ghost

The local fishing store has the Ike baitcast rods. They do looke very nice, & the reel seat is just like the ones on the Steez baitcast rods. I didn't see any of the Ike spinning rods though. The price for the Ike baitcast rod at this store is $120. Not a bad price at all when the Zillion which the store also has goes for $200. I didn't notice the eva butt grip on the Ike rod, I'll have to take a look at that when I stop in the store next week.

I bought the 5" one. I like the action, but have not caught a bass on it yet. It seems to want to come up to the surface & wake quite quickly. Do you guys experience this too? How are you fishing this lure, besides a steady straight retrieve? Do you think adding a feathered treble will make this bait more appealing to a bass?

Actually the Core does come in a left hand version in 6.2:1 gear ratio. http://www.***.com/descpageRLCSHIMANO-SCOCR.html Would like to get one, but I'm quite happy w/ the chronarch 101 that I have. Also I'd rather have the 201E Curado when it comes out than the Core....which I don't like the price.

Sold my 2008 Curado 201D, this years model so I can get the 2009 Curado E, left hand in 7.1:1 gear ratio. I really didn't like the extra weight & how tall the 201D had. I am keeping the Curado 101D, since it's really a nice reel. Just wish someone will come out w/ an after market swept handle like on the Daiwa Zillion & Advantage. I'll probably be getting the 2009 Citica also. I don't think Shimano will come out w/ a 6.2:1 gear ratio on the Curado E, so the Citica will fill that bill. The Curado 201D on my Cumara felt clumsy big, the 101D feels better, but I want a faster gear ratio though. So, who's buying the Curado E??? Also the new 2009 Daiwa Zillion in red is sweet looking, but I really like this years model in 7.1:1, so no plans on getting the 2009 w/ a slight increase in gear ratio. Just not worth the extra money for that reel.

I've always have had pretty good luck using the Rebel Cricket lure for panfish & small bass. I used it today when the bass bite died & just wanted to see if I can catch some bluegills. Worked the cricket on top of some weeds & saw the cricket get slurped. I set the hook, figured out it was a bass, but didn't know how big. It put up a pretty good fight, especially through the weeds. It popped out from the weeds & jumped out of the water & was surprised it wasn't a small bass. It put up a very good fight & the 7' Carrot Stix spinning rod held up great! I got it to shore & landed it for a picture. I am guessing this bass is around 2 1/2 to 3 lbs. That's the biggest bass I've caught using a Rebel Cricket. You can see from the size difference that this bass is a good size. After the pic I set the bass free. Now that was totally fun! I did catch a couple other bass before this one on a Senko. But I know I can catch bass on a Senko, it's a blast when you can catch a bass on a small panfish lure & find out that the bass is much bigger than you thought! A couple weeks ago, I used a Daiwa Mouthwasher, top water lure. I've had this for some time & have not caught a bass. Finally caught one from a far off cast. Just saw the lure getting slammed on & set the hook for a fun fight. I love it when a lure that hasn't produced finally get a bass!

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98396_100002006_100000000_100002000_100-2-6 had the local BPS store order the 6'6" MH baitcast rod. I read the reveiws on them in the rod section of BPS. I've been in need of a slightly shorter MH rod & wanted one that was split grip. I went to the store today to check out the rod & it was quite nice. Not sure how the rod blank compares to say an IM 8 or IM 9, but it does feel balanced. The split grip is shorter than other split grip rods as in the handle doesn't seem as long. Also the exposed blank on the handle secion is shorter. Guides are Fuji Hardloy & has a Fuji ECS reel seat. Any of you guys own any of the Energy PT rods, this years model w/ the split grip? If so, how do you like it? I'll be trying this out during the week. I also have a 6'6" MH spinning rod version on hold, not sure if I'll be picking this up. To me the specs seems similar to the Shimano Compre rods, & right there in the price range too.

I have a Symetre 1500FI that has the stock handle. I am wondering for those who own the Symetre 2500FI if they would like to swap handles. I know some prefer the handle on the 1500FI that own the 2500FI, but don't care for the T handle on the 2500FI. So if you're one of those who prefer the 1500FI handle, I have that reel & I'm looking to swap it out w/ the T handle of a 2500FI. Shoot me a PM if you're interested. Thanks, Ghost

I bought a Minn Kota 36 & a group 24 deep cycle battery from Walmart, also a plastic battery box to fit the battery. I am concerned about having the trolling motor & battery connection inside the battery box. The box has 4 openings on the lid for the battery to "breath". Now I know that water will seep in the box, cuz of the openings on the lid. So, if water gets inside the battery box, will the water short out the trolling motor, or will it still work? I don't know if I need to put a plastic trash bag around the battery while inside the battery box while I'm the water. What do you guys think???

I bought a Minn Kota Endura 30 this evening for Colorado XT pontoon/kickboat. The toon is 9' long & weighs 70 lbs & I'd say close to 100 lbs w/ gear & everthing on it. So, The Endura 30 is 12 volts, how big of a batter do I need? How big of a battery charger do I need? Will a Walmart marine battery work? Also how heavy are these batteries? Thanks!

