Darren.
Super User
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Everything posted by Darren.
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As a new owner of a Shimano Chronarch 50e, I can heartily recommend that reel for weightless presentations. I use mine with 20 lb Power Pro + Fluorocarbon leader on a 6' MF Field & Stream rod and can cast weightless 4.75" Zoom Finesse worms around 40 feet. Personally, I prefer shorter rods. Work better for me and my kayaking setup, and I get plenty of leverage and distance for the way I fish. If I were to purchase a new rod for my Chronarch today, it'd probably be a 6'5" Crucial drop shot rod, or I'd trade in my Avid spinning rod for a 6' MF or 6'2" MXF Avid casting rod.
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Welcome aboard, Tyler!
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So far SML has been a blast. So different than NNPK and Harwood's Mill reservoirs. Caught a number of bass in the 1-3 pound range, seen others larger. Most fishing has been in the coves near the state park boat launch. Plan to get out later this afternoon/evening, and tomorrow. Don't have any thundersticks. Using Trick Worms, Senkos and Stick-o worms. Wacky and weightless TX rigging been productive.
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Welcome aboard!
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Fan here! Haven't read the books, but watched all the movies several times. Couple of my boys have read the books, though. I plan to--some day.
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Welcome aboard, Zack!
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*** rods get good marks from folks here. But there are a lot of rods that would be a great deal more sensitive than Ugly Stiks. I have a couple Ugly Stik Lites that mostly get used for salt water or fresh water live bait presentations. DVT is right with St. Croix, but you could also consider Shimano, Team Daiwa, Abu Veritas, and so on. See what your local shops carry and get your hands on them. At many shops you can bring in your reel to see how it balances out. While I won't try to steer you away from the ***, realize that buying sight unseen/never held (for any brand) and only on someone's recommendation may leave you with buyer's remorse. One man's fav rod is another man's most hated. It boils down to a personal decision only you should make.
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Hi Ray, welcome aboard.
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Welcome aboard, Matt.
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Welcome aboard. Lots of us kayakers here!
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I used to use braid for everything, years ago. But now I use a leader 99% of the time. As I've explained in other posts, whether or not the bass see the line is irrelevant to me. I like the money savings of not having to cut my braid and retie every time I lose a hook to a snag or such. That's just my reasoning, and my preference, and my experience. Then again, I'm now using XPS Fluorocarbon leaders and find the slack line sensitivity has been amazing with the FC leader (moreso than Yo-Zuri Hybrid, P-Line FC, and other leaders I was using).
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Welcome aboard, James!
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Welcome aboard, Steven!
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I think I'm ready for SML! Saw the latest fishing report posted today: http://www.smithmountaineagle.com/boating_fishing_outdoors/article_8b741ad8-d3a0-11e2-a8c8-0019bb2963f4.html Just want to have a fun time with the fam, fishing has to be a part of it for me, though ! I'll plan on mostly daytime (morning, etc) fishing of docks, laydowns and such with wacky, weighted wacky as primary tactics; drop, split and TX rigging rounding things out. Might carry a spinnerbait or two along.
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I bought one of my sons a BPS Tourney combo to practice/learn on. Cost was under $100. Combo went back to BPS within a couple days. It was awful. I had two Quantum Accurist BCs, one a Shaw Grigsby combo I bought at Dick's Sporting Goods. That was a decent model to start on. Was about $100 give or take. I've since migrated up the line to a Shimano Chronarch 50e and the difference is absolutely amazing, in favor of the pricier model. It is what it is. Get the absolute best you can afford. It will make a difference. Check DSG's for sales, clearance, etc. Same for Bass Pro, and your local sporting goods shops.
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I have both Shimano and St. Croix rods. On paper, Shimano's is better in that you only have to pay the gas to go to the store and exchange it. St. Croix has the advantage in upgrades. There's an argument to be made that manufacturers price in warranty replacement on rods. I.e., maybe a Compre, in reality, could retail at $65, but Shimano sells it at $99. $34 warranty built-in for that (maybe) one time you bring it in for a replacement. My 6'3" Avid broke the other day. 6" off the tip. I couldn't believe it, felt crushed. Called 'Croix, they said $75 bucks to replace OR exchange for an equally-priced rod. Or the difference for a more expensive rod. I could even exchange it for a casting model even tho the broken one is a spinning rod. I have no idea how the tip broke, so by rule, it's my fault. Shimano has the best OTC warranty out there, but St. Croix's allowance of upgrades, cross-grades, etc., is also second to none.
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My local BPS, as far as I know, does not stock the higher-end FC lines like Shooter or Tatsu. Like you, I'm taking the FC plunge, but only for leader material attached to braid. I picked up 2 spools of BPS XPS FC yesterday in 10 and 12 lb tests. I've had an 8 lb test spool for a couple years now that I just started using for leader the other week -- as a test. Slack line sensitivity was awesome, even with braid mainline. So I decided to try it even further with the 10 and 12. I've been eying the Shooter at TW's site, but not ready to pull the trigger. Especially now since I've got plenty of line for leader material for while.
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Some good info, Red. Thanks! Although I've yakked around some big boats, It was mostly behind wake buoys they couldn't speed around. I will definitely stick close to shore and may even do some night fishing with the family. I only wish we were camping on the water front!! Locally, Newport News Park was flooded today, and I had a tremendous day fishing fallen timber along the shoreline. Saw a lot of baitfish in close, and that's pretty much where I caught 'em. Biggest of the day was a 6, couple 3's and the rest 2 and under. Hopefully SML is as nice next week as NNPK was today
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