OnthePotomac

I have often reported on here that in the days before braid and flouro became the rage, every baitcaster I had was spooled with 14lb BPS Excel mono and I don't recall any fishing problems with it. I used the stuff for a variety of baits, soft and hard. I guess it would qualify as really basic fishing.

My Sahara 2500FB is 14 years old this month and still smooth. My grandson grew up on that reel, so it has had a workout LOL Picked up a 3000HG last fall and it is also smooth out of the box.

8lb BPS Excel mono. Been using it for 19 years on my spinning reels on the Potomac. Trouble free spinning reel fishing and always close the bail by hand.

I wear trifocal blend and gave up on separate scrip sun glasses a few years ago and went to Cocoons with a sport neck cord.. They do all I need them to do in seeing in the water and if I need them off for knot tying I just flip them down. I am only dealing with one eye anyway.

Well, I have been an anti braid type on my spinning reels, but got out my 15 year old Shimano Stradic 4000 from the box and decided to bite the bullet, so I spooled it with 30lb Grand Slam (8lb diameter) and may or may not add a leader. If so it will be 12 lb Invizx flouro. The bait will probably be a big stupid tube. And away I go with braid on a spinning reel. It will go on a BPS Medium 7' Carbonlite.

I am different. The first thing I do with a new bait is remove the split ring. I do not tournament fish and find that a Duoloc, or Orvis fly snap works just fine for me.

A go to bait on the Potomac in spring for sure with murky water. Two colors are effective: white with chartreuse and white with a few skirt strands colored red with a marker. Blades are just something you have to determine when you get on the water. Usually a willow Colorado combo is a good place to start.

I had one of my three like that, but I fish those reels with that set on "2" and never move it so it makes no difference.

I just remembered that the Curado 70 worm gears are the same material.

To get started and have fun look at the numerous rod and reel combinations now on sale at Bass Pro and Cabelas. They offer spinning and bait castings combos.

The worm gear is not "plastic", it is a high grade composition self lubricating material developed by Shimano engineers very similar to that used in car manufacturing today. Todate, Shimano has seen no problems with the worm gears. Shimano says way stronger than any plastic or polymer.

No gas additives in my 21 gallon tank of E10 except Yamaha Ring Free recommended by the company for the last 19 years. I keep the tank to the brim when not in use and therefore no condensation and no water in the gas. Just took the boat out of winter storage at the state park since last October 14, turned the key and away it went like always. 60 Yammie is now 19 years old. No bulb or line deterioration. So are the contents of gas additives eating up these components? Dunno, but I don't have a problem.

You did good!

Many, many years ago I carried spare spools with me for quite a while, then one realized I never used them, so they now they sit in a drawer at home empty. After years of reel changes I am now down to three spare empty spools and they all for spinning reels.

I guess I am doing something right because my trap bites are pretty self inflicted and I just reel them in.

Barbless single hooks for LM for me the last 15 years. Honestly, no fish lost. Just keep the pressure on at all times. No big deal and saved lots of fish. Challanging fishing, keeps you on your toes.

I have three of the 200K XG reels and absolutely love them. They are smooth, easy to cast and a joy with which to fish. Wow, A Curado K at 10 now that is something. If he never used a bait caster before, tell him to go easy on the throw power until he get it down. Is dad experienced and can coach him? In ant case I recommend he start with 14 -15 lb mono on it until he masters it before goes to braid, or flouro carbon. Personally, I like that gear ration and always say quicker to get it back (bait or fish). Congratulations to him and a very belated Happy Birthday.

Here is my fishing central with rods stored with reels...always and all covered. I built the light colored stand in the foreground and behind that is a rotating rack and behind that on the wall are spinning reels/rods. I also built the work bench and the stand the Planos are stacked on. Lures on top, plastics on the bottom. Reel boxes in the little white cupboard under the Redskins towel. TV on the right

That's should last you for about 20 years LOL I have been using the tiny container for 5 years now and it still is not empty.

I have 15lb Invizx flouro on mine and use it for a variety of plastics, but is a pretty versatile reel and sure could be used for anything. I had 50lb braid on it for a while for frogs.

Not sure what you mean "overruns severley"

Been using Cal's for many years and have never experienced it hardening/ at least within the year it is on when I clean my reels.

BPS MH 7' Carbonlite 2.0 down now from $120 to 99.99. The handles are incredible and the line guides are tapered down in size. Very light.

Do yourself a favor if you want to fish frogs and put one of these on your frog, they bite, you reel, done. https://www.cabelas.com/product/LAKE-FORK-TROPHY-FROG-TAIL-HOOK/1754374.uts?slotId=4

Same here, but I don't fish braid with hooks, only on frogs and this is my go to knot. Also use it for mono and flouro.