Mikey

I have an all red curado. I got it for the 1st chronarch that was recalled because of the spring in the flipping switch feature; the spring rested almost directly against the line on the spool. bothe reels had graphite side plates or bodies with an alu. frame.

4.3:1 for me the Lew Childre Speed Spool. thats all I fish really is crankbaits and rattle-traps sometimes. 4.3:1 or 4.7:1 which the Speed Spool will "power up" to when cranked quickly. not too slow not too fast. fishing a high-speed reel; well to each his own, but fishing crankbaits with one feels like your hauling up a car axle from the bottom of the lake.

having the tension completely off is mostly pride, kinda like an ice skater skating backwards. sounds like your on your way. you will have an "educated thumb" in no time.

I really like what Alpster said, but in my situation the reel is the most important ingredient for me and probably me alone. I'm so dependant on the old Speed Spool I would feel kinda off balance without it.

the Quick Knot you can hear it "click" when its cinched down. very very fast to do.

I'm very old school on "snaps" I use knots,but maybe they're better now. my 1st reaction to 'snaps" was that it was a lazy approach to changing lures. look how reels and rods have changed.

I think the best cranking rods are the Browning Silaflex rods. only 29.99 per rod. these are the same rods that helped David Fritts win the classic in 1993. very well made.

there a lot of guys here who are GREAT bass fisherman who love it, but I don't see the advantage when mono has made so many advances in recent years. the only knot that is totally secure is the "quick-knot" with braid and its very pricey, but I would check it out in your case just to see if its for you.

let me add this the drag on the Speed Spool is best I have ever encountered its infinite from very slight setting to bearing down like a tow truck or tug boat.

have been using this reel since 1978. I read the review in Fishing Digest in 1977 and it was the 1st profile reel and the 1st that disengaged when you made a cast and WOW the distance was out of this world ! I used the 1st one like a maniac I even used on baracuda in mexico. I got my last one on ebay, because I like the older model that has "gear slop". Gander Moutain still sells it and it still has that "magical" 4.3 ratio. hope this helps.

4.3 ratio on the Speed Spool. its awesome ! so awesome thats all I fish is crankbaits period & rattle-traps. David Fritts and Gerald Beck the best guys in crankbaiting use it and state 3.8 is too slow and 5.1 is a little too quick. I often why the other reel manufactures don't use 4.3 its there !!!!!!!!!!

my vote the Speed Spool ; the perfect ratio and retrieve. I'll give yuo this the competiors can cut to the chase and offer a reel in this ratio. guys I'm just a poor fishernan, but I know which side my bread is buttered. its not unique this 4.3 ratio yet its avoided ; you getg 3.8 or 5.1 which is a "death blow" for a guy who fishes crankbaits.

the best reel is the Speed Spool 4.3 ratio. the best crankbait fishermen swear by it. David Fritts and Gerald Beck. I'm kinda surprised no other company make a reel with that 4.3 ratio. anything lower is too slow anything liek a 5.1 is too fast. I only fish crankbaits and I have caught many big bass and this reel is part of my confidence "scene". for a rod I'd go with glass like the Browning e-glass. all you have to do is look at David Fritts and mimick him and your almost there. by the way David Fritts bought 50 of the last old style Speed Spools; gotta be something to it.

very easy for me. Lew Childre Speed Spool. the older model BB1N without "super-stopper" in the handel and in 4.3 ratio.

I always set my drag very light. I fish crankbaits period and the light drag and the "back-play" in those older Speed Spools handles help me feel when I make contact. I also keep my hooks very sharp ! I hardly if ever lose a bass this way.

I'm with you avid. I never fly fished like my Dad & brother its always been casting; I remember how my Dad got me into it. He bought three old casting reels from the late 1050's at an estate sale and gave me them saying "if you can cast and catch fish with these your're preety good fisherman. I was in our backyard a heep of hours with those reels, but I learned it and caught some big bass over the last 35 yrs.

LW Hooker that my brother's post he's strickly a fly fisherman and like you pretty good. He couldn't log in for some reason and used my "handle" take care !

The weather is always a concern when on the water and the wind can cause the fish to bite or not. But when a storm comes along it can pay off big if you wait it out and throw a green and yellow popper along a wind protected shoreline.

Sarge is right ! the cold weather months kinda a "double edged" weapon; can't fish, but you sure can prepare for the "season". you bought some dynamite gear !!! Best Wishes !!

In the past my brothers and I would wait for the Big Boat Show that comes to St. Louis, MO still do look at all the new stuff and see the Pros give seminars. The best seminar I went to was with David Fritz the year he won the classic. what great advice for a dyed in the crankbait fisherman like me. got his autograph the "whole shootin match".

I have never used "real life" like lures; all of my favs. are just colors eg. chrome & black for example. A real good cranbait over the yrs. for me is the Poe's Co. plain white thats it.

just for fun.

inline spinners eg. Mepps, and fat raps. work for me.

good design. very much like the nike tiger woods mock long sleeve tee. its a winner.

on a lot of my crankbaits I remove the split ring and use a "loop" knot or flemish knot. its there !