Mumbly

Hope this year is a great one for you!!!

I still use a few older reels from time to time. Shimano Bantam Black Magnum BKM-200FS 1988-ish Shimano BeastMaster 2-speed (currently has an issue and no parts are available) 1988-ish Quantum Tour Edition US300 (mostly a crankbait reel) Shimano Magnumlite GTX spinning reels (still use for trout fishing) 1988-ish

I have a few 5'6" pistol grip rods that I primarily use for walking baits. Working a spook with a pistol grip is so much nicer for me. They worked well for Charlie Campbell.

I am really glad that you suggested the launch as I had planned on just skipping it. I had no clue what to expect to see there but now I have an idea. Thanks for the suggestion!

Thank you tons for the information!!

I am hoping to get some info on the Classic being held in March. I am thinking about attending which will make it my first Classic. I will be traveling from Canada and with the dollar exchange currently at 30% I need to ask a few questions for those who have attended in the past so I can adjust the budget. Is there a cost to attend the expo or the weigh-in's? What about the final day weigh-in? Anything else I need to know? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the info guys. I was offered one for a decent price but I was hard pressed to think of a use for it. My thinking is that I would be better off trying to find another Curado or Chronarch 50E. Thanks again for you comments.

I am curious if anyone has used or is currently still using this reel? How did you like it and what technique are you using it for?

Boy do those pictures take me back. My first reel was a Mitchell 300 and I had a few 300a's after that. I still have a few. Great to see those spools and cases. Thanks for posting those.

I use a backpack as well. I have it pretty much set up like the one in the video link below although I don't normally carry as much soft plastic. For me the key is the plano 3601 shallow boxes. they work really great and are the perfect size for a backpack.

Thanks Wdy. I appreciate the info.

You make some good points. Personal preference is huge. Funny that you mention the Curado 200E as that is what I have now along with a 50E. My question wasn't meant to be another "What's the best rod for $250" I am looking at adding another baitcaster and so I was mostly asking if it was the best value for $100. perhaps I was just trying to make myself feel better. The fact that you replaced all 200E's with Exo's pretty much answered it. How long did it take to figure out the Exo casting?

They were sold out before I could try to order sadly. Would you guys say that this would have been the best reel for $99 currently?

I prefer the closed as well. Just personal preference I guess

Thank you Joe. I really appreciate your efforts.

X2

I will agree with the other folks and suggest a quality round bend is best on a walking bait due to fish swiping/swatting at the bait. I will also agree with the Owner stingers and Triple Grips in their respective styles. Whether you want round bends owners or ewg's is entirely up to you but I think the most critical point here, and what will help you the most, is that you should replace the stock hooks.

Thanks Glenn. Works great now

Anyone else having a problem viewing the video? I tried two different browsers and it will not play for me.

I have a Goldcast (GC100) that I use often. I love the reel and the only downside perhaps is the slow 4.1:1 ratio. I have caught a bunch of smallmouth with it.

Great video. Thanks Glenn

Anything topwater but partial to spooks.

For smallies busting the surface my go to bait would be a spook. Either a super spook jr or sometimes a puppy. Having said that, there were quite a few times last year that a pop-r was deadly as well.

Head to your local Pharmacy or 3 and ask if they will save the packs for you.

For which size Senko?