TrippyJai

The President is an amazing reel for $60. I had mine for 3 seasons until I sold it, 2 years later the same guy resold the reel at a higher price than I sold to him.

I use mostly 6:1 ratio for cranks and spinnerbaits, 7:1 for soft plastics to pick up slack quicker. I don't have a 5:1 reel because I don't deep crank enough to have a dedicated set up.

I have fished the Bomber Fat Free Shad Jr. (BD6), Norman Deep Little N, Rapala DT10. I like the Fat Free Shad the best out of these 3 crankbaits. It gets to depth faster and doesn't pull has hard as the others, especially the DT10, that thing kills you.

If those 2 rods that you listed are your choices then I would easily pick the HMG. I personally don't like the current line of HMG design so I'll either wait until the 2014 series HMGs are out, which look really nice or buy an Elite Tech Smallmouth rod if you want a rod now. I wouldn't touch anything from Croix under the Avid series. I would rate the HMG just under the Avid in terms of sensitive.

If I had to only choose only one colour, it would be Green Pumpkin. It works great in clear to stained water and if I fish dirtier water then I'll just choose a bait that puts off more vibration like a rage craw. For jigs, I wouldn't mind buying only black and blue.

I don't think keeping a largemouth bass in a decent size tank will hurt it as long as it has enough room. It's a pretty lazy fish in general that rather sit in one spot and wait for food. The issue I see is they grow really fast and will either need a larger tank eventually or to be released. If you want to do it as project go for it. I think it's pretty cool to watch it grow. The worse can happen is you might hurt or kill a few bass, won't affect anything.

Probably Dobyns. Full handle cork, balance rods, quality, everything I want in a rod, except I'm not a big fan of the guides.

Spro Aruku Shad "Perch" for me.

Give McCoy Mean Green a try. It's really an all in one co-polymer. I've never had any issues in over 4 years. It's strong, very limp even after leaving it on for 2 seasons, a few casts and it'll become limp again, very good abrasion resistant, knot strength, it does stretch, but less than mono and the price is right. They also claim it's invisible under water, but I can't confirm on that. I love it and use it on every set up except punching. You won't be disappointed. I even pay the extra cost to have it shipped to Canada.

I'm almost there. Joined in August of 2008. When I reach 1k post, it'll be the only forum I've achieved this.

It's not too big if that is the size profile you want. I've seen guys put a full size brush hog on a 3/4oz jig and catch them.

When I got back into fishing 5 years ago, my first bass was about the same size. Plenty of more fish to look forward to. Congrats!

Boiled peanuts are one of those things were you have to eat more than one and they start to become addictive and you can't stop. My dad who loves peanuts used to make them all the time. I would always have one and be like "it's not bad nor is it great" until one day I was hungry, saw them on the table, ate a load and now I crave them once in a while.

I've come to the point where I'll only pick up what I need. The bait monkey is always scratching my back, but I think about that pile of lures in my basement, it'll change my mind in buying anything else.

The Supreme XT, even the Patriarch at $200 is the best bang for your buck. In fact, you could find them much cheaper as well.

+1 This is how I do it.

Beautiful colours! Good job on the 2nd place.

I thought it was too stiff and the line diameter is larger as well.

I love their Mean Green Coly. For fluoro and braid, buy another brand. Fluoro, try Sunline FC Sniper or Seaguar InvizX. Braid, I only use Power Pro Original.

Nothing wrong with a 6'6" Medium spinning rod. I still have both my Mitchell set ups I used as a kid.

Full handle cork! I don't like split grips. I might be okay with a full handle EVA.

Do you have a specific question rather than which company is better? Maybe like 2 reels in the same price range that you're considering of purchasing?

All I can picture is that sword going through someone's chest and the fish flopping around. Scary indeed.

x2 your better off buying another brand of fluoro. Also, the braid is not my favourite either. The Mean Green is amazing though. I was thinking of placing an order of the clear blue fluorescent, but I might have to pass from your review since their other lines were flop.

I've been using this line exclusively for 5 years now and it has never failed on me ever. It's strong and has low memory. I have never heard of a bad review for this line either. You won't regret trying this line especially if your local shop carries it.