Davo

I'm Kayak-bound so I face similar considerations as you. You've got to have the broadest application from each rod, as well as, line weight and type... Check out the website for Powell Fishing Rods. I will probably end up with 3-4 of their rods in the next month or two. I like the extra length of their rods combined with the Extra-Fast Actions that they use. They lowered the prices on a lot of their rods (about $30.00) in the last few months. Look at the 702CEF, 703CEF and 704CEF models or their spinning rod equivalents. Islandbass, you're a genius!! Rod transport just got a lot easier. THANKS Happy Hunting, Davo

Yeah Vic, that's pretty much where I was heading. Thanks for your feedback. I've recently been in almost the same situation as Harpoon is now and for all practical purposes I still am. I'm not bragging at all, but I've been amazed at how well I've been able to cast the Citica ever since I took it out of the box. I literally had not owned or even tried to cast a baitcaster in 30 years (1978 Ambassadeur 5000D). I completely attribute this to the features and quality of the Citica and NOT any ability of my own. Right now it's mounted on a $49.00 American Rodsmith's Apex Titanium MH fast tip rod and I couldn't be happier. If I had to go with a less expensive rod or a less expensive reel than what I have now, then I'm keeping the citica but like you said balance is also critical. Take Care, Davo

Recommendation 1: Shimano Sahara 2500 and Berkley Lightning Rod. A little more than $100. This is a SMALL compromise on the reel and a bit better rod than my next recommendation. Recommendation 2: Spend as much as you can afford on the reel. I would even say spend all $100 on the reel (Shimano Symetre $99.00 retail, or Shimano Citica $101 on-line) and get ANY rod that will get you on the water. You could probably keep the cost under $125.00. I am just getting into fishing too and just bought one of each of these reels. I can tell you, they are the way to go. Here's my thinking; you'll have one VERY nice piece of quality equipment and another that will get you through until it needs replacement or as soon as you feel like it. You will be able to cast with ANY rod that you end up with, however, the smoothness and better anti-backlash systems in a higher quality reel will allow you to learn to cast more quickly, the drag will be better designed, it will weigh less than less expensive reels and it will last longer, and will produce FAR less frustration. Even a cheap rod could last you for years if you're a casual weekend fisherman. See what kind of rods are out there for $19.99! Check out Berkley (Lightning) fishing rods for a little more money. You could also try to find a good used rod from someone on one of the boards. Try to get a medium-heavy rod with a fast action in the longest length you can find, or whatever is cheap enough that you can get on the water. Medium action for any rod 6 feet or less. Try to go to an event and meet some people. Most people who've been fishing for very long probably have an old rod they would part with for "dinner-money". You can always save your pennies and buy a better rod as time goes by, but you probably won't need to. I have an old Spinning rod that I would just give you, but packaging and shipping would cost almost as much as a cheap new rod. Good Luck. Davo

I really like the Kistlers, particularly their big handles/grips as well as the sensitivity of their rods. Unfortunately, I can't afford the Kistler rods that felt the best to me. I've been looking at Powell Rods. They've recently LOWERED their prices on most of their rods to $139. I am a newbie Kayak fisherman as well and I am looking at their 702CEF and 703CEF with Shimano Citica 201E reels. I also have a Shimano Symetre 2500 that I may eventually put on a Powell Rod for finesse work. Davo

Congratulations, I love my 201E. I haven't owned a baitcaster since the late 70's (Abassadeur 5000D). I am just getting into fishing since the early 1980's. I bought the Citica 201E and a Symetre 2500fj about three weeks ago. I have been really surprised how well I have been able to cast it right out of the box. I plan to buy two more (and rods) in the near future to round out the arsenal. The only snivel that I have about the Citica is that you only get them in one gear ratio. I would love to have a 4:8 to 1 or 5:0 to 1 Citica. You have to spend another $50-60 and buy a Curado to get a variety of gear ratios including 5:0 to 1. Otherwise, I am so happy with my choice. Davo

I believe the polarization is nothing more than a coating that can be applied to the lenses when you order your glasses. You can buy over the counter sunglasses and have prescription lenses installed in them as long as the frame has "Rxable" identified on the frame or tags on the frames. Almost every name brand provides "Rxable" frames. You can go to any Manufacturers website and do a search using "Rx" or "Rxable". I've been thinking about going to go back to contact lenses for no other reason than to be able to buy decent sunglasses right off the rack. I think this will be a less expensive option as well. Good luck, Davo

Short anwer: I wouldn't hold your breath for significant sales, rebates, etc. Long answer: If I recall, retailers have been severely hammered by reduced holiday sales for the last three to four years in a row. Also, the most recent tax rebate last summer had almost NO effect on the economy since most people were paying off debt or using it to make the monthly bills. The sheer number of layoffs and foreclosures is staggering to anyone watching the news. I would also imagine that annually increasing internet sales have all but doomed the large retail stores within the next 5-10 years. People simply haven't been letting go of their money for luxury/recreational items since before last summer. I think retailers had a lot of economic indicators to anticipate a rough time ahead and were prepared this year and simply didn't order as much product as in the past. We'll have to wait and see what the short term effect of the pending "economic stimulus package will be after the Obama inauguration. I expected there to be tons of after-Christmas discounts and there hasn't been much of anything. I think it might be mid-spring before the effect of the economy will be shown in the outdoor retail market. Davo

