SirSnookalot

I prefer to be alone when I'm doing serious fishing. The only time I want a partner is offshore, it can take 2 people to land some of these fish.

I've taken 3 wilderness canoe trips to the Algoma region in Ontario, each time with 2 other people. As rough as that area is I don't think it compares to what lurks in the Everglades. I wouldn't take a 3-4 day trip into the glades alone or with a 12 year old, just too far away from medical attention.

Captain Hook's http://www.captainhookswarehouse.com/index.cfm?page=products&view=1 ^ Pretty decent prices on some of the hooks ^ I use terminal tackle on Long Island for some of my needs.

I may have to recant my statement about considering a symetre after noticing a supreme xt could be bought for $107. The original post was regarding using the reel in saltwater as well, the manufacture does claim the xt can be used for inshore as well. While I'm dubious about the finish on a mg reel in salt, the price would over ride any fear I had. For a reel doing double duty in both fresh and salt, the 35 size would be my choice @8.6 oz it balances near perfect on a 7' or 7'6 med rod (this I own), compared to a stadic fj 3000 only slightly heavier. Both good choices but I know what my choice would be given the fact I have caught many saltwater fish with both. I go back to my track record of never having to service or repair a Pflueger, if needed Pure Fishing is as good as it gets. I'd be skeptical of the durability of a ci4 with 20# jack crevelles and tarpon.

I expect to catch a great fish every time I'm out there, but I know it isn't going to happen. I want to catch fish on my terms, so there are techniques and baits I won't use because I don't find it to be too exciting, if I don't score that just life and I'm not all that bothered by it. Somewhere along the line the "one" is going to happen. I don't believe I reduce my standards, if fish are running small I move or change targets. Certain species I don't fish for, either they run small or I don't like the fight they give. The chances of catching one of my favorite fish may happen once in 2-4 weeks and that's trying nearly everyday, I keep at because the thrill is worth waiting a month for.

If I were to buy a reel for even occasional saltwater use I would not buy a supreme because of it's magnesium construction. I did use one exclusively for saltwater snook with no problems, but switched it to freshwater not wanting to press my luck. That reel along with my 2 other supremes, an arbor and medalist are the most trouble free reels I've owned, they just don't break and never need service. I do own stradics, good reel but something is always going wrong with them and I'm always putting a shim in for a stacking problem, but I do think Shimano has the best line management system. In fairness every reel brand I've owned, except Pflueger, has needed some kind service or repair. I don't make recommendations and against my better judgement my next inshore reel may be a symetre, but I'm prepared for some downtime with it, I must be crazy or a glutton for punishment.

Lions really blew it yesterday, no surprise to Detroit fans as the William Clay Ford jinx is still in full force.

For the most part there are 2 reasons why a top of the line steakhouse can cook a steak better than we can at home. The commercial grade ovens are much hotter, up to 1800 degrees, and the construction is different. Home oven's doors are much higher top to bottom where a commercial door is wider and not near as high, resulting in less heat loss when the door is opened. Also the materials used in construction of a commercial grade oven do a better job of heat regulation. Restaurant and hotel grade meats are not easily obtainable by the general public, those meats are purchased from packing houses that specialize in top quality meats for the food industry. I have made some wonderful steaks at home both indoors and outdoors, but wonderful doesn't come close to a great steakhouse. I also enjoy dining out not only for steak but other foods as well, I like the experience at a really nice restaurant.

No superstitions but I do my homework about an hour before I leave which is 4 or 5 am. The weather and tide determines everything, from clothing to target species to combos I take (usually 3) to location. My gear needs no prep time other than checking my swivel knot and adding a fresh leader. I don't make lure decisions until I start fishing, the water depth and current speed may not always be what I envisioned.

I load up with straight braid on my initial spool up, whether I'm fish bass or inshore species I use up a lot of line, it just doesn't last where I fish. I do add new braid to the existing braid that's already spooled, in essence it's backing. I have found nothing works better for me than an alberto knot for joining the lines. For the most part the knot doesn't come into play, how often does a fish run 50 yds, that's 150 feet and that's long way. But there are times when does happen with certain species that can really turn on the jets in excess of 30 mph, the alberto does quite well then.

IMO for a bass set up the rod and reel should match up for the sake of comfort and balance. Presidents I believe run a bit heavier than the supremes I use. My 3 combos match up really nice for me, 25 on 6'6 Light redbone, 30 on a 6'6 ml clarus and a 35 on a 7' med 8/17 calico jack, 10# braid and 15# on the size 35.

