Big Al23

You have to remember that they have to eat. If the food is there in the warmer water, then they have to go there to eat. Normally, you'd find them in the 40 ft depths or the 20 ft channel, but if there is no food there, they won't be there. Other than that I can't explain it.

welcome back Ben and Congrats!

They know me as Big Al on other boards but here the name was taken so I am Skeeter Al. I see a lot of familiar names here. I'm semi retired, love to fish in NH more than Mass, except for the Quabbin Reservoir. which is a great smallie fishery. I fished Seymour Lake in VT for the first time last year and am going back this spring. Occasionally, I may fish a T with some of my buddies, but not often. I've been fishing freshwater for about 30 yrs.Used to fish saltwater but when a friend of mine introduced me to freshwater Bassfishing, I converted and never looked back.

Rebel J1086, 3 1/2" jointed in natural perch

I was at one yesterday. My hands kept grabbing the lures but my pocketbook said NO!

Rocky Ledge. Once you use one, you won't put it down. Jim has me hooked on them. [edit]edited out link[/edit]

I have 2 of them, they are the best reel in its class for the $150 or so, price. They have an excellent drag and the mag brake is very precise. I used to have Curado B's and Citica 100's but I think the Fuego is a better reel.

I do what Wayne just said. I take off the first 30 yds or so and tie on new line. The uni knot never broke on me.

Thanks Jake

When you move the handle slowly, the anti reverse bearing is also moving slow. It could be that bearing that you feel. Not a problem. Is the drag loosened when you do this? You know the spool slips when the drag is loose. Also, if the cast control knob is loosen, the spool shaft may not fully engage the pinion gear. I would spool it up, tighten the drag, set the cast control and then see if it reacts the same way.

Would those be Bandits in the first pic? I got some in a trade and they look like that.

If you caught a Tackle Warehouse sale, you could have gotten a CI4 for $160. You had to be very quick!

The only "con" to a 2 piece rod is the loss of sensitivity, but as answered in previous posts, they are built a lot better now. My brother uses 2 piece rods because of the easier traveling with them. He doesn't have any problem catching fish.

A deep diving Rebel Craw works well here in Mass. I've had a lot of success with 4" tubes also.

I thought NC had smallies in their lakes? :-?

I always have great luck with a 4" Rebel jointed minnow.