Any of you guys use Solar Bat sunglasses? I bought a pair of the Speed w/ gold mirrored, moss green lens. This lens is more for sight fishing. I used them today, it was bright & sunny. I must say that I could see quite well in the water w/ the moss green lens. Just wanted some opinions of those who own this lens color.

For the MSRP price, you can get the Shimano Cumara; which has been very popular. I would like to get the superlite, but opted for the Cumara's. I checked on ebay & I don't think the price is "heavily" discounted. Discounted yes, but not by much. If the rods were in the $100-120 bracket, that would be heavily discounted.

Friends backyard is the river (St Joe River), so I was there to fish for catfish/carp w/ that setup & brought along a light spinning setup too. Caught a 4 lb catfish while using bread balls for carp...nice fight. I was casting out w/ the light setup w/ a few different light lures for nothing, also the water was murky. I then used a BPS Rattle Shad, on the third cast I get a hit. Wasn't sure what was on the other end but it put up a very good fight. Got it close to me & saw it was a walleye. I was very surpised to have a walleye on the other end, I was expecting a smallmouth bass...this will work! Landed the walleye & measured it at 18", didn't get the weight but guessing around a couple pounds. Got my lure back from the fish, & gave it a li'l sugar like Jimmy Houston would...NAH, just kidding...released it...now I think about it, should've kept it for dinner!

Oh, I missed that...thanks!

Advantage HSTA or in my case the left hand version is a very nice reel...but...I feel the drag isn't quite as good or strong as the previous model Advantage Super Tune. I tighten down the drag on the HSTLA & set the hook & there is some give to the drag. Previous model this didn't happen, it was strong. Besides that, the looks are great. I like the swept handle & the metal thumb cast. The red spool looks sweet, I may get red colored braid to go w/ this reel & the Zillion 7.1:1 reel, both have red spools. I can alway color the first so many feet of braid w/ a black marker....

Finally remembered to borrow my neighbors digital scale & here are the weights of the rods mentioned: Kistler Helium LTA (69APC) 6'9" MH: 4 oz E21 Carrot Stix: 6'9" MH baitcast: 3.5 oz 6'9" Parabolic baitcast: 3.3 oz 7' Med spinning: 3.5 oz Shimano Cumara: 6'8" Medium, extra fast: 3.7 oz 6'8" MH spinning: 4.2 oz These are the rods I own & you can see that the Kistler is the heavier, but not much from all of them. Before the new split grip rods came out, the Kistler was one of the lightest rods available & most sensitive. The Carrot Stix 6'9" parabolic b/c rod is the lightest from the bunch of b/c rods, while the Carrot Stix 6'9" MH b/c rod is .5 oz heavier than the parabolic. In regards to the spinning rods, even though the Cumara 6'8" MH spinning rod weighs more than the 7' Medium spinning Carrot Stix, the length of the Cumara is a couple inches shorter; but is 1.3 oz heavier than the Carrot Stix. I guess this is due to the Cumara's Alconite guides versus the chrome guides on the slightly longer Carrot Stix. So it seems in overall comparison, but not by much that the Carrot Stix is the lightest rod from the list. NOW in regards to sensitivity.....after trying out the Cumara med, extra fast b/c rod & the Carrot Stix MH b/c rod...the Carrot Stix MH b/c rod is slightly more sensitive than the Cumara. BUT I have to say that this is due to the chrome guides on the Carrot Stix. Why I say that is, the Kistler Helium LTA is very sensitive due to the zirconia guides & the chrome guides on the Carrot Stix is as sensitive. The alconite guides seem to dampen some of the vibration going through the rod blank. Granted I did a static weight comparison of the Cumara b/c & Carrot Stix MH b/c rods by picking them up, one in each hand/fingers. I could tell slightly that the Carrot Stix felt lighter by doing this static weighting, but it wasn't till I got the digital scale that the differences were minimal. Don't get me wrong, the alconite guides are sensitive. But comparing the alconites to zirconia or chrome guides, there is a difference in sensitivity. It does make a difference! Also when I used the Carrot Stix MH b/c rod today, something that got me very surprised. First let me say that from the pics from my previous post, I use braided line on most of my b/c reels. The MH Carrot Stix, dragging a wacky rigged 5" Yum Dinger, I felt it when it fell from some weeds on to the bottom. At first thought, I got a hit & set the hook...for nothing. It wasn't till I realized that it's the plastic worm being dragged on top of some weeds & dropping down that the slight vibration was from. That blew me away, talk about a rod being very sensitive. I don't recall feeling this on the Kistler, I'll have to take it out & try to feel that. I balked a couple weeks ago at how cheap looking the chrome guides made the Carrot Stix LTX look. I mean, I'm paying $150 per Carrot Stix w/ chrome guides??? Now I understand that guides w/o inserts are alot more sensitive. Also the graphite blanks from different mfg's makes a difference. This is something to keep in mind for future rod purchases. With the new Shimano Chronarch MG51 b/c reel, it is so light on the Carrot Stix MH b/c rod! I couldn't believe how much lighter it felt on the Carrot Stix than on the Cumara. The reel on the Cumara is quite light, but on the Carrot Stix...it's crazy light! Now keep in mind that the Carrot Stix MH b/c rod is only .4 oz lighter than the Cumara med, extra fast b/c rod. But having a very light reel still makes the whole package that much lighter. These are my observations & just trying to have you guys understand that the weights of these very popular rods are not that much different. Still, I was very amazed to now see how much of a difference in weights they all are. Guides w/ inserts like alconite do make the rod slightly heavier, you can feel that when you pick one up & pick up a rod w/ chrome or zirconia guides. All these rods a very sensitive, I feel more of what's going on w/ my lures on the other end. It has made fishing very interesting that I can feel more of what is going on in the water. Now I get to thinking...what the feel would be like if the Carrot Stix had the Alconite guides & the Cumara had zirconia or chrome guides...???? The world will never know..... Here are some baitcast reel (left hand) weights w/ braided line spooled on: Shimano Curado D: 301 w/ 50 lb braid: 11 oz 201 w/ 40 lb braid: 10.2 oz 101 w/ 30 lb braid: 7.7 oz Chronarch MG51: 6.1 oz Daiwa: Zillion w/ 40 lb braid: 9.0 oz Advantage HSTLA w/ 40 lb braid: 9.2 Exceler w/ 40 lb braid: 9.6 Abu Garica: Revo S w/ 40 lb braid: 8.9 oz

