onion man

Fishing is different things to different people, just like most things... However, once you touch a Loomis, it is practically impossible not to go on a massive mission to buy as many as possible and ditch everything else. Same thing with the Core.

X2 I made/bought presents for each of my siblings and parents and it felt better to give than to get. It even felt better than getting my first Loomis .

Champion 735C vs. Cumara CUC-74H. Thinking about getting one or the other (or maybe a Loomis) for football jigs and texas rigs. Which one would you go with?

How does the Cumara compare to the Dobyns Champion in terms of sensitivity? I know they are two completely different rods, but sensitivity wise, how do they compare? Sorry don't mean to bomb the thread...

x3. IPT (inches per turn) is more important than gear ratio. It is not "one size fits all" when it comes to different companies, where any company could manufacture a 6.3:1 reel... Shimano's bantam reels had a 6.2:1 gear ratio, just like the newer ones. The bantams had 22 IPT, the newer stuff has 26 IPT...

Your 8.5 is a brute! Sweet fish, and the way the sun shines on it, it makes the coloration almost look like a spot... Not many people have caught fish, let alone smallies, that huge.

In Texas 10 pounds is one fish...

I wouldn't say "several" mid-range spinning reels vs. one high end reel. It is more like two, MAYBE three mid-range reels vs. one higher priced reel... IMHO But everyone's needs are different for the type of fishing they do, and the type of budget they have... Opinions will always differ and if they didn't, than life wouldn't be interesting . As for Stradic FI and the PQ, you will get what you pay for... Shimano spinning reels are notorious for lasting lifetimes, and they are very dependable. The PQ will get you by in the short-term, but if you want long-term "bang for your buck", I would actually say that the Stradic will get you more of that. My .02.

I just received a Shimano Curado 101 Bantam reel, which my first Bantam reel from Shimano. I don't know too much about them, except that they are time tested. There is one problem in the handle, and it kicks back whenever tension is put on the spool... Is this something I can fix, or do I need to take it to somebody who knows what they are doing? Thanks.

Very nice.

I agree, GPS. But I fish lots of lakes under 700 acres, so GPS isn't really necessary, but topo maps are always nice. SI is nice for that but I wouldn't want to be lost on a place like Kentucky lake without GPS lol...

She's got a gut on her 6.5+,... congrats.

That's a popular comparison... One person will say Mojo, the next will say Veritas. Just don't let looks deceive you with the "white" rod. both good rods.

I don't fish them much, but if you can get away with it go weightless. The bait is loaded with salt and whatever and should cast a mile. Should be a big fish bait. If you go deep, c-rig.

I don't fish senkos much, but everyone has had to fish them at one point or another. Gamakatsu, owner, trokar, etc. are the better hooks out there. Pricey, but if saving $2 for buying the cheap pack, it could mean losing that 5 pounder. I like to fish 3/0 as much as possible because if gives the bait more action, but if the fish are short striking move up to 4/0. Hope this helps!

What was that? If I am not wrong... Les Habitents ont vingt-quatre verres de Stanley. C'est tres stupid, Les Bruins juste ont cinq. C'est drole. Je deteste les Bruins, Les Bruins sont moches. J'ai raison... Yeah, Canadien fans are actually smart enough not only to like the right team, but have the time to learn two languages too. Eat it. You Boston fans can go eat your Dunkin Donuts...

I might be able to make it. Is this a tournament or just a friendly fishing trip?

It really depends, you need to RESEARCH and do some studying. It may seam grueling and no fun, but this is an investment that you probably want to last for a long while. You want a quality rod for a good price, and you want to have a good time using it. Here are some CRUCIAL aspects (No pun intended): -There are three ways to go in the blank-GRAPHITE or FIBERGLASS or FIBERGLASS/GRAPHITE COMPOSITE -Graphite is really sensitive, great for feeling structure that even depth finders cannot pickup, but once a big momma chooses to eat your crank for lunch, you may have TOO MUCH FEEL, and set the hook a) Too quickly, Too anxiously, and c) Too forcefully. -Fiberglass gives you ultimate delay in strike and you will not tear as many trebles BUT, you will feel squat, nothing, zero cover and therefor it may be hard to depict the cover, hence it will be more difficult for you to lay a finger on the pattern. -COMPOSITE is in my opinion the way to go. I know you have the Kistler Mag composite rod, and I agree, they overdid the whip in the tip. Look for other brands however, and try to go with a rod that has moderate sensitivity (enough to feel structure), but a decent delay (=no torn lips ). Go with either a moderate or moderate fast action, you should know this already, and stick with medium or medium heavy power. Here are some options: -Daiwa Light and Tough cranking model-composite -Lamiglas has some good offerings -American Rodsmith's David Fritts cranking rod (Yes, the $180 model) -Powell is decent, look at their glass cranking series OR their graphite, it has enough bend in the blank -Lastly, STAY AWAY from E21. Good rod, but bring some tissues on the boat for when the rod breaks and you waste your money (customer service could use some love, too) Handle these rods in person, see what you personally enjoy. That will help.

