SirSnookalot

Hit up with some nice sized Bluefish about north of the Juno Pier. Just before sunrise I nailed a couple of snook and some ladyfish, once the sun cam up the the blues turned on, Poppa Dog and a Gotcha were the lures of the day. Bite stopped so I went to the Jupiter Inlet, some sm,all blues and jacks but a real mack attack was going on, a strike a cast. After getting cut off 5 times, I did land some nice fish. I hate catching these Spaniards, cost me about 25 bucks in lures in less than 20 minutes...lol

High praise for Bass_fanatic and others for what they are doing.

I voted top lure, not because it's the most proficient but I catch my biggest fish on them and it's more enjoyable to me. I'd rather stick 1 5# bass than catch a hundred 1 pounders. I do pass up a lot fish.

Always a crapshhot buying clothing sight unseen on line. I have that same Plueger t shirt and the arms are really long, but I got a Penn long sleeve t, that fits perfect.

That's a heavy reel with lots of line capacity, I see lots of those reels, especially 650's. For casting I would not put anything heavier 20# mono for line management, my choice would be 30-40# braid, but that is quite costly(I'd consider a 300yd spool of braid and mono backing). I don't like getting into this rate your combo game, but I;m going to have to be honest. The pros to the reel is that in all probability you will never get spooled surf casting and if you set the drag properly it will handle most fish you encounter, even though your almost set at max drag. These reels are built like a German Panzer tank. The con is the weight, unless you are a competitor in the World's Strongest Man, after an hour of casting a 4-6 oz spoon into a 20 mph easterly wind, you may be seeking a chiropractic adjustment. If ya got it, use it, my opinion is use it as a cut bait outfit, but if i were looking to buy an outfit better options come to my mind.

I own 4 soron stx, a 60 2 40's and a 20. I used to be very high on these reels, not so much anymore. Mine are used in saltwater and hold up exceptionally well except they are prone to wind knots( my stradics and tierra have never had a wind knot under same conditions), in addition every once in a while on very windy day I'll get my braided line caught on the spool spindle, something that only happens with their design. Have to take the spool off to clear the line off the spindle, imo you won't have these problems in freshwater. The sx is an updated version of the 700 cardinal series, I had 1 of those also, it was just ok. I just went onto Abu's site, to my surprise unless I missed it, I do not see the soron stx or sx has one of their products. Orra sx and Orra s at $99 and $69, each having 2 less bearings than the soron line, but the same as the 800 cardinals, personally I'm looking for a new reel company when I'm in the market( most likely stradic, penn connquer or quantum cabo). In all fairness my reels don't get the same kind of mileage as reels used in freshwater, the salt conditions, sand and size and strength of the fish here take it's toll. As things would have it I purchased my soron stx 60 recond from them for about $68, still working fine. It is hard to beat Pure fishing customer service.

For some larger spinning reels like an 8000 or higher I will use up to 17# mono, I've used 20# too. For a small spinner like a 2500 tops of 15# braid, I won't use mono for a light spinning oufit.

I adapt quite easily to anything I'm using, so for me perfect balance is a non issue. I never bounce baits, I prefer a harder strike I get from moving baits.

Only time a perfectly balanced rod makes sense to me is if it's dedicated for 1 lure, any time that lure is changed the balance is now different. I can see how an angler may want that perfect balance for one specific target species, but for me it's of no concern. When I'm out fishing my target can change quickly and with it so does my lure presentation and area that I'm casting to. Having more than one rod with me for the places I fish is a hindrance not a help, I'm in constant movement.

Locks are no barrier to any expert theif, locks detour amateurs. A car theif can break into your car and drive it way almost as fast as you can with your key. I always had a convertible, the ones with soft tops I often left unlocked(top usually only put up when it rained), I didn't want my top slashed. They were gonna get the radio anyway.......lol

I never did consider fishing any kind of a workout, it does help keep you limber by walking and casting( compared to a sedentary lifestyle), but an exercise, I don't think so. I was surprised golf had a higher ranking than cheerleading.

All depends on the size of the reel, I have 12-17# for specific purposes.

My dad and I 60 years ago used a contraption like that with 2 arms, a fish spreader, for perch and silver bass, live bait set up.

In another thread a person mentioned over moderation, I think this is a prime example of that. Most people take pride in their schools and states, the facts that have been mentioned are purely for " bragging rights". IMO this thread is no different than rating someone's combo high or low. In all honesty I'm jealous of the redfish they catch in LA, it's a great fishery.

There is always an item that's popular with thieves. Being in the scrap business I know quite a few used auto parts dealers and airbags are a very hot stolen item, have been for years. So much stuff going on and most of it doesn't hit the news, if it does it's a 2 nd page story and doesn't hang around too long.

As a recreational fisherman that C & R, why would I want more than 1 fish on my line at a time?

For the times when I want to get down and dirty or discuss topics that are frowned upon on BR I simply go elsewhere, there are many options.

First thing a dog does is sniff out another's arse, personally I would find that to be offensive, but it's heaven to a dog. That said how do we know what a fish prefers to smell.

I agree La is a nice place to live, I've been there, and I'm sure if football and partying are one's major reason for being in college then LSU is the place to be, but if education is on the top of the priority list I'd be looking elsewhere. , somehow the money doesn't filter down to the people, LA is a poor state ( 10th from the bottom ) on income per capita basis. Michigan is significantly higher. If I'm not mistaken KVD is a Michigan man, guess he's showing you southern boys how to catch bass.

In most rankings U of M is around #28, certainly not the best in the country, LSU is around 124 th as a tier 2 school. Sure LSU is cheap, but you get what you pay for. Michigan's 4 year graduation rate is 72% considered high, LSU has 4 year graduation rate of 9% considered low. Michigan accepts 51% of applicants, LSU at 82%, sounds like they let any half wit in, there is no comparing the 2 schools on academic level. We speak English that anyone can understand without a translator.

I don't fish tournaments, but if I did the over rider factor for competing would be to have fun. It would make no difference to me if the Alabama rig is legal in my state, dragging in 2 or 3 bass with no fight just does not appeal to my idea of a fun time.

BR has more membership activity than any other forum and most times one can easily participate, I do enjoy the Every thing else section. There is quite a bit of feedback in regards to equipment, techniques, articles and all around bass related information, I'm a member of other forums as well and they have their strong suites too, but the information is limited, many times no more than 1 or 2 posts in an entire day on a particular area of interest, on BR feedback sometimes is almost instant.

I believe wd-40 is made with fish oil. I have heard that it does attract fish but I've never tried it. Using any kind of scent enhancement on an artificial lure is tactic that I don't care to do.

As far as brands, lots of good ones, I always look the deal. I was using my freshwater rods but hoisting even a 5# fish from high banked canal or pulling a fish out of heavy weeds I needed more backbone than a medium freshwater rod. I started to use my inshore rod 7' 8/17( which handles 20 pound bonita) and heavy vegetation was no longer a problem. I bought another inshore rod and put a supreme 35 on it with 15# braid, it handles anything I encounter in freshwater, and I throw any kind of bait on it. A good all around outfit, but if I were open water or pond fishing I'd go with a little less rod.

My average fishing day is walking and casting from beaches and canals, I don't think it compares to walking 18 holes and carrying your clubs which I did several times a week. Once I discovered I was diabetic and changed my diet all my vitals are within acceptable range, my energy and strength have increased, I never get tired or from fishing, Fishing offshore is a workout for me, I stand pretty much the entire outing and keeping my balance with a 3-5' chop sometimes tires me out after awhile, but I'm 66 it comes with that territory.