Maggiesmaster

I've got a couple; good rods.

I've got three Lew's Tournament Pro reels and one Lew's 'ultralite' Tournament Pro(??) and they're all great. However, one of my favorites is an old 'gold' Carbonlite. It was less than half the Lew's price for about 60% of the reel. I've read the new Carbonlite's aren't as good. In any event, I'll stick with Lews.

The best way to 'pitch' with a spinning rig is to use the 'slingshot' technique. Let enough line out to reach about the last guide on your rod. Then, open the bail and, hold the line with your index finger, pull the (single hook!) lure back with your other hand. Aim the rod at the target and 'shoot' the lure; releasing the lure and the line at the same time. The first times you'll fail miserably, but you'll quickly get the hang of it. This method is the best I've found for placing lures under docks, trees, etc.

I've replaced bunk boards on several of my trailers and did it like this: purchase pressure treated boards of the proper length at Lowes or Home Depot,drill the proper holes to bolt them on, and that's it. For the covers, I don't use carpet, but use plastic or polyethylene covers over the boards.

I've got 60 lb. test braid on a rig I want to use to pitch & flip jigs. The water in my lake is stained but relatively clear. How long should I make my mono. or flouro leader?

Since you said you can go $150---my recommendation is to S T R E T C H it to about $165-170 & get a Lews Tournament Pro from Ebay. I've bought several that way, and they're the best reels I've found. People here have said less the less expensive Lews are good too, but I don't have experience with them.

I've dealt with them several times. Their prices are reasonable, they sell more Netbait worms than I can find anywhere else, and their shipping is scary fast. I'll order from them a bit later this year.

I'd have to order it from them. I've got three Lews Tournament Pros that are my favorites. The Browning wouldn't be as good, but it's less than half the cost! I've also got a 'gold' BassPro Carbonlite that's an excellent reel--it's the best value of all my reels.

Bass Pro has a sale on their Browning ultralite baitcast reel, model SL10HA for about $70.00. It's a 9+1 bearing reel. Does anyone have experience with this reel?

Thank you very much for the advice. I'll take it! Bob

Wayne, You're right....I looked on the box and it doesn't have SideVu. Thought it did. Guess I'll take it back & look for a finder with side scanning. Which of the side scanning models do you prefer? Have you mounted a side scanning transducer on your trolling motor? What's the minimum screen size you recommend? Thanks a lot for your reply & info. Don't know what I'd do without you guys on BassResource! Bob Glover

My lovely wife gave me a Garmin Echomap 53 CV for Christmas. She said she didn't know much about it and wouldn't mind at all if I exchanged it for another unit. I don't have experience with side view units, so I'm asking for help: Is it preferable to the newer Hummingbird Helix 5? Can you mount this transducer on your trolling motor (understand that the transducer needs to face forward for accurate side view readings)? Is it worth the money to get a 7" (vs 5") display? Guys, thanks a lot for the advice!

Buy sch 40 & glue sponges on each end. Tape end caps on.

Sounds to me it's either a problem with the braided line slipping or the drag not being setting tight enough. If you're close to the store, take the rod & reel back to them and ask for advice.

Call BassPro.....tell them about the reel and order another one on your credit card. Ship them the old one and they'll credit your card for the purchase price. You'll lose the shipping costs, but that's all. They've always been fair with me and my returns.

I've done it two ways.....purchased a pair of high dollar stainless steel pliers, and purchased a pair of $1.86 pliers from Walmart and a small can of WD-40; both work great!

A friend of mine tells this story on himself; knowing him, he would do this..... He was fishing on the Pearl River and a ski boat with skier was seeing how close they could come to him. On about the third pass, he puts down his worm rod and picks up his rod with the Zara Spook. When the skier gets close, he flings the 'spook out, hooks the skier and pulls him in the water. When the pi**ed off boater comes back to 'friends' boat, 'friend' lays his .357 revolver on the deck and asks "do we have a problem here?". The boater finds a game warden on the lake, who happens to be my friends buddy. The warden tells the boater to be more careful next time.

I've been doing a lot of bass fishing (not catching!) recently, and my elbow has really started hurting after every trip. Went yesterday for a couple of hours and the pain was severe last night. I did an inernet search, and my symptoms sound like a version of 'tennis elbow'. I'll probably go to my physician about this, but the main treatment (from the 'net) is to rest the elbow; that ain't happening now! Does anyone else have this problem, and how do you treat it?

I've got three Lew's Tournament Pro baitcasting reels and love them. However, I've got a problem. I need another reel, but also have a $100 Bass Pro gift card (given to me by my Brother-in-law). Problem is, I don't have the nerve to tell my wife I didn't use it. Are there any Bass Pro reels that compare to the Lew's Tournament Pro? I wouldn't mind kicking in a few extra dollars.

I use a piece of duct tape and a permanent marker on the reel..

Once a couple of high school boys borrowed my boat at sunup and returned it to my dock later that morning.. As I went to the dock later that afternoon I saw a BIG cottonmouth trying his best to get in the boat from the water. After I dispatched him with my shotgun, I looked in the boat and saw that the boys had left several small bass in the boat--the snake was attracted to their smell.

The braid line on one of my reels is getting worn on the end and I'd like to reverse the line on the same reel. Is there an easy way to do this?

I fish in central Arkansas and have only seen a few gators in the water. However, when bank fishing around here we keep a CLOSE lookout for cottonmouths. I suspect you Florida fishermen do the same!

Small mosquitoes are pretty bad now, and I'm wondering what people think about leaving deet on your hands.....does the smell scare bass?

I fish a lake with a lot of overhanging limbs, etc and prefer a 6 ft. rod to use there. I worm fish a lot, but have a really hard time finding a quality 6 ft. medium heavy rod. Who makes the best rod in that class?