Robert Riley

I really like the Lew's Rod you mentioned. But I'd recommend the Dobyns Champion 734, or the Fury if want a cheaper option.

Ya I have 40% off. Still, tuition plus Dobyns and Lew's = $$$

D@mmit all. I already have enough trouble saving my money.

I've had an XT for about 4 years now, at least, and it's holding up great.

Those Winn grips i think? They feel awesome. Can't decide if I like it more than cork though. Definitely like it more than EVA foam.

Team Lew's GoldSpin in the best I've used, it's something like $120 I believe.

This. So much of this. I have always wondered why, but as an angler with about a dozen RH reels, it's too late to change. And apparently too late to learn.

Lew's Mach1 is pretty sweet, my buddy loves his, it was his first casting reel. Could also get a Lew's TMB.

I'm on the way out of the house, so I'll post just about the rod. Champions are much nicer than the savvys, and the Extremes are as much better than the champions. If you're spending $500, buy an extreme, I've heard great things about the DX734sf. In my experience, when it comes to spinning gear, the money is mostly on the rod. I have two spinning reels, $50 and $130, don't prefer one of the other. The price difference doesnt matter as much as in casting gear.

I keep hearing about the Gen2 vs the Gen3, consensus in that the Gen3 is inferior. But I've got a Gen3 STX in 6:1 that I use for my spinnerbait set up. My only complaint is that the line does not lay evenly. Not sure if it's a reel problem or a line problem, but I haven't figured it out yet.

The previous answer about the rod is well said. I use 12# YZH on my cranking BB1. As far as a rods go, I use a Dobyns D806cb for my big cranks, a Veritas 7'6" MH for my other divers, and a Dobyns D685cb for squarebills. Overall, the sensitivity does not matter compared to other techniques. Hence my use of a Veritas rod. (Provided I have the other two $200+ Dobyns for other reasons).

I' m a Dobyns fan boy. Go with the St. Croix. I dislike any dobyns spinning rods below champion, I have a fenwick elitetech smallie rod that is far superior than a savvy, which I also got for much less $$$. But I will recommend the Lew's reel, they make some of the best spinning reels on the market. Just make sure to shy away from the American Hero line.

I had two buddies qualify, I think 2nd and 9th (?), can't believe someone caught fish that weekend hahaha

Exactly what I'd do.

It was an awful tournament for us college anglers. I got skunked the first day, found a 3.5# on her bed in 80 degree water.

My local pond, probably ~2 acres, is fishing weird. The bass have spawned, bluegill are spawning right now, air temps are 85-95 (have been for a week or two). Bass are in at most a foot of water. Shouldn't they be deeper?

For some reason, chatterbaits have been killing it for me.

There are leaches on my bass! My neighborhood pond has some nice fish, and they come with some small leaches, about 3-4 in each basses mouth. Anything I can do? Is it something to worry about?

I've heard that the Okuma rods are the best entry level. I however, being a Dobyns fan boy will be purchasing a FR795sb this summer. Also, can't you just ask GLoomis? Don't they have a great warranty program? I'm sure someone will chime in on this.

I used it today, didn't come undone, got to get used to braid again haha

yup^

I have a bunch of shakeyheads, don't recall who makes them, but I hate em haha. Every time I catch a fish, I lose the worm and the scew lock, it breaks off from the jig head and takes the worm with it. Is this like an intrinsic property of shakeyheads? Should I try some new ones, or try something similar to the VMC Rugbyhead?

When y'all toss jigs and plastic, do you use a FC leader? I spooled my 8:1 reel with braid since I was anticipating ordering a new 8:1, but I had some unexpected expenses come up. I'm probably going to try a leader so I don't have to respool anymore and just wait it out.

For when you take the lady or the kid fishing

I do about 3 loops for each, I was going to start adding more.