Chance_Taker4

Whichever fits in your hand the best. But if you are considering a Curado K or Tatula why not Revos SX? The SX would be my pick then Tatula then K. I absolutely love the Gen 4 SX.

WOW this thread has a lot of activity for being so old.

Kislter KLX or Helium 3 I like the KLX for the fast action since all Heliums come with XF. Super light rod and stout back bone.

I am not a braid to leader fan. I like having one solid line. I don't have confidence in my knot tying ability and worry more about the knot than actually fishing. But anyway, I was just curious what other use for line; these are my setups. Spinnerbait/Chatterbait: 10# Mono Crankbait: 12# Fluoro Topwater: 12# Mono T-Rig/Shakey head: 10# Fluoro Drop Shot: 8# Mono or Fluoro C-Rig: Braid (various sizes) Jigs: 15# Mono Flipping/Punching: 40# Braid Frog 40# Braid

x3

The only reason I want a small foregrip is to hide the threads for visual comfort. If it is a stationary foregrip its an automatic no for me (think the e6x). That is the reason I am such a big fan of Kistler. I love their foregrips.

8lb mono line I would keep in inexpensive and go to your local walmart and get a pack of 3/0 offset worm hooks and 1/8oz worm weigh and a pack of yum dingers in Green Pumpkin and have fun.

Talk to Ron on the East Res. He runs the Bait shop. There is usually way too much boat traffic for me this time a year as I live in NW Ohio and can only get over in the weekends. When I do get over there I usually just fish the pads and punch vegetation in the West reservoir. I don't normally run down to turkeyfoot. Beaver plastics, Jigs, Frogs and Long Ribbontail worms are what I use mostly.

Quick Answer a Gen 4 STX is a Gen 3 Premier and a Gen 3 STX is a Gen 4 SX Long Answer the Gen 4 STX It have a lot of updated parts. Personally it palms better in my hand than a gen 3 and it is smoother. When it comes down to features I am not totally 100% convinced the STX is a better option then the SX. The Gen 4 STX comes with Aluminum side plates beefier centrifugal brakes and I read it is saltwater ready.

I second this motion I enjoy my Spartacus. I can't wait for my Spartacus plus to arrive in the mail

My birthday is March 9th and for it my wife made plans to make the trip from NW Ohio to Knoxville for the Classic. As I get everything lined up and prepared I see that Nation members can sign up early for credentials for the Expo and will have the opportunity to get into weigh ins earlier than the public as well. My question is does the general public need the credentials to attend the expo and since I am a Nation member can my wife and kids come with me in early or do they have to wait with the general public? I just want all my ducks in a row early.

Just give every competitor the same spinning combo and a couple bags of Senkos and have fun.

beat me to it. This is exactly how I store my spinnerbaits.

Fuego CT vs Tatula Ct. They are the EXACT same reel EXCEPT the Tactula has the T-Wing line guide which allows line to move freely off the spool some people do not feel that this particular feature warrants the extra $30 that is personal preference. The "CT" means Compact (Type-R is in relation to the fast gear ratio to mimick the submodel of Japanese tuners). As for the Gen 4 Revo SX they retail for $160 so someone buying it brand new for $75 is getting it for 53% off which is a great deal no matter the product. Why that particular Revo is good is the light, compact design. It comes with both Magnetic and Centrifugal brakes and Abu Garcia has good customer services. Not to confuse you anymore but Lews, Abu Garcia, Mitchell, Pfluegar, Bass Pro Shops are all made by Doyo a reel company in Korea. There parts are pretty much interchangeable. "DC" on Shimano reels means digital control which means the brakes are digital (think computer controlled).

To actually stay on topic and answer your question. Yes if I see bass busting the top and jumping out I am going to throw a topwater. I prefer the Whooper Plopper or a Rover over a frog. Or even a buzzbait. I really only use a frog around vegetation. And don't forget about soft plastic toads.

Kistler makes a Magnesium 2 in a 7 3 Hvy Mod Fast. Its my swimbait rod.

I enjoy my Lews and Revos quite a bit. I find it a bit comical that a Japanese company outsourced reels to South Korea who outsourced to China. Not necessarily. The Curado DC was a big deal. It should have won best reel however nothing else Shimano showcased was inspiring. Daiwa on the other hand showcased a lot of products that are popular and inspiring. A $160 Tatula on a Steez frame, lower price point reels, upgraded version of the already fantastic Tatula rod lineup, new braided line, more soft plastics. The only other product I've even heard about from Shimano was the SLX but c'mon that's only a rebadged Citica E not that interesting.

I agree with you that Daiwa had the strongest showing in the reel department. There is a guy in YT that has the "C" reels and reviewing them. They don't look that impressive. Keep in mind they are DOYO reels (Abu Garcia, Lews, Pflueger) and I seen in one of the videos that they are lower prioritized by Doyo than the other three.

Gene Larew El Salto Grande Worm or Culprit

Hands down the Kistler Helium 3 MOD rod is the best flipping stick available

I am interested in them to. Just don't wanna pull the trigger with such little info.

Best I can do

KastKing. I picked up a Spartacus Plus for $38 on Ebay Saturday. You can find a ton of their "higher" end reels really cheap as well.

you will be fine with the 8:1 reel. Majority of my reels are 7 and 8:1. I would agree with NYW on Kast King however I would also look into their reels. The stealth will fit your needs nicely and be a little cheaper.

Nothing near me this year. Glad the wife is taking me to the classic for my bday this year.