You should be fine down to any lure 1/4 oz or above. You might have to "work your way down" to the lighter weights if that is what you want to do. I just bought a Citica 201E a couple of weeks ago. I LOVE my citica and plan to buy at least one more as soon as I can put the money together. I bought it to cast lures 1/4 oz and over. I'm still getting used to the reel since this is the first baitcaster I've owned in 30 years. I also bought a Symetre for the light stuff below 1/4 oz. and to serve as a finesse/dropshot rig. I may surprise myself but I didn't want to wait as long as I thought it might take to learn to cast weightless soft baits with the citica. Besides, the frustration of THAT many birdsnests would probably make me hate fishing forever. After two outings I haven't had a serious backlash yet but that was casting a 1/2 oz. Booyah football head jig. My plan is to drop down to 3/8 oz jigs and then 1/4 oz jigs adjusting the 'weights' inside the reel as I go. I have enough experience with Spinning gear to know that I can easily cast 1/8 oz or above with a spinning rig and decent line. Congrats on your Citica and I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine. Davo

Can any of you clarify what the difference between Ultra-light and Finesse fishing would be? It's a bit confusing because the baits seem to be the same. The answer will help me greatly with equipment selection To me, Ultra light is any rig set up with 6 lb (or less) weight line and throwing lures of 1/4 oz or less weight. Perhaps that doesn't exactly cover it. I don't have a clear definition of "finesse" fishing but from what I've read on many posts on this site, there seems to be a distinction from "Ultra Light". I just can't figure out what that distinction really is. And yes, I've read quite a few of the articles. Thanks, Davo

Hello Everyone, I would like everyone's recommendations for a REEL and ROD for finesse fishing. I'm not sure what action rod or what type of line or test would be best either. Keeping the combination under $200 would be preferable. Thanks, Davo

I would like to buy a Shimano Symetre spinning reel to use as a finesse rig. Would the 2500 model be too large or heavy? Davo

I am in the process of making the same decision as you are. I'm also trying to get a reel that can serve double duty in saltwater as well. I've been leaning toward the Revo SX/STX but am also considering the Daiwa Advantage. I like the magnetic anti-backlash adjustment instead of messing with the little weights. I'll probably get flamed for writing that, but I'm new to the sport and I'm trying to keep everything as simple as possible. That being said, Shimano seems to make a faultless reel as far as quality goes.

Hello Outdoor Channel and welcome to this site. I am also new to Bassresource.com and I am new to fishing. Keep us beginners in mind as you are considering topics for various shows. Thanks and good luck to you, Davo

I recall having consistent results with a white Heddon Tiny Torpedo with a red head. This caught several types of bass in early spring all the way through mid-summer when fished early in the morning. Highly reflective finishes (chrome with black back) and Natural Finishes seemed to work best the rest of the day and much farther into the year at least through late fall. I know this isn't a pattern but I've had good luck with broken back rapala's with natural finishes very recently Davo

Thanks Everyone, this is exactly what I needed to know. Symetre it is!! I'll have to retrain myself to close the bail by hand but that shouldn't be a big problem. Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas, Davo

I fished a few times as a kid and young adult but I am just getting serious about fishing late in life (48 next month) and I am buying new equipment. With all the new baits, rods, reels, etc. I need some help from you guys. The "kids" at the sporting goods stores are leaving me more confused than when I went in. I want a rig for casting weightless worms, finesse baits, tubes, and light wieght drop shotting. I assume that a nice spinning reel and graphite rod with Lt/Med power and Fast Action are the best choices (please correct me if ANY of this is wrong). However, I have recently read that spinning reels twist the fishing line which can affect the action of the lighter and more flexible lures because the bail rotates around the spool. This makes me wonder if a bait caster would be the better choice since it supposedly does not twist the line. Perhaps, I am exaggerating all this in my own mind due to my lack of experience. I have used spinning reels in the past but I never learned to use soft baits, or bait casting equipment, so I'm really needing your help. I plan to add a casting outfit for C-rigs, T-rigs, flipping and pitching but I don't know if I will be plagued with non-stop birds-nests with the lighter lures. I hear and read that the new bait casters are incredible for casting even with the light baits due to the magnetic and centrifigal braking features that they have designed into them. I've reduced my choices to Shimano Sahara or Symetre (2500) if I choose spinning, or an Abu Revo if I decide on Bait Casting. Thanks, Davo

Hello from Austin, Texas. I Googled "bass fishing" and found this site a couple of days ago. I could NOT have asked for a better resource than this site. The Articles for beginners are exactly what I need. I'll be 48 next month and I know almost nothing about fishing. I fished a few times as a kid and a couple as an adult, but that's it. I've never personally known anyone who really knew anything about fishing either so I'm REALLY starting from scratch. My family has bought kayaks within the last few months and we're going to emphasize fishing and recreational paddling. My very limited experience has been fishing crank baits but I really want to learn how to fish soft baits, jigs and spinner baits. All of my equipment (except one rod) is at least 25 years old but still works well. I am in the process of getting new gear. There is so much equipment and so many techniques that I've never heard of that it is a bit overwhelming, but I'll figure it out. The people on this website will definitely shorten the learning curve. God Bless the Internet!!! Take Care and have a Merry Christmas everyone, Davo