ksdog

In '06 I taught myself how to use a baitcaster. Lord knows I didn't want anybody watching me. After experimenting with several reels, I found that the reels with magnetic brakes were definitely more forgiving. Now, I can hardly pick up my spinning gear, don't like it. Guys told me that, I didn't believe them at first.

Any suggestions for fishing ice out ?

in the 1500 to 2500 size ? When my spinning reels are under a load, ie. dragging a tube along the bottom or reeling in 1/8oz jighead with 5" grub, the resistance seems high. I'm looking for a strong, effortless, and smooth retrieve. Recommendations ?

1/8th oz round jighead with 5" pumpkin grub

This will be my first year springtime fishing for smallies. I fish area reservoirs from the shore/wadefish. Currently the lakes are froze up. I'm getting a bad case of cabin fever and am wondering how soon after the ice comes off area lakes, will the smallies get moving in so a wade fisherman can get to 'em ?

Bought mine recently and maybe have used it a dozen times so far and even caught a few hybrids with it. Great casting reel and smooth. If it doesn't break , it is a keeper.

I walk/wade the area lakes for smallies and was wondering what techniques some of you use for the first spring smallie bite of the year. Just got into the smallie fishing last summer and had fair success wading, but spring fishing will be new to me.

This will be my first spring fishing for smallies in our area lakes. I started fishing these lakes around June thru Oct. So...this spring bite is new to me. I'm looking for a good search type lure that is cheap and catches fish. Because of the rocky bottom there will be a fair amount of hangups. Does anyone use the beetlespin ? If so what size, color, etc. I'm a wade fisherman. Thanks.

What are the advantages of getting one over the other ? Aren't they basically the same reel ? There seem to be quite the number of guys using the scorpion.

I'd like to buy me a baitcaster rig that will throw 1/8-1/4 oz rigs efficiently. Please recommend a rod and reel setup. Also, with this particular setup, what line are you using ?

Well...I have read RW's posts on yo zuri soft and went that route with 4lb test. Just don't like the way it handles. So far trilene sensation in 6 and 8lb is keeping me content, but I'm still looking. Thanks for the advise.

I have 4lb yo zuri ultra soft that I no longer use except as backing on my spinning reels. At this point trilene sensation in 6 and 8lb test for spinning reels and 10lb yo zuri hybrid on all my baitcasters. Just put some suffix 6lb braid on two crappie reels and am liking it over power pro 10/2.

I fish a river that can get low and clear. As a result I generally need to make long casts with lighter lures with spinning gear. So far 6 lb test seems to be the best compromise between line diameter and strength and castability. Question is, what kind of line do you guys recommend for this type of smallie fishing.

Was wondering what plastic baits to stock up on this year and want to know what plastics seem to have universal appeal.

I'm a shore caster using baitcasting gear and am looking for an excellent casting mono or braid that gives me distance, sensitivity, and strength. The line should be easy to manage, no wind knots. Your recommendations....

Finally, a support group for us left handed reelers. When I first started getting into the baitcasting arena, all I heard was "yeah, we all throw righty, switch hands, and crank lefty". How the heck would a right hand dominant invidual not prefer to work the rod with his right hand ? It all makes sense now....in our market there were few if any left handed reels so salespeople had to convince the novice buyer that he could become comfortable with reeling on the right side. Anyhow, glad I learned the "wrong way" in case I ever have to borrow a reel. But, I'm selling my righties in favor of lefties. You guys convinced me.....I'm normal. :

When I did my research this spring on the tdx supertuned I got very little info. I was looking for a long casting, versatile, into the wind, kind of reel. Raul said it was a good choice. What a great reel. I use the heck out of it. There is a bad case of rash developing on the frame from laying the reel down. All the other reels looks fine, but the tdx. However, the performance of this daiwa is top notch. If it had the smoothness on the retrieve of say a high end shimano, this would be the perfect reel. I probably should get another tdx supertuned unless I find something comparable which I haven't.

I have both the new alumina in 20 size and the new inspira in 30 size. These are aluminum framed reels. I fish everday and both reels are holding up well, great drags, cast well, and smooth cranking. I have read the reviews on the metaloid and seems to me the weight was the deterent.

Interesting....

OK. Thanks. Anymore suggestions ?

I'm looking to relocate to an area that offers the best multi species, multi season fishing. Freshwater only. Where do you guys recommend ? PM me if you want to keep a secret. avtks@hotmail.com