BlaineFred

Sorry to put a damper on this, but the store may not even have all of those rods in stock. I don't know how far your drive is, but you may want to call ahead to see that they have one in stock.

I thought I posted this post this afternoon, but I don't see it here... so here goes again... I used to use a Bass Pro Baitcast Bic to unclear my backlashes, and I found that I was having mysterious line breaks. The Bic would nick the line when I was using it, causing the line break while casting. I rarely use the Bic now, and only in extreme cases, and then i am very careful. Also, I used to have some mysterious line breaks with P-Line Floroclear, but I haven't had any for a long time. The breaks were mysterious, sometimes happening at home when I was rigging up my rods.

The lure should be retied occasionally, especially after you have caught a heavy fish, or a few smaller ones, or had to work the lure loose from a snag by using a lot of force. Secondly, be very careful if you use a backlash bic tool or whatever they are called to clear a backlash. The tool can nick your line, and that could cause breaks. Third, if you are fishing around rocks where the rocks can fray the line, you need to be careful and cut off the bad line. And finally, some lines are more abrasion resistant than others. Hope this helps.

Nice pickup on the reel. Check out the Abu Vendetta 7-ft Medium model VTS70-5, at $79.95. I would put 10-lb on the reel. If it has a spare spool, I would put 12 lb on it for your jetty fishing. If you need a heavier power rod, check the Vendetta MH model VTS70-6. Good luck.

Question on the power ratings of Powells... I have used St. Croix rods and they are a little stiffer than their ratings. That is, a Medium St. Croix is more towards and MH in many other rods. A St. Croix customer rep and a local regional area rep both admitted this to me. On the other hand, my Powells seem to be in the other direction. An MH Powell is more of a Medium. At least if feels that way. I know that the question people will ask is what rod is the actual standard. I really don't have an exact answer expect that Loomis or Kistler could be the "standard." What is your opinion of the ratings of Powell rods?

The new Abu Garcia Vendetta rods are highly regarded. $79 at Tackle Warehouse with free shipping. See: http://www.***.com/Abu_Garcia_Vendetta_Spinning_Rods/descpage-AGVSR.html The Shimano Clarus is also an excellent value. You can also use these rods yourself.

too ften... I usally buy five or six rods and reels each year...but that has to stop soon...was buying mostly baitcasting gear because I was rather new to baitcasting...three or four years now, and I have been upgrading my gear. Thus the question choices do not fit me.

I also fish from shore a lot, and I agree that baitcasters can be a challenge in tight situations. Just having your line touch a tree limb on a cast can mess up the braking action and create a horrible backlash. A spinning rig is much more foregivable in such tight situations, especially when you are forced to pitch-cast to avoid the trees, bushes, etc. I tourney fish in the back of the boat, and I have fished with guys who only use spinning rods. The spinning-only guy had 20-lb Fireline on all of his reels. It worked for him as he caught a nice limit. As others have said, it's whatever you are comfortable with and what works for you. I have also fished with a former-pro who only uses baitcasters. I saw him do a lot of flipping around docks. He also used 20-lb line on a drop shot rig. I have talked to many, and some say that you can get more accuracy with baitcasters. I was also a spinning-only angler up until a few years ago. I had been away from fishing for many yeas, and returned to bass fishing using spinning tackle. After two or three years, I decided to go to baitcasting. I began with cheap used reels which is not the best way to learn to baitcast. I soon moved up to the $100 price-class reels, and quality rods in the $100-150 range, although the Bass Pro Extremes on sale at $68 were a good deal, and I have a a few of those. The advice I give is not to try baitcasting with cheap gear, buy go with good quality. Reel companies are coming our with some new reels models every year, discontinuing the "older" models. The discontinued models are usually on super-clearance sales if you shop around to find them. For example, the Quantum Energy PT models sold new for around $250, but were on clearance for around $85. At the moment, the Abu Garcia Revos are being replaced with new 2010 models, but the "older" models are very good reels and can be obtained at good prices. You can also find excellent used reels for sale on various boards. Good luck.

