philsoreel

This will be a very, very nice set-up. However, once you add a rod of this quality to your collection there's no going back. Nothing less will suffice.

X2 for the Cumara 7'2" Medium XFast. Perfect for shakeyhead. Great tip for shaking and a surprisingly strong backbone that will cross their eyes on the hookset.

Even if it doesn't work out, I'll have plenty of leader material lol. I'll post my first impressions tomorrow night when I get back in.

I'm yet to find a FC in 8# that throws really well and meets my other demands on my Stradic CI4 2500. Sure Invizx throws great but I hate stretchy line. I'm fishing some really heavy hard cover and 6# is just too light. Next time I'll buy a 3000 size reel so this isn't an issue. BTW Stradic CI4 Owners-Conventional wisdom tells us to lay the line spool on the floor, face up or down depending on the direction the line comes off, right? Yet in the manual Shimano says to spool this reel like a baitcaster. Spooling up, I've had line twist on me using the baitcasting method. So, which should I do? I don't want to spool up $40 worth of line and twist it up.

I got rid of my Dobyns and didn't have those models anyway but I hear they have an unbelievable customer service department. Maybe try giving them a call and tell them what you're looking for. However, the first thing I would do is go to a store that carries them and feel each one, see what fits you best.

I finally got up the nerve to try Toray's new Bawo Prem. Plus Hi-Grade fluorocarbon. I had to order it direct from Blackwater because I couldn't find it anywhere. Most of the people I talked to didn't realize there was a new product because the only difference(as far as packaging and name) between the original Premium Plus and the new one is the addition of the words "Hi Grade". You would think someone in the US marketing department would catch that. I've been fishing their 16# Solaroam Upgrade for about 6 months and like it so much that I've gone to it over braid for my jigs, t-rigs, and c-rigs. Haven't had to put the first drop of line conditioner on it but it's too stiff for spinning gear. The new stuff is for my shakeyhead rod...hoping I'll like it as much as I like Upgrade.

I bet it's lots of fun getting them in and out of the rod box.

I know it's a little on the pricey side for mono($10 330yds)but I have really been impressed with 12# Sunline Super Natural Mono. It's diameter is just as small as high end fluoro's. It's sensitive, managable, strong etc, etc...in short I've found nothing wrong with it so far.

It was a little bit too big but nothing a butane lighter and a little superglue couldn't cure.

HEAR HEAR!!! All who glance at senkos and say, " I've tried them but they're nothing special." Follow RW's guidelines and you won't be sorry. It's crazy how effective this simple set-up can be. Not just catching numbers but it produces weight. Never was much on the old senko before reading this. After reading and following the directions it only took two trips before I went and bought a dedicated senko rig. Good stuff.

That sucks. I really like their weights except for the price. I always know when I put one of them on that my line is safe because of the inside being polished. Don't know of any other company that does that.

Last year until the Dec. sale TW had these Tru Tungsten 5/8ths oz. Carolina rig weights. The skinny cylindrical shaped ones. I waited till they went on sale to buy and of course they were out of stock when I tried to order them. I have searched high and low for months trying to find some to no avail. Yes, I know both Vike and River2Sea make them also but they have inserts and only go up to 3/8ths. 1/2oz is the absolute minimum size I need. Anyone know where I can find the Tru T Carolinas?

I can rob the Stingers off of some terrible SK spinnerbaits I have. What's the best way to keep them on? I have some fuel tubing from my nitro RC cars that I can use like SK does on their spinnerbaits or is it not needed?

I know the "by the book" answer is thickness dictates hook size but when you start getting into 12 to 15'' worms a longer shanked hook, like the 7/0 owner, makes alot of sense to me.

I went with... 2- black on black 3/8ths 2- whites 1 w/gold blade 1 w/red 3/8ths 2- ghost minnow 1/w gold 1 w/red blade 3/8ths 1- black on black 1/4th 1- black on black 1/8th Maybe now I can make it through a fishing trip without having to go home because the fish destroyed my only Cavitron.

Shimano Cumara hands down. Just got my fourth one 5 days ago. $350 rod for less than $200 in my opinion. The particular model I got last week retailed (@BPS) for $219.99+shipping, I paid $185 for it shipped. That's the rod I like in that price range, you may not like it. Even if you don't buy it there, go to a tackle shop and feel any rod you are considering before you buy.

Yeah, I've been playing with that a little. I got after one the other day with the drill press to get the props rotational weight down some. A couple of extra holes helps but you can go too far.

They also claim to match a lower competitors price. That's probably just regular prices, not sale prices. I don't know what kind of proof you have to have of the lower price. I just noticed the signs in the store the other day saying they would match lower prices. Anybody know any details about that policy?

Sounds good in theory but I'm just about done with paying twice the price for hardbaits. Bandits crankbaits and Xcalibur lipless are getting the job done for me. H20's aren't too bad either, just get a cracked bill every now and then.

I'll try the 3/8 and see how I like it.

I hear ya on the Cavitron name drop, they are definitely better than any others I've tried. I've been fishing 1/8th Cavitrons exclusively. I was about to order 5 or 6 more and was wondering about going with a heavier model.

The heavier the buzzbait, the faster the retrieve it's going to take to stay on plane??? If that's so and the slowest retrieve possible is desired then why would you use a heavier model....other than for further casting distance or size?

Awesome bait. I have caught some huge bass on the watermelon red 8''. I've also caught bass that were 6 inches long on the 8'' jellies.

Get it right and you'll love it. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I think the alberto was a 100% breaking strength knot with all three lines on knot wars.

Got a pic? I'm a CNC programer, maybe I could make something happen. This is the video with the finger savers and albright special, which I like better than the alberto. Smaller and plenty strong if not equivalent. This is the finger saver below. The total O.D. is 1.0445'' I.D. is 0.8265'' The groove with the rubber in it measures 0.9655'' pictured below...that's measured with the rubber in it. They cost too much to cut the rubber out and give you an exact measurement.