MitchIsFishin

Kent, that looks like a small ship! Seriously, heard of them, never saw one.

Wait, now I'm confused: Does Jennifer Aniston COME with the Patriarch, or does the Patriarch come with Jennifer Aniston? If she's include with the reel (I want the reel bag too), I'm borrowing $$$ today.......... ;D

Hey, the 102/103/104 series are nice little reels. Good for what you pay for them, and with some care, can last a while. The 500-700 series is something you'll keep for a very long time. I understand $ shortage, can't get what I want right now, so........... :-[

St.Croix Premier PS60LF (shoulda got the 6'6"), Symetre 1500 with Yozuri Hybrid 6lb. Chris, what is that monster fish? Gonna give me nightmares!

Probably a 100 series, OK for a first reel, small backup. If you have the extra dollars, look at the Cardinal 501-503 albi series. Much better reel, strong internals, very smooth.

No, set your drag & be done with it. Learned this the hard way. If the fish takes line, so be it, you have a reel, you fight 'em back. You DON'T adjust in the middle of the battle.

I understand on the $$$ difference. IF they are offering the Crankbait line for that price, I'd jump on it. I can say from owning a Premier (non-crank version) for 4 years, it's a fine rod, but isn't what I would immediately pick up for crankbaits. Great action, good backbone, but tip is a bit stiff, not what you necessarily want for cranks.

I was going to recommend what Catt said: anything that moves water, makes noise, causes vibration/disruption. Spinnerbaits, swimbaits, maybe even some large lipless cranks. Don't know if color for cranks would mean anything, as it doesn't seem to for me if water is muddy, stained or clear.

2 days late & always $5 short, HAPPY BIRTHDAY fbl. Honestly, you don't look a day over 60. ;D kidding................ 59.............

Are the crankbait rods on sale for $60? If so, that is a great deal. You would probably be happier with an Avid, but for $60, that is too good to pass up.

Bassin_Fin@tic, if you can post a pic, that would be phenomenal! Would appreciate it.

x10 what Catt & ww2farmer said. Just MHO.

Burley, I'll try the 3/0, it seems awfully large for a baby paca craw, but I'll give it a whirl........ Thanks to all.

Thanks Burley, it was a 1/0 hook FWIW.

fourbizz, I was fishing the baby paca. Wow, a #3 hook? I thought the #1 was too large. Maybe I'm not setting this up right. BTW, the #1 size looks different between a gammy and an owner hook, could that be it? I'm lost.

Kent, even with your Shimano fetish, you are a true gentleman. Quite generous.

I agree with the above - you'll be happy with either. The new Sahara is very nice. The Presidents, as much so. I have the older Symetre and a 4735 Trion and like them both. If you have the rod to match it up with, take it in & mount both as you will get a better feel for each one on YOUR rod.

I'm out today fishing for a couple of hours, tried a Netbait Baby Paca Craw. I don't believe I had it rigged right. I used an owners #1 wide gap bend hook, and it really almost seemed too large, especially compared to a #1 gammy. The craw was sliding down the hook after every 2-3 casts. I was constantly readjusting it. Had the tip barely through the skin on top, kind of tex-posed. I also think because of the way I had it rigged, the action wasn't what it was suppose to be. What am I doing wrong? Thanks for any help

BassmanfromNC, I knew that. Wasn't rippin' ya, promise. I agree, if buying a lp bc, a $100+ is probably the way to go. Other alternatives, including used, exist. We cool. RW, we all good - get back to your shimano catalogs and investment stuff!

Daniel is right, a pound of bacon per day will clear this right up. Seriously, it's called moderation. Red meat is fine, once & a while. All the time, not so much.

I'm not ripping on you, man, just saying alternatives exist. Someone looking for a quality bc have more options than they sometimes realize. Now, go fish!

Bull***t! Abu Garcia C3 - $79, maybe less. Excellent reel. I got my only bc (Daiwa Procaster 100h, older model) for $30. No, not as smooth, palmable or as light as a new curado. But for $30, metal frame, smooth, and reasonably well built. Take some time to explore your options.

I don't know what Okee-Fats bag you have, but I picked up a T200 small bag at Dicks this weekend for $10. Carried it for 3 hours Sunday with a dozen cranks, couple of dozen of inline spinners and 10 bags of plastics with 5 packs of hooks - no problem. If this is smaller than what you have, check it out.

No, no they're not. Smart, yep. athletes, no.

Check out & play with the Shimano, but do NOT ignore Pflueger. And check Abu's as well (Cardinal 500/700 series). I have found Pfluegers and the new AG Cardinals to be phenomenal.