tholmes

I've had one for probably 20 years now, and I've poured thousands of jigs, sinkers and bullets with it. Like others have said, it's cheap, works very well and it's solid and reliable. Tom

I catch quite a few smallies either swimming or bottom-hopping my homemade bucktail jigs in 1/4oz. or 3/8oz. sizes. Colors are mostly combinations of brown, green and black. Although, at times, white will produce. Tom

1. Fish often. 2. Take the grandkids fishing often. 3. Avoid fishing when it's cold or raining. 4. Have fun fishing. 5. Catch some fish. If all of these things happen this year, I'll be satisfied. Tom

Here's one that might fill the bill: (the bottom one on the chart) http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Saltwater-Fishing/Saltwater-Rods/Spinning|/pc/104793480/c/104765580/sc/104542380/i/104113080/Cabelas-Salt-Striker-Inshore-Spinning-Rods/738952.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-saltwater-fishing-saltwater-rods-spinning%2F_%2FN-1100468%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104113080%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104793480%253Bcat104542380&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104793480%3Bcat104542380%3Bcat104113080 Tom

i fish 'em quite a bit without hanging up too much. They definitely produce. Tom

Bait Monkey sez he don't know nothin' 'bout no limit. Tom

My baitcaster arsenal includes: 5500 C3 4600 C 5600 CL Rocket ProMax 3600 Round reels rule! Tom

yeah right!! ;D ;D ;D like she'd want half of all that crap anyways ;D No, she probably wouldn't want your fishing stuff, but she'll want 1/2 the value of anything you bought after you were married. Yes, this is the voice of experience talkin' here. Tom

It is good to hear the positive reviews on these reels. I'm lookin' at the same reel to replace my 15 yr. old Quantum micro.

X2!! Wow! 8-) I'd never heard of that before and I've been throwin' baitcasters for 45 years! Thanks for posting that, I'm sure it will come in handy! Tom

I use Trilene Big Game for jerkbaits, but then I use it for everything else too. Tom

X2^ You'll get more bang for your buck buying used, and there are good deals to be had in the Flea Market forum! Tom

Snake oil. Tom

X2. THe arbor knot is super easy to tie and will hold well enough to retrieve your rig if you throw it in the drink. http://www.netknots.com/html/arbor_knot.html Tom

10# or 12# Trilene Big Game. Tom

X2. I don't know what it is with Arbogast lures, but every one I've ever bought has had crappy hooks. They're the only brand that I routinely replace hooks on. Everything else, I replace 'em when they get rusty or damaged. Tom

Best guitarist behind Eddie Van Halen is what you mean, right? Ummm...no. Tom

Don't forget the matching shoes for each bag! Accessorize! Tom

I agree. If you're on a budget, the Micro-Lite is a great rod at that price point. I have the 6'6" UL version and it's served me very well for several years now fishing for SMB, white bass, trout and panfish. Tom

Old school World's best guitarist, IMHO Tom

Rods: Fenwick and Abu Garcia Reels: Abu Garcia round reels. Line: Trilene Big Game. Hard baits: Strike King, Rapala, Bandit, Norman Soft baits: Culprit worms, Berkley Power Bait Storage: whatever Tom

^^ Keep an eye on the flea market forum. There are bargains to be had, for sure. But if you want to buy new, the Fenwick HMG (as Vinny Chase recommended) is a lot of stick for the $$. Tom

X2. I don't want a 20 ft. glitter barge, just a simple fishing boat would do nicely. Tom

My wife (and most of the other posters wives, I'm sure) does all that too. But it's a welcome and much-appreciated bonus that she also takes an interest in and supports my hobbies. Tom

My wife just bought me a new 5600 CL Rocket for my birthday. Plus a half-dozen Rapala baits (two X-Raps, two Rattlin' raps, two jointed Shad raps), and a couple of packs of Culprit worms. Tom