USPS delivered last Friday the Shimano Chronarch MG51 & Carrot Stix 6'9" MH baitcast rod. I have those 2 teamed up on the bottom of the pic. I have to say that this is a VERY light setup. I have the Curado 101D on the Cumara 6'8" Med, extra fast rod & the Zillion on the Kistler Helium 6'9" MH. I can switch out the Chronarch MG & the Curado 101D w/ those 2 rods also, which I'll try out during the week. I do have to say that w/o a digital scale, the Carrot Stix actually feel lighter than the Cumara. I need to borrow the neighbors scale to find that answer out.

Received last Friday a Chronarch MG51 & Carrot Stix 6'9" MH baitcast rod....very light. This setup feels lighter than when I have the Chronarch on my 6'8" Cumara baitcast rod.

YUP, based on the Ryobi Varius: http://www.japantackle.com/Ryobi/Ryobi_Varius_Spectra.htm Wish the Cabelas version came in a left hand version, I like the looks of that reel.

I got the replacement Cumara today from Cabelas. This one is so much better. Yes the shaft from the top portion isn't string straight, there is a very, very slight wobble. BUT I can live w/ this one, this is as close to perfect I can get. The Other Cumara w/ the rattle inside the shaft, that one the shaft was string straight...wish it didn't have that rattle. I'm sending the slightly bent one back to Cabelas tomorrow, I'm happy w/ the replacement.

I'm sorry I should have pointed out that this reel, even though it's ugly; that you can switch the cranking side from right to left side. Why can't mfg's come up w/ a baitcast reel like this that is super top notch?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ryobi-Baitcaster-Reel-Daiwa-Quantum-Shimano_W0QQitemZ120257485540QQihZ002QQcategoryZ36146QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is a Bandit 100 series crankbait in "Mad Cow" color. Found this color here a few months back & found it interesting. The nearest BPS store had the color so I bought one. Casted it about 3 times & on the fourth, had a bass on it. Not a big bass, but sure do like it when a crankbait works! This is a really cool color! Yesterday I bought the Mann's 1-Minus Elite in baby bass. I've had very good luck using the 2 other Elite colors I have & the baby bass was the next color I wanted. I caught a couple bass on this lure...I'm really starting to like the minus 1 & gaining confidence in crankbaits. You can just see the lure under the bass, it almost looks like the Mad Cow. I caught a few more bass on a BPS XPS shallow crankbait in chart shad & a few more on a Bagleys Original in blk/chart. BTW, I changed out the hooks on both lures & the other Bandits & Minus 1 Elites to VMC short shank trebles. But it was dropshotting a 6' Roboworm wacky style that I caught the most bass & 3 of them around 3 lbs! Might as well enjoy using cranks now, the weeds will start coming up on the surface in the next few weeks. Already some spots on a couple lakes are getting weeds. The cranks will be replaced w/ frogs!!!

I should be getting the MG51 by the end of this week. I'm on the fence what line I should put on. On my Curado 101D, I have 30 lb PP braid. So you guys think I should go w/ 10 or 12 lb mono for worms & cranks???

I have one the Supreme 8030, it weighs 7.4 oz. Mounted on my Shimano Cumara 6'8" MH spinning rod, this is a very light weight combination. I am very surprised how well this reel casts & it casts a very good distance.

Bit the bullet & bought/ordered an MG51 from an ebay seller. Brand new reel & other people who have bought the same reel are very happy w/ their purchase from this seller. Also the MG51 was a bit cheaper than if I bought from ***, not much but I saved $30 from retail for a new Chronarch MG51. Now I just have to place an order for the Carrot Stix 6'9" MH baticast rod from ***. I have the Shimano Cumara 6'8" medium, extra fast baitcast rod & having the Curado 101D felt light. Mounting the MG51 on this rod will make it really light...floating away light. I did intend to have the MG51 on the Carrot Stix...