Marc711

This summer I have done really well Float-N-Fly style fishing for largemouth, from 3' to 12' deep. Anyone else use this tactic for largemouth? If so, what's your favorite jig?

The trend is longer rods, but 6' rod will do just fine. I too can remember when a 6' rod was considered long, and 5'-5'6" was the norm. I like shorter rods too, and rarely feel handicaped. They are so easy to handle too, I just love em'. If we are talking spinning rods, you can really pick up casting distance by dropping a line size, or going to a small diameter braid. I wouldn't hesitate to try one.

Just want to throw my .02 in on the comment about Batson components. I have built a lot of rods, and Batson components, along with Pac Bay and American Tackle, rank right there with Fuji. This was not so a few years ago, but these companies have made great strides. Don't avoid a rod with components from these other companies, they are good stuff and offer some new designs that Fuji doesn't.

You are on the right track with what you heard, Abu reels are generally good for the $$$. If you want to try one, I think the 4600 size is way under rated - casts very nice and is decent handling.

The more I fish spinning gear, the less I want to use baitcasting. It just balances nicer, and seems easier to fish all day. The only edge I see with casting gear is that it handles heavier line better, but with smaller diameter braids, this is even less of an issue. So I have two questions: 1. What do you prefer, spinning or casting? 2. How heavy of spinning gear will you fish? Thanks, Marc

Anyone used the US Reel spinning reels much? What do you think of them? I have a Supercaster 180, and really like it, but have only been using it about a month. Thanks, Marc

Is a barramundi a salt fish? Looks really cool!!

I love lite tackle bassing - say 4#-6# line and lite spinning gear. Wondering if anyone else out there shares this passion, and what your favorite lite rod/reel combo is? Thanks, Marc

Bass fishing gets a lot of tournament attention, with and words like productive and efficient tagged to it all the time. Just wondering, is the most of the bassin' crowd focused on fame, or just having fun? Thanks, Marc

OK - would you avoid a nice rod if it did not have a blank exposed seat???

I have been building custom rods for 17 years, and a split grip offers ZERO sensitivity improvement. It's only potential advantage would be blank contact and I have never seen anyone hold the exposed blank. I have also ben told "I like it because it lightens the rods". Removing weight behind where you hold a rod only makes it more tip heavy, and thus less sensitive. Removing the fore-grip has a slight advantage, as you are removing weight ahead of where you hold. Cork is very expensive, and rod companies save a ton by using split grips/no fore grips - and good marketing allows them to get people to jump all over it. I am only sharing what I believe to be facts, no personal opinion. But hey, this is fishing. We have all week for the "have to do stuff", when fishing time comes, use what you like - if it's good quality it will catch fish. :)

I have to wonder - how important is a blank exposed seat on a casting rod???? I consider my spinning rods to be much better finesse/sensitivity, and they don't have blank exposed seats. Any thoughts on this one?

Thanks So Far Guys!!! This looks like an awesome place to bounce ideas around!! Marc

Just wondering, what are your favorite 3 "go to" rods, and are they spinning or bait cast? Just joined, my first post here - thank's in advance! Marc