Robert Riley

That sounds like it'd work, but wouldn't that be deadly if you ran into your backing fighting the bass of a lifetime

Hey everyone, So I use 12lb mono as my backing for everything. I also tie a double uni knot to connect the main line and backing, the issue is that after a while of losing line, my line will start to catch on the knot. Does this happen to anyone else? What I do know is that when I respool this fall I will definitely add more main line to my spool than I did. So do any of you have tips or tricks about backing? -Rob PS: I pretty much use fluoro.

I was actually looking at purchasing an Exo 200, but I was wondering if I even needed the larger spool

Lemme know if that is the case! Good luck out there.

Hey anyone who has been fishing Pickwick! How's the bite? Im traveling down there soon and want to know what to expect.

I mean I usually just fish from the banks and im not a swimbait fisherman. I could only really see myself needing it for maybe deep cranks or something like that.

So is there any reason to get a larger spooled reel? I get that there is more line capacity, but I've never even run into my backing before. Are there any other advantages?

Big Bites Cane thumper, or a Yamamoto double tail.

My friend is coming back from Afghanistan and Im taking him on a trip to Pickwick. I'm looking for a guided trip for 2-3 days (on the water) . Roughly what am I going to expect to pay, and if anyone has some suggestions for a guide, fire away.

Update: So he has family that live in Muscle Shoals, Pickwick it is(!), and our parents offered to pay gas, cuz I guess that they want us gone too! So that means our only expenditure will be food and a guide. I was looking at guides online and they all seem to be around $325 a day. Now with two people that isn't awful right? And is there like a discount for multiple days? Are these just questions I'll have to ask the individual guide?

So I'd just loosen the drag for spinnerbaits and crank it for jigs?

So I recently acquired a MH Lews SL rod, great rod! I used it as my all purpose, always-in-the-car rod. I fish primarily spinnerbaits and jigs, and they both work well on the rod. But I always see "jig rods" and "spinnerbait rods". Is there any difference in these rods? And should there be? Thanks

Yeah, I'd pick 50lb braid as an all purpose. Although for buzzbaits and sticks I can't handle braid, I loose too many fish, so I use mono.

Haha in all likelihood, he will pay, but I wouldn't want to assume something like that. After all, why else I have been spending all my money on fishing stuff right? Also that was a good point about going north. We could probably spend a week and go for other fish as well. I'll let him decide which he'd prefer.

And that's why I posted here! Thanks. I also found a Croix rage in M-F for only $99, so it's a bit more money for im hoping a lot more rod. Any experience with this rod?

I have a discount with abu garcia, so i get a hefty chunk off.

The villain markets for like 150 doesn't it? So I'm looking at the $150 dollar rod you are telling me I should look for already lol.

I have not looked at the kistler rods. Although, I just found a Croix Rage for $99 bucks, a bit more money, but it seems like just what I need

Hey guys, First off, is it Villain or Villian. It's Villian on purefishing, but that's not a word... Anyway, im in the market for a 7' medium with a fast action, for lighter jigs and spinnerbaits. Right now I'm comparing it to a Okuma C3-40x($140) and Abu Villain($80). Im also looking at the Lews Tournament SL($80), as I have a MH and love it. here are links if they help: http://www.***.com/Okuma_Concept_C3-40x_Casting_Rods/descpage-0CC.html http://www.***.com/Lews_Tournament_SL_HM60_Micro_Guide_Casting_Rods/descpage-LSLC.html Thanks!

Why do you differentiate jigs and spinnerbaits/buzzbaits? I use the same rod for both, just swap out the reels if I want braid or mono for the buzzbait.

Anyone got one? What do you think? I noticed they're all "Fast" on TW. I'm looking for a medium spinnerbait rod now, and a flipping stick later. Good for these? Something better for the money? etc etc, you know the drill.

Check out the conversion to mono diameter, and pick what weight from there. I generally use 30lb for spinning or my light casting set up, and 50/60 for heavy cover, frogs and the like. As long as I tightly spooled it, I have avoided any digging issues.

Hey guys, my high school fishing buddy is coming back from Afghanistan in August and I want to take him on a fishing trip to remember. We are both in central Illinois and willing to travel about the Midwest. Looking to catch some Largemouth or Smallies provided we go north. I have absolutely no idea where to start looking or what to do. I'm a broke ass physics major in college so money is a limitation, and we don't have a boat, so a guide is almost necessary. Thanks, Rob

12lb Sniper FC on a 7' MH Fast action Lews with a 6.3 BB1; same as any spinnerbaits.

In Champaign-Urbana trying to fish some big water!