castaway

I use a peice of water proof first aid bandage tape to secure the line to the spool.It usually is enough to prevent the line from slipping on the spool.

I found it to be the same as you mentioned, but the more I used it, the better it got. I bought the P-Line Evolution line.I like it better, it handles alot better, bought 12 lb test , fished a Chompers spider grub for smallies in 38 ft. of water, felt the bites really well,performed well with no trouble at all.The line color might be a problem as it is silver in color, if you were to use it to detect bites, it might be difficult to see in some conditions, but as a whole, its something I plan on buying more of for the next season. Ivan

I started with 3 red curados.They were the only reels I had until the Daiwa craze hit me.I bought a few Shimanos , but more , or less only to trade.I did have a Chronarch SF that I ended up trading for a Kistler Flipping stick.I wish I had never traded that reel away.I have been meaning to get another chronarch, found a super nice 2006 Metanium XT, traded 4 Abu Garcia Torno 3004 HS reels for it. That Shimano is here to stay, gonna build a few select more around it, looking for Chronarch SF, or a Chronarch MG50, or Japanese version of.I have met a super knowledgable person here who stated in a message to me " Better spend once and for all , than spending twice" I couldn't agree more. Ivan

At first I bought a few sizes of each and then went from there.I like the #2 size, but other people I talked to use a #3, I thought they were on the big side for some baits. Ivan http://www.***.com/descpageHDTTLUCKY-LCRING.html

Shimano derailers were the most sought after bike item in the neighborhood when I was a kid as well. ;DThose old reels Catt & the alpster posted look alot like an old Lew childre BB-1LMG I had.Ivan

For rattle traps, I change the line tie to the oval type split ring, either Lucky Craft, or Rick Clunn XPS brand. I also down size the hook split rings 1 size, using the same round type split ring, just smaller and I change the hooks out on them with the split rings.I like the VMC Barbarian treble hooks, they are priced well, fish are locked in when hooked.I was using Gamakatsu EWG hooks before that, they seem to work well, I just like to change the hooks out every 3 months, if not before from multiple catches on them . Ivan

I was wondering if you have a Jr membership, or posse apprenticeship ? ;DI did some trading and ended up with a a 2006 Shimano Metanium XT reel.According to Professor of Japanese tackle( Raul), its is basically the same as the domestic chronarch B.I can't wait until good weather gets here. :)Ivan

I have 2 a 7' Medium and a 7' MH.They have been outstanding rods for the money, I can't remember how long I have had them several years now,no complaints from them. :)Ivan

I have been using the Mega bait chubby series swimbaits, but I cannot find them at Gander Mountain any more.I just bought a Reaction strike Bass harrasser 8" trout from Tackle warehouse.I can't wait until spawn, post spawn to see what it will catch for me. Ivan

I use the All Terrain brand Grass Master jig.It is by far the best jig I have found so far. :)Ivan

Who has the chrome red Bill Lewis ratl traps online ? I cannot find them after it was posted here.The Bill Lewis website doesn't have an online store. I would like to get a couple of the chrome red traps, but cannot find them online to buy. :)Ivan

dunk your rod tip into the lake. the lake water temperatures will thaw the ice .Once they are thawed, remove the rod tip from the lake and shake the rod to remove excess water before it freezes. Here in upstate NY the guides build up with ice more than you would think , if you fish year round. Ivan

In my opinion, Chompers spider grubs have the best action.Yamamoto Hula grub is my second favorite.They do stink, but they flat out catch fish.I like rootbeer/green flake color and fish them on a football head, or use a hawaii dopr shot rig in around weedbeds. Ivan

I still use the 20+ Deep Hogs and a couple of old discontinued Razorback cranks.The 20+ is a very difficult crankbait to beat in my opinion, although they are quite big in size. They are my favorite for cranking deeper grassy areas. :)Ivan

I have caught alot of fish on the Cavitron buzzbait, but I haven't seen them in years.The reason I liked them was they made alot noise, the holes in the blades create a bubble trail as the buzzbait is fished. :)Ivan

buy some mole skin cut it to size and stick it over the skin that you get blisters, or change your rod and reel, if your working tha top water bait that hard, something is not right, blisters from a smithwick rogues,HJ12's yes, but I have never gotten them from spooks and other lures like that. :-/Ivan

Thats what I primarily used my Revo S for, throwing a reaction innovation smallie beaver with a 2/0 owner rig n hook and a 1/8 oz. tungstun weight on 14 lb test mono. Ivan

I have the S model, love everything about it so far.As 5basslimit said, they all are the same size. The S model is very easy to adjust if you have to, the thumb screw on top opens the side plate , but I haven't needed to adjust the settings yet. :)Ivan

Posse, How many of you owned these old curados before ? I had 3 of them at one time, was the first Baitcaster I owned.They were one heck of a reel for me since they were all that I had back then. Thats old school, nice to see these survived in such good shape. ;D Ivan http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-4-BAITCASTING-REELS-2-SHIMANO-XPS-PRO-MITCHELL_W0QQitemZ170067501159QQihZ007QQcategoryZ108153QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170067501159

The STX has a coated pinion shaft and pawl, supposed to reduce friction improving performance. Ivan

Catt, At first I thought you dipped a chrome trap in red blade dip dye, but then I found it on their site. Ivan http://rat-l-trap.com/ratltrap/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=31

They have changed a bit from the first set to the new set I just bought.The new set has a wider elastic band on the sleeves, and the pants have a pull string waist and vecro system rather than the zipper legged that was on my first set.I paid $29.88 for the new set at Bass pro shop.I don't wear them just as rain gear, they are a great windbreaker, keeps you warmer in the mornings before the sun gets things warmed up.I see alot of people who don't like them but I love them. The only complaint I have is when running down the lake in wet weather, your shirt tail section will be exposed and gets soaked.Maybe the bibs would be better. Ivan

Sorry, I don't have the new catalog yet. They didn't even have the new catalogs at the store :-[.Ivan

I fish traps quite a bit because I can catch fish on them.Basically I fish them the same time and conditions most people are fishing spinnerbaits, but the traps are deadly when the water first reaches 60 degrees here in the spring. I really like the Lucky craft, LV0, Spro Aruku shad 75, Cotton Cordell minnow spots ( discontinued bait ), but I have alot more others that I fish as well.The easiest way to be successful with a trap is find grass and fish over top of it, letting the lure tick weeds on the retreive.Its very frustrating as it will get snagged in the weeds alot, but the rewards are well worth the effort.The first thing I do is put a lucky Craft split ring on the line tie and most generally change the hooks out, with the exception of the Lucky crafts, they have excellent hooks on them, but like with Bill Lewis brand, the hooks suck, I change them out as soon as I open the box .I like the VMC barbarian hooks, but most generally I buy Gamakatsu EWG trebles, they are easier to find locally. For small traps I like 10 lb mono and the bigger traps, I use 14-20 lb test. Buy an assortment of colors and brands and switch as your fishing. Some times they will prefer a certain color , or brand over others.I hope this helps, Ivan

Finally , someone who has their priorities right. With those Lucky Crafts, buy a couple packs of the Yamamoto senkos and don't skimp on the trash bags, get the extra heavy duty leaf bags. If that new lightweight rain gear doesn't fit right, buy the cheapest Blue Poly tarp you can find at a dollar store and cut a 14" circle out of the center and wear it as a poncho, we don't want to waste alot of lure money on something thats not required to have. Ivan