Marshfisher

I have a Prodigy Low Profile reel, this is the thrid season for it. So far, I've not had any problems with it. I even brought in a rather large snapper turtle with it. I don't have the Cabela's rod but rather a Fenwick with this reel.

I just left a good covering of the mono or flouro on the reel from the old line and joined the two with a Uni to Uni knot. braid can slip on the spool if there is no backing. some use old line, some use tape. Either is good enough but i think there should be some sort of backing.

Line capacities and generally strength. The round reels of a good quality will be stronger than a comparable low profile. Weight is also a big difference. I look at round reels as my setups for heavier lures and bait fishing.

Have you pulled the side cover and turned on any pin brakes? Every reel I've bought has had all the brakes in the OFF position from the factory. I generally put every other brake ON and go from there. I like keeping things balanced and that's why I do every other one or brakes directly accross from each other. That keeps the weight better balanced.

My choice is Uni to Uni. It'll never come apart.

I agree with the above, that brid is better suited to baitcast reels. braid has the advantage of very little to no streatch, superb strength per diameter. Otherwise, I don't see advatages. It is hard on reel and rod guies, frays, has little abrasion resistance. It can lead to rod breakage due to the fact that the line doesn't give and puts all the forces back into the rod. It can lead to some nasty finger and hand cuts. It ican be touchy on knot retention. I have Power Pro braid on my catfishing rigs only because casting like 65# test mono would be like casting wire. These are my opinions and may be completely different for what others think.

Referring to the information contained in the above thread, one of the worst things that could have ever happened to beginning baitcasters was coining the phrase "thumb the spool". Most newcomers clamp their thumb down on the spool way too hard. Disregard the term "thumb". Ignore the term "thumb". Apply light pressure to the side of the spool at various points through the cast and you will be forever happy. Well, Excuse Me for saying "thumb"! I was referring to the first individual who coined the phrase. I apologize. I guess that was a bit out of line.

Referring to the information contained in the above thread, one of the worst things that could have ever happened to beginning baitcasters was coining the phrase "thumb the spool". Most newcomers clamp their thumb down on the spool way too hard. Disregard the term "thumb". Ignore the term "thumb". Apply light pressure to the side of the spool at various points through the cast and you will be forever happy. Well, Excuse Me for saying "thumb"!

I generally set the brake(s) at half way to start. I set the spool tension so the lure or bait falls slow but steady and the spool roates no more than about a half turn once the lure touches ground. I'll cast and make break adjustments if needed. Some of my reels have pin and mag brakes so in this case I generally go with every other pin and as above for the magnetic. This process works for. I get occasional backlashes but not many. Usually it's because i forget to thumb the spool.

Berkley Line Winder Station Line Holders to keep line from going through levelwind Plier style lip grip This thing like a bif thermometer that tells you the depth and temp when lowered into the water (have that for over 30 years) Bite alarm Aftermarket reel handles Reel grip covers Hat clip magnifier so I can see to tie knots better and for small hooks Probably a lot moe I can't think of at the moment

Try pulling the line out to just about where it stops. At that point press your thumb against the spool and reel in a few spool turns then try pulling it again. Don't try to force the line free, you may just make the spot of the bind even tighter. As a last resort you can try picking the line with a tweezers to attempt to get to whats stopping it. If you just can't get, no matter what, then its time to just cut line and respool with new should too much be lost. You may need to refine the reel setup as far as cast control knob and/or brakes and you need to be aware of using thumb to slow and stop the spool. We ALL get backlashes, it's trying to keep them to a minimum. It's a learning process as with anything else. It gets easier with time and practice. It never hurts to practice in your yard or anyplace you can cast in some grass or water. You may think people beleive you're nuts but then who cares what they think. Good luck.

Only watch one fishing show abynore: RIVER MONSTERS. Most fishing dhows are nothin more that a long commercial promoting specific baits or lures to make rich people more money. Most of them contain people dressed like multi company billboards and most act like jerks. It's bben a long timr since I've seen a average fisherman show with real life useable information, especially for those that don't and can't have a boat yet alone a full house Ranger or whatever bass boat. Face it, the vast majority of people will never be able to put most of what's on these shows to any use. BTW: Before any comparisions are made, I think NASACAR and yes Football suck too. Maybe I'm the jerk but then so be it.

Wait, it just keeps getting better with age. Then you reach the point where getting up in the morning becomes a chore and painfull.

I have several makes of rods but have always been partial to Fenwick's rods. I still own and use one I bought over 30 years ago for UL spinning. Anyway, if it's a casting rod your after you may want to look at the Fenwick GT. I have two of these and I like them. I got mine at Cabela's. Link: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20372&id=0030065119165a&navCount=1&podId=0030065&parentId=cat20372&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

No, that's just plain dumb.

Last year I bought one of thee berkley line spooling things and I really like it. I never tried it with spinning reels but the rod that holds the line spool can be poistioned stright on or sideways. For baitcast reels you can give the line some pre tension too which makes for a better job loading the reel. I will not go back to doing it without a jig like this. Well worth the money over time. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_13313_100017004_100000000_100017000_100-17-4

They are still made. Here's a low end on as an example: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_44303_100002006_100000000_100002000_100-2-6

I think it's partly both. Skill surely catches more but luck can help too. I have a lack of both so anything is good for me

I will agree that the "best" equipment isn't what catches the fish. On the other hand, if you're not careful, buying a lower end setup can be a discouraging experience. There is a point where tackle becomes pretty much junk and it's that area where it can make fishing more of a chore than fun. When people ask me, I just tell them get the best for what you can afford to spend and also look at how much you will us it. Mo use throwing down $100=$200 for a setup you'll only use once or twice a year. I have rigs that were relatively cheap and some that were (to me) pretty expensive. Learn the basics first with less cost and once you learn that is when the bells and whistles make for a little of an advantage.

Thanks. That's a great start.

This may sound a little lame but do you fish tubes like you would a plastic worm? i never used any tubes and I'm an idiotv with no vocabulary when it comes to them. I have no idea what hooks to use, how to rig for them. I have a much better setup now to fish plastics and would like to give tube baits a try. I'd appreciate any help on this. Thanks, Larry

Wow. It appears that a lot of people don't like BPS. All I can atest to are my dealings with them and over the last several years I have not had any problems. I remember ordering a round baitcast reel online and getting the price listed even thought it was an obvious mistake. Saved a bunch on that reel. I've always gotten everything I ordered and all charges were as they were stated when I placed the orders. now, I got my new reel at an additional $20 off the store's sale price and saved $50. It is now the regular price and the sale ended Sunday. I will admit that Cabela's has a much better rod and reel selection to choose from. Also, the Bargin Cave is pretty much anything but a bargin. Bottom line. I suppose each has it's ups and downs.

Iused to use them all the time for worms. Stopped when I found they have a tendancy to really twist up the line.

Odd, because the Harrisburg store is where I was... Hummm Anyway, I go to Cabela's (it's only five minutes awat for me). The biggest thing I don't like there (Hamburg Store) is the lack of organization. Items never seem to be located by a product catagory or make. They also have some thing about constantly moving stuff around so you can't find it. Most of the prices seem on the high side with little or no lower end pricing. That store is also always full of a lot of rude people on weekends!

Advice: If you are planning to go to a retail BPS, look at pricing on the web site before you go on items you wish to purchase. I was there this past Saturday for a reel. In the store they had marked as "ON SALE" regular price $179.99, sale price $149.94. If I hadn't know better, that's what I would have paid but I had checked the reels on the web site and that reel was listed there as On Sale for $129.94. I got it at the lower price and saved $50.00. It pays to research and question.