SirSnookalot

I've been using 12 & 20 for a week or so it twists but so far not as bad

We don't have pike and muskie in Florida, caught plenty of them when I lived in Michigan. I target barracuda most days there are some similarities and some difference too, my cudas range in size 35"-50", upwards of 35#, I have 2 set ups that are ideal for me, both spinning. My heavier outfit is a Cabo 30 reel with 20# braid, I use braid as this reel has small line capacity but packs a lot of drag, I use a 25lb soujourn a great perfomer. My lighter set up which is the favorite of the 2 is a Pflueger arbor 5000 with 14# mono on a Quantum mh rod, for the punch this outfit packs it's light enough and balanced I can throw it for hours and never get tired. IMO it's more about the rod than the reel and letting the rod do the work for you.

In a boat it is difficult to "spring" them up you're just too close to your work, on land from elevation it's much easier. Whether I'm fishing a freshwater high banked canal or sea walls and jetties "springing" them up is a very common practice most of my gear is med or mh spinning rods, there is a limit to everything. Offshore I'm usually using a 30 or 40# leader, once the fish is boatside and it's one we don't want to gaff we just grab the leader and lift them up fish up to 15 maybe 20#, grabbing the leader with a towel can be helpful.

Ray doesn't have job, he's retired, just fishes off his 34' center console Yellowfin.

Not much to add to Scott F's opinion, except that I would troll my line out completely before I fished it. 2 separate issues that are not related, 1 being the line coiling that's seems to be the initial problem and Scott F's has recommended some helpful information, I would try soaking the line in hot water first and if needed at a later time just take your spool off and soak it, it takes less than 10 minutes. 2nd issue is line twist, closing the bail by hand is a smoother more natural operation IMO, but it only tightens the line to start cranking, you will get twist just by the line being wrapped around a fixed spool, nature of the beast. BB swivels may help a little, I've read using the the best ones in the smallest sizes, but I don't think it's a cure all as I use nothing but Sampo swivels and I still get twist. Ball chain swivels seem to work better than anything, I've tried them for bass fishing and the improvement was nil, other techniques and species I swear by them.

Losing fish is just part of the game. I don't catch too many 5# fish, my main targets are in a different size range. I've lost them on the trim tabs or the motor, had a predator nail them before I can land them and a dozen other reasons for not being successful. I may be disappointed at the moment, but never upset, just a matter of time until I get another good fish. This is my recreation, not my livelyhood.

Match the reel to the rod and the diameter of the line to the reel, about as complicated as I think it needs to be. If the larger of the 2 reels is a better match just spool it up with more line. Strength should not be a concern, just about all modern lines break at higher pound test than what's indicated on the package. I limp my line by using hot water and liquid fabric softner.

The fish probably just let go of the bait, as WRB described you may not have had a hookset if the bait comes back with the hook still embedded within. A year or maybe 2 I caught the same bass 2 days in a row in the same general location in a pond. I knew it was the same fish with the exact distinguishing mark on the lip. I did take photos both days and may have posted it here, don't remember. You never know how big a fish is unless it's been landed (no lands them all), I've had fish fight harder than fish twice their size of others I've caught.

I have friend down here who became a Rapala rep, have no idea of how. He basically buys for his own use and a few friends, recently I bought some Xrap 12's and paid $6.00 a piece and $2.00 shipping. Lures usually sell for 12-$14, and I doubt my friend Ray buys them as cheap as Bass Pro, sounds like a pretty fair mark up.

I've got experience in inland lakes, great lakes and the ocean. The great lakes may offer the tougher conditions to fish because there is a difference in the waves and boat construction. I am more comfortable in the ocean with a 5' wave and 20 mph wind than I would be in the great lakes with 3' and 15 mph. Great lakes waves are choppier and ocean waves are much further apart. Fishing production is generally better on rough days in the ocean, in the great lakes I've always done better on calmer days.

Caught 2 on lures as well as a drop fly rig or double fluke, wet mop for sure. Caught 2 stripers on umbrella rigs trolling, another wet mop. I'd rather catch them 1 at a time. Have done this many times, peacocks too, a different situation all together. They do not swim in unison.

I've played with it a couple of times it felt fine, but that is not a review. I did see some one on a drift boat with one, he liked it, however it was not a bass sized reel and it was brand new, again not a review I put much stock in. It's hard to go wrong with a free reel, I have witnessed the Blair Wiggins s curve rod many times and never met anyone that didn't love them.

