BassCats

Its official Ram is going to have a 1500 Diesel. http://blog.caranddriver.com/ram-announces-2014-1500-ecodiesel-pickup-coming-later-this-year/ Finally a diesel pickup for the everyday man. They have been rumored forever but now it is really going to happen.

Ken Cook, winner of the 1991 Bassmaster Classic, is a huge fan of nanofil on spinning equipment. He does tie a 4ft leader of flourocarbon to it. He is retired from the tour but is still giving lessons at local seminars. He gave a talk last night in Dallas about bass biology, spinnerbaits, and finesse fishing. He says that nanofil has improved his casting distance and feel of the lure. Granted he used to be sponsored by pure fishing, and still uses there stuff. He no longer needs to and has chosen nanofil over other braids, mono, superlines on his spinning equipment. Chad

Amazing post from some of the best fisherman out there. Seeing how they differ in opinion is great, shows that there is more than one way to skin a cat. Take what you want from each and make your own way. I learned how to jig fish from this forum and always have one tied on and usually fish it more than anything else. I would love to fish with Big O, Cat, and WRB. These three have told countless tales and tips to help the everyday fisherman for years on this forum. They each have their own style, each fish a different part of the lake or different part of the country. Each learned from trial and error on what works from them. This discussion shed more light on jig fishing than most could learn in a lifetime of weekend fishing. Thank you all for your contributions to this post and please add more.

Rapala sponsored a Class I attended this past weekend. The pros were willing to trade any of the baits in their box for the new Rapala DT 6 in a Red crawfish pattern. Guy next to me got a two brand new Lucky Craft pointers for that one crankbait. They may have horrible customer service, but they are good baits.

More and more pros use swivels than ever before. I was at a class this weekend and 3 out of 6 pros talked about using swivels when using two lines.

another idea is the *** jig. Don Iovino likes them and now sells them with his skirts. I have fished it in trees and rocks and never lost one. though I have not tried it in grass yet, others say it works just as well there.

What fish are you guys fishing for that needs more than 10 pounds of drag. I live in Texas and have caught fish over 10lbs and never needed more drag pressure. I see Abu with the 20 pounds and I wonder why. Its a sales gimmick if you ask me. I routinely catch 8 and 9 pound bass and never worried about needing more than 10lbs of drag.

I see the difference, but has anyone ever broken that piece before? It is plastic, but short and thick so I doubt it would break easily.

Did not know about the brake assembly. Will get the curado and see how it compares to my okuma reels

I have used top of the line gear and have used budget gear. What I noticed is that when fishing on others boats and fishing tournaments I had a habit of breaking my expensive ultra "sensitive" rods that didn't weigh more than a feather. When I did this I would grab my berkley lightning rods or a basspro bionic rod that I carried as back up. I never felt that I caught less fish or didn't feel as much. The difference was the weight of the rod and the comfort of the trip. I no longer buy the expensive rods cause I got tired of breaking them. The lighter more "sensitive" rods are more brittle and have a tendancy to break faster if not treated like a baby. I am rough on my gear because I move around a lot and fish in multiple boats. If I was going to fish all day I would like the lighter rod, but not at the expense of having it break or having to worry about how I carry it or store it. I had the pleasure of being on a team that was sponsored by G Loomis, then American Rodsmith, then Duckett rods. I prefered the American Rodsmith rods with the winn handles. But they no longer make freshwater rods. Sensitivity is more based on how much attention you are paying to what you are doing. I have seen people with G Loomis rods, shimano reels and power pro line; not feel a bight that I saw because they were not paying attention. I am also a big fan of watching your line and my hand is in front of my reel with line touching at least one if not normally two fingers at the same time. Figured I would put my say in and revive a thread for the new year.

I went to the Shimanoe web site and they only differences were the spool, and handles. The curado has one extra ball bearing. Could ya'll tell me if there is any other differences in them. Also could you tell me where that extra bearing is located. I bought the E series citica, but didn't like the way it was shaped in my hand. I like the new series shape and feel. Seems every says to gtet the curado but nobody can tell me why it is better than the citica. The old series was big difference, but I can't see that now. Thanks for ya'lls help. Chad

Belton Lake is a good one. If you are willing to drive to Austin, lake Austin is very good for big bass. Belton is a clear deep lake. Austin is grass river/lake. If Austin would suggest fishing at night to avoid all the pleasure boats and craft.

Fishing Jigs and rage tail in 20-30ft of water will help you get the pigs you are looking for. That is what Big O and Terry Oldham use.

I suggest using jigs and rage tail trailer. Fish the grass. Also try a rattle trap or whatever you prefer, this time concentrate on the grass lines. Also suggest bringing your favorite frog. Back of coves even in the summer. But Jigs will get you your better fish. I suggest you get your best grass jigs. I prefer Oldham's grass jig, it was designed for that lake. Have fun and good luck.

Oldham's Grass Jig with Rage Tail trailer. You can google Oldham lures and call in your order. You might get lucky and talk with him directly and learn some new tricks.

I would not want duel brakes on my reels. I would like to see every reel come in left hand for those that use them. I like the line counter built in idea. I would like to see bigger knobs on all reel handles.

BigO goes all the time, but I believe he only goes during weekdays.

Send that rain up through Texas. I am a couch fisherman, but not by choice. Can't find a job. Who would of guessed that 7 years in the Army as a Scout, and a College degree in criminal justice would equate to unemployed?

Lews and Pinnacle came out with good quality reels at about the same time give or take a year. Yet Lews has the larger following on most forums and people I have talked to. Pinnacle has a really good product and has fantastic pro staff to back them up and prove it. Both have almost the same exact features. They are around the same price point. So why is it that Lews gets all the attention and Pinnacle doesn't? I find it funny because you can't buy lews at basspro.

Great review, just wish I had the extra cash to go get one.

the military and college reels are made in China, they have them for the budget minded angler. They are not true Ardent reels.

Part one and part two. Basic cleaning and yearly maintenance

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loosen tension knob, then the check plastic in front of reel, sometimes you need to bend it slightly to fit cover back on.

I await that article eagerly.