DaveT63

For the most part, I would agree with what everyone says about the 1000-size reel. The biggest issue I have with a 500 over a 1000 is the weight. The 1000 Stradic I bought as an "upgrade" seems considerably heavier, and the whole combo now seems unbalanced. However, I also would not dissuade you from the 500. As stated previously, they are capable. I recently caught a 6lb LM on a Mitchell Avocet II Gold 500. Fought it for what seemed like 5 minutes on 6lb test. It was a blast. Dave

About 2 weeks ago I was fishing from shore when I stepped into a shallow depression and turned my ankle pretty good 3 days before my wedding. I had to limp down the aisle. My lovely bride was not very amused.

I had this same question a couple months ago. I ended up going with a 6'6" MH BPS Extreme when it was on sale for $69.99. and a 6'6" MH St Croix Premier, both 2-piece. Both work well for the purpose, but if I had to do it again I would probably go for a second Premier. The Extreme is just a LOT heavier. But decent 2-piece rods are available out there. Just gotta look for them.

Or you could keep an eye on the Fishing Flea Market. I've bought several Avid there for the price of a Premier. That's a tough deal to beat.

Maybe a Mann's 1-minus or Baby 1-minus?

Hello, everybody. For those in the Frederick area, I'm looking for some info please. I will be coming up to Frederick about mid-day the 24th for a couple days. I was thinking about trying to run up to Harper's Ferry to fish. I've never fished there before. Can anybody give me some pointers about where to try? Also, I've never heard of Fox's, but would love to check it out. Anybody got directions? Just from 270 would be fine. Thanks, Dave

Favorite right now is my spinning setup, Avid 6'8"MXF with a Stradic CI4 2500. Trying to get better with baitcasters, and of the ones I have, my fave is my Legend Elite 6'6" with a Curado 201E7.

After reading up on these, I decided to get some. But I'm not getting the fish everyone else seems to be getting on them. I've been t-rigging it with a 3/16 weight and letting it set, then just twitching and jerking it on the retrieve. How is everyone else retrieving these?

I've never used the EZ, but LOVE the XXX. But like any other line out there, you will find some people who hate it, and some who love it. Try it and see for yourself is the best advice I could give you.

Thanks for that tip! Like the OP, I'm just trying to learn a baitcaster, and I think that's a big part of my problem. I've cut down on the backlashes a bit, but accuracy is TERRIBLE!!!

I think there is some loss of sensitivity in the 2 pc rods, which is probably why the higher end rods are mostly 1 pc. But you can find some better 2 pc rods. I know St Croix makes some 2 pc Premiers and Avids. I prefer 1 pc rods, but 2 pc can be convenient if you have to keep your rods in a small car or trunk.

I have an older Curado on it right now. It was on it when I bought it at the flea market, and I didn't see any reason to change it out as I think it's a pretty decent combo as it is. Thanks for the responses. I haven't tried the drop shot stuff yet, but may have to now. Dave

I recently picked up a used St Croix premier 7'ML casting rod at a flea market cheap. Most recommendations I see on here are for medium or medium heavy rods. So, what are some recommended uses for a medium light action rod? Thanks, Dave

As a boy, I grew up using an old Mitchell 300 reel. I loved that thing. I learned how to take it apart and clean and take care of it, and it took care of me by always working when I needed it to. Well, now I've grown up, moved up, got some new Shimano CI4s and Curados, and newer/better rods to boot. But I came across an older Mitchell 300A, still made in France, at a yard sale a little while back, and it just screamed for me to take it home, so I did. I'm planning on cleaning it all up and putting it back into service along with my newer stuff. I know it will feel different using it, but it will bring back some fishing memories from the past, I'm sure. So, like the title asks, anybody else use the old stuff still? Thanks, DAve

Thanks for all the replies, everybody. I've tried several of them so far. The best of them for me has been a wacky rigged finesse worm. I have caught a number of small bass and crappie, and then on Friday, got a 5lb 14oz largemouth. Talk about some fun!!! I am really liking this setup!!!

I've got that same reel right now on a 6'0" St CRoix Avid UL, and really like the setup.

I have both the 7'0" MHF and the 7'0" MF. LOVE them both and can't recommend them highly enough!

Thanks for the input, everybody! Looks like I need to pick up a few more things and head out for some fun!

What type of tackle do you use? I've got some small crankbaits, a couple small chatterbaits and spinnerbaits, and some poppers. Any other recommendations? And can I fish a small worm rigged wacky with ultralight equipment, or do ultralight rods lack the backbone to set the hook properly? Thanks, Dave

Nice score! I love flea markets! You never know what you might find. Yesterday I bought a BPS Extreme 7'MH casting rod for $12. And last summer, I picked up a St. Croix Premier 7'ML casting rod with a Shimano Curado 200 Bantam on it for $30.

I've been a life-long spinning fisherman. But recently I've run across some awesome deals on a couple baitcasting setups and have decided to give it a try. But I'm having trouble getting used to the shorter handles on the baitcaster reel. So I'm wondering, why the difference? And does anybody know if someone makes longer single-ended handles similar to those on spinning reels that I can retorfit my baitcaster with? Thanks, Dave

My fishing partner ordered a Team Diawa rod from them considerably cheaper than he found it elsewhere. They were a bit slow shipping, but he is still very happy.

I bought some 20lb for my 2500 size spinning real. May be the wrong application or some other problem, but i've had terrible memory problems with it. Much worse than with my 12lb mono on an identical reel.

Thanks for all the inputs! I wasn't quite ready to lay out the dough for the St. Croix and other higher dollar rods yet, as this rod still won't get as much use as my 1-piece rods I keep in the truck. But Bass Pro has their XPS® Extreme rods on sale right now, so I grabbed one of them. So now I can drive myself to fishing in style this summer!!

I have the bluegill but haven't tried it yet. I have used the lipless craw rattle bait and like it. It's a good thing I bought a second today at lunch, because I lost my first on a deep log tonight. :'(