Hooligan

Just extraordinarily busy. I read a lot of the posts, yet, just don't always have the time to post.

Goose, you're killing me. I've wanted one for as long as I've seen it. Now I'm going to have to spend the money...

And in response to the OP, the Lite is a very nice reel. I tend not to like the Lews much for a variety of reasons, the least of which is they use a bit lower quality bearing. The greater reason I am not fond of them is the fit. That said, either of the reels you're looking at are very good reels.

That isn't theory. You're comparing two very, very different items. A heavier spool, all other attributes being equal, will cast further than a lighter spool.

Do I fish entire series of rods? Yes, but not exclusively. I also spread rods from other series and manufactures in that assortment.

Also- as to the suggestion of using KVD on the line- it does nothing. ZERO. It's chemically impossible for KVD to do anything to Nanofil because of the lines inherent properties. It CANNOT absorb liquids. It is 100% hydrophobic, waterproof. Moisture will not penetrate the line, nor can it dry rot. Any differences you perceive, are just that, your perceptions.

NanoFil is singly the worst line that I've ever fished. It's abrasion resistance is near zero, the coating is EXTREMELY temperamental with regard to knots, and the line twist is magnified tenfold by the form factor of the line. I know two of the pros that helped develop the line, and they BOTH said they'll never, ever fish it. It's purely marketing driven. I've had zero use for it in any capacity for the reasons listed above, as well as wind knots, very poor break strength, and it ties terrible knots. Total waste of money, to me.

Lexa 300 has proven to be a super reel for me. The Curado 300 is a stellar reel as well. I also have a couple of Abu Revo Toro NaCls that are nice...

Boogerman.

Uh....what? Muddy and stained are two entirely different things. Stained water can be just that, stained to reduce visibility; usually a result of algae, vegetation, tannin, or some other influence. Muddy is carrying sediment load. Fish in lakes throughout the Midwest in summer and you can EASILY have sub 12" visibility in the first three feet. Fish some of the best smalljaw waters in the North and you can have the same- but that water sure isn't muddy. It's entirely feasible that water can be just stained and have reduced visibility- it happens all the time. As far as colors in those conditions, I tend to prefer Black/Chart, Blue/Chart, Hot Bluegill, Red Craw, Olive Brown Craw, and Firetiger. If it's genuinely muddy, Firetiger and rattles. That said, bluegill is a great color for cranks regardless of clarity. Bluegills don't change much in color in stained water. Bass still find them and eat, too.

Keith is a great guy, and extremely well thought of. He's every bit as smart as he thinks he is, by the weight he carries in fisheries biology and research. Here's the catch, though. What he's saying is very true. Bass do not see true blues. They lack the blue receptors. They don't see UV because of the wavelength. What he went on to say in that paper, if it is the same one I think that you're referencing is that the reason blues and purples are so successful under a large variety of conditions is that they are primary offset colors. They change in hue under water and, as a result, have a tendency to be more recognizable in profile. They may not see the color on the whole, if you will, but they can see the large difference between the color of your blue jig and the surrounding water/cover. UV baits work in much the same fashion, as it is understood at this point. It isn't really the UV color, but the lack of continuity between the bait and surrounding area, creating a very visible profile. That's how Doc explained it to me when I asked the very question. It isn't so much that they're blind to it, but more the effect that it changes it to what is assumed to be a deep brown with great differentiation. Quoting Bill Dance under any circumstance regarding color is pretty funny. His evidence is anecdotal at best, given he's been one of the most vociferous people I've ever heard in the industry preaching about how color has to be right. Considering that bass can well see baitfish, the reason they can't eat them all is a matter of cover and structure, not color...

Dark Rainbow, White, and Gold Shiner are my three favorite. Then again, those are the only three I fish ever...

So, let me get this straight. YOU broke a rod of YOUR fault, and you expect it to be covered by either the manufacturer or the retailer? Where's Irene, this is the most ridiculous thread I've ever read. There are so many things wrong with it that I can't even begin to alliterate them. Frankly, it makes me furious. It's attitudes of entitlement like this that lead to higher costs and lower availability of quality products from a large variety of retailers. A warranty does not cover neglect or misuse, nor should it be expected to.

I've taken to rigging them on a Rugby head or a Warlock head. Essentially a beefy stand-up head.

There ya go stealing my lines again. Honest to goodness bait that I have never, ever mentioned anywhere, to anyone previously. Gene Larew Mega Ring Tube. More fish have been caught in clutch situations for me than with anything else. I have one tied on from ice out to ice up.

Never on the water without one anymore. I have three in the boat, at least. my favorite is the original UV Buff. I have Smallmouth, Turtle Grass, Tarpon, Largemouth, and several others. They're an essential part of my gear.

Bug fan of the Menace, Lobster, and late last year started using the Missile Twin Turbo a lot. I've had great success with that one.

Pit Boss, ZHog, and D-bomb. I fished the D-bomb a lot this past year and have been really impressed. That Big-O fella has a new bait that intrigues me greatly, too. The Rage Bug is supposed to drop at ICAST this year, and I can't wait. A friend of mine is a Strike King pro and has gotten his mitts on some of the bugs, and man do they look awesome.

Traps, Spots, RES, Aruku Shad, Rippin Rap... All have their place.

Don't have a favorite. Have different baits for different situations. KVD, Sixth Sense, Lucky Craft, Norman, Megabass, Jackal. They all have different uses in different conditions, as far as squarebills. There isn't one that does it all for me. Lucky Craft, for instance, the old RC baits yaw too wide to fish timber effectively. They're super in grass and rock. The Xcalibur baits are super in wood, as are Bagley, but aren't my favorite in grass because they nose down too much. The Arashi is one of my favorite baits, as is the Knuckle, for a large variety of cover, but I don't particularly like it in rock. Jerkbaits- the same way. It's all based on temp, depth, water clarity, and mood of the fish; as well as cover type. The easy one, though, is top waters. I'll take a popMax and a Rover over nearly anything. That said, there are times I like a clear spook or a Sammy. Cranks- same as above all over again.

I've worn a dozen reels out, in terms of pieces and parts, broken a few frames. Rods will wear, to an extent. They have a "useful lifespan" in terms of expected duration. At a certain point they become more likely to fail, tenfold. I've had several rods through the years go over that edge. Most of the time, you will notice it in the finish. You get bubbles and delamination of the exterior, eventually you get the same inside the rods. Generally it's a result of resin distribution, not of the graphite or glass itself.

No. Often, when you put a bait on a bed, and the male and female are there, the male is going to get it first. The females are usually not as defensive. It's all about placement and timing.

That's just because Slammers have a magic all their own. I can't believe the number and range of fish I've caught on slammers.

I believe I've caught fish in every state that I fish on a swimbait greater than 6". Some have been huge, some have been 12" fish. If a bass can fit his face around it, they'll try to eat it. Deps are stellar baits. I wish I had about twenty of them. I've got three, and am always on the lookout for more.

Locate fish then pound on em till they eat. Lead a horse to water and force him to drink, while you're at it.