deep

Good stuff OP. I'd like to add a little about the price aspect. This is geared towards those members (like me!) who don't always have $$$ to spend on a baitcaster and are somewhat new to baitcasting. You know what you're looking for in a reel (frame, bearing etc). Now try to buy used reels with those specs and save a few bucks. I'm partial to Shimano reels myself; so I won't know about other brands. But an excellent condition Curado B/ Citica D will cost you around $60 shipped if you can shop around. An used "good" reel is a better deal than a NIB "junk" reel that'll fall apart after a season, or worse yet, when fighting that big fish.

Found this really cool video from a swimbait forum about hand-making swimbaits...

Nice bass man!

Yup. He got it covered. I'd like to add the Cardiff to the list if anyone's into round reels. My new Curado 201G7 is doing great btw; and another Citica D should be here sometimes next week.

I wish I had the talent LOL. No I didn't make them, The first one is a Booyah Baby Boo jig; the color is Black/ Black Neon/ Pumpkin (at least that's what the pack says). The second is a custom color tied by Dominic/ Backwater4. I forget the exact composition, but I think it's green, brown, black, red, blue and yellow strands in the ratio 20:20:5:5:5:5. I'm partial to a green-brown base color.

I don't fish spinnerbaits, but the one Savvy I ever bought and fished felt "dead" in my hands too. I own a couple of Powell Maxes; very nice rods for the money IMO. For what it's worth, the baitcasting Max (753 FB jig rod is the one I have) feel more balanced than the spinning ones (owned a 703, still have a 733).

These two colors work well for me usually.

8" huddleston ROF5 in rainbow trout modified butch brown rigged, Mattlures Gen2 Hardgill slow-sink in albino are the two I have the most confidence in. Pick up other colors if you think they might work better for you! There are very many good/ proven baits out there, and at least an equal number of junks, but these two would be a good starting point (in my opinion of course). The hardgill- the way I fish it anyway- has turned out to be a good numbers bait while still giving me a shot at a big fish, and may be more suitable for folks who like catching over fishing (who doesn't lol) http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/108349-the-dinks-and-the-skunk/ The huddleston is 4.2 ozs and will need specialized swimbait gear, the hardgill at only 1.75 ozs may not.

Does anyone know of a low-stretch (less than 10% stretch) fluoro that is reputed to have good knot strengths? I have read the TT fluoro showdowns, and the Shooter, Toray and the Maxima seem like the three low-stretch candidates. What are the noticeable differences between the Shooter and the Maxima other than the price? Does anyone know of other lines out there that might fit the bill (low stretch)? Are there any articles out there that discuss the "density" of different FC lines? Thanks,

^^ SD jam and ordinary clinch both work well for me with most lines, including the Y-Z hybrid. I use the 15 lb for small swimbaits.

I have a suggestion. Choose a couple of *proven* baits (one is even better), learn where the big fish hang out (skip this step if you already know it), and then fish the said bait(s) slow until you stick a big fish, or your arms fall off, or you get tired of it. Happy New Year to the BR family.

Think a hudd is a big bait? Think again..

Gunfish and 9" wood lunker punker.

Sonoras are fine reels. Haven't tried any cheaper Shimanos.

^^ Nope, I needed the money back then to pay some bills. I hope it's serving you well.

A NIB Curado 201G7 for $79.99 shipped with a 14 day money back guarantee. What do ya'll think? I was originally looking for an *used* Curado B/ Citica D for around $60 shipped. Couldn't stop myself from pulling the trigger on the 201G7 when I saw it...

I'd prefer something in length longer than 7' (around 7'6" would be perfect). This rod must excel in fishing 1/2 oz jigs. I might go slightly lighter (like 3/8 oz) occasionally, but that's about it. I'll not be doing any pitching/ flipping with this, just fishing casting jigs in mostly open water; with braid + leader. Thanks for any pointers.

Still shorebound when I'm fishing by myself. But I like it that way actually, especially since I don't fish big waters...

I always use a leader. If nothing else. it makes breaking off snagged baits much easier.

I paint hooks "as and when" needed for big bass fishing. For regular fishing, I don't bother.

Hardgill, Strongbass, Rago Tools, Slammers, Punkers, PB rat, OG wood castaic. All great baits.

Fished from 11-4.30 from the backseat of my friend's boat today. Water temps were in the high 40s. My buddy caught 6, with the biggest around 3.5#. I managed half a dozen too, but the biggest was maybe 2#. All of mine were caught on a 3/16 oz Baby Boo jig with a rage craw trailer.

I only ever used those for punching, and I used a snell knot that Bub Tosh preached. The (trailer) keeper seemed to have a habit of getting loose and falling out; so I started to superglue that before going fishing after the first few trips.

Tackletour did a cranking reel shootout I believe: The Revo Winch vs the Curado E5 (vs a Daiwa vs a Quantum)...

I'm excited about the 10XD. Especially since it's big. I tried the 30+ last summer, and was not much impressed because it caught the same small fish I was catching on senkos. I also tried a couple of musky crankbaits I bought from Ebay. Never caught anything on them, so that's even worse.