dulouz

I have a couple of Shimano Citica 201E reels that I really like. I didn't go with a curado because I wanted a reel that was between the 5:1 and 7:0. I got one at www.americanbassoutlet.com for just under $100 shipped. Another I found on a sale table at Gander Mtn for $89!! This is the first season I have used them and don't have any complaints so far.

I have a question.... I have a couple of cheap scales but I am not sure how to use them. The both have some sort of "hook" to put the fish on, but I don't know where or how.

I hope you were wearing a dry suit!

I believe that is probably last year's model. I picked one up because it is a steal at that price! So far I don't have any complaints.

I was using my Daiwa underspin US40XD yesterday and noticed it took a lot of winding to get the lure in so I looked it up and was shocked to find it had a 16" ipt. This reel is on my ultra light, which I don't use much. I might go out crappie fishing with a neighbor and was wondering if that low of an IPT would be ok?

My thought on the matter is that confidence really means persistence. A long time ago someone suggested I try a spinnerbait. I did and didn't catch a thing and thought they weren't worth what I paid for them. I didn't use one again last year, but I didn't give up and kept using them and had good luck. Now I love them. My wife won "The Strike" fishing game for the Wii using only a white tube on a jig. She is now into fishing and that is all she uses. The past few times we have gone fishing she has out-fished me. That, my friend, is confidence.

Sounds like fun. I am certified, but don't get to dive much. Last time I went I got to stare a bluegill in the face. It was so cool to see what the fish see. We even saw a muskie or northern, I don't know for sure. My buddy tried to grab it's tail. Have fun.

Just wondering what is the lightest weight/lure you have thrown with a BC. I have a light rod with an XF tip and I am working on throwing an 1/8oz jig. Much to my surprise, once I got the reel adjusted (5 out of 6 breaks on) I could throw it fairly far.

I remember when I first got interested in fishing. I started asking everyone I knew what kind of rod to buy and I was asked "What do you want to fish for?" Most of them had numerous rods. At the time I didn't know what I wanted to fish for, I just wanted one rod that would be versitile. That was probably ten years ago and I have probably had 12 rods since that time. First I would decide what species you want to fish for and what weight lures are used,then choose your rod accordingly. This forum contains a wealth of knowledge, spend some time reading the articles and posts. Have fun.

I just tie my line to something like a fence post, walk the line out, cut the line from the post, then reel it in. As for general spooling, I generally leave the reel on the rod and run the line through the guides and onto the reel.

I started using braid this year so I could get a strong line with a thin diameter. I use 10#/2 on my light spinning reels and 20#/6 on my MH spinning and all of my baitcasters. Braid has it's downfalls, but the advantages by far outweigh them.

This weekend I quickly and successfully removed a deeply hooked hook, but it started to bleed. Is that bad?

I love fishing them t-rigged. 1/8, 3/16, or 1/4 oz. the lighter weights work really well for dragging as a top lure across slop.

I think this is what is happening. The other day I was using a t-rig with a bullet weight. After catching a few fish I noticed the line where the bullet had been sliding was very worn. I guess I will have to pay close attention and re-tie if needed.

After I caught my first northern I went and bought myself some VERY LONG PLIERS!

My new neighbor invited me to go Crappie fishing with him and I ahve never tried it before. What lures would you recommend? lure colors, weights, etc??? techniques???

I have been bringing them in with the BPS bass teaser in white.

This is the first season I have used braid, and I absolutely love it and probably won't ever go back to mono. I don't use a leader since most of the water I fish isn't clear, and I notice that the first few inches get frayed. How often do you guys find the need to cut off that frayed line?

As for lures, I limit myself to my tackle box. I have 6 3700 boxes. I told myself I wasn't getting more. My rod rack holds 8 rods. I am working on upgrading those 8, the old ones will go into hiding...

I have a friend who builds rods and he put new guides on one of my rods, and has done it for other people. It is a great way to breathe new life into a rod. As for the handle, I wanted to do the same and he told me no.

I was out fishing today and was using a tube on a jig. The fish weren't striking hard today, they were just picking up the jig. I was hopping in along the bottom, and it only sat long enough for me to take up the slack. I had one swallow it way, way down. What I don't understand is how? I did all I could to try to get it out, but the jig seemed to big. I slid the tube up the line, and even tried to pinch the barb. It had been out for a while, which can't be good either, when I finally ripped out the hook and put it back in the water. It swam away, but I doubt that it will live long. Question #1: How could I have prevented it getting hooked that way in the first place? Question #2: Are there any tips for getting out deeply hooked jigs?

I recently asked the same question. I have heard a lot of good things about the pflueger presidents and shimanos. I found last year's model daiwa exceler on sale, which also got good reviews. It is a great reel. As other's have said, there are a lot of good reels at that price.

I use LH retrieve BCs because it made sense after having the same on spinning reels. My only complaint is that a lot of companies only make certain models in LH.

I really like the cabela's rod covers with the built in hook guard. It is a adjustable to any length and has pvc pipe on the end that goes over your baits and keeps your hooks from getting stuck to stuff.

I find it helps to make sure the drag is tight when using the thumb trick. It may take a few times to get it out. Sometimes I have to use my nail to put more pressure on the knot. Other times the tangle is too close to the spool edge for me to get my thumb on it. Then I start pulling out any loose loops, and if it gets really bad I get my croche hook.