I've eaten in many of the top steakhouses and for the most part extremely pleased. The very best filet I ever had was in a little dive of a restaurant in Ajijic, Mexico, can't remember the name. The place had no ovens or stoves in the kitchen, the cooking was done on natural wood on a grill outside at the curb. In 2 weeks we ate there 4 times, always about a 45-60 minute wait to get seated. Ajijic and Lake Chapala had about 8000 Americans living when we were there in 2004, the food was really good most places.

Haven't been bitten off by sharks and gators enough for me even to think about. I've read numerous posts on this site alone where fishermen are using less than 30# braid on b/c without the digging in problem. A problem I don't have using spinning gear, more than enough rod backbone and spinning reels have more than an adequate drag. Not only will I play a bass I sometimes open the bail so I can enjoy the fight a bit longer.

With a larger conventional outfit the rod is held in both hands while pulling up then reeling down, it doesn't make that much difference what hand I use to reel. I do also have a lighter offshore conventional reel that is left handed and most of the time only my dominate hand is on the rod, but this combo is not used for really large fish. IMO in small game fishing like bass or inshore species I think the rod does the bulk of the work, whether it's a b/c or spinning you set the drag and move the fish with the rod, I don't see where the reel type makes any difference in landing a fish. I don't buy this winch philosophy.

Of course it is, gets you into the site where you may be buying something else too.

You might be shooting down your own shipment or your neighbors.

I agree! This is not a 1 st amendment issue, A&E is not democracy nor is Bass Resource and each can institute their own policies. A & E is attempting to cater to their overall viewership, given what I believe is that viewership I think the decision was the right one, and it is all about ratings. This is really no different than a radio station not wanting to air or terminate a host that may have opposing views to that of the station or the majority of it's listening base, again it's ratings and sponsors. Any on line forum has the right to edit or delete any post as they see fit, A&E has the identical right. If one does not like the policy of a forum, they go elsewhere and by the same token if unhappy with A & E then watch another network. Really makes no difference to me what happens, I watched the show once and that was enough for me.

I agree, not only is a reel with a good drag important but the rod maybe more so. Being in Florida I no longer fish for smallmouth, but I do catch some formidable fighting fish of all sizes. I go as light as I can, not to say other fishermen here don't manhandle them in, I do what pleases me. A fish like the one in my avatar, not huge for it's species, I'm guessing is about 8-10 fight on med spinning, maybe a little less as we tend to over estimate time and size. Too tight a drag and 10# braid may snap and too loose a drag getting spooled is a possibilty, both scenarios have happened to me. If i"m fishing current in the inlet which runs 6-10 knots depending on time of tide and moon phase I have to use a beefier rod or I won't land them. I personally do not care to do battle with heavy vegetation and the use of rods, reels and lines more conducive to land fish for those conditions. We have plenty of good sized bass here, if I happen to lose one so be it. I don't feel bad losing a 5 pounder and I don't do cartwheels landing one that may be 8#. I want the best fight I can get from a fish and land it with technique, not brute force.

Every time I try and fix something I wind up breaking it, lol.

Not the first time I've ordered from this company and true to form I was pleased as usual. I pick and choose the lures I want and when a deal is offered I jump on it. I bought 4 jigs I want specifically for cobia, $6.29 retail for .99 each, I also bought 2 wobble eels retail 9.99 for 2.99 each. $45 retail without shipping for $16 with shipping, order arrived in 2 days, pretty hard to beat in my book. Not to violate any TOS I won't mention the company name, but most get email or see banners from them.

One main factor to be considered is the kind of water you fish, heavy vegetation or fast current and the poential to catch fish larger than bass, I'd lean to a 7' med 8/17 (which is what I use), depending on brand it could be a mh

Me either, there are ways to reduce the slack in the line too. At present my heaviest bass rig is med 7' 8/17 spin rod with 12# supercast braid. I have never broken a rod on a hookest or landing a fish, don't seem to have any problem pulling fish out of cover with this set up either. In fairness 8# is about the biggest bass I'll come across.

I'd fish that way too if I was competing for 6 figure prize funds, but I don't and never will. When it comes to fishing for pleasure I won't over power a fish just to drag it in. Big or small I want the best the that fish can offer me in terms of a good fight, that's why I fish.

I don't use wire leaders even for fish with lots of teeth, like the ones in the photos. IMO wire curtails the bite and getting cut off is just part of the game, I had about 30 lures cut off in a 3 week period. If you aren't prepared to lose a lure, don't use it.