kikstand454

That whole area is overran with lakes. There's one on every corner! I'm sure you will have no trouble finding a place to wet a line. Google map.

7'11" mhm. Hmmm. ... big spinnerbaits, swimbaits?, big flutter spoons. Second crank rod for when you are really on them. ....

4.5-5# Probably closer to 4.5# Nice fish!

Hmmmmm. Sounds like the chatterbait bite would've made me start strokin a jig. Other options: definitely a crankbait. Fish head spin. Flutter spoon. And I personally would've started out with a c-rig. EDIT: A Texas rigged big worm might have produced too!

Abu, shimano, quantum, ..... there's options for sure. Ill testify for the PQ as well. I've been using one for about a year, and its been a great reel. Pretty forgiving. Its on a "general purpose" rod and does just about everything I ask it to do very well.

Personally- I'd try 12# yo zuri hybrid. Maybe even 10#.

I have zero experience with them. I've not even seen one in real life. That being said, the parameters you gave match the rod fairly well, and if you liked it in the store- well..... there you go. Inquire about the stores warranty, St croix's warranty, and anything your credit card may warranty. Then go and beat the tar out of it the first weekend. Catch as many fish as you can and put it to the test. If it survives and you still like how it performs- then you have your answer.

^ I think this is a perfect rod for what you described doing with it.

Agreed. My first baitcaster was a daiwa 100h and it performs flawlessly like the day it I got it almost 10 years later. Its on my C-rig rod that I use everytime I go out, most of the day.

Raul, agreed. Unless you don't own your own boat and are limited to how many different setups you can access at one time. As a Co angler, I have two 6'6" mh rods that are general purpose, and I have considered running speed clips on these many times. These may be a better option?

Nice. If it kills then I will be in the line for an order. For that matter, I may pick up a set just for rocks specifically anyway. Lol.

I was wondering if he was still around when I reactivated. .......hmmm. ...

^ awesome. How do you feel this jig would perform in an offshore setting where the bottom is strewn with wood and not rocks?

This is what I use only in a 6'6" version. It works great for me.

^^^^ this is correct. I didn't notice but you lost your bearings too. So 54,55,56a, and 57a, b, c

You lost the cap and the spring, also a little copper washer inside. Great reel!

^ this.

I would prefer function over form here. I'm not entirely convinced that ANY jig is standing up like we think it is in 20fow ..... and I'd rather just know that its going to come through the trash better. ....

If you can find them, the gamakatsu skipgap hook is the answer to your problem With the lure slipping down . As to the lure tearing, unless you're using elaztech lures- getting two or three fish off a plastic is great! If I get two I'm happy! Espicially flukes and "moving lures" like it. They get hit harder it seems. ...

Do not super tune your curado. It is a better reel than you are a caster as it is. ...no need to make it even better. All that will lead to is more frustration for you and increased brake settings as you fight to control the super tuned goodness. Your problem lies in your rod. That, combined with inexperience is limiting the overall distance your light lures are capable of. Its a sticky situation as going to a medium rod will then make it not as suitable for other things you may use it for. That's why people end up with 17 rods. Lol. The rod you have is best used with lure weights in the middle or upper end of its recommended rating. Put a 1oz jig on there and see how far it goes!

If you like them. ....get it. As long as you're sure that your buddies aren't the REASON their sticks are breaking. You know that you have to baby them. ...and they obviously don't, that's why they're breaking them. So if its one your buddy hasn't had the time to compromise yet, then sure. ...get it!

Thanks for the review! I used speed clips for a long time until I acquired too many rods! Ha! Honestly I need something like this for inshore fishing. ....ill check them out! Thanks!

Yesterday. 8.46# certified at ramp.

Yeah. ....don't worry about wheather your set up is "right" or not. Its what works for YOU that matters. Yesterday I went out without a cranking setup. We ended up on a ledge with a hump in 15' - I picked up a t-rig set up ( 6'6" mhf, 15# yozuri, bps proqual 6.4:1- the exact OPPOSITE of a good deep crank setup. ..!) and on my third cast with a fat free shad- I caught an 8.46# hog! It worked fine! ( though it did wear me out! ) Use what you have and have fun! Nice fish! Way to stick with it! !!

No its not having a problem with the size. It just literally doesn't work at all. The mobile version doesn't give you an option to load a pic, so you switch to full version and go through the process, but nothing happens. I had to try for over half an hour to load my profile pic and the ONE thread I replied to with pics of smallmouth. Just one pic. I tried again yesterday. .....no dice. No matter how many times I try and how long I wait, nothing happens. It takes less than 5 seconds to post a pic with tapatalk. J/s