering trying the Yo-Zuri or the Lucky Craft(ouch) but haven't decided yet. Later,

There are lots of nice combos that can be made up in or around that price range. Especially if you do some shopping around on ebay. I would recommend the following: Shimano Sedona or Pflueger President spinning reel and either a St Croix Premiere or Mojo Bass rod or a Shimano Compre rod. Probably between 6' 6" and 7' Medium power to Fast or X-Fast Action. Should be able to come up with one of these combos right around the $150 you want. Later,

The STX has a much nicer looking handle and a better spool then the SX. With that said I have never tried the SX and have been told that there is very little if any difference in the two. But for me I like the silver, handle and the better spool so I went with the STX. The STX is very nice and very solid. Can be a little touchy at times but overall and excellent reel. For a rod depends entirely what you are going to do with the reel. Mine has been dedicated to flipping and pitching duties due to the awesome drag and power the reel has. Later,

I checked out the Outkast Swim jigs and they seem very nice. I also like their grubs as well. Going to get a few of these in 1/4oz? When would you use a 3/8oz swim jig? I presume for deeper water. Later,