bwell

I have a silver max I bought with a berkley lighting rod combo for my first casting setup and it still use it today. The reel will cast a crankbait a mile no problem. I think it needs a good cleaning because for some reason in the middle of the cast the spool will just speed up for no reason and backlash. But over all its a decent really for what you pay.

Really depends on the bite... Sometimes the bass like a nice couple pops and a pause and then a couple more pops ect... Sometimes they are a little skittish and I will just give it a couple twitches, and then a little pop ect... You cant really fish the lure wrong it just depends on how the bass want it.

I would also go with braided line (50-65#) because it is a lot easier to pick out if you backlash.

Being your first baitcasting reel I would go with the Pro Qualifier, its a great all around reel with DBS to help you out being a beginner. I would just purchase a combo through BPS, either a M or MH with a fast tip will serve you well...

The Citica (you will want the 201E) is a very nice reel for the money and a used one can be bought in the flea market on this site for around 70-80 bucks.

I have both a Citica D (but have two E's on the way) and a Pro Qualifier. I think they are both great reels, but if you are going to be using your reel for multiple techniques I would go with the Pro Qualifier for the DBS...

I have the Pro Qualifier and love it, the DBS is really nice if you decide you need to throw a lighter bait.

that's actually a really strong point about the stx's i noticed right off the bat. it'll cast a weightless fluke a mile into the wind

I have an STX and love it! Having dual braking is a definitely a plus.

You got that right! lol I hate it when I get that stuff on my hands.

I already have a STX and like it quite a bit, I think my next purchase will be the SX after reading what you guys have been saying.

bwahaha I guess I should slow down when typing. Thanks for the heads up.

I was fishing on the pond behind my house and was burning a YUM money frog over the weeds and a frog just destroys it! The frog just about had the whole YUM money frog in its mouth. Has this happened to anyone else? I have a crappy cell phone pic that I will post tonight.

Cope never last long for me because I am always chasing it around or most of it comes out after I spit enough... Skoal for me please.

Your switch that controls your speed might be going out, have a loose connection, or wires are shorted out. Talk it apart and make sure it isn't any corrosion and make sure the connections are tight. You could have a short making it cut out on you. Mine burnt up once (wires melted together) and I could only go in reverse, I found the replacement part and it works like a champ now.

I just used the YUM money hound for the first time yesterday and it worked surprisingly well.

When is the BPS suppose to open?

I use Yo-Zuri hybrid in 15# and it works great for me.

I cant wait for this! I see monthly trips in my future... 8-)

I am not, but my wifes aunt and uncle lives in your town. We visit every once in a while.

Sounds like you have a hard choice to make. I am still waiting on my citica so I cant comment on that, but I do however love my STX. Its built like a tank, and cast and retrieves very smooth. Having the dual braking option if you were to ever need it is nice also.

Yeah they work really well, it would be nice if they didnt tear so easily though...

I hope Rashad kicks the crap out of Rampage, Rampage has a fat head and a big mouth.

PM sent!

What are you using to catch these bass?? Try a big t-rigged brush hog and see if that will get some fatties to bite.