ICU812

wow that's pretty crazy looking

congrats on stickn a biggie Id say 4# + but I'm no expert

So I'm thinking I'm gonna go with the curado, there are SO many nice reviews. Now I'm just wondering if I should go with the 300 over the 200. I'd like to be able to spool it up with some heavy line if I'm ever using it for some big guys or heavy cover.

Yeah I'm not talking marlins and tuna that's for sure. I guess big stripers would be the ideal application, but i'd like something strong enough to land the occasional suprise

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I got a great deal on a calcutta 400b and would like to find a good quality rod to match it with for all around big game fishing freshwater and salt. I'm brand new to casting gear so any advice would be great!!

I had to edit out the last part since the boat swings around and I raise the camera up. I know it kind of ruins the video but someone could get on the spot we are on real easy with one more angle. The happy ending is in the third photo. I see - very smart! And yeah the pic says it all, what a monster!!

nice healthy looking fish!

Thats a TOAD!! Nice pic too!

Nice fish man!! Looks like you were having a great time out there!

Just found this northeast section so I figured I'd link my report. If anyone's trying to hit Toddy Pond up let me know!!

Nice fish man!! Sounds like a good time!!

Nice looking fish!! I wish the video was 10 sec longer tho so we could see the beast being landed. The vid ends a little abruptly, I felt teased . I was counting on the happy ending!! lol

Great lookin bass that's one MEAN looking toad!!

Thanks again for the info. Some ppl are saying the summit doesn't like to throw light lures which I do sometimes, so I'm kind of shying away from it. Just got up after a long night so I'm going to do some more researching today and hopefully make my decision in the next few days. I'll check out what deals I can find on a patriarch too.

Well I definitely want quality and don't need to go TOO cheap. I don't think I can pull a Daiwa Zillion type R but I might be able to get up into the 200 dollar range. There's a local store that has some pretty insane deals on some pretty decent gear, so I was trying to capitalize on that. But I don't want to make a decision just based on that. The Summit seemed to be the best low profile casting reel in the store. I was looking at the shimano caenan as well, I don't know why the price is so low but the reel looks pretty good through my novice eyes. Anyway thanks again for the suggestions keep them coming!!

Hey guys thanks a lot for the responses and input. All in all I'm thinking I might want to wait and pick something a little higher in quality up for my first all around baitcaster. The rod I chose should be a good match for pretty much any decent baitcaster I'm thinking. What about the Shimano Curado 300DSV? I'm all over the place on this I just want a good quality reel to start out with so I have a good experience and then I can move into more specialized reel/rod combo. Again ppl thanks for all the input and anything anyone has to say on this matter is greatly welcomed, it's a lot to think about and a hard decision to make.

this is the EXACT reel I'm talking about http://cgi.ebay.com/Pflueger-Summit-Baitcast-Reel-New-Box-/400131670696?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

I was looking at this reel to start me out in the bait casting world. Found it for 100.00 which seems like a good deal to me. I was curious what ppl thought. I'm planning on using it to throw everything from weightless t-rigged worms to small top water swimbaits, crankbaits and everything in between. I'm hoping to match it to a 7' St. Croix Avid bait casting rod. I'm EXTREMELY new to the baitcasting world and I'm just trying to put together a quality all around beginners outfit. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

sounds like youve been out there having a great time!!

Great Bass!! I want a frog!!

Sorry to hear you lost her but now you know shes there!! You'll get her!! Good luck!!

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I used to fish a lot as a kid and have been away too long. I have to learn basics like how best to handle the fish all over again. I've been doing some research on the subject and as I suspected I was holding the fish all wrong. From now on I'll grab them with my thumb on their "tongue" and support their weight gently with my other hand. Thanks again guys great to be on the board!! Caught come mackerel last night and grilled them up. Real Good!! Three mackerel on a rig at once is a nice fight on light spinning gear!! Gotta love Maine!

New to the boards but thought I'd throw this LMB up that I caught last month out on Toddy Pond in Maine. I've only recently had time to get back into fishing so I didn't have a proper scale on me at the time (got one now lol), but it was 21 Inches and I'm guessing 4.5 lbs?? Maybe 5 [ch9786], I don't know let me know what you guys think. Sorry for pic quality, its not the best but you get the picture. Caught this on my FIRST cast with a new 4 topwater swimbait. First cast on the lure out of the box which was pretty crazy. Fish hit it pretty hard with a splash and jumped out of the water one time when it got close to the boat. Lol gotta love the topwater strikes. I took the pics, looked frantically around for a tape measure which luckily I had, got the measurement, and put her right back in the water. She slapped my hand with her tail and took off into the deep so I can catch her again a few pounds down the road BTW I'm not really holding it right am I?

Enjoy Alaska! It will be a nice challenge to get a chance to target different species you'll love it!

beautiful skies and nice bass - looks peaceful out there