ib_of_the_damned

I'm not sure about the Tatula SV, still waiting for it to arrive. But I do have a Curado 71HG and have found that (for me) it doesn't cast light lures well without backlashing/overrunning. I have all the brakes out and the dial set to 4.5-6 with the proper spool tension and still backlash 2 out of 5 casts. I put the Curado on my jig rod because it seems to like heavier weights better.

How light are you thinking lure wise? Under 1/4 oz? If so, I am in the market for a reel like that as well. I have a Tatula SV on the way and from what I have read, it is a great light weight caster. Also I have a Revo STX that casts Flukes, weightless 3.8 Keitech SIFs and Easy Shiners, Senkos, etc. pretty well. I've also been researching/looking for SV spools or BFS spools to try to turn my Tatula Tactical into a lightweight caster.

I would suggest the War Eagle Finesse Spinnerbaits, I have had the most luck off of those spinners. Either the Spot Remover or the Sexy Shad color. I don't know what it is about those spinnerbaits, but they seem to work for me.

I would suggest the Keitech Swing Impact Fat, there isn't a split belly on them but there are recessed areas for the hook to ride in. Also the Missile Baits Shockwave swimbaits are pretty good, they have the belly slit. They are narrow but have a nice profile.

I may end up just doing that. Like I said, I'll be tossing the occasional top water so if and when I do I'll plan ahead and bring another setup. Or another reel like @CroakHunter suggested.

I have, but I only fish city park lakes which get quite a bit of pressure and I feel that straight braid would be a deterrent to the bass.

I have other setups with braid and leader, I want to avoid that with this rod. But I do get it, it would be the most versatile. I could run a fluoro, copoly, mono leader and it would suit whatever I throw. Like I said, I would rather avoid that with this setup. Maybe just straight copoly? I do like Yo Zuri Hybrid, but I use it with reaction baits. I'm not sure if the sensitivity is there as opposed to fluoro.

So I recently got the Powell Max 3D 723 as an all purpose rod, I took it out the other day using 12lb Sniper and I can safely say that this is probably one of the most sensitive rods that I own! I was just hitting up the local city park lake with a Seibert Dredge Brush jig and a Rage Tail Craw trailer (one rod, one jig) to get a feel for the rod. Needless to say, I was feeling the bottom composition of the lake, weeds, sticks, rocks, etc. and was amazed at the sensitivity! I ended up getting bit while working the jig around a small rock pile and felt the bass thump the jig (it actually felt like it was chewing it...) I went to set the hook and started to reel him in and his head popped out of the water and my jig came unbuttoned (probably my fault for not setting the hook hard enough)... But it felt like a good fish and it was pulling drag. I was upset that I lost the fish, but was also in awe of how sensitive the rod was. Sorry, I had to tell a little story to set up my question... What would be a good all purpose line that I could use with this rod? I will be throwing jigs, flukes, T-rigs, weightless soft plastics, traps, and the occasional top water. I normally use Sunline Sniper 12-14lb but for top water I know fluoro is not recommended. I appreciate all the suggestions you guys may have.

I just ordered some Missile Drop Craws to try out. I got the Pinkalicious like you suggested and a more natural color Melon Cinnamon Purple. I'll bring a few Hudds as well, both the 6" and 8" along with the Weedless Shad and Grass Minnows. Thanks for the tips!

I just looked at the drop craws in pinkalicious. They look a lot like Roboworms' Morning Dawn. Would you think both Aaron's Magic and Morning Dawn would work? I have both in the 4.5". Also I was planning on bringing my trout swimbaits. Are there still bass on beds or are they pretty much spawned out?

That'll be a good budget/starter set. I have no experience with the Fury, but a lot of members have it and say that it is a great value for a swimbait rod. As for the reel, I have that same model. It worked well, I just don't use it anymore because I prefer low profile reels. If you like lefty reels, I'd sell it to you.

I just took a look, I was planning on doing some drop shotting, tossing senkos, and lipless cranks. Do you think spinnerbaits, swimbaits (Spro and Hudd Trouts), creatures/craws, and big worms would work as well?

I am going to be going to Bass Lake next weekend May 12-14th and wanted to fish the lake. Has anyone fished this lake and know what works and what doesn't? I want to put together tackle this weekend and next week to bring with me. I will also be renting a boat to fish (first time bass fishing from a boat!) and would like to know which areas to focus on. Thanks! http://www.basslakeca.com/fish.html

If you are worried about memory, go for the Izorline. I used CXX and took it off my reels because it had too much memory for me. Izorline is more limp and lays well on the spool.

Yo-Zuri Hybrid 12lb has a breaking strength of about 19lb. I use that on my small swimbait stick or Izorline XXX in 15lb. I use Sunline Defier Armilo in 25lb or Izorline in 20lb for my big swimbait stick. You mentioned that you are on a budget, so I would highly recommend the Izorline XXX. It's $16.99 for 840 yds of 15lb and 670 yds of 20lb.

I don't mind the powerbait smell... But if the Pit Bosses are as fragile as they are now, it may not justify the price increase. If they are made a little more durable, then I would not mind spending the extra for them.

I ordered a Revo STX for $79.99 before they price jumped up to $159.99, they didn't cancel my order and its on the way!

All I fish from is the shore (city park lakes). Bank bound angler... I fish the drop shot from the shore all the time. It's always rigged up on my spinning rod. I use smaller hooks (gamakatsu drop shot sz 2, VMC Spinshot sz. 4, or Owner Down Shot sz 1-1/0) and have usually between 8"-16" of tag end to put the weight on. I have gone longer, but typically about a foot is what I use. To address the snagging part, I rarely get snagged up using nose hooked worms. If I feel the lake is too weedy I'll use the Owner Down Shot hook and texas rig the worm. If I do snag, I can easily bend out the hook on 7lb Sniper or the weight pops off and I just clip on another. If you are fishing rock, look to the cylindrical style weights. I prefer the tear drop shape, I don't fish around much rock.

I prefer the action weightless on an Owner CPS Hook. If I do add weight I'll use the Chikubi Rig (Two tungsten nail weights inserted into the molded holes on the belly of the bait) it adds a little weight to get it a little deeper without ruining the weightless body wobble. If I do use a jig head (not often) I'll use a 3/32 Zappu Mustang Head. I have found that these heads still maintain the desirable body wobble.

I always use an improved clinch knot and thread the line through the eye twice then make about 5-7 wraps then through the loop created when going through the eye and then the loop created after the wraps.

Good thing I ordered the Revo STX when it was $79.99!

Thanks for the heads up! I just ordered a Revo STX HSL for $79.99! Definitely can't beat that!

What kind of swimbaits are you talking about? Small 3-6" paddletails like Keitechs, or full bodied 6-8" swimbaits like Hudds, or Hard 6-10" swimbaits like BBZ's? Those would be two to three different types of rods and actions right there...

I hear that!! I'm in the same boat, I am slowly getting rid of my older rods and reels to make room for higher end tackle. I can honestly say you get what you pay for with rods and reels!

If you are not already on the American Legacy newsletter email list, when you sign up you get a $25 code to use on any purchase over $100. That's how I justified buying the Tatula SV...