OkobojiEagle

Thanks for the thoughts. Shad Raps and Flicker Shads are pretty useless in weeds, they both run pretty flat and catch every piece of weed near them. I like Wiggle Warts on clean gravel, sand and clay, but again, they bring along every weed they meet. So far I've found the DT6 to be the most weedless in the situation I asked about. The smaller lip sneaks through pretty cleanly and it's deeper body with tighter action does a pretty good job of shielding the trebles. Tried a Rapala Thug the other day... that was a laugh! I appreciate the suggestions as I'm looking for more ideas, there are dozens of cranks I've never fished or probably even heard of. oe

I'd hang a photo of me holding it wearing a big toothy grin and Mother Nature looking over my shoulder. oe

Scott... How much distance is that. I'd agree with that statement if we're talking about trolling distance (a couple of cast lengths), but I frequently hold my rod high over head to keep a crankbait running at a shallower depth fishing over weeds and crank with my rod tip touching water to keep the crank banging bottom longer over deep flats. oe

Share your list of crankbaits that are easiest to fish cleanly through boulders and sparse cabbage. Depth range 3' to 12'. This is smallmouth water. oe

... or 1/2 oz. Luhr-Jensen Hot Lips Express oe

K_Mac... My point hasn't been that anglers "should" under-fill their baitcasters by 1/2, but that the original poster "can" fish his currently under-filled reel with little down side and probably better spool control. oe

You are far over-stating the loss of casting distance, and slowing the retrieve speed to 16"/handle revolution didn't cause much problem with deep spinnerbaits and cranks. Occasionally keeping up with hard charging smallmouth would bring a bead of sweat or two. oe

Our experiences appear to be 180 degrees opposite. oe

Less line = less spool speed = better spool control = fewer backlashes... oe

How deep do they dive and at what angle? I notice the "clipped" hook on the back treble... wondered why the back treble vs. the front treble? Subtle or wide action? (I can't imagine the antenna making a significant difference?) oe

There is entirely too much pressure on you about this fishing trip. Stay home and go to a water park. oe

Barbless hooks help make this conversation moot... oe

I also used engine oil in my older round Abu spool bearings... gave much better spool control. I also learned to underfill the spool with line by a good 1/4 inch or better. Just this spring I replaced my Ambassador 4601 with a Chronarch 51e. Yes, I agree the Chronarch is a more refined reel, but I do miss the feel of that Ambassador in my hands... oe

Is the LC Flashminnow 95mr a current bait or is Lucky Craft discontinuing it? If it is being discontinued, will there be a close replacement? oe

...but maybe a 20lb drum, or 25lb pike, or 40lb musky. I was a boy scout "Be Prepared". oe

What are the MSRP of those two rods? oe

If you've settled on Shimano buy the white one, it has a metal frame... oe

Do you want the BEST reel... or a reel priced under 100 dollars? Those options are mutually exclusive. oe

How many strings does a ukulele have?... oe

Amino acids... oe

I've been catching them pretty well using a very, very old spinning rod and a cheap but new Abu spinning reel. I really want to starting using more baitcasters My goal in fishing is to catch fish... You're successful using your current spinning combo, why change. oe

Smaller diameter line makes a bigger difference... oe

IaBass offers good advice above. If you took the bearing apart to clean it, you may have put the inner race back upside-down. It's best not to take the bearing apart when cleaning. Soaking the assembled A/R bearing in a degreasing solution is all that is needed. oe

I prefer a split grip on spinning rods, but my preference isn't as strong on casting rods. oe

I think this is an excellent rule of thumb. I'd add that any "up grades" the seller has added to the reel were for his purposes and I won't pay for them. oe