Which 15# Seaguar are you referring to about the "super limp?"

Thanks... from your comments, I assume that the InvizX is supple enough for a spinning rig... But Why not the InvizX on the baitcaster? Is the AbrazX too stiff for a spinning rig? How would you compare these lines with others like BPS and 100% for stiffness, limpness, etc.???

Interesting topic that I have not seen covered in the website where I hang out. On shoes, it depends on whether it's summer or winter. In cold times, I will wear Army boots that I was issued while serving as a civilian in Iraq. Summer, I wear a pair of loose-fitting mocs. No support there, but the objective is to stay cool and comfy. I fish back-of-the boat, and sit down frequently so i don't stand for the eight hours. I tried New Balance athletic cross trainers. While they provide excellent support, I just found them to be too tight. In summer, I have also worn a pair of old Asics that I laced very loosely. But I went back to the mocs. Furthermore, I will wear loose socks so they are comfortable and don't impede circulation any. I guess should also add that in summer, I also were loose underwear. Again it's comfort and circulation. I don't like tightness in shoes and clothing. I hope all this helps.

Still trying to find the "perfect" F/C line for baitcasting and spinning. My preferences in mono and F/C lines are towards the limp lines because I just like the way they handle and cast overall. I have read good and bad things about the Seaguar InvizX and AbrazX lines. I have not tried any, and I welcome opinions on these two lines. I am concerned that AbrazX would be too stiff for me. I am currently using the Bass Pro XPS house brand, and i just started using Trilene 100% F/C. I am seeking opinions from anglers who have a great deal of experience with F/C lines, Thanks much, Fred

Excellent advice on a topic that I never gave much thought to.

I second the recommendation of the Vendetta. A number of guys in my bass club have them, and they are all impressed with the rod, believing that it's a great value. I recommend that you also consider buying a good used rod. Sometimes they can be had at 50% off their new price.

P-Line Floroclear, 12 lb test in green...or Yozuri hybrid, not the new soft version, 12 lb green.

I second the idea of buying good used reels. Many are available on the websites, but I would stay away from E-Bay where I attempted to buy reels a few times only to get bid very high. Sometimes Craig's List can be a good place but it takes time for good values to pop up. I like the Cabela's Prodigy reels...normally at $99, but frequently on sale for $68...made by Daiwa, says so on the reel. They have the "spool free" feature that you don't find in reels at these prices. (This spool free feature is a mechanical feature to distinguish from a free extra spool.)

Would have posted earlier, but I just located this interesting thread. The best value rods, and this is the consensus opinion of a number of club members is the Abu Garcia Vendetta. The Cabela's and Bass Pro house brands are excellent values when you catch them on sale. I like the Cabela's Prodigy baitcasting reels at a sale at $68, and the Prodigy spinning reels. Both made by Daiwa. The Cabela's Prodigy rods are excellent, reminding some people of Japanese Domestic Market rods. Look for their sales. I also like the Cabela's XML rods...and Cabela's will combo sell some of their rods and reels. The Bass Pro Estreme rods are an excellent value when on sale during their annual Classic sale at around $60. I also like the Cabela's Fish Eagle when it's on sale. I have several Clarus rods. Very nice. A story here...I broke a spinning rod, and saw a Calrus on sale a Charlotte Gander Mtn store for $49. Going through the check-out, the rod rang up at $19, so I rushed back and boughy a second one. By the way, Bass pro does not sell Clarus. I'm guessing that the Calrus would take sales away from their Extreme house brands.

Hi Guys. I will be in Richmond the Oct 2 weekend, and I'm looking for some advice on good locations to bass fish from shore. There are two of us, and we would be willing to share or pay most expenses if some boater wanted to take us out somewhere. Thanks much. Fred595@yahoo.com Fred --- Annapolis, MD