So many rods today do not feature a foregrip, I only buy ones that do. I've been fishing with my hand on the foregrip for what seems like decades. Not only do I find it more comfortable but if my rod is tip heavy it seems to balance it out little better. Some of my spinning reels go 18 or 20 oz, letting the rod do the work by loading up, I can cast fairly easily with a minimal amount of fatigue and soreness.

Lots of options, I use either a light rod with a 6.5 oz reel or ml with a 7.5 oz reel, both setups are very comfortable, balance well, and is effortless, probably the most fun bass fishing I do.

Bucktail jigs are a mainstay in saltwater, I never did much jig fishing in fresh until this year. This past January for about a month straight I used a jig and trailer, everyday I was catching bass form 3-8# using a 30 size shakespere spinning reel on a med rod, 15# braid and 10# leader, specialized equipment was not required for me. I used a different trailer almost everyday and my catch rate was always about the same. Very productive method but I've given it up, I just don't like fishing slow.

As said it's a circle hook, they excel with live or cut bait. Depending on the species either just easily lift the rod and let the fish set the hook, don't set it yourself. Most of the time fish will be hooked in the corner of the mouth, but I have gut hooked both bass and snook on a rare occasion. A circle hook works really when when wacky rigging. I do not recommend them for use with toothy critters, the shank is too short unless wire is used.

Does Shimano have a line of toilet paper?

I made a mistake and ordered twice, got 2 shipments. Paid for both.

I buy as a go for most things, I don't keep a large supply. I am consumed with 1 species in particular and I make my own lures, I'm constantly ordering components. After quite a few years I'm at the point of near perfection, but the next step is refine them a bit in an attempt to please my eye, they will not catch anymore fish. I plan on pouring my jigheads, ball chain swivel instead of a hook, I own one that was made up may years, just want to make one similar. I also want to add some spinner blades and send them up to some of my muskie buddies to see what they can do.

Whichever combination feels best in your hand, and the best deal never hurts, any of them will be fine.

I went back this morning, luckily they did not have the rod I was looking for in stock, I really wasn't that hot for it. My reaction was no this time than when I initially saw it, the lack of foregrip was not comfortable for the way I hold a rod. I did notice that the rod has changed slightly from last years model, it may only be cosmetic as the finish was a bit different.

I do a lot of surf fishing, it isn't the same everywhere but there are some constants. Jitterbugger's appraisal is on the money, baitfish are the main factor, no bait no fish as a rule, that's not absolute as I've caught many a rogue just swimming around with no bait in the area. Nothing replaces local knowledge and understanding the nuances of each different species, some are caught in the trough (swash) and others require a bit more casting distance. Weather is always important, but never let the wrong conditions from keeping you not out there. Beach structure is always changing with the ebb and flow of the tide. One of the biggest misconceptions people have about saltwater is there is a fish a cast, nothing could ever be further from the truth. SW fishing is all about a window of opportunity that can close real quick, I've seen the window anywhere from 5 seconds to an hour or so. Certain times of the year I can days or a week without a strike and other times it can be a fish a cast. As far as lures go, you really only need a few things, if the fish are on almost any lure will be productive, spoons and bucktails rule........topwaters are fun when the water is right, normally flat water is best for them but I've caught many fish on topwater in 3-4' surf, they'll come and get it.

I got the same flyer at first I was considering taking advantage of it. I've been looking at the Blair Wiggins S curve, have seen this rod in action quite a few times, have yet to meet a person that didn't absolutely love it. The 7'9 25 lb and the 8' 30 lb rod do have my interest but the spit grip and lack of a foregrip leaves me a bit unthrilled, but doable. The offer includes a free Sabalos reel, the on line reviews are very good but I take on line reviews very lightly. At face value a 13 oz reel would feel pretty nice on an 8' rod based on gear I already own, but I would prefer a reel of my choice on that rod of which I'm pretty sure what I want. Kind of negates it being a "deal" for me, but If get bored today I may just go buy a new toy.

Sand may be your worst enemy for a reel, I really do not encounter much of a problem shore fishing in freshwater with sand, however your location may be more of a problem. A few easy options, wire push in the ground type rod holders are available, check google, or what we do for the beach is a rod spike made out of PVC tubing, like this, just taped a spike from the garden department to the tubing.