OkobojiEagle

Spinning rod... 8lb original fused Fireline direct to the bait oe

I'm wondering how it differs from the Berkley Fireline Braid that also is an eight carrier radial braid? Maybe just re-packaging a product that is often confused with the original flat fused Fireline... oe

Thank you oe

In the box with a Chronarch 51e are two sets of replacement brake blocks. One set is a fleshy-pink color (as the set installed from the factory) and the other set is a light minty-green color. Which set is the lighter weight? Thanks oe

Under-filling the spool will help control over-runs as you learn to use bait casting reels. oe

6' 6" for me. I prefer comparing the WRL (working rod length)... the length between the rod tip and the center of the reel's foot. I have a 6' 9" rod that has a WRL the same length as my 7' rods. oe

Thank you to everyone who posted their opinion or personal experience in this thread. I found each post helpful in my decision process. May each of you land (and release) your personal best this Spring. oe

I believe the BB1 is centrifugal braking only... oe

I guess it must be my age creeping up on me... I've been researching all winter for a new reel, but here it's time to purchase and I still can't pick THE one! My choices fall (in this order) to the Chronarch 51e, Tatula_R and BB1 Pro. I fish smallmouth and will use this reel throwing Wiggle Warts, Bandits, Pointers, Spooks, 1/2oz lip-less cranks and spinnerbaits <= 1/2 oz. It will be spooled with 20lb braid. I'm looking for good spool control with these baits as it's pretty breezy through June on my lakes. I'm hoping for a "set it once and be done with it" brake system. I'm not looking for sexy, but rather functional... I want to be satisfied with this reel a decade or more from now because I will still be using it. Thanks to all who are willing to offer me their opinions. oe

Employ a sweep set with the ***. oe

PE line... but always with a leader of nylon or fluoro mono to lessen the amount of times the bait will walk over the line. oe

John... upon reading your recommendation earlier this winter I stopped in a Lowe's to pick up a bottle of Perfect Solution. Finally found it half hidden behind some other cleaner... the bottle covered with a 1/8" layer of dust. I'm guessing PS isn't Lowe's best selling cleaner. I'll give it a try when next time I'm deep cleaning my reels. oe

Thank you oe

Would someone who has a 6' 9" Fenwick Elite Tech smallmouth spinning rod measure the length of the rod from it's tip to the spinning reel stem. I consider this to be the "effective use length" and a better comparison length to other rods. Thanks. oe

I have purchased several spinnning rods without the ceramic inserts and don't currently fish any of them... my braid-to-flouro leader knot will catch on the thin metal guides, especially the tip guide while reeling a bass in. I use 10lb braid to 4lb, 6lb or 8lb flouro with an Alberto knot so the knot is quite small. I replaced the tip guide on two of these rods to tips with ceramic inserts and I liked them " a little bit" better, but the knot still "ticked" the other guides while casting. I don't have this problem with ceramic insert guides. The rods performed just fine when not using a leader. Your mileage may vary... oe

Compare the guides on each of those series... I don't care for guides without ceramic inserts. oe

Mike L... good call with the Trilene knot. Head to head tests between the Trilene and Improved Clinch that I have seen or read have always yeilded better strength results with the Trilene. oe

My most often used jerkbaits... Slender Pointer 97, Pointer 78 & Silent Pointer 95. All of them are near, but < 4". oe

Purely enjoyment! oe

How 'bout a postcard... oe

Working a shallow diving crankbait parallel to the shoreline is very good advice, particularly if you can wade a short distance into the water. Using floating topwater baits such as a popper, spook or floating/shallow diving jerkbait may also yield a few bass as the water warms. Don't be afraid to let those topwater baits sit motionless for several seconds. oe

TSI321 oe

IF you have a concern about line visibility, it's the leader you would be trying to make less visible and you would be trying to make the main line more visible. There are several reasons you might want to use a leader when bass fishing... visibility is only one of them. oe

When worrying about line visibility, line diameter is more important than line composition. oe

I feel the bite more easily with a jighead/plastic than with a T-rigged plastic. oe