The Guy

5 and usually one or two won't get used depending on where I am and what I am doing

There are some things you can do with any spinning reel to help with line twists, such as closing the bail by hand and putting tension on the line with your hand before reeling. Braided line will also help.

Sierra trading post has costa close outs from time to time; I got a discontinued pair off of steep and cheap for 60% off; but it is a site that does one deal at a time so you just have to be patient and watch.

You shouldn't have to fix a brand new reel

I have been using braid on one for a couple years and have not seen any wear on the eyes

I got in on the same deal form TW and have been very impressed with the reel especially at $110. I bought a president spinning reel back in jan and love it also.

I have a pair of these that I really like

maybe try zman Flappin CrawZ they are made from elaztech, I don't any personal experience with them though.

Any of you guys use the mister twister top prop? They are on sale and I just picked up a few

bandit 100 in baby bass and h20 (model S I think?)

Yep barefoot

A lot of the time guys that don't have much experience with a baitcaster and are only getting those 20-30 foot casts are letting their thumb off the spool too late, sending the lure at a downward angle straight into the water. Or they could be taking their thumb off too early and sending it skyward.

the 1/0 ewg are about the perfect size for baby brush hogs

I got the same thing today

9lbs on rage craw

I've caught a few on it. It has a nice tight walking action.

Shimano bantam 100ex, still have it and it still works

You will get different responses to this question, but I don't worry too much about scents fading from soft plastics(or scents in general). I would use the worm until it is too torn up to stay on the hook.

I have done very well on them, they cast great and look great in the water. I did break the lip off of one by slamming it into the side of my boat at 100MPH after I snagged something and pulled it off, but you can't blame that on the bait.

I use flouro mostly because of the sensitivity even on slack line, and most of the better brands are very manageable especially with a line conditioner. I use braid on spinning though, it is great because of the lack of memory and the strength to diameter ratio.

A few years back we fished from shore with livers and did alright with the cats. I am going to have to try it for bass again sometime.

One of my PB(9lbs) came from mattie about 10-12 years ago on a spinner bait. I grew up on juliana back when you still had access to mattie through the canal. I have access through some land that my father care takes and went out on it in Aug for the first time in about 10 years, the lake was almost unrecognizable. I didn't fish so unfortunately I don't have any current info for you, but we used to catch them on spinnerbaits and worms just working the weed line. There used to be a crazy population of bowfin there is it still that way?

If it is the braid that isn't flowing off of the spool smoothly you may be using too small of a diameter. This can cause the braid to dig into itself on the spool on a hookset or snag.

In reality though it is probably more dangerous driving on the highway to these areas than fishing them, some of the snowbirds down here this time of year amaze me with their driving.

Gotta watch out for the skunk apes