Period. Everyone wants to go to the salt, which is fun, but bassin' on a bunch of lakes that are as overlooked as mud on the tires is pretty sweet... There are deep natural lakes, shallow ones, and few nice impoundments, great smallmouth lakes if you do your research, and lot of water to yourself...

Gosh, I'm an SE dude too! I am about to get a longer jon as well. There are some great puddles in Southeast Mass... There are a bunch of smaller and less pressured ponds and lakes that hold some big fish. If you have a boat, even better. Looks like I finally have some bassin' guys to talk to from my area.

This sort of feeds off of several other threads asking "what line do you guys like for....", so I thought it would be useful to ask this same question for a variety of techniques. So what kind of line do you guys throw for: *Jigs *Spinnerbaits *Texas rigged plastics *Finesse *Soft/hard jerkbaits This ought to have a variety of opinion.

Is your STX the older model or the newer version? How do you like your PREMIER? Does the lightweight help? Do the 6 bearings cause a difference in performance compared to the STX or Curado? Not sure where ya got the 6 bearing from. I have 4 brand new Premiers and they have 9 bearings. They lighten the reels many ways but 2 of them are the bearing count, but they use a higher grade bearing. The other is removing a few drag washers, as it is reduced to about 18lbs of drag. There are other difference's, but those are obvious. The handle on the Premier is very "Cozy" if you will. Its inviting, makes ya wanna hold it. The performance is awesome, much like the STX, but a bit easier on the casting effort. Its a bit smoother all the way around. Think of it this way, they took a great reel(STX) and made it better. Its the lightest in class, and meant to compete with much higher priced reels. Its the way to go if your after a very light combo. If you are gonna pair it with a not so light rod, then I feel its kind of a waste. Keep in mind the Veritas and Verdict are lighter then most rods 2-3 times their cost. So pairing it with either of those makes a super light combo at half the price of others. I still love my STX's, and Ill use the hesk out of em. I just got 4 more along with those Premier's. I just pair them accordingly. My worm and lighter jig rods get Premier's, flippin and punching get S's and STX's, reaction baits get STX's with the exception of my rip bait rod. Optimizing a combo is the best way to save money, and experience subtle difference's. Oh jeez I am sorry, I am referring to the older model Premier. I am attracted to it a bit more because it is more simple and down to business than the in your face new cosmetics of the new Premier. That is not to say the new Premier is one hell of a machine.... ;D RoadWarrior..... you and what army? Well, I own both brands. I can say that I dropped a Curado 101D on a cement floor, picked it up, and no marks or affects were noticeable AT ALL. I do think a lightweight reel would be nice for constant casts and fast retrieves with spinnerbaits and jigs. Now it is 09 Premier vs. Shimano Curado E7, believe it or not. What is a better option? One is a 6:3.1 and one is a 7:1.1. Is the newer "generation" of baitcast reels, even one in a mid class (Curado E7), better than a high end class reel (Premier 09') of the last "generation"?

Is your STX the older model or the newer version? How do you like your PREMIER? Does the lightweight help? Do the 6 bearings cause a difference in performance compared to the STX or Curado?

How about the older Revo Premier? How good is that? Do you like 7:1.1 or 6:4.1 better when throwing spinnerbaits and jigs?

Yeah the 201E7 looks good and is lighter than the STX 09, but the STX has 11 bearings, a carbon matrix drag system, and an externally adjustable breaking system. I like the STX 09 better than the newer one is because it is more plain and simple, and I don't have an liking for the swept handle and that new gold drag star. That is a bit of a downgrade for me. What about durability? I have heard that the STX's paint wears off easily. Is the Curado E7 more durable in that regard?