webertime

I hide in the bathroom from my kids a lot. I figured out a lot of navionics functions.

Make sure you go to the icon in the lower left and switch it to Sonar Chart. Way more detailed.

Plastic/Thermoset/Thermoplastic/Carbon/Graphite etc. aren't inherently bad. Plenty of big trolling reels out there that are Graphite are run for years or even decades. With that family of materials though, when something fails it gives no warning or yield beforehand. Whereas "Metals" do, thus giving you some warning to replace the part or be careful (IE stem/neck of a spinning reel). That more than anything is what makes the "Metal Frames" more advantageous. Stiffness? well that's not really true... Aluminum is used in 747's wings flex up and down 6' over the course of a flight... and that same wing will fly for MILLIONS of miles. Even Aluminum is used in diving boards, so it flexes a lot and is still strong. A composite bicycle frame can be worlds stiffer than any steel or aluminum frame, it's all in how the materials are applied to a structure. This shouldn't be about Daiwa vs Pflueger vs Shimano vs Carbon vs Alu. vs Lews vs. bamboo vs rice paper... because that's all sort of pointless. the producers of a fishing reel have engineers that are exponentially smarter than us and know what they are doing as far as applying materials to a structure for a specific use.

AWESOME... lol

The Fury does feel a little like the Inferno (yes I have fished both, own a Fury). You want a "crisper" feeling rod if I am reading you right. Well the Crucial for 125-180 is awesome as are the Daiwa Tatula's for ~$150 (I freekin' love them). Closer to $100 the St. Croix Mojo and the "*** oh man", would be what you are looking at. Ducketts, Carrot Stix and Veritas all feel good but I still hear of (see) breakage issues.

I've got the same outriggers as Goose and had them on the same canoe as you... I'm 6'5" and 270 (Higher and larger center of gravity than you...) No real problems at all, I certainly would not go smaller float wise though.

This is what I do, and it works well. Navionics on my Phone and I just look at the lake and mark stuff that looks good. Then when I head out I will use it as sort of a shopping list. If a spot works, then I mark it on the boat's electronics. If after checking it a couple times over the year, I delete it from my phone. This is Lake Champlain... lol

this... Although I have found all frogs will work if you tweak them appropriately (bending hooks, trimming legs, replacing legs, rattles, blades, etc).

7' Avid UL Moderate action and a tiny chartreuse crank smashes creek fish (Smallies, Larrys, Rock Bass, Gills, Falls Fish) up here (NOT trout though)

I'd still take a LONG look at the BG from Daiwa. Just specs out with really solid features and competitive weight and available for ~$80 in a few places. The Nasci is a plastic-ish frame with a sexy marketing that replaces a solid aluminum framed model.

A bunch of guys on TT have there's a big thread there. Ray's Studio started out as DIY. Overall impression is great stuff at awesome prices with very few QC issues.

Slow rolling a Keitech swing impact fat and getting that thump, THUMP! A whopper plopper is fun just listening to the babbling baby meets 2 stroke sound. Finally a deep Carolina Rig when you set the hook and think, "d**n, snag" (big head shake) "oh not snagged."

TW has Daiwa Exceller for $60 Amazon and EBay will get you Daiwa Tatulas for $75 and Daiwa Tatula CT for $100 both new. Buy new for your first reel, at least you know it's 100% when you get your hands on it. You wear it out or break it, then fix it. Get comfortable with them then embark on used.

nearly exactly the same as last year's just smaller for easier portability to the bathroom

Check ebay from time to time. Election night while everyone was watching TV I won one for $60... I also have a code for 20% a Keelshield factory direct if you want. Worth EVERY penny from what I have seen.

The The new Johnny Morris 2.0. 9/1 bearings (6/1 on pq2) carbon handle (aluminum on pq2) 6.7oz vs 7.3oz (JM 2.0 vs pq2) 14lbs drag (10lbs on pq2) Available in 8.#:1 ratio even in lefty. Carbon Fiber side plates (not so sure about that) For$20 more than a pq2... Steal.........

That non-carpet stuff still gets hooks in it and gets tears. As mentioned above carpet will help cushion and keep hatches tighter.

Hagane is just an Aluminum Drive Gear. I think the frame is different (No G Free on the Nasci, but there is on the Ultegra and Stratic)

Well I'm going to sound pretty ghetto but this is an old school back country skiing trick that works wonders. Thin wicking sock (cycling sock or thicker, but not much) Put a bread loaf bag over the sock Pull a heavier wool or wool and synthetic blend sock over everything. Keeps cold water/melt from direct contact while still pulling sweat from your skin. The whole thing is insulated by the outer sock. Look at Darn Tuff socks. Amazing

Not even close. Fx2 in the green/blue at that price.

That signature series I believe is based off the Tatula

I seem to always go back to Power Pro, I guess mostly due to availability. I think there are some better braids, but just when I realize I need line I don't have the time to order before the trip.

Any Carolina Rig... Just hate to re-tie them.

I've got a spool of 10lb I got back in September. I like it behaves well, not a ton of stretch, good abrasion resistance. Think of it as Sniper's slightly uglier sister.

They're Shimano Sonora's with a different paint job. Great reels