ghost

In regards to the wife....I'm divorced so no issue there. I use 30lb braid on my smaller baitcasters, like the Curado 51, Calcutta 51, Lew's MB and Daiwa Tatula CT. Haven't had too many problems with this size braid on the reels.

I have the 201 I HG, I like the reel. Now I'm on the fence with the Curado 71. Would it be worth my while to get one? Those who own 70/71, what are your thoughts of this Curado?

I wrap clear box tape on my rods just above the hook keeper. I use about 6" or so length of clear tape and wrap the rod, overlapping the tape. This keeps the rod from getting small scratches and if the tape starts to undo cuz it gets damp, I just take it off, rub 90% rubbing alcohol, then rub water and dry, to take off tape residue and rewrap.

It's cheap, I bought one. It's the Berkley Amp casting rod. There are 2 versions, the new one has EVA camo split grip. I bought the 7' MH, 3/8-1oz lure weight. Sells for $30.00, it comes in others lengths and actions. It has a good feel, good balance and very good sensitivity. I like rods that I consider good all around rods. This Amp rod, I can use crankbaits, jigs, flukes, Senkos, topwater, frogs, buzzbaits, spinner baits, Texas rig, any rig, etc. There are much better casting rods that cost so much more, depends on you how much you want to spend. I have quite a few casting rods from $300 on down. If you're looking to getting into baitcasting, spend big dollars on a first time rod, well that's your call. The nice thing about this rod, it can do all what a more expensive rod can do. Eventually after using it you will fine tune what you eventually want to get in an expensive rod. Also, the Berkley Amp rod looks great

I take a suspend dot, use a hole punch and punch just that size and place under a bumble bug. That little extra weight adds a little casting distance and helps right the bumble bug lure. The wings on the lure is why it goes upside down after a cast. I also add a small suspend dot on the hoppers in bottom back of lure to add a little more casting distance.

Scatter Rap Crank Shallow, any color. Caught more bass for me than other lures

Shimano Casitas, very nice and smooth graphite body reel. I'm real happy with mine

Shimano Casitas is a very good reel for the price. Casts great, a couple gear ratio options, SVS cast control and it's quite smooth. You can get them less than retail on that auction site. Handled this 3lb bass on a popper great. That rod you see is the new Berkley Amp, 7' MH, sells for $30. Wonderful rod. That setup is under $150.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-VMC-SHORT-SHANK-1X-TREBLE-HOOKS-SIZE-8-BLACK-9651BN-BULK-9651-/172255920016?hash=item281b40bf90:m:md3Slt1U_LhvUR1S3Shwz3w Forgot about this one, also good

http://www.fishusa.com/product/Mustad-TG76BLN-UltraPoint-KVD-Elite-Treble-Hook-11-pack http://www.basspro.com/Mustad-Triple-Grip-Treble-Hook-2X-Short-Shank/product/73773/ You're welcome, I use both.

A bit of advice storing any LH frogs. Keep the box and insert that came with the frog for storage after using. Why I say this is, I have the original frog and I used it this evening, I haven't used it in a long time and just kept it with 2 other different brand frogs in a zip lock sandwich bag. The legs on the original frog are all jacked up. It still works and all but the legs now have more of a tendency to tangle up, because now my LH frog looks like its bow legged. With the popping frog, I put it back in the insert and box after use, so the legs stay true to kicking like it was meant to be.

Bought this about a month ago and used it a couple times and again this evening. The body is soft and compresses better than other name brand frogs. Also the upturned hooks makes a world of difference. No need to take pliers to the hooks to bend them up, it's already done for you. The legs kick out nicely, such a nice change from other frogs legs. I did noticed a few times the legs gets crossed, but wiggle your rod and the legs come un-crossed. Also noticed that this frog does not take in water. After quite a few casts, I tried pressing the frog to release water, just small dribbles came out instead. So this frog will stay on top and not go submarine. I've read that LH frogs, the legs are it's weak point. Well, I have to say I caught my first bass on the popping frog and the legs held up well, both legs still on the popping frog. I don't know how well the legs will fair after a few more bass, but judging from the pic of the quality bass I caught this evening and if the legs eventually rip off...I got my money's worth. The sound the popping frog makes is not like a Rebel Pop R "bloop", it has it's own popping sound. It's good enough to catch a bass' attention that there is something on top of the water and frog legs silhouetted during a full moon night. It doesn't do walk the dog, but a single pop or skitter it like a frog swimming by the bank, you'll get a bass to notice it. It's been a few years since I've used a frog and caught a bass, tonight I caught a quality bass on the LH Popping Frog. Wait for the popping frog go on sale, then it's a good deal. I'm guessing this bass is under 7lbs, didn't have a scale but I can tell you it sure fought tough and the frog was all the way down its mouth, both hooks in. The body compressed perfectly and the upturned hooks did the rest. Such a blast seeing from 50' away a huge splash where I last popped the frog and after a second, setting the hook and feeling the rod getting way bent. Now I know what I've been missing all these years. Also have the new Daiwa Tatula CT reel, that reel with 30lb braid made a great debut with this bass. Casts far and the T-wing works. No grooving issue. Only issue is the cast control knob is a bit tight that you have to make sure that you have it turned to where you need it to be. And that rod is my trusty 6'7" Carrot Stix. I know those rods were either loved or hated, I've not had any issues with mine and it handled that bass great.

NICE!

Hasn't happened to me, but that would be interesting. Has this happened to you?

I've had a couple of these old style lures for some years now and I really don't know how one is to be fished. Any help/knowledge greatly appreciated

The new Amp rods have a camo Eva grips, and look real good. Just wondering if anyone bought these new Amp rods what you think.

Looking to getting this. How well is the rat working for you? Straight retrieve or how are you using? Color preference Size preference?

Sold!

I'm so close pulling the trigger, really thinking of the the 71XG. If you have this reel, how is it and is it just a smaller version of the 200/201I?

I'm thinking of getting one, any thoughts?

The first guide after reel seat, you can see there is excess clear coat through guide. How do I take that off? Is there a solvent I can use or what? I think it affects casts, especially using braided line. This is an Academy H2O casting rod. Any help will be greatly appreciated

How's that?

I haven't used this braid before, any good? How does it compare to PowerPro? Looking at 30lb yellow braid, does the color fade quick or does it stay on?

Cool thanks for that!

I checked out rod, SCII graphite, not SCIII newer model. Most important thing, blank is straight